The Changing British–Irish Relationship: The Sovereignty Dimension

This essay focuses on the idea and practice of sovereignty, in particular state sovereignty. It deals with the ways sovereignty has featured in British policy since the 1960s in connection with the EU, Ireland and Northern Ireland, and within Great Britain. It argues that, despite continuing attachment to the old language of sovereignty, the UK has adapted how it ‘does’ sovereignty in connection with the EU and Ireland/Northern Ireland. In addition, while the supremacy of parliament is restated in the UK devolution settlements, it is unlikely that the ‘process’ of devolution of power away from the centre can be reversed. But, it is argued, such changes have taken place in piecemeal fashion and without much of a new language of sovereignty.