English Nationalism, Brexit and the Anglosphere

This book analyses the elite project behind Brexit, and considers its framework within the political traditions of English nationalism. Far from being ‘Little Englanders’, Brexiteers sought to lessen the rupture of leaving the European Union by suggesting a return to alliances with true friends and traditional allies in the Anglosphere. -- .

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This is the first book to examine the relationship between English nationalism, Brexit and ‘the Anglosphere’ – a politically-contested term used to denote English-speaking countries sharing cultural and historical roots with the UK.

In the aftermath of the UK’s EU referendum some pointed to a ‘revolt’ of those ‘left behind’ by globalisation. Ben Wellings argues instead that Brexit was and is an elite project, firmly situated within the tradition of an expansive English nationalism. Far from being parochial ‘Little Englanders’, elite Brexiteers sought to replace the European Union with trade and security alliances between ‘true friends’ and ‘traditional allies’ in the Anglosphere. Brexit was thus reassuringly presented as a giant leap into the known. As the UK’s future relationship with the rest of the world is negotiated, the need to understand this ‘English moment’ has never been more pressing. -- .