Policy paper

Alternatives to membership: possible models for the United Kingdom outside the European Union (Archived)

This paper looks at potential models for the UK’s relationship with the European Union, if the UK were to vote to leave the EU.

• From: Cabinet Office
• Published: 2 March 2016
• Last updated: 4 March 2016 — See all updates

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Documents

Alternatives to membership: possible models for the United Kingdom outside the European Union - web version

Ref: ISBN 9781474129442

PDF, 1.17 MB, 54 pages

Alternatives to membership: possible models for the United Kingdom outside the European Union - print version

Ref: ISBN 9781474129435

PDF, 2.37 MB, 56 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Alternatives to membership: possible models for the United Kingdom outside the European Union - summary

PDF, 543 KB, 2 pages

Dewisiadau eraill yn lle aelodaeth: modelau posibl i’r Deyrnas Unedig y tu allan i’r Undeb Ewropeaidd

PDF, 3.79 MB, 58 pages

Details

This paper is the first part of the report that the government will publish to meet requirements in the European Union Referendum Act 2015. The second part of this report, Rights and obligations of European Union membership, was published on 14 April 2016.

This paper looks at a number of possible alternatives for the UK’s relationship with the EU, if there were to be a vote to leave. It provides examples of countries that are not members of the EU but have other arrangements with it, specifically Norway, Switzerland, Canada and Turkey. It also looks at a possible relationship based only on World Trade Organisation membership. It sets out the main features and implications of each of the key existing models for the relationship, and assesses their suitability for the UK.

The government believes that no existing models outside the EU can provide the same advantages and influence that we get from the UK’s current status inside the EU.

Published 2 March 2016
Last updated 4 March 2016 + show all updates

1. 4 March 2016

   added summary

2. 2 March 2016

   First published.