Rejoin, reset or go Swiss-style? How the UK could try to unpick Brexit

"While a referendum is not legally required, it would be desirable politically. Many believe a referendum would have to show support of more than 60%, possibly closer to 70%, to cement a return. The EU would be unlikely to countenance accession talks without gold-plated security the UK wouldn't wobble back in another 10 years. Remember, the political energy expended on accession is huge and many member states may prefer to spend it on Ukraine and Moldova, which are critical to the EU's security on the eastern flank."

"A recent survey by Best for Britain showed more than 80% of those planning to vote Labour, Liberal Democrat or Green supported a full return to the EU, but only 53% of voters as a whole felt the same. Bar charts of support for policy options Even if the UK could deliver a huge majority in favour of return to the EU, technical-level talks would inevitably be intense and full of potential bear traps, starting with the unstitching of the withdrawal agreement, which covered Northern Ireland, citizens' rights and the divorce bill."

"Switzerland is not a member of the EU but it struck a deal last year cementing its frictionless access to the single market, access to the EU's electricity market, space programmes, Erasmus and the Digital Europe research programme, and participation in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In exchange, Switzerland agreed to free movement of people and to pay 375m (326m) a year into the EU's economic and cohe"

A return to the EU is being raised as a future possibility, despite the UK leaving the EU only a few years earlier. A referendum is not legally required, but political legitimacy would likely depend on very high public support, potentially above 60% and nearer 70%. The EU would likely demand robust, “gold-plated” security guarantees to prevent another reversal. EU member states may prefer to focus political capital on other security priorities such as Ukraine and Moldova. Even with a large majority for return, negotiations would be complex, including unwinding the withdrawal agreement covering Northern Ireland, citizens’ rights, and the divorce bill. Switzerland’s recent deal is cited as an example of extensive trade-offs for close access to EU programs and markets.

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