Britain must take full advantage of trade outside the EU

Ted Newson | 12th February 2026 | Brussels, Comment, Politics
The United Kingdom left the European Union in 2021 (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
The United Kingdom left the European Union in 2021 (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Five years since leaving the European Union, Britain has not yet taken advantage of the levers of free trade, writes Ted Newson

The 1st of January 2021 marked the UK’s official departure from the EU after a long transition period. EU laws no longer applied, allowing Britain to pursue its interests outside the EU’s framework. Architects of Brexit celebrated: they argued that less collective bargaining power was a price worth paying to choose our own negotiating priorities. Without having to protect the interests of Spanish tomato-growers or French fishermen, it was hoped we could secure greater access to services markets that form the backbone of our export economy.  Five years have passed since the end of the transition period and the government has capitalised on some opportunities. One example, albeit a slightly chaotic one, was the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations. Operating outside the European Medicines Agency allowed the UK to vaccinate its population much faster than the EU, which intentionally delayed its rollout for a month to start their vaccinations simultaneously. To mark the five-year annivers...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



The Civil Service flexi-time scandal proves work-from-home culture has gone too far 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 7, 2026

New exposé reveals civil servants have been exploiting flexible working policies at the expense of the tax payer.

Emily Cheyne-Guess, Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Engagement, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Mace | May 6, 2026

“AI can’t read the room (!)… influence still depends on relationships, trust and understanding how decisions are made.”

Crowdfunder sees surge in grassroots political fundraising ahead of May 7th

Mace | May 6, 2026

Crowdfunding is up 236% compared to equivalent pre-election period in 2022 with support being driven by lower-income communities.

EU likely to shelve chemical reform amid industry pressure 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | May 6, 2026

The reform concerns a pre-existing law on the Regulation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and has been in place since June 2007.  

May 7th will be Judgement Day for Labour

Max Wilson | May 6, 2026

With a new five party electoral choice on May 7th, Labour has not adapted its local campaigning strategy effectively.

Robert Jenrick joins UK tourism trade bodies in hitting out at Holiday Tax

William Cash | May 4, 2026

Robert Jenrick, Reform's Shadow Chancellor, used the Bank Holiday to make clear that his party would not be introducing a tourism tax.

King Charles: The real ‘special ingredient’ in our relationship with the USA 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | April 29, 2026

King Charles’s address to Congress was designed to steady a strained special relationship. Twelve standing ovations later, the Palace had given Downing Street something politics could not: a

Did a “boys club” culture of Downing Street lead to the appointment of Peter Mandelson ?

Mace | April 29, 2026

Keir Starmer's "boys club" culture was called out during the grilling of Morgan McSweeney.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Jon Antoniazzi, Associate Director for Policy & Public Affairs, Marie Curie

Mace | April 29, 2026

After his father died of a NHS failure and his mother from a late cancer diagnosis, Jon Antoniazzi has been on a determined career path to change health

The Silent Engine: Why we must stop kicking the Civil Service and learn to love our Civil Servants

Neil Woollard | April 28, 2026

As the Charity for Civil Servants marks its 140th anniversary, Neil Woollard argues that the officials who keep Britain functioning are too often caricatured, underpaid and overlooked —