Topic 1: Bridging the identity divide

The UK’s scheduled departure from the EU on 29 March 2019 is leaving alarmingly little time for a change of course. The closer we get to the date, the more entrenched the identity divide is becoming between Leavers and Remainers in the UK. Published in January this year, Brexit and Public Opinion 2019 is a report by UK in a Changing Europe. The study examines different Brexit identities as they have developed in the UK. The report is available at this link: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Public-Opinion-2019-report.pdf

At this meet-up, we will base our discussion on the findings from the first section of this report, ‘Brexit Identities and Divisions’ (pp 6 – 24). As these identities and divisions ripple out beyond the UK, what can we learn from them? How is this political polarisation manifesting in Europe and how can this inform the conversations we have in bridging the identity divide we see emerging here?

A&S Bücherland have kindly agreed to host this meetup and attendees are encouraged to make a small contribution to assist with the venue’s running costs. The venue has tea and coffee facilities and a selection of drinks are also available for us to purchase.