🚨 NEW @instituteforgov REPORT: Influencing the EU after Brexit 🚨. Interested? Thread below.
1. Why influence? There are many reasons why the UK will want to continue to influence the EU after Brexit. But government won't want to influence everything (nor will it be able to). It will also want to do things differently. 
2. Decide the UK’s EU priorities: and be upfront about where UK wants to diverge. Ministers must decide and discuss with devolved gov’s. This will determine how the gov’ sets itself up and where it allocates resources
3. Learn the tips & tricks from third countries: like lobbying all EU institutions – and early!; work with member states (esp. the MS holding the EU presidency) & working with third-country missions in Brussels & the EU. UK should be creative too; set up new formats/forums
4. Work with larger EU policy community: There are more lobbyists in Brussels than there are in Washington! Gov must work with British business and civil society across the EU (esp. BBUKOO, the Brussels-based UK offices and organisations) but also lobby EU trade associations etc
5. Far more active in international organisations: the EU increasingly influential in int’ org, but it is also influenced by them. EU financial standards are informed by ‘soft’ rules set in global fin bodies. UK may also need EU support to secure UK appointments to int' boards
6. Get the tone right: UK will have no influence over internal bargaining in Brussels. EU will be more willing to listen to British ideas if UK can show how they benefit the EU; need to speak ‘European’ (know the technical jargon) & cultivate relationships with EU players
7. Right people, with right skills in the EU: Gov must offer competitive salaries to attract top-class diplomats to British embassies in EU/int' organisations. Consider increasing length of postings.
8. Right people, with right skills in the UK: Gov has already started to provide training on EU issues; but challenge will be to make sure EU knowledge is up to date.
9. EU interest: EU can - and will - choose to ignore UK. But UK was key driver of EU policy (SM, enlargement, trade liberalisation), is a global player & its voice will be missed. Brexit is opportunity for creative thinking on how EU cd work closely with neighbours. END
