What Can the EU Learn from Brexit?

The UK’s relationship with Europe has long been a contentious issue. This chapter explores the UK's decision to remain outside early European integration in the 1950s, its shift towards seeking membership in the 1960s, and its eventual entry into the European Economic Community in the 1970s. It then examines the 2016 referendum that led to the UK's exit from the EU—Brexit—and what lessons the EU can draw from it. Although driven by national concerns, Brexit can also be seen as a protest vote fuelled by the economic fallout of the financial crisis and long-term effects of globalisation and technological change. This highlights the need for the EU to address broader economic and social discontent through reforms aimed at growth and productivity. In today’s global landscape, marked by geopolitical tensions and climate change, deeper cooperation among EU member states is essential. The unity shown during Brexit negotiations provides a model for such cooperation. While the UK is unlikely to rejoin the EU soon, the chapter concludes that the EU should encourage the UK to engage with a broader European community.