Brexit row to intensify as UK could try and 'divide and conquer' EU to 'weaken union'

BREXIT could see the UK try and "divide and conquer" the EU as the bloc faces threat of being weakened.

Brexit remains a divisive issue as the UK and EU continue to clash over a number of issues. Recently, London and Brussels have come to blows over the Northern Ireland protocol as Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls for a change to the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The EU is livid, accusing the UK of failing to implement the deal it signed up to, but the Government has accused Brussels of being inflexible.

Clashes over fishing, financial services and vaccines have left relations between the EU and UK strained.

In 2019, experts offered their views on how Brexit could impact the UK, the EU and their relationship in the future.

Oxford University's professor of European Studies, Timothy Garton Ash said the UK leaving the EU could "weaken the union."

He added: “The fact that western Europe’s three major powers – Britain, Germany and France – are all members of the EU [which] has helped Europe to function in a stable way for many decades.

"Removing the UK from that triangular relationship is likely to change the delicate balances between member states and to ultimately weaken the union.

“What’s more, if, post-Brexit, there is ongoing tension between Britain and the EU, the UK may be tempted to try to divide and rule in Europe, thus further weakening the continent."

University of St Andrews’ Professor Conan Fischer, author of A Vision of Europe, warned that a weaker union would open up space for right wing populists to garner more support.

He said: “Any weakening of the European Union will sadly increase the risk of right-wing populist nationalism gaining further support in many parts of our continent."

French President Emmanuel Macron admitted in January 2020 that Brexit is a wake up call for the EU, indicating that it must change in order to preserve its future.