How well is Brexit going?

Twelve months after a comprehensive trade deal was signed with the EU, where are we now? How has the UK performed?

Even arch Remainer Andrew Adonis admitted last year that ‘the UK government clearly did a better job than the EU in procuring vaccine supplies and putting in place urgent industrial production’. Yet so far we’ve had no financial or employment deregulation, we’ve signed up to a minimum corporation tax (like the EU), and we haven’t reformed our commitment to the European Court of Human Rights.

If Brexit were a pupil, what would its 2021 report conclude? Has the UK proven itself a strong independent learner, or should it try harder?

Trade (3/5)

Data showing a 16 per cent reduction in imports and exports to the EU make for difficult, though unsurprising, reading. Erect barriers with your single biggest trading partner and the effect on trade — the wider economy, businesses and consumers — will be negative.