UK govts must plan towards common goal

After four months of Brexit, a new chapter unfolds on Monday as British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with the first ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The meeting would be crucial as the leaders seek to lay out a roadmap for departure from the EU.
The meeting of Joint Ministerial Committee (JME) would be the first since
December 2014. And such meetings are set to take place more frequently now.
The devolved administrations have to strike a chord of solidarity as they huddle together. More than anything else, it is commitment towards a common goal which is required from these governments at such a decisive juncture. And this commitment has to reflect in their plans and strategies.
The British PM has demonstrated keenness to forge a “new industrial strategy for the whole of the UK, to spread wealth, jobs, opportunity more evenly”. But such an intention has to be backed with a solid long-term policy. It would need a joint effort and integration between all the administrations.
The task is enormous because there are apparent discords that need to be
addressed through assurances which can come through a comprehensively chalked-out plan aiming at a common good. In the June 23 referendum, England and Wales voted for Britain to leave the EU. However, most of those in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted for Britain’s continued membership in the bloc. The nationalist government of Scotland has already threatened that it would hold a second referendum on independence from Britain if it is forced to leave the EU. Therefore, it is imperative that JMC takes up the challenge of charting a path that brings about inclusive development. Together, the committee members will have to work on the common future of the United Kingdom, while treating all the administrations equally.
Britain wishes to trigger Article 50 sometime in March-end. May has been quite reticent about her Brexit plans. But it has become clear that she would limit EU migration, even if it comes at the cost of access to the single market. Her stand has spooked investors and caused uncertainty in the market. The PM hasn’t divulged the details or blueprint on how the exit process would be carved. But she has been reiterating that “we want our departure to be smooth, constructive and orderly”. The EU has warned Britain that it won’t be allowed to cherry pick. May has also insisted on a “hard Brexit”. In response, French President Francois Hollande recently underlined that May would face tough negotiations, if she wants a hard Brexit.
The JMC meeting, Scotland’s threat and Hollande’s caution also come at a time when the EU-Canada free trade deal is in doldrums. The troubled deal has raised questions whether Britain could strike a similar agreement after it exits the EU. Along with a new industrial strategy, a new trade arrangement is equally important for the UK. It should not replicate an old model and draft its own trading model. This will help it to expedite key pacts with non-EU nations.
However, while bidding adieu to the EU, it shouldn’t give a short shrift to the bloc. The UK has to keep its trade channels open with the 27-nation grouping and adapt itself to the changing business landscape.