The coalition: what sort of relationship with Europe?

Thèmes abordés

Coalition - europe - britain - UK - Cameron - Clegg - UE - EU - Royaume-Uni

Résumé du document

Essai sur la coalition actuelle au gouvernement britannique et leur vision des relations avec l'Union Européenne.

Extraits

[...] The budget and the rebate question Another reason that could limit this tendency to turn toward Europeanism is the European budget question. In 2011, the new budget will be discussed by the European leaders. But the fact is that Britain does not want the next budget to grow up and want to fight against the CAP. The 2011 budget, which is another matter, should also have increased by which David Cameron refuses. It has been reduced to of increase. But the new British government seems not to agree on this topic at all. [...]

[...] The fact the European policy since May 2010 is hugely criticised in the press, and that even more in the Sun and in the Times, but also by the Conservatives themselves shows a will for more engagement in the European Union. Nick Clegg is not only an icon of pro- Europeanism, but also a tool for the new government to improve its relationship with the European Union and to manage to get the Europe they want. Looking for a closer relationship with France and Germany? To get the kind of Europe they want, Britain uses the image Nick Clegg gives to the world, but it cannot only base its policies on the impression he gives and on an attenuated Euroscepticism. [...]

[...] By the way, the same problem occurs with the European Court of Justice. David Cameron also argued throughout his campaign that he would make a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which reveals another time how strong is his will to defend British national sovereignty. The fact is that the only referendum that would take place is on the future European treaties, and not on the Lisbon Treaty at all, which disappointed many voters and Conservatives MPs. The fact is that if David Cameron had done so, this would have given him an even worse image in Europe, and he clearly could not afford it. [...]

[...] But the budget question will be a huge problem for these relationships in 2011: David Cameron has clearly expressed that he will not let the British rebate disappear and that he will fight against the CAP. As this policy is necessary for France and Germany, alliances will face a storm. Then, David Cameron's Euroscepticism could be another time a real problem for the relationship with the European Union and left Britain aloof one more time. William Hague's famous words used by David Cameron during the second debate of the general elections on Sky TV on April Liberal Democrats' manifesto, Europe See Annexes The Coalition Program Id. [...]

[...] What the coalition shows about their ambitions toward Europe? Even if the influence of the Conservative Party on the coalition government policy is clear, what is sure is that Britain needs further involvement in the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have argued that Government believes that Britain should play a leading role in an enlarged European which is due to globalisation. The ambitions of the coalition government stand on three major themes: further powers should be transferred to Brussels”[5], which means that Britain would not allow any other loss of sovereignty; enlargement of the European Union, with the entry of Turkey; and finally a control of the European budget and in particular of the British rebate. [...]