Brexit: lessons for Switzerland 10 years after UK's exit

Context

In brief

• Brexit has absorbed British political energies for a decade
• Significant economic impacts on public services and growth
• Possible UK-EU rapprochement with single market membership
• Switzerland-EU relations as a model for the United Kingdom

Key facts

• What: Economic consequences of Brexit 10 years after the referendum
• When: 2026, ten years after the referendum
• Where: United Kingdom and European Union
• Who: Anton Spisak, researcher at the Centre for European Reform
• Impact: Economic uncertainty, reduced investments, pressure on public services

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, the United Kingdom is still grappling with the economic consequences of that historic decision. According to Anton Spisak, a researcher at the Centre for European Reform, Brexit has absorbed much of the UK's political energy over the past decade, with significant impacts on public services, finances, and economic growth.

Spisak, who worked on the negotiations at the heart of the British government, states that "if you look at the state of the country, the public services, the finances, the lack of economic growth, I think it can all be traced back to Brexit." The impact has also been felt on investments: many companies have stopped investing in Britain due to the uncertainty created by the separation from the EU.

Switzerland-EU relations as a model

Several British politicians have spoken of a possible rapprochement between the United Kingdom and the EU that mirrors the Swiss model. However, Spisak points out that "I don't think many of them really understand, in practice, what the relationship between the Confederation and the European Union is." The Switzerland-EU relations include the free movement of people, financial contributions, and European programs, topics that are currently very delicate for the British public opinion.

The current situation

Today, 55% of British citizens would vote to remain in the European Union, but the issue is complex. The main political obstacle to a rapprochement remains immigration, the same issue that led to Brexit. The British are also tired of the debate and would probably not want to reopen the issue at this time.

Brexit is therefore no longer an event or a taboo, but an ongoing process. "It is possible that in ten years, twenty years after Brexit, we will still be discussing what the right relationship between Britain and the EU should be," Spisak concludes.

Operational details

Analisi: cosa può imparare la Svizzera

La situazione britannica offre diversi spunti di riflessione per la Svizzera nei suoi rapporti con l'Unione Europea. L'incertezza politica ed economica creata dalla Brexit mostra quanto sia importante la stabilità nei rapporti con l'UE, specialmente per un paese come la Svizzera che ha stretti legami economici con l'Unione.

Stabilità e investimenti

Uno degli impatti più significativi della Brexit è stata la riduzione degli investimenti nel Regno Unito. Le aziende preferiscono la stabilità e l'incertezza creata dalla separazione dall'UE ha portato molte imprese a ridurre o sospendere i loro investimenti in Gran Bretagna. Questo è un monito per la Svizzera, che deve mantenere relazioni stabili con l'UE per continuare ad attrarre investimenti esteri.

Libera circolazione delle persone

La libera circolazione delle persone è un tema centrale nelle relazioni tra Svizzera e UE. Nel caso britannico, questo tema è particolarmente delicato e ha rappresentato un ostacolo significativo per un possibile riavvicinamento all'UE. La Svizzera, che ha accettato la libera circolazione come parte dei suoi accordi con l'UE, deve considerare attentamente come gestire questo tema in futuro.

Contributi finanziari e programmi europei

La partecipazione a programmi europei e i contributi finanziari sono altri aspetti importanti delle relazioni tra Svizzera e UE. Questi elementi sono parte integrante degli accordi bilaterali e offrono vantaggi significativi per la Svizzera. Il caso britannico mostra come la partecipazione a questi programmi possa essere cruciale per mantenere buoni rapporti con l'UE.

Scenari futuri

La Brexit è un processo continuo e le discussioni sul rapporto tra Regno Unito e UE continueranno probabilmente per molti anni. Per la Svizzera, è importante monitorare questi sviluppi e considerare come potrebbero influenzare i suoi rapporti con l'UE. La stabilità e la certezza sono fondamentali per mantenere buoni rapporti economici e politici con l'Unione Europea.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do: practical implications for Switzerland

The British situation offers several lessons for Switzerland. Here are some concrete steps that Switzerland could consider to maintain and improve its relations with the EU:

Monitor political developments

It is essential for Switzerland to closely monitor political and economic developments in the United Kingdom and the EU. This will allow it to anticipate any changes and adapt its policies accordingly. Switzerland can learn a great deal from the British experience and use this information to improve its own relations with the EU.

Maintain stability

Stability is crucial for attracting investments and maintaining good economic relations. Switzerland must therefore work to maintain a stable political and economic environment, avoiding sudden changes that could create uncertainty.

Manage the free movement of people

The free movement of people is a sensitive but important issue. Switzerland must handle this issue carefully, considering both the economic benefits and public concerns. It is important to find a balance that allows for maintaining good relations with the EU without creating internal tensions.

Use the salary calculator

To better understand the economic impacts of relations with the EU, it is useful to use tools such as the salary calculator. This tool can help evaluate the effects of economic policies and plan accordingly.

Participate in European programs

Participation in European programs offers significant benefits. Switzerland should therefore continue to actively participate in these programs, carefully evaluating the benefits and costs. This will allow it to maintain good relations with the EU and take advantage of the opportunities offered by these programs.

Source: rsi.ch