Rishi Sunak is the current Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK Government, and he has been instrumental in shaping the country’s approach to Brexit. As a key member of the government, Sunak has played a crucial role in negotiating the terms of the UK’s departure from the European Union.

The Background

Brexit was first proposed by David Cameron in 2016, but it wasn’t until Theresa May became Prime Minister that the process began in earnest. In March 2017, May triggered Article 50, which officially started the two-year process of leaving the EU.

The Early Days

At this point, Sunak was still a relatively new MP, having been elected in 2015. However, he quickly made a name for himself as a strong advocate for Brexit. In June 2017, he gave a speech at the Conservative Party Conference, where he called for a “hard” Brexit and accused opponents of being “Europhiles”.

The Negotiations

In July 2018, Theresa May appointed Dominic Raab as her chief negotiator for Brexit talks with the EU. Sunak was also involved in these negotiations, serving as the Minister of State for Exiting the European Union.

The Chequers Plan

In July 2018, the UK Government published its proposed plan for leaving the EU, known as the Chequers Plan. This plan aimed to maintain close ties with the EU while also allowing the UK to make its own decisions on trade and immigration.

Sunak was a key player in developing this plan, which he believed would allow the UK to “take back control” of its laws and borders. However, the plan faced intense criticism from both sides of the Brexit debate, with many arguing that it did not go far enough in terms of leaving the EU.

The Current Situation

In December 2019, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister and appointed Rishi Sunak as his Chancellor of the Exchequer. Since then, Sunak has played a crucial role in shaping the UK’s approach to Brexit.

The Withdrawal Agreement

In January 2020, Johnson announced that he had reached an agreement with the EU on the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the union. This deal was widely seen as a compromise between the two sides and allowed for a relatively smooth transition out of the EU.

Sunak was instrumental in negotiating this agreement, which included provisions on trade, immigration, and security. He also played a key role in implementing the measures needed to prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rishi Sunak has been a key player in shaping the UK Government’s approach to Brexit. As a strong advocate for leaving the EU, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the UK can “take back control” of its laws and borders.

Through his work on the Chequers Plan and as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sunak has played a crucial role in negotiating the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. While there are still many challenges ahead for the UK, it is clear that Sunak will continue to play a key role in shaping the country’s future relationship with the EU.

Note: This blog post is for academic purposes only and does not represent any official view or opinion.