I was initially introduced to the complexities around the centralisation of power and economic inequality in the UK through the Brexit case study in our global politics course. Britain’s exit of the European Union is a currently occurring political dilemma, with its date postponed twice due to the absence of a unanimous decision amongst the members of parliament. Therefore, I believe this engagement activity to be a great opportunity for me to apply the concepts and theories studied in the course in order to better comprehend and evaluate the proceedings of this political dilemma. Further, I hope to study international relations in the UK at a university level, therefore could use this engagement process to acquire first-hand experience and insight into the political systems.
The research question I intend to explore through my engagement activity is ‘the role of intra-party politics on the UK’s economic position on the Brexit dates.’ The political engagement would consist of shadowing Lord David of Watford, who is a member of the House of Lords from the Labour Party. The internship would enable me to attend parliamentary sessions in London around the Brexit debates amongst members from the Labour and Conservative Party, as well as the European Union. I would further be able to interview Lord Evans and another Conservative Member of Parliament.
The UK democratic system embodies opposition with the opposing party rather than a coalition, the engagement activity, therefore, explores this power struggle and its implications on the UK’s economy. The conservative party disregards May’s deal that calls for ‘alternative arrangements’ to the Irish backstop, whilst the Labour Party pushes for an early election to overthrow May. With background knowledge on the theories of realism and liberalism that is covered in the global politics course, I aspire to explore the clashes in these theoretical foundations as a global superpower leaves an international organisation to protect economic national interests. Nonetheless, the power dynamics between the parties weakens the UK’s economic position as with the absence of a consensus on the deal, thus the likelihood of a hard-Brexit, UK would be out of the EU’s single market and trade union; the British GDP expected to drop simultaneously to the increased unemployment rates.
