Britain and EuropeBritain and Europe

A Supra-national StateA Supra-national State

Lesson ObjectiveLesson Objective

By the end of this session you will By the end of this session you will understand how Europe has affected British understand how Europe has affected British Politics since 1945 Politics since 1945

You will also find out the viewpoints of the You will also find out the viewpoints of the different parties to European integration.different parties to European integration.

TaskTask

What was Britain’s position after 1945?What was Britain’s position after 1945? Where did Britain’s interests lie?Where did Britain’s interests lie? What is the view on European integration, What is the view on European integration,

offered byoffered by– The Conservative party?The Conservative party?– The Labour Party?The Labour Party?– The Liberal Democratic party?The Liberal Democratic party?

Traditional ViewTraditional View

Britain has had three spheres of influenceBritain has had three spheres of influence– Her Empire and latterly the Commonwealth, the USA Her Empire and latterly the Commonwealth, the USA

and Europe and Europe Barriers to integration are related the geography Barriers to integration are related the geography

and historyand history Traditional rivalries have been based on Trade Traditional rivalries have been based on Trade

and Colonisationand Colonisation Britain has not been invaded since 1066 Britain has not been invaded since 1066 And Britain is an Island, with an island mentality And Britain is an Island, with an island mentality

attachedattached

19451945

Britain came out of the war as a World Britain came out of the war as a World power – Was this an illusion?power – Was this an illusion?

The big 3 (USA, Russia and Britain) had The big 3 (USA, Russia and Britain) had defeated Nazism and Great Britain’s defeated Nazism and Great Britain’s overseas Empire was retainedoverseas Empire was retained

Therefore the country had worldwide Therefore the country had worldwide economic and financial interestseconomic and financial interests

NO DEFEAT….NO OCCUPATION !!NO DEFEAT….NO OCCUPATION !!

Formation of the EECFormation of the EEC

Europe was founded by Jean Monnet and Robert Europe was founded by Jean Monnet and Robert SchumanSchuman

They argued that greater economic co-operation They argued that greater economic co-operation would lead to greater stability and the avoidance would lead to greater stability and the avoidance of another devastating Warof another devastating War

Treaty of Paris was signed in 1952, which formed Treaty of Paris was signed in 1952, which formed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

France, Germany, Italy and Benelux signed up the France, Germany, Italy and Benelux signed up the EEC in 1958EEC in 1958

Britain stayed out, forming the European Free Britain stayed out, forming the European Free Trade Area with Sweden, Denmark and NorwayTrade Area with Sweden, Denmark and Norway

Trouble with EmpireTrouble with Empire Oh dear it all went horribly wrongOh dear it all went horribly wrong The liquidation of Britain’s Empire – India independence The liquidation of Britain’s Empire – India independence

1947, Israel formed 1948, Suez Crisis 1958 etc.1947, Israel formed 1948, Suez Crisis 1958 etc. This led to an adverse balance of trade and deep economic This led to an adverse balance of trade and deep economic

troubles in Britaintroubles in Britain MacMillan (Cons) 1961 looked with jealousy at the EEC MacMillan (Cons) 1961 looked with jealousy at the EEC

and tried to join, blocked by De Gaulleand tried to join, blocked by De Gaulle Wilson tried in 1967, blocked by De GaulleWilson tried in 1967, blocked by De Gaulle Only when the ungrateful French git died in 1971, could Only when the ungrateful French git died in 1971, could

Britain be acceptedBritain be accepted Britain joine din 1973 (ratified by referendum in 1975), with Britain joine din 1973 (ratified by referendum in 1975), with

Republic of Ireland and DenmarkRepublic of Ireland and Denmark

Triumphal ProcessTriumphal Process Deepening integration/expansion Deepening integration/expansion Tension in enlargement and integration widening and Tension in enlargement and integration widening and

deepeningdeepening 1958 – Fr, Ger, It, Benelux1958 – Fr, Ger, It, Benelux 1973 – RoI, UK, Denmark1973 – RoI, UK, Denmark 1981 – Greece1981 – Greece 1986 – Single European Act – non tariff bars to trade1986 – Single European Act – non tariff bars to trade 1992 – Maastricht – EMU, Social Chapter1992 – Maastricht – EMU, Social Chapter 1995 – Austria, Finland and Sweden1995 – Austria, Finland and Sweden 2000 – Treaty of Paris – Formal start of single currency2000 – Treaty of Paris – Formal start of single currency 2005 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, 2005 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,

Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, SloveniaLithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia Set to join soon – Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Set to join soon – Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia,

Romania, TurkeyRomania, Turkey

TaskTask

Why do you think that Turkey’s involvement Why do you think that Turkey’s involvement in the European Union is so controversial?in the European Union is so controversial?

How much pressure do you feel continual How much pressure do you feel continual expansion puts on the Union? Think of size expansion puts on the Union? Think of size of the Parliament and free access across of the Parliament and free access across EuropeEurope

Britain and Europe 1973-2006Britain and Europe 1973-2006

The Conversion has not been wholeheartedThe Conversion has not been wholehearted U.K joined too late to influence the direction of the U.K joined too late to influence the direction of the

UnionUnion There has been no benefit of the remarkably There has been no benefit of the remarkably

generous CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)generous CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) EEC saw growth rates rise, with improved EEC saw growth rates rise, with improved

Standards of LivingStandards of Living Whereas up to membership, standard of living in Whereas up to membership, standard of living in

the UK fell, with an energy crisis and a 3 –day the UK fell, with an energy crisis and a 3 –day weekweek

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Liberals and Liberal Demcrats have been Liberals and Liberal Demcrats have been wholeheartedly in favourwholeheartedly in favour

The left wing of the Labour party saw Europe as a The left wing of the Labour party saw Europe as a rich mans capitalist club, underpinning the rich mans capitalist club, underpinning the aggressive NATO. By 1983, Michael Foot had aggressive NATO. By 1983, Michael Foot had pledged withdrawalpledged withdrawal

Conservatives initially saw membership as a Conservatives initially saw membership as a Conservative achievementConservative achievement

Thatcher obtained a rebate from the EUThatcher obtained a rebate from the EU She signed the Single European Act (1986)She signed the Single European Act (1986) Joined ERM in 1990 Joined ERM in 1990 But, by end of power, Thatcher’s opposition grewBut, by end of power, Thatcher’s opposition grew

Major Major

““My aim is for Britain to be at the very heart My aim is for Britain to be at the very heart of Europe, working with our partners of Europe, working with our partners building a better future”building a better future”

Maastricht – Major’s Government negotiated Maastricht – Major’s Government negotiated an opt out of the Social Chapter and EMUan opt out of the Social Chapter and EMU

Black Wednesday 1992 – Caused massive Black Wednesday 1992 – Caused massive economic problems and Britain’s withdrawal economic problems and Britain’s withdrawal from the ERMfrom the ERM

BlairBlair

A more positive approach to EuropeA more positive approach to Europe Government signed up to the Social ChapterGovernment signed up to the Social Chapter Brown was more cautious implementing 5 Brown was more cautious implementing 5

economic tests to monetary unioneconomic tests to monetary union 2001 – Labour won another landslide despite 2001 – Labour won another landslide despite

Cons “Save the Pound” campaignCons “Save the Pound” campaign After 9/11 Blair became more US centric and EU After 9/11 Blair became more US centric and EU

integration on the back burnerintegration on the back burner 50 years on Britain still seen as an awkward 50 years on Britain still seen as an awkward

partnerpartner

TaskTask

Can you think of 5 arguments for and 5 Can you think of 5 arguments for and 5 arguments against membership of the arguments against membership of the European Union?European Union?

Key TermsKey Terms

Intergovernmentalism – Where Intergovernmentalism – Where Governments meet on a regular basis to Governments meet on a regular basis to discuss common issuesdiscuss common issues

Subsidiarity – Where powers are only Subsidiarity – Where powers are only exercised by the Community if a member exercised by the Community if a member state cannot deal with it. Therefore state cannot deal with it. Therefore decisions ought to be taken at the lowest decisions ought to be taken at the lowest possible level – National Government, possible level – National Government, devolved assemblies or Local Councils devolved assemblies or Local Councils

Political Make-upPolitical Make-up

The European Union consists of:The European Union consists of: An Executive – European Commission (made up of An Executive – European Commission (made up of

commissioners nominated by member states)commissioners nominated by member states) A Legislative – European Parliament (elected every 4 years A Legislative – European Parliament (elected every 4 years

via the list system)via the list system) A Judiciary – European Court of Justice (each state A Judiciary – European Court of Justice (each state

nominates a judge for a 6 year period)nominates a judge for a 6 year period) A single currency, a central bank etc. A single currency, a central bank etc. Surely it is a Nation State in it’s own right?Surely it is a Nation State in it’s own right? Well the Council of Ministers remains which still requires Well the Council of Ministers remains which still requires

unanimity in most issues and made up of senior politicians unanimity in most issues and made up of senior politicians in member states – intergovernmentalismin member states – intergovernmentalism

A veto remains for some issues (Monetary Union), A veto remains for some issues (Monetary Union), otherwise QMV is the norm otherwise QMV is the norm

TaskTask

What problems can you envisage with the current What problems can you envisage with the current political make-up and enlargement policies?political make-up and enlargement policies?

Think about the how our magic triangle is Think about the how our magic triangle is affected!!affected!!

What also do you envisage to be the problem of What also do you envisage to be the problem of low turnouts in Euro elections?low turnouts in Euro elections?

25% voted in 200425% voted in 2004 Democratic Deficit – The weakness of democratic Democratic Deficit – The weakness of democratic

control and accountabilitycontrol and accountability

Impact on BritainImpact on Britain

Supremacy of EU law over UK lawSupremacy of EU law over UK law The British Government can help influence The British Government can help influence

EU lawEU law The Electoral System changed in 1999, The Electoral System changed in 1999,

moving to the list system moving to the list system The machinery of Government is less The machinery of Government is less

affected. There is no Sec. of State for affected. There is no Sec. of State for Europe, although there is little doubt British Europe, although there is little doubt British politics is affected. Thus the number of politics is affected. Thus the number of ministerial flights to Brusselsministerial flights to Brussels

Policy areasPolicy areas

Fiscal Policy – Introduction of VAT in 1975, plus Fiscal Policy – Introduction of VAT in 1975, plus constraints on tax and expeenditureconstraints on tax and expeenditure

Regulation – over 80% of rules governing Regulation – over 80% of rules governing production, distribution and exchange of goods are production, distribution and exchange of goods are decided by the EUdecided by the EU

Agriculture and fisheries – Spanish in our watersAgriculture and fisheries – Spanish in our waters Butter mountains and win lakes thanks to CAPButter mountains and win lakes thanks to CAP Social Policy – The Social ChapterSocial Policy – The Social Chapter Human Rights – ECHRHuman Rights – ECHR

Call me old fashioned but I’m a bit Call me old fashioned but I’m a bit nervous about the futurenervous about the future

The introduction of the Euro has been trouble freeThe introduction of the Euro has been trouble free Major institutional reform needed to balance the Major institutional reform needed to balance the

rich and poor regionsrich and poor regions EU policy towards the developing world will come EU policy towards the developing world will come

under scrutiny, especially continued agricultural under scrutiny, especially continued agricultural protection (Fair Trade??)protection (Fair Trade??)

Foreign and Defence policy? What about EU and Foreign and Defence policy? What about EU and USA priorities?USA priorities?

Nth Am FTA or EU the choice will need to be Nth Am FTA or EU the choice will need to be made. Isolation in a globalised world is not an made. Isolation in a globalised world is not an option option