The September 2026 edition of the IRMO Brief, authored by Rebecca Thorne, deals with the United Kingdom since its withdrawal from the European Union in 2020. As post-Brexit upheaval continues to be felt in all dimensions of the UK society, Brexit is still particularly bitter for young people. In many respects, the UK is not as strong as it was prior to Brexit. The economy has suffered long-term damage, living standards have deteriorated and environmental policies have been weakened. However, the UK’s enduring soft power abroad to a certain extent mitigates the geopolitical impact. The UK maintains good relations with the EU, and the E3, informal diplomatic group that consists of the UK, France and Germany, has continued in full strength. At the same time, Britain continues to enjoy a strong political position on the European stage. Beyond Europe, British influence has narrowed, and the UK has to balance relations between the U.S. and China. The author also analyses how the UK uses the Commonwealth of Nations and new agreements with Australia, New Zealand and India to build a vision of Global Britain.
The United Kingdom: Stronger or Weaker Since Brexit?
