The pressure group Best for Britain argued the UK could be fast-tracked back into the EU. A slim majority of Britons now support returning to the bloc. While some European countries said the UK would be welcome, they warned that the nation cannot be allowed to cherry-pick EU features.

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Specification:

* Edexcel: Component 4.3: The aims, role and impact of the European Union (EU) on UK government

* AQA: Component 3.1.2.5: The European Union: the impact of the EU on UK politics and policy making

Background: what you need to know

The article discusses the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU, after Andy Burnham's Labour Party conference speech reopened the debate on the consequences of Brexit. A slim majority of Britons is now said to be supportive of returning to the bloc. The pressure group, 'Best for Britain', has argued that the UK is closely enough aligned with the EU to avoid a prolonged process of negotiation. Some European countries have indicated that the UK would be welcome to return, although they have also warned that it cannot be allowed to 'cherry-pick' the most attractive features of the EU.

Click to read the article below and then answer the questions:

For an in-depth discussion of post-Brexit Britain's relationship with the EU, see:

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

* Explain and analyse three effects of withdrawal from the EU on UK government and policy making [9 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 2

* Evaluate the view that withdrawal from the EU has had more negative consequences than positive consequences for the UK political system.

In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the study of Component 1: UK politics and core political ideas. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

TIP: A linked Edexcel Component 1 topic is Political parties. A proposal to rejoin the EU, or to forge closer links with it, would ignite a major political debate. Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Greens are broadly pro-EU - though we do not yet know whether Labour would support full UK membership - whilst Reform UK and the Conservatives would strongly resist any moves in that direction.