Profile In Focus | Brexit Part 2 (2017)
“Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage speaking with supporters at a "Liberty for Trump" event at the Graduate Hotel in Tempe, Arizona” from Nigel Farage by Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
In 2017, the year following the historic Brexit referendum, a series of events unfolded that shaped the course of Britain's departure from the European Union. As the year began, concerns arose about a potential brain drain from the UK due to Brexit. Scientists and researchers feared that the country's decision to leave the EU could lead to a loss of talent and funding.
In January, British Ambassador to the EU, Tim Barrow, took on a crucial role in representing the UK's interests during the negotiations. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump's interview on Russia, NATO, and Brexit caused unease in Europe, as his remarks about NATO being "obsolete" raised questions about the future of transatlantic relations.
Later that month, British Prime Minister Theresa May delivered a significant speech outlining her plan for a sharp break with the EU, emphasizing that "Brexit means Brexit." She also committed to holding a parliamentary vote on the final Brexit deal, aiming to ensure democratic legitimacy for the process.
However, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, faced criticism for its lack of a clear Brexit plan. This further highlighted the challenges and divisions surrounding the issue within British politics.
Economic concerns also emerged. In January, it was reported that the UK government had not offered financial incentives to Nissan to encourage them to stay in the country post-Brexit. This fueled speculation about the potential impact on the automotive industry and raised questions about the government's approach to securing investments.
In January, the UK Supreme Court ruled that parliament must approve the triggering of Article 50, the formal process of leaving the EU. This decision triggered a range of reactions, with some supporting the ruling as a necessary safeguard for democracy, while others saw it as an attempt to obstruct Brexit.
Amidst the ongoing debates and uncertainty, concerns were raised about the potential consequences of setting up a UK-only drug regulator. A cancer specialist warned that such a move could lead to delays in access to life-saving treatments, raising anxieties about the impact of Brexit on healthcare and patient well-being.
In February, a billionaire named Robert Mercer, known for his involvement in big data and his support for right-wing causes, drew attention as he waged war on mainstream media. This raised questions about the influence of wealthy individuals and their impact on public opinion during the Brexit campaign.
In March, Nigel Farage, one of the leading figures behind Brexit, became a person of interest in the FBI's investigation into possible links between Russia and the Trump campaign. This revelation further fueled concerns about foreign interference in democratic processes.
As negotiations continued, questions arose about the type of Brexit the British people desired. Various reports and studies examined the potential consequences and winners and losers of Brexit, providing insight into the complex economic and political landscape.
Throughout the year, allegations of Russian meddling in the Brexit vote gained traction. Investigations and revelations regarding Twitter bots, fake accounts, and alleged Russian propaganda efforts stirred up alarm and debates about the integrity of the referendum.
By the end of 2017, EU leaders agreed to move Brexit talks to the next stage, marking a significant milestone in the negotiation process. However, challenges persisted, and the year closed with Boris Johnson, then British Foreign Secretary, accusing Russia of meddling in foreign elections and affirming the existence of abundant evidence to support the claim.
The events of 2017 reflected the continued complexity and controversy surrounding Brexit. From concerns about talent migration to suspicions of foreign interference, the year shaped public opinion and deepened the divisions surrounding Britain's departure from the European Union.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 28, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Brexit Part 1 (February 2014 - December 2016)
Next: Profile in Focus | Brexit Part 3 (January 2018 - June 2018)
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Putin Is A War Criminal
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Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Brexit Part 2 (2017):
Brexit May Spark British Brain Drain - Scientific American January 9, 2017
Tim Barrow, invisible ambassador - POLITICO January 13, 2017
Trump rattles NATO with ‘obsolete’ blast - CNN January 16, 2017
Full transcript: Theresa May’s speech on Brexit - The Washington Post January 17, 2017
Brexit: Theresa May Lays Out Her Plan For A Sharp Break With The EU - NPR January 17, 2017
What 'Brexit Means Brexit' Means - The Atlantic January 17, 2017
Theresa May commits to Brexit vote in UK Parliament - CNN January 17, 2017
Corbyn's Article 50 Fiasco Shows Labour Still Has No Brexit Plan - VICE January 20, 2017
Brexit: Government didn't offer Nissan money to stay in UK - Independent January 20, 2017
The bad boys of Brexit join fight to break up California - The Times March 26, 2017
Brexit comes with conditions but can be reversed: EU parliament - Reuters March 29, 2017
Brexit and the Politics of Raising Barriers | Commentary - RAND Corporation March 29, 2017
42 Questions About Brexit That Need Answering - TIME March 29, 2017
Brexit: Winners and Losers - Investopedia March 30, 2017
Did Russia Hack the Brexit Vote? - Vanity Fair April 12, 2017
The Great Brexit Banker Exodus That Wasn’t - Bloomberg April 18, 2017
The great British Brexit robbery: how our democracy was hijacked - The Guardian May 7, 2017
What Brexit Means - Council on Foreign Relations June 7, 2017
Post-Brexit, Europeans More Favorable Toward EU - Pew Research Center June 15, 2017
What Might Brexit Mean for Counterterrorism in Europe? - PBS Frontline July 11, 2017
What sort of Brexit do the British people want? - RAND Corporation July 18, 2017
Britain's aerospace sector could be priced out after Brexit - The Guardian September 3, 2017
Brexit — When taking back control means giving up control - POLITICO September 12, 2017
Why the British Chose Brexit - Foreign Affairs October 16, 2017
Old Border, New Worries - NBC News October 17, 2017
Brexit, explained - MIT Sloan School of Management October 18, 2017
UK lawmaker asks Zuckerberg about Russia-linked Brexit activity - EURACTIV October 25, 2017
Here's the first evidence Russia used Twitter to influence Brexit - WIRED November 10, 2017
Theresa May accuses Vladimir Putin of election meddling - BBC News November 14, 2017
Russia used Twitter bots and trolls ‘to disrupt’ Brexit vote - The Times November 15, 2017
Signs of Russian Meddling in Brexit Referendum - The New York Times November 15, 2017
Study: Russian Twitter bots sent 45k Brexit tweets close to vote - TechCrunch November 15, 2017
Here’s what we know about alleged Russian involvement in Brexit - Channel 4 News November 16, 2017
Rising alarm in Britain over Russian meddling in Brexit vote - The Washington Post November 17, 2017
Facebook claims Russia paid for 3 ads around Brexit – costing 73p - WIRED December 13, 2017
New EU defense pact: Who’s doing what - POLITICO December 14, 2017
Brexit: EU leaders agree to move talks to next stage - BBC News December 15, 2017