CI17: The EU & Brexit
The European Union, the UK's membership from 1973 to 2020, the 2016 referendum, key arguments for and against, the Brexit process, and its impact on the UK.
The EU & Brexit
The European Union, the UK's membership from 1973 to 2020, the 2016 referendum, key arguments for and against, the Brexit process, and its impact on the UK.
Key Fact: The EU began as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and evolved into a political and economic union of 27 member states cooperating on trade, law, and policy.
Key Fact: The UK joined the European Communities in 1973. A 1975 referendum confirmed membership with 67% voting to stay in. Membership gave access to the single market and freedom of movement.
Key Fact: The 2016 EU referendum result: 51.9% voted Leave, 48.1% voted Remain. Turnout was 72.2%. England and Wales voted Leave; Scotland and Northern Ireland voted Remain.
Key Fact: Key Leave arguments: regaining parliamentary sovereignty (making all UK laws in the UK), controlling immigration (ending freedom of movement), making independent trade deals, and saving EU budget contributions (£17.4bn gross in 2019).
Key Fact: Key Remain arguments: economic benefits of the single market (access to 450 million consumers), freedom to live and work across the EU, cooperation on security and the environment, and the EU's role in maintaining peace in Europe.
Key Fact: Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty triggered the formal leaving process on 29 March 2017. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020.
Key Fact: The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) governs UK-EU relations post-Brexit: tariff-free trade for most goods (if rules of origin are met), but new customs checks and regulatory barriers.
Key Fact: Brexit affected: trade (new barriers and costs), travel (passports required, 90-day limit in Schengen area), citizens' rights (EU Settlement Scheme for EU nationals in the UK), and the Northern Ireland border (the Protocol and Windsor Framework).
Key Fact: The UK still follows many EU-derived laws but can now diverge from them. The Retained EU Law Act 2023 provides a mechanism for amending or removing these laws.
Key Fact: The long-term economic and political effects of Brexit continue to be debated. The OBR estimated it would reduce UK GDP by about 4% long-term compared to EU membership.
Key Fact: Young people aged 16-17 could not vote in the referendum (unlike the Scottish independence referendum), which many argue was unfair given they would live with the consequences longest.
Key Fact: Post-Brexit, the UK has joined the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) and negotiated bilateral trade deals with Australia, Japan, and others.
📋 Key Vocabulary and Concepts
For The EU & Brexit, you must know:
- European Union
- Single market
- Freedom of movement
- Article 50
- Brexit
- Referendum
- Sovereignty
- Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- Transition period
- EU Settlement Scheme
- Northern Ireland Protocol
- Windsor Framework
❓ Practice Questions
Q: What were the main arguments for and against Brexit?
Q: How did Brexit affect UK citizens' rights?
Q: Evaluate the impact of Brexit on the UK economy.
✅ Answers
- Leave: regaining parliamentary sovereignty, controlling immigration by ending free movement, making independent trade deals, saving EU budget contributions. Remain: economic benefits of the single market, freedom to live and work across the EU, international cooperation on security and the environment, EU's role in maintaining European peace.
- UK citizens lost automatic rights to live and work in EU countries — they now need visas for long stays. EU citizens in the UK had to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Travel became more complex with passport requirements, 90-day limits in the Schengen area, and restrictions on duty-free goods.
- Brexit removed the UK from the EU single market, creating trade barriers that increased costs for businesses. The OBR estimated a long-term GDP reduction of about 4%. However, supporters argue the UK can now make independent trade deals (CPTPP, Australia, Japan) and reduce EU regulation. The full economic impact is still debated.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Always present both sides of the Brexit debate — it was closely divided (51.9% vs 48.1%)
- Distinguish between the EU (27 member states) and Europe (geographic continent) — they are not the same
- Use correct terminology: 'single market' not 'common market', 'freedom of movement' not 'open borders'
📝 Exam Technique
Citizenship Studies Exam Tips — The EU & Brexit:
1. For The EU & Brexit questions, use citizenship terminology and reference democratic processes accurately
2. Consider multiple viewpoints — including those you disagree with
3. Link The EU & Brexit to current affairs and real-world examples where possible
4. When evaluating, consider both rights and responsibilities
5. Structure longer answers: identify the issue, analyse different perspectives, reach a justified view
1. For The EU & Brexit questions, use citizenship terminology and reference democratic processes accurately
2. Consider multiple viewpoints — including those you disagree with
3. Link The EU & Brexit to current affairs and real-world examples where possible
4. When evaluating, consider both rights and responsibilities
5. Structure longer answers: identify the issue, analyse different perspectives, reach a justified view
⚠️ Common Errors
✗ The UK was forced to join the EU. ✓ The UK chose to join the European Communities in 1973, and this was confirmed by a 1975 referendum where 67% voted to stay in.
✗ Brexit means the UK has no relationship with the EU. ✓ The UK and EU have a Trade and Cooperation Agreement and continue to trade and cooperate, though on different terms than before.
✗ The EU makes all the laws for member states. ✓ EU law applies in specific areas where member states have agreed to cooperate. Member states still make most domestic laws independently, though EU law takes priority in areas it covers.
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
Evaluate the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with Europe. [12 marks]
Brexit fundamentally changed the UK's relationship with Europe. The UK left the EU single market and customs union, creating new trade barriers. Businesses face customs checks, paperwork, and tariffs on some goods, increasing costs and reducing trade with the EU — previously the UK's largest trading partner. Freedom of movement ended, meaning UK citizens can no longer automatically live and work in the EU. This has affected industries like hospitality, agriculture, and health that relied on EU workers. University participation in Erasmus+ was also lost. The Northern Ireland Protocol created a unique situation where Northern Ireland effectively remains in the EU single market for goods to avoid a hard border with the Republic. The Windsor Framework eased some tensions but the issue remains politically sensitive. However, the UK retains connections through NATO, the Council of Europe, and bilateral relationships. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement preserves tariff-free trade for most goods, and the UK has joined CPTPP in the Indo-Pacific. Overall, Brexit has made the UK-EU relationship more distant and complex, with real economic and social costs, but the two sides continue to cooperate on shared interests.
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Analysis
AO1 (Knowledge & Understanding — 30%): You need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the eu & brexit, including key concepts, legal frameworks, and institutional structures.
AO2 (Analysis & Evaluation — 40%): You must analyse and evaluate different viewpoints, policies, and approaches related to the eu & brexit. Consider strengths and limitations, compare perspectives, and reach reasoned judgements.
AO3 (Active Citizenship — 30%): Apply your understanding of the eu & brexit to real-world citizenship contexts. Demonstrate how citizens can engage with this topic through participation, campaigning, or community action.
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
🎬 Video Resources
Detailed Notes
Understanding The EU & Brexit in British Context
The EU & Brexit is a core topic in GCSE Citizenship Studies that requires understanding of how the UK political and legal systems work, and how citizens can participate effectively. The specification requires you to know how British democracy functions, understand your rights and responsibilities as a citizen, and be able to take informed and responsible action on citizenship issues.
When writing about the eu & brexit in GCSE exams, always refer to specific UK examples: the UK Parliament at Westminster, the devolved legislatures (Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, Northern Ireland Assembly), the court system (magistrates’ courts, Crown Court, High Court, Supreme Court), and real examples of active citizenship campaigns. Examiners reward answers that show understanding of how systems work in practice, not just textbook descriptions.
British Values underpin GCSE Citizenship: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Understanding the eu & brexit requires connecting these values to the specific systems and processes you are studying.
GCSE Example: Understanding The EU & Brexit in British Context
When discussing the eu & brexit, a strong GCSE answer would: define the concept precisely, explain how it operates in the UK using a specific example, evaluate its effectiveness, and consider how citizens can engage with it through active citizenship.
The EU & Brexit and UK Democratic Processes
The UK is a parliamentary democracy where citizens exercise power through elected representatives. Understanding the eu & brexit requires knowledge of how democratic processes work: general elections (first past the post), devolved elections (additional member system for Scotland and Wales), local elections, and referendums. The UK does not have a written constitution — instead, constitutional principles are drawn from statute law, common law, conventions and authoritative works.
The UK Parliament consists of the House of Commons (650 elected MPs), the House of Lords (appointed and hereditary members), and the monarch. A Bill becomes an Act of Parliament after passing through both Houses and receiving Royal Assent. Understanding how laws are made is essential context for the eu & brexit, as it determines how citizens can influence the democratic process.
Active citizenship means participating in democratic processes beyond just voting: contacting your MP, joining pressure groups, participating in consultations, organising campaigns, and using legal rights such as freedom of information requests. GCSE Citizenship requires evidence of active citizenship involvement.
GCSE Example: The EU & Brexit and UK Democratic Processes
A group of GCSE Citizenship students concerned about the eu & brexit could organise a campaign: research the issue, write to their MP, create a petition on the parliament.uk website, arrange a meeting with local councillors, and document the entire process as evidence of active citizenship.
Rights, Responsibilities and The EU & Brexit
UK citizens have both rights and responsibilities. Key rights include: the right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a fair trial, and the right to privacy. These rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK and can declare government actions incompatible with human rights.
Key responsibilities include: obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury if called, and respecting the rights of others. Citizenship is not just about rights — it requires active participation and contribution to the community. The balance between rights and responsibilities is a key theme in GCSE Citizenship.
When evaluating the eu & brexit, consider different perspectives: how might different groups in society be affected differently? What are the competing rights and responsibilities? How do democratic processes ensure that different views are heard and balanced?
GCSE Example: Rights, Responsibilities and The EU & Brexit
When discussing rights and responsibilities related to the eu & brexit, a balanced answer would consider: what rights are at stake, who holds them, what responsibilities accompany those rights, and how the UK legal and political systems protect and enforce them.
Comparison Table
| UK Institution | Role | How Citizens Engage |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament (Commons + Lords) | Makes laws, scrutinises government | Vote, contact MP, petition |
| Devolved legislatures | Make laws on devolved matters | Vote in devolved elections |
| Courts (Supreme Court) | Interpret and apply the law | Jury service, legal challenges |
| Local councils | Provide local services | Vote, attend meetings, complain |
| Pressure groups | Influence policy on specific issues | Join, campaign, donate |
Additional Practice Questions
Q: Explain how the eu & brexit operates in the UK, using a specific example to illustrate your answer.
A: In the UK, the eu & brexit operates through [specific mechanism]. For example, [specific UK example showing how the system works in practice]. This demonstrates that [key principle of UK democracy/citizenship]. Citizens can engage with this through [specific active citizenship action]. A strong GCSE answer uses precise terminology, references the UK context, and explains how the process works in practice.
Q: Evaluate the effectiveness of UK democratic processes in relation to the eu & brexit, considering different perspectives.
A: UK democratic processes related to the eu & brexit have both strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, [strength with example]. On the other hand, [weakness with example]. Different groups in society may experience the eu & brexit differently — for example, [specific group] may find that [specific issue]. Overall, while the UK system provides [specific protection/opportunity], there is room for improvement through [specific suggestion].
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