A podcast that looks beyond the slogans and grandstanding to examine what Brexit will mean for Britain’s trade, economy, public institutions and private sector. Brexit Unspun is produced by Fiona Symon
35 Available Episodes (35 Total)Average duration: 00:15:46
Jun 01, 2018
Britons have a change of heart on immigration
00:18:33
Fears about EU migrants 'flooding the country' played a big role in the campaign to persuade Britons to vote for Brexit, but there are signs of a big shift in public attitudes as labour shortages begin to affect different sectors of the economy. The government, however, seems slow to catch on. Ursula Milton talks to the FT’s Sarah O’Connor and Robert Wright and to Robert Ford of Manchester University about changing attitudes towards immigration to the UK.
A bitter row has broken out between Brussels and the British government over Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system. FT industry editor Peggy Hollinger and space expert Bleddyn Bowen discuss why the project is such an important test case for future relations between Britain and the EU
Many in Britain have been unaware of the extent to which European law has benefited their rights and that, without an overarching EU constitutional framework, these rights may now be at risk. Schona Jolly, QC, barrister at Cloisters Chambers, who specialises in equality, human rights and employment law, talks to the FT’s Barney Thompson about what’s at stake.
How realistic are Britain's Commonwealth trade ambitions?
00:17:25
The network of mostly former British colonies accounts for a relatively small share of British exports compared to the EU but this means the potential for growth is great, say exponents of Brexit. Siona Jenkins examines the arguments with the FT's Alan Beattie and Emily Jones of the Blavatnik School of Government in Oxford.
Theresa May was backed by over 20 countries and Nato when she accused Russia of using a military grade nerve agent to poison the ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the provincial town of Salisbury. But will Britain be more vulnerable to such attacks once it is outside the EU? Siona Jenkins puts the question to Nina Schick, an expert in Russian hybrid warfare at the political consultancy Rasmussen Global, and the FT’s Philip Stephens.
Will British fishermen be 'sold down the river' again?
00:19:28
A big appeal of Brexit for fishing communities around the UK was the promise that Britain would take back control of the seas around its coast and restore fishing rights perceived as being ‘stolen’ by European neighbours. However, the exit negotiations may result in a rather messier outcome, as fisheries are used as a bargaining chip in the broader UK-EU trade talks. Siona Jenkins discusses the future of the fishing industry with the FT's Mure Dickie, Chris Tighe and James Blitz
Young people were under-represented in the Brexit referendum because only 40 per cent turned out to vote, but those who did vote opted overwhelmingly to remain. So how can those most affected by the outcome of the exit negotiations be given a voice? A crowd sourcing initiative at London’s LSE is attempting to do this.
Brexit talks: What progress on the Irish border question?
00:22:18
Northern Ireland is proving to be the single biggest risk to Brexit talks as negotiators struggle to reconcile competing demands for the UK to leave the customs union while keeping an open border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Siona Jenkins discusses possible solutions to the Irish border question with the FT's James Blitz and Arthur Beesley, and with Michael Dougan, professor of European law at the University of Liverpool
In this episode, we look at what Britain’s decision to leave the EU means for a food manufacturer and exporter that is also closely involved with farming. Paul Kenward, managing director of British Sugar, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, came into the FT studio to talk to business editor Sarah Gordon about what Brexit will mean for his business.
Theresa May promised to put financial services at the heart of a trade deal with the EU, but her government has postponed a position paper on the topic indefinitely. Siona Jenkins discusses the implications of this decision with Patrick Jenkins, Robert Armstrong and Caroline Binham.