The dilemma of Brexit: hard choices in the narrow context of British foreign policy traditions

Brexit threatens to disrupt the fabric of British foreign policy thinking. For decades, policymakers identified membership European Community as one two pillars influence (the other being ‘Special Relationship’ with United States). Together, they allowed Britain exercise power on a global well regional scale. These assumptions were repeated so often that UK was regularly criticised for lacking imagination and avoiding hard choices when interests Europe States conflicted. presents an unavoidable dilemma chart new course policy. Interpretivism, set out by Bevir Rhodes (2003), offers route understanding how actors interpret respond such dilemmas, via reference traditions. This article uses their approach examine expression beliefs about In particular, it focuses datasets, ‘control sample’ commentary since 2016, other, parliamentary debates first EU Withdrawal Bill in December 2018 January 2019. We find contrasting willingness evoke traditions substantive fashion understand justify political choices. parliamentarians utilise particular tradition, pragmatism, marginalise abstract belief. process, reduce discussion technocratic is unable manage conflicts has brought about. Meanwhile, those MPs are most creative tend be from smaller parties or periphery. The resulting deadlock evidence importance interpreting managing dilemmas social change.