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

'The government has lost its way': Green groups step up calls for UK nature policy reset

'The government has lost its way': Green groups step up calls for UK nature policy reset

Almost 60 leading green figures urge government to redouble nature policy efforts after 'worrying increase' in hostile rhetoric towards environmental protections

Stuart Stone
clock 16 February 2026 • 4 min read
Global Briefing: El Niño could push global temperatures to all-time high in 2027

Global Briefing: El Niño could push global temperatures to all-time high in 2027

Scientists warn further temperature increases are on horizon, TotalEngeries inks 15-year solar deal to power Google data centres, and Seychelles coral facility achieves landmark spawning event

Stuart Stone
clock 13 February 2026 • 8 min read
High Seas Treaty passes into UK law after receiving Royal Assent

High Seas Treaty passes into UK law after receiving Royal Assent

Government expected to fully ratify landmark Treaty this summer, after it achieved both Parliamentary approval and Royal Assent this month

Stuart Stone
clock 12 February 2026 • 3 min read