The Federal Trust

The Federal Trust

by The Federal Trust for Education and Research

Government Politics

Will Labour unpick Brexit?

In this new podcast episode, Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens discuss the likely evolution of a Labour government’s approach towards the EU. They argue that political pragmatism and economic reality may lead over the next five years to a transformation of Keir Starmer’s current cautious approach towards the EU.

Brexit: a prison for young people?

The Brexit debate in the UK remains confused and confusing. In this new Federal Trust podcast, Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens discuss the irony of both Rejoiners and Brexiters discussing the recent proposals from the European Commission to help young people to travel for work and study as if they were a prelude to the restoration of Freedom of Movement. Both Rejoiners and Brexiters are wrong in this assessment.

Brexit: The Debate Continues

In this new Federal Trust video, Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens review some recent surprising contributions to the Brexit debate. They suggest that the debate on Brexit continues to evolve, even though leading politicians do their best to suppress it. SPEAKERS John Stevens is the Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs. Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP.

Brexit: Can Labour bring the UK closer to the EU?

John Palmer and Brendan Donnelly discuss whether co-operation on defence issues can help an incoming Labour government move closer to the EU on a range of other issues as well. They expect that Labour’s European policy will evolve over its period in office. They warn however that cooperation with the EU may be limited if the Labour Party cannot overcome the traditional distrust of British politicians towards the EU’s institutions. SPEAKERS John Palmer was the European Editor of The Guardian and subsequently a Founder/Political Director of the European Policy Centre in Brussels. He is a Board Member of the Federal Trust. Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP.

Brexit: Will Reform UK Destroy the Conservative Party?

John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly discuss the impact of the Reform Party on British politics. They argue that its threat to the Conservative Party lies in its ability to win over those voters still committed to Brexit who think that Brexit’s failure could have been avoided by a more competent or zealous Conservative government.

Brexit: The American Dimension

John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly discuss the crucial American component of the Brexit debate. Many of those arguing for Brexit in 2016 did so because they favoured a closer alignment between the UK and the US. John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly ask how politically and practically feasible such closer alignment might be, particularly under a Trump Presidency.

Brexit: Destroyer of the Conservative Party?

Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens discuss the effects of Brexit on the internal cohesion of the Conservative Party. They argue that, while the referendum of 2016 was intended to heal Conservative divisions, Brexit has exacerbated divisions within the Party, probably irreparably. SPEAKERS Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP. John Stevens Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs. Website: https://fedtrust.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/fedtrust Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=treasurer%40fedtrust.co.uk&currency_code=GBP   Support our work: https://www.patreon.com/federaltrust

Will Trump Destroy NATO?

In this latest Federal Trust podcast, John Stevens and Brendan Donnelly discuss the implications of a Trump Presidency for Europe and the United Kingdom. They conclude that if Trump becomes the next American President, then the European Union will be both prepared and able to increase its expenditure on defence. This process of “strategic autonomy” for the European Union is already underway and is likely to gain momentum in the coming years. SPEAKERS Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP. John Stevens Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs. ABOUT THE FEDERAL TRUST The Federal Trust is a research institute studying regional, national, European and global levels of government. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it. The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research. Website: https://fedtrust.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/fedtrust Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=treasurer%40fedtrust.co.uk&currency_code=GBP Support our work: https://www.patreon.com/federaltrust

Northern Ireland can now face the future

In this new episode of the Federal Trust podcast, Geoff Martin welcomes the restoration of normal political life in Northern Ireland after years of deadlock. The appointment of two women from opposing political traditions as First and Deputy First Minister undoubtedly marks a turning-point in the Province’s history. But Geoff cautions that rifts between and within its political parties could still lead to instability in Northern Ireland.

Labour Divided on Brexit?

In this new Federal Trust podcast, Brendan Donnelly and John Stevens discuss the likely course of the British debate on Brexit in 2024. They suggest that the Mayor of London’s new intervention in this debate is both part of his election strategy for the Mayoral elections and a foretaste of debates to come within the Labour Party. These debates are likely to reach a climax in the years following the General Election. SPEAKERS Brendan Donnelly is the Director of the Federal Trust and a former Conservative MEP. John Stevens Chair of the Federal Trust and an analyst and commentator on economic affairs. ABOUT THE FEDERAL TRUST The Federal Trust is a research institute studying regional, national, European and global levels of government. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it. The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research. Website: https://fedtrust.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/fedtrust Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=treasurer%40fedtrust.co.uk&currency_code=GBP Support our work: https://www.patreon.com/federaltrust #Brexit #rejoineu #sadiqkhan #sunak

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