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How does the government need to set itself up to manage the new relationship with the EU? new paper from me and @ThimontJack @instituteforgov out today https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/managing-uk-relationship-eu.pdf
what's the problem? The Trade and Cooperation Agreement sets up a plethora of committees.. Those need staffing up. There are lots of outstanding decisions and deadlines.
There are lots of difficult read acrosses. TCA to the Northern Ireland protocol. And the UK needs to keep up with its obligations under that. That means keeping tabs on EU law.
Liaising with the devolved governments. How are they going to feed into the TCA decisions? Pretty much cut out of the negotiations, but now with obligations under the agreement.
Links to domestic policy and trade policy. If UK pushes change too far it may trigger some of the Level Playing Field provisions. EU representatives in London are watching like a hawk for signs of divergence.
Blunders can be dangerous and threaten the fragile relationship. That means uncertainty for business. Exhibit A - last Friday. And the Commission is much smaller and tighter than the govts of the UK.
So the relationship needs managing. Someone also needs to keep Parliament up to date.. and be accountable to it. UK has yet to decide which minister will co-chair the Partnership Council and who will update Parliament.
And will need to set up internal decision-making structures. Another set of jobs for Michael Gove? Lord Frost isn't a minister so he can't chair.
It looks as though his unit will coordinate - a direct descendant of TF Europe. That makes sense. Marks for continuity. No real other candidates. FCDO's core business not in TCA. DIT interested in trading with anyone but Europe.
But even if its in No.10 it will need to coordinate with much of @cabinetofficeuk - and work with whichever minister is in charge. That means there needs to be a clear strategic framework agreed across govt. Integrated review anyone?
UK may have negotiated a Canada style arrangement. But we are not Toronto on Thames.
So we need to invest in managing a very tricky and fragile relationship - otherwise we might get repeatedly Berned . ENDS
