Nursed ratchet: Brexit talks end where they began, with a stand-off over sovereignty and standards

James Murray
clock • 11 min read

A UK-EU trade deal hangs in the balance as diplomats battle to resolve the irresolvable conundrum created by the UK's desire to maintain access to the world's largest market without abiding by its rules

Brexit has always been about one thing and one thing alone: sovereignty and what you do with it. Sure, the referendum was won with a pretty toxic side order of anti-immigration sentiment, nativist posturing,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Policy

Scottish Budget pledges 'at least' £5bn for delivering just net zero transition

Scottish Budget pledges 'at least' £5bn for delivering just net zero transition

Budget promises funding for carbon-free transport, clean heat for homes and businesses, and efforts to restore Scotland’s natural environment

Stuart Stone
clock 14 January 2026 • 5 min read
Plans for Oxford-Cambridge Corridor National Forest take step forward

Plans for Oxford-Cambridge Corridor National Forest take step forward

Government kicks off search for official delivery partners for flagship forest project

James Murray
clock 13 January 2026 • 3 min read
RenewableUK announces Tara Singh as new CEO

RenewableUK announces Tara Singh as new CEO

Former Number 10 advisor to start new role as head of clean energy trade body from next month

clock 13 January 2026 • 3 min read