Welcome
The Federal Trust is a research institute studying the interactions between regional, national, European and global levels of government. Founded in 1945 on the initiative of Sir William Beveridge, it has long made a powerful contribution to the study of federalism and federal systems. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it.
The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Video: The fallout from Brexit continues
In this new video, our Chairman, John Stevens, and Director, Brendan Donnelly, discuss the post-Brexit state of UK/EU relations. They argue that the present British government will generally seek a confrontational relationship with the EU over the coming months. This confrontation will be a source of instability in Northern Ireland and encourage the forces [...]
Covid & Brexit: Twin Challenges for London and the North East of England (full eBook)
The consequences of Brexit and Covid-19 will be felt throughout the country for many years to come. They will vary however in scope and intensity between the UK’s regions. The Federal Trust has compiled a collection of essays focussing on the challenges now facing two specific regions of the country, London [...]
RECENTLY PUBLISHED
Book Review: A European giant little known in the UK
Book Review by Brendan Donnelly, Director of The Federal Trust, of “Hitler's Cosmopolitan Bastard" by Dr Martyn Bond Martyn Bond’s fascinating biography of Count Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi (RCK) can be read and enjoyed on a [...]
Labour, Brexit and the constitution: Waiting for the dog to bark
The UK faces various serious difficulties at present that share a common cause. Brexit does not explain each of them in its entirety. But it is fundamental to an understanding of them all. There is [...]
Covid & Brexit: Twin Challenges for London and the North East of England (full eBook)
The consequences of Brexit and Covid-19 will be felt throughout the country for many years to come. They will vary however in scope and intensity between the UK’s regions. The Federal Trust has compiled a [...]
Video: The fallout from Brexit continues
In this new video, our Chairman, John Stevens, and Director, Brendan Donnelly, discuss the post-Brexit state of UK/EU relations. They argue that the present British government will generally seek a confrontational relationship with the EU over the coming months. [...]
From fishing fleets to breweries, companies in the north-east face ruin under the Brexit deal
by Baroness Quin The Rt Hon. Baroness Joyce Quin is a member of the House of Lords. She previously served in both the European Parliament and the House of Commons where she was MP for [...]
Turing’s one-way street does not match the Erasmus highway
by Dr Hywel Ceri Jones Hywel Ceri Jones was the EU Commission’s Director for Education, Training and Youth when Erasmus was founded in 1987. This article was first published by Yorkshire Bylines. Internationally, there is widespread [...]
Does the Integrated Review Make Sense?
The government’s new Integrated Review is by and large an unimpressive document. It is long and repetitive, with for example the phrase “S&T a core skill” appearing 48 times. It is intellectually self-contradictory in its [...]
Six ways to make the Conference on the Future of Europe a success
By Bent Noerby Bonde and Roger Casale Bent Noerby Bonde is Secretary General of Europe’s People’s Forum. Roger Casale is president of Europe’s People’s Forum and the founder of New Europeans. This article was first published [...]
First America. Now Europe. Nationalist Populist Politics Losing Appeal Except in Britain
by Denis MacShane Former Minister for Europe. His latest book Brexiternity. The Uncertain Fate of Britain is published by IB Tauris-Bloomsbury. Recent elections in Europe raise the question: Is the decade of populism over? For ten years the [...]
North East England can bounce back from Covid and Brexit
by James Ramsbotham CBE James Ramsbotham CBE, Chief Executive of the North East of England Chamber of Commerce. From a distinguished army career in the Royal Green Jackets he later worked for Barclays Bank and was [...]