Publications

 LBC Matthew Wright (15 September 2024)

Matthew Wright and Richard Barfield discuss Richard’s BylineTimes article.

LBC Natasha Devon (27 September 2024)

Natasha Devon and Richard Barfield discuss Keir Starmer’s reset.

Lessons from Switzerland (May 2026)

Following Keir Starmer’s pummelling in the local elections, my piece for Encompass-Europe asks whether Labour needs to be so cautious in its approach to EU-UK relations.

The road to the summit runs through Switzerland (April 2026)

My blog for UK in a Changing Europe suggests that, if the UK wants a more ambitious relationship with the EU that preserves the government’s red lines, the new EU–Switzerland agreements offer a realistic model.

‘Trump’s Embrace of Putin Should Push the UK Back Towards the EU’ (March 2025)

My article in Byline Times argues that the UK must accept that its economic and political interests now lean heavily towards Europe.

‘Keir Starmer Must Rid Himself of his Brexit Blind Spot’ (September 2024)

In this article in Byline Times, I argue that the Prime Minister’s view of Brexit remains stuck in the past and that it’s time he embraced the opportunities of Europe.

‘Trump’s Embrace of Putin Pushes the UK and EU closer’ (March 2025)

“As UK and European allies ramp up defence manufacturing, their shared need for additional, sustained economic growth makes a compelling case for relaxing red lines and radically resetting the trading relationship.”

Published by Encompass-Europe.

The red-tape curtain – the new costs afflicting businesses after Brexit (January 2021)

The Red-Tape Curtain: Richard Barfield explains the deluge of restrictions and regulations that have been saddled on firms after the UK’s departure from the EU

Services trade – the way forward (June 2023)

Presentation on services trade at the Trade Unlocked conference on 20 June 2023 at the Birmingham NEC, which covers:

• Setting the scene – the critical role of UK service trade
• Overview of the EU-UK trade agreement (TCA)
• Recent services trade trends
• Routes to a better future

UK trade and the Word Trade Organisation (September 2018)

This is a briefing for non-specialists on UK trade and the trade options for the UK with Brexit.

An outstanding team of experts contributed to the paper, including Sir Martin Donnelly, Andrew Sentance CBE, Professor L Alan Winters CB, George Peretz QC and Professor George Yarrow. Thanks also to Peter Ungphakorn and Gerard Fox for their valuable contributions.

‘No deal’ and WTO rules (February 2019)

This is a briefing for non-specialists on what ‘going WTO’ with ‘no deal’ would mean from a trade perspective.

The paper reflects contributions from Dr. Lorand Bartels, Sir Martin Donnelly, Peter Ungphakorn and Professor L Alan Winters CB. Gina Miller suggested I write the paper. Her ‘End the Chaos’ and ‘Lead not Leave’ websites published branded versions at the time.

Framework to evaluate the Johnson proposals (October 2019)

This article assesses Johnson’s 2 October 2019 proposals from the points of view of the UK, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the EU.

Written for the Conservative Group for Europe.

‘No deal’ – are the people right? (April 2019)

This article asks what would happen more widely with no deal. It looks beyond trade and the economy to security and health. 

“an enemy of the UK would regard the wide-ranging damage from ‘no deal’ as a major victory”

Challenges with Common Market 2.0 (March 2019, updated)

This article summarises the proposal from Nick Boles MP and others for an EEA-style arrangement between the UK and the EU after Brexit. It also assesses the challenges and questions whether there is any benefit in this approach compared to EU membership.

George Peretz QC, who advised on Common Market 2.0, kindly reviewed this article.

The new costs for business post-Brexit (February 2021)

A quick scan of the new bureaucracy and other barriers that harm UK exports of goods and services to the EU – for UK in a Changing Europe.

Services trade – mind the gap (April 2022)

This blog quantifies the serious shortfall emerging in UK services exports to the EU – for UK in a Changing Europe.

What trading on WTO terms alone really means for Britain (November 2018)

This article, published by the UK Trade Forum, summarises some of the key implications of WTO rules for the UK. It is based on the September 2018 briefing paper.

Spotlight on services (January 2024)

• Confirms that although UK is a leading global player in services, its position is under threat.
• Probes exports by service type and EU vs non-EU.
• Self-published.