Brexit, Development Aid, and the Commonwealth. Issue 5 (2nd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Price, Sophia
• Is Part Of: Round table. Volume 105:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 499
• Page End: 507
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02
• Subjects: EU -ACP -- Lomé -- Cotonou -- Economic Partnership Agreements -- Commonwealth -- Brexit; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Commonwealth countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 909.0971241
• DOI: 10.1080/00358533.2016.1233762
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8533

Abstract

Abstract: Development cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states has provided a vehicle for the UK's ongoing relationship with the majority of the Commonwealth, although this was widely overlooked in the run-up to the UK referendum and its aftermath. Membership of the EU has provided the UK with the opportunity to collectivise its obligations to ACP Commonwealth states and a framework for its development cooperation relations across the Global South. This has augmented British leadership in global development and the alignment of development policy and practice at the global, regional and national levels. This paper argues that withdrawal from the EU would be a lengthy and costly process that threatens to undermine the UK's position in global development, current levels and sources of development funding and existing and nascent trade relations. While this will present particular challenges for ACP Commonwealth states, there may also be opportunities to propose and advocate for alternative frameworks. However, recent changes to the UK's post-referendum political leadership does not augur well for those hoping for a roll back of pressures for liberalisation and associated reforms.