Introduction
Current British attitudes to the EU as compared to that of other EU member states: Finland, Greece, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, the UK
Why these attitudes?
Origin of the EU
Europe – a troubled continentBy 1945 Europe had been ripped apart by two world wars.
After World War II: - How to build the peace in Europe?- How to create European unity?
Origin of the EU
Winston Churchill’s vision (1946): Creation of a “United States of Europe” with reconciliation between France and Germany as the first step.
The establishment of NATO (1949), the Council of Europe and the OEEC in the early post-war years.
Forerunner of the EEC
1951: The European Coal and Steel Community (The Treaty of Paris). France, Germany, Italy and the BeNeLux countries.
Britain declined. Why?
Development of the EU
1957: The EEC (The Treaty of Rome): Six member states
The European Economic Community
- a customs union
- common policies on trade, agri., transport- a common market (a Common External Tariff)
Development of the EU
- coordinate economic / monetary policies- increased economic integration
Moreover, even at this early stage it was stated that the ultimate goal was political unity.
1987: Name change to the EC:
The European Community
Development of the EU 1993: The Single Market
Free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital
1998: A European Central Bank (ECB) Name change to the EU: The
European Union 1999: European Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU): A single currency = the euro
Development of the EU
2002: Euro coins and notes 2004-2007: Expansion of the EU to 27
member states 2007: The European Union Reform
Treaty (The Lisbon Treaty =new constitution)
2011: Estonia becomes the 17th nation to adopt the euro
2013: Croatia joins the EU: 28 member s.
Three spheres of interest originally governed the British official attitude to the EC:
- The relationship to the U.S.A.
- The Commonwealth
- Europe
Britain: The Reluctant European
The Phase of Scepticism, 1950-1975:
1951: Britain declined to participate in the
European Coal and Steel Community
1957: Britain declined to join the EEC
1960: EFTA established
1961: First British application for EEC membership
UK Applications for EC Membership
1963: First French veto against British membership
1967: Second British application for EEC membership and second French
veto against British membership
1969: De Gaulle resigned 1971: Third British application for EC
membership
UK Membership in the EC
1973: Britain became a member of the EC
1975: Referendum: In favour of continued membership (66% voter turnout, 2/3 said yes)
What were (are) the main arguments for Britons in favour of the EU?
What were (are) the main arguments for Britons against the EU?
The 1980s:
Britain’s external policies became increasingly more European, but there were still many Eurosceptics.
Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990)
- Confrontational style- Negotiated a budget rebate for Britain
- In favour of enlargement, but resisted closer European integration: "no European superstate!"
- Resisted the ERM: wanted floating exchange rates. Britain became a member of the ERM in 1990, against M.T.'s wishes.
- Against the "Social(ist) Chapter".
Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990)
The Political Parties’ Opinions about the EU in the 1980s
The Labour Party became more and more committed to the EU in the 1980s, while the opposition to the EU within the Conservative Party became more and more pronounced. A month after Britain joined the ERM Margaret Thatcher had to resign as Prime Minister in Britain.
The 1990s and into the 2000s:
John Major (1990-1997) - More pro-European (in style at least). The British view of widening rather than deepening European integration- The Social Chapter dropped- Black Wednesday" (Sept. 1992): Britain's exit from the ERM
John Major (1990-1997)
- Opted out on the EMU (1999), and no euro (2002)
- Split within the Conservative Party concerning the EU before the 1997 General Election.
Tony Blair (1997–2007)
- New Labour had a more pro-European stance: Signed the Social Chapter.
- Tony Blair wanted to play a leading, constructive role in Europe. Less sceptical to the EU.
- Wait-and-see attitude concerning the euro. When would be the right time for a referendum?
Tony Blair (1997–2007)
- Won the election in 2001 by a landslide, too, but declining popularity due to the Iraq war. Britain vs. France and Germany regarding Iraq.
- Did not risk the
question of EMU
membership.
2007-2010: Britain’s Political Parties and the EU
Gordon Brown (2007-2010)- Gordon Brown finally signed the EU Reform Treaty - four hours after the official signing ceremony (2007).
- The Labour government rejected a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty by 311 votes to 248 in the House of Commons (2008).
2007-2013: Britain’s Political Parties and the EU David Cameron (2010 - )
- Coalition government with the Liberal Democrats = the most pro-European party
- “Britain needs to be in the EU – it is not in Britain’s interest to leave the EU (2011).” According to Cameron, in which case will the British people be guaranteed a referendum?