UofG Centre for Public Policy

23 June 2026: On Monday 8 June, Professor Nicola McEwen spoke at a panel event hosted by the Constitution Society, together with the Irish Consulate and the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, reflecting on ten years since the EU referendum in the UK.

Opening proceedings at the French Institute in Edinburgh, Jerry O’Donovan, Ireland’s Consul General in Edinburgh, reflected on the material consequences of Brexit for British and Irish citizens across the UK and Ireland.

He introduced the panel for the evening’s discussion:

  • Professor Nicola McEwen, Centre for Public Policy, University of Glasgow
  • Professor Dame Linda Colley, Princeton University
  • David Cooney, Former Ireland/UK Ambassador
  • Chaired by John Edward, Scottish Council on Global Affairs

Discussions took place about Britain’s relationship with Europe and the UK with the European Union, and Brexit’s impacts on territorial links within the United Kingdom itself, followed by an audience Q&A.

Professor Nicola McEwen emphasised that the vote had exposed and potentially intensified preexisting constitutional fissures, with Scotland and Northern Ireland voting to remain inside the European Union, and England and Wales.

She continued to discuss the political narrative of 'take back control', controversies over the Sewel Convention, and the Internal Market Act.

Read the full event report on the Constitution Society website.

Read further insights on Brexit and devolution from Professor Nicola McEwen

 

First published: 23 June 2026

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Read further insights on Brexit and devolution from Professor Nicola McEwen