Please read the instructions thank you ❤️

Part 1: Free discussion: Open Question

Instruction: For this part, we will give the class 2 questions to answer, each main idea
of the question is given out in bold letters. If anyone like to be the one to answer with
one of the main idea (for credits 😀) please write your name next to the main idea so
we can call on you otherwise we will call randomly from the class list or by others
raising their hand
Example: Redefining the UK’s Economic Relationships ( Nguyễn Gia Huy )

-Question 1: Brexit Day marked a turning point for the UK. How do you
think this transition period shaped the UK's position globally?
(4 main idea for 4 classmate)

1. Redefining the UK’s Economic Relationships

- Outside the EU Single Market: The UK no longer benefited from frictionless

trade within the EU, which impacted industries like manufacturing, financial
services, and agriculture. The shift to WTO rules or negotiated trade deals
introduced tariffs and barriers, particularly affecting small and medium
enterprises.
- New Trade Agreements: The UK began forming bilateral trade deals, such as
with Japan and Australia, emphasizing its desire to establish a more global
trading network. However, these deals often lacked the scale of EU trade
agreements, leaving some sectors at a disadvantage.
- Challenges with EU Trade: Despite the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
(TCA), non-tariff barriers like customs checks caused delays and added costs.
This reduced the UK's attractiveness as a hub for businesses seeking access to
the EU market.

2. Geopolitical Realignments

- Regaining Sovereignty: The UK aimed to reassert its sovereignty and

independent policymaking, no longer bound by EU regulations. However, this
led to increased isolation in European affairs, weakening its influence on
decisions affecting the continent.
- Strained Relations with the EU: Disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol
and fishing rights highlighted ongoing tensions. These conflicts complicated
the UK's goal of maintaining a cooperative yet independent relationship with
its closest neighbors.

3. Domestic and International Perception

- The transition period exposed economic vulnerabilities, including labor shortages
and supply chain disruptions. This raised questions about the UK’s preparedness for
life outside the EU.
- Brexit showcased the UK as a country willing to prioritize sovereignty over
economic integration.

- Domestically, Brexit reignited debates about Scottish independence and Northern

Ireland’s status, complicating the UK’s internal unity and international image.

4. Challenges for a New Global Role (Phạm Trần Hạnh Nguyên)

Challenges in Balancing Partnerships: Managing relationships with global powers like

the US, EU, and China required careful diplomacy. While Brexit allowed more
freedom, it also demanded increased effort to balance competing interests.

-Question 2: How did the interplay of demographic factors, economic

concerns, and political impacts shape the voting patterns in the EU
referendum, and what implications do these patterns have for the future of
UK politics?

● The voting patterns in the EU referendum were influenced by a complex

interplay of demographic factors, economic concerns, and political impacts,
each contributing to the broader socio-political landscape in the UK.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for analyzing the implications of the
Brexit decision on future UK politics.

1. Demographic Factors:
Age: The generational divide was stark, with younger voters (ages 18-24)
predominantly favoring Remain (70-75%), while older voters (over 65) largely
supported Leave (64%). This divide reflects differing perspectives on the EU's
benefits, with younger voters viewing it as a gateway to opportunities and older voters
expressing concerns about immigration and national sovereignty. The high turnout
among older voters (90%) compared to younger voters (64%) further amplified this
divide, suggesting that older generations had a more vested interest in the outcome.

Educational Attainment: Education significantly influenced voting behavior, with

higher-educated individuals more likely to support Remain. This trend can be
attributed to differing worldviews shaped by educational experiences, leading to
distinct attitudes toward immigration, economic policies, and national identity. The
study indicating that these factors can explain 82% of the educational gap in voting
underscores the importance of education in shaping political preferences.
2. Economic Concerns:
Economic factors played a crucial role in the referendum, particularly in regions
experiencing social deprivation and economic decline. Many voters in these areas felt
marginalized by globalization and austerity measures, leading to a desire for greater
control over immigration and economic policies. The Leave campaign effectively
tapped into these economic anxieties, framing Brexit as a means to reclaim
sovereignty and address local economic challenges. This sentiment was particularly
strong in the North of England, where economic discontent was palpable.
3. Political impacts:
Political affiliations and attitudes toward immigration significantly influenced voting
behavior. The divide between Conservative and Labour voters was pronounced, with a
majority of Conservative supporters voting to leave and nearly two-thirds of Labour
members voting to remain. This division reflects broader ideological differences, with
Conservative voters often holding anti-immigration views and Labour voters generally
more supportive of European integration. Additionally, anti-establishment sentiments
and distrust in politicians fueled opposition to EU membership, as many voters felt
that the political elite overlooked their concerns.

● Implications for Future UK Politics: The patterns observed in the EU

referendum have a profound impact on the future of UK politics:
1. Political Polarization: The referendum highlighted deep-seated
divisions within British society, which may continue to manifest in
future elections and political discourse. The generational and
educational divides suggest that political parties must address the
concerns of younger and more educated voters while engaging with the
anxieties of older and less educated populations.
 2. Policy Focus: The economic concerns that drove many voters to support
Leave will likely necessitate a shift in policy focus. Future governments
may need to prioritize regional economic development, address
inequalities, and create opportunities for those feeling left behind by
globalization.
3. Party Dynamics: The internal divisions within major political parties,
particularly Labour and the Conservatives, may lead to shifts in party
leadership and policy platforms. As parties grapple with their identities
in a post-Brexit landscape, they will need to navigate the competing
interests of their diverse voter bases.
4. Immigration and National Identity: The referendum underscored the
importance of immigration and national identity in UK politics. Future
political debates will likely continue to revolve around these issues,
influencing party platforms and voter alignment.

Part 2: Debate
Instruction:
-For this part we will split the class into 2 sides: For brexit and Against Brexit ( For
those who will present ideas for brexit please sit at the right side of the class near the
teacher desk, those who will be against brexit please sit on the left side in front of the
projector screen )
-There will be 2 main arguments which are Policing and security, Cultural and
National identity. Like the last part, each of the main ideas is given to you in bold
letters and when one side presents a main idea we will call on the other to combat the
idea ( Starting order: for brexit ). If you like to volunteer to say a main idea remember
to write ur name next to the main idea, anyone can volunteer for multiples idea
Example: Being in the EU makes the UK vulnerable (Hoàng Phi Long)

Note: If no one volunteers we will call names by the class list like in the previous
part
Part 2: Debate
Policing and security

For brexit Against brexit

-Being in the EU makes the UK -The UK is not vulnerable:

vulnerable: According to the UK government, the
Maajid Nawaz, Founding Chairman of UK does not have open borders because
Quilliam. Julia Ebner, a Policy it is not in the Schengen area. Also, the
Analyst, argues it will be easier for UK has its own robust border security
terrorists to come to the UK because measures in place, including passport
the free movement of people within the checks and security screenings.
EU is a potential vulnerability. This Additionally, the EU has implemented
allows individuals to travel between various counter-terrorism measures and
member states without significant cooperates closely with member states
border checks, which could on intelligence sharing and law
theoretically make it easier for terrorists enforcement in it counter-terrorism
to enter the UK undetected. strategy in 2005.
Court ruling EU measures
-There is fear from UK of supremacy in -The EU itself has implemented various
EU courts making it harder to deport measures aimed at combating crime and
violent criminals by the rulings from facilitating the return of criminals to their
the European Court, which can review countries of origin. These measures include
decisions of national courts. Some cooperation between member states on law
argue that these rulings can impose enforcement and the sharing of
restrictions on member states' ability intelligence. Which means the UK can
to deport individuals, particularly if participate in joint operations with Europol,
there are concerns about their allowing for coordinated efforts to tackle
treatment in the country of origin. transnational crime.

Cultural and National identity

For brexit Against brexit

-Cultural preservation: -Disagreement
Academics like Eric Kaufmann also Professor Tak Wing Chan at University
contributed to this discourse, noting that College London, argues that this focus
values of "order" associated with Brexit on cultural identity may overshadow
voters often tied back to concerns about other pressing socioeconomic issues.
cultural preservation. For example, his They caution that Brexit supporters may
research highlighted that those who exaggerate cultural threats to
valued traditionalism were more likely to “Britishness” without fully addressing
feel that EU membership undermined how this stance impacts the UK’s global
British identity and social cohesion. position and internal cohesion, given its
Similarly, sociologist John Curtice found multicultural fabric
that Leave supporters expressed fears
about losing a distinctly British way of
life, linking national identity with
autonomy over laws, borders, and
immigration policy

Leave campaign: Cultural exchanges

-Leave advocates in The Leave -Post-Brexit, many lamented the UK’s
campaign claimed that EU laws withdrawal from Erasmus+, which had
prevented the UK from fully preserving provided students with opportunities to
traditional practices in areas like local
study across Europe for cultural
governance and legal systems,
suggesting that EU membership diluted exchange,arguing that EU membership
British cultural identity by imposing enriched British culture through access
uniform regulations and promoting to cultural exchange programs like
multiculturalism Erasmus+, which is the EU's programme
to support education, training, youth and
sport . They noted that Britain retained
its distinct legal system (e.g., Common
Law) even within the EU.

Thank you all for reading and we hope for your cooperation in
our discussion
~Group 3