1. Brexit, the UK and the European Union
Lesson 1
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
LO: To analyse and evaluate the benefits and costs of the UK’s membership of the EU in the context of Brexit.

2. Contents Contents What is the UK’s role in the EU?
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
Contents
Contents
What is the UK’s role in the EU?
How is the EU different to the Council of Europe?
What is Brexit?
What are the benefits and costs of the UK’s membership of the EU?
Where do you stand on the UK’s membership of the EU?
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

3. What is the UK’s role in the EU?
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
What is the UK’s role in the EU?
The UK is one of 28 member states of the European Union (EU). The EU has created a set of rules and regulations that must be followed by all members.
These rules are wide-ranging, including areas such as trade, environment, transport, and justice policy.  
Parliament does not have a formal role in EU law-making. However, it can given an opinion to the UK Government.
One of the arguments for Brexit was that if the UK was not part of the EU, the UK would be able to more independently make its own rules and regulations.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

4. As part of the EU, the UK accepts the ‘4’ freedoms
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
As part of the EU, the UK accepts the ‘4’ freedoms
Freedom of movement for persons across the EU
Freedom of movement for goods across the EU
Freedom of movement for services across the EU
Freedom of movement for capital across the EU
The 4 freedoms are part of what is known as the ‘Single Market’.
Can you think of why the ‘Single Market’ is called this?
All members of the EU are entitled to (and have to accept) these four fundamental freedoms:
The free movement of persons: this means that EU citizens can move freely between member states to live, work, study or retire in another country.
The free movement of goods: barriers have been removed to create an internal market where goods can move freely.
The free movement of services: This allows people to move between member states in order to provide services (e.g. a self-employed builder) on a temporary or permanent basis.
The free movement of capital: allows for the movement of investments, such as property purchases between countries.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

5. Brexit, the UK and the European Union
A Swedish plumber sets up their own business in Germany.
The free movement of capital.
An Italian citizen opens a bank account in Finland.
The free movement of goods.
The free movement of services.
A British student attends university in Denmark.
Ask students to match the example on the left to the freedom on the right
The free movement of persons.
A French cheese producer exports products to the UK.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

6. Brexit, the UK and the European Union
All citizens of an EU country are automatically citizens of the EU. Being an EU citizen gives you certain rights and responsibilities.
Moving & living in the EU
As an EU citizen, you have the right to live and move within the EU.
2. Participating in the political life of the EU
Every EU citizen has the right to vote and stand as a candidate in both local and European elections in the EU country they live in (although not national elections), under the same conditions as nationals of that country.
3. Consular protection
If you are in a non-EU country and need help, as an EU citizen you are entitled to consular protection from the embassy or consulate of any other EU country, if your own country does not have an embassy or consulate in the non-EU country.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

7. What is the difference between the EU and the Council of Europe?
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
What is the difference between the EU and the Council of Europe?
The European Union (EU)
The European Union represents the 28 countries that are part of the EU. This organisation has created a set of rules and regulations that must be followed by all members. These rules are wide-ranging, including areas such as trade, environment, transport, and justice policy.  
The Council of Europe
An international organisation in Strasbourg which comprises 47 countries of Europe. It was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
The Council of Europe brings together governments from across Europe – and beyond – to agree minimum legal standards in a wide range of areas. It then monitors how well countries apply the standards that they have chosen to sign up to.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

8. Brexit, the UK and the European Union
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

9. Task Around the class are a number of statements.
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
Task
Around the class are a number of statements.
You need to decide if the statement is an advantage or a disadvantage and record this on the table provided.
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

10. Advantages of belonging to the EU Disadvantages of belonging to the EU
Brexit, the UK and the European Union
Advantages of belonging to the EU
Disadvantages of belonging to the EU
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

11. Example Political opinions on Brexit
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

12. The Conservatives
Prime Minister, Theresa May, was against BREXIT prior to the referendum. However, she now says that there can be no turning back, “Brexit means Brexit.”
On 29th March 2017 Theresa May wrote a letter to the European Council which formally outlined the UK’s intention to leave the EU (the triggering of Article 50). From the date of this letter the UK has 2 years to negotiate an exit deal.
The letter also set out the Governments key priorities for Brexit negotiations.
A full copy of the letter can be found here -
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

13. 12 priorities for Brexit Providing certainty and clarity
Taking control of our own laws
Strengthening the union
Maintain the common travel area with Ireland
Controlling immigration
Securing rights for UK nationals in the EU and EU nationals in the UK
Protecting workers rights
Ensuring free trade in the European market
Securing new trade deals for our exports
Keeping the UK as the best place for science and innovation
Cooperating in the fight against crime and terrorism
Delivering a smooth exit from the EU
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

14. They aim for a “close new relationship with the EU”.
The labour party campaigned against Brexit during the run up to the referendum.
However, they now say that the results of the referendum must be honoured.
They aim for a “close new relationship with the EU”.
Labour has set out several demands and tests that it states Brexit must meet. These include:
Protecting workers rights
Protecting consumer rights
Protecting the environment
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

15. The free movement of people
The Liberal Democrats are strongly pro-EU and have promised to try and stop what they call a “disastrous hard Brexit”.
They would like to see a 2nd referendum – this time on the terms of the final Brexit deal.
They have promised to fights for protecting existing aspects of EU membership such as:
The single market
Customs unions
The free movement of people
They would like a guarantee of EU citizens’ rights and would like to remain in Europe wide schemes such as Erasmus.
Details on the Erasmus scheme can be found here -
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

16. UKIP has long campaigned to leave the EU.
Having been on the ‘winning’ side of the referendum they are now styling themselves as the ‘guard dog of Brexit.’
The party has 6 key tests for Brexit:
Supremacy of Parliament
Full control of migration
A maritime exclusive economic zone around the UK’s coastline
A seat on the World Trade Organisation
No ‘divorce’ payment to the EU on leaving
Brexit to be fully ‘done and dusted’ by the end of 2019
Details on the Erasmus scheme can be found here -
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No

17. Where do you stand? More advantages to belonging to the EU
I’m not sure of my opinion
More disadvantages to belonging to the EU
© Citizenship Foundation • Charity Reg. No