Groundbreaking centre to hold its first major Brexit conference
The world’s first Brexit research centre has announced its inaugural annual conference – featuring speakers from both sides of the EU divide.
Birmingham City University’s Centre for Brexit Studies is holding the free to enter two-day event next month.
It will feature a range of high profile speakers, including pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry, economist Vicky Pryce and former Margaret Thatcher advisor Patrick Minford, a staunch Brexiteer.
A series of speeches will address includes including the implications of Brexit for the UK economy, challenges and opportunities for business and the impact on EU citizenship.
Professor Alex de Ruyter, director of the centre, said: “The centre was formed as a way for us to both document the process of Brexit and also provide a resource to advise the public and key parties on what is happening and possible future outcomes.
“With this conference we wanted to bring together key speakers from both a leave and remain perspective to really examine where we are and where we are heading.
“We particularly hope to have a stimulating discussion on negotiations to date, what likely “deal” we are to get, and the likely impact on business and jobs in the West Midlands and wider UK.
“We hope that having an annual conference and giving people the opportunity to come in and hear some important and significant pieces of information will be a valuable resource beyond March 2019, as we see how Brexit continues to impact the UK during and after any transition period.”
The conference will also hear talks from Centre for Brexit Studies experts, James Roscoe, West Midlands UKIP MEP James Carver, and Tory MP Bernard Jenkin.
More speakers are expected to be confirmed in the near future.
The event takes place at the university's city centre campus from March 16 to 17.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite by searching for 'Centre for Brexit Studies Conference'.
