Britain is widely regarded as the 'awkward partner' in Europe: How accurate is this assessment?

Résumé du document

The Second World War gave impetus to the idea of European unity. A view developed that only by the creation of some form of European federation would Europe enjoys a permanent peace. After WW2, European states focussed on national reconstruction, whereas Britain had a globalist perspective. This difference of interests produced a discrepancy between Great Britain and the other countries in the idea of integration in an institutionalized Europe. Winston Churchill characterized British international interest in terms of three interconnected circles: Empire and Commonwealth, Europe, and the United States. The US generally came first, Europe always last. The awkward partner thesis is a widespread theoretical framework which explains why Britain has been called a semi-detached member of the European Union. The argument advanced here is that the awkward partner thesis presupposes a negative behaviour by UK governments in relation to their European counterparts. How accurate is this thesis?

Extraits

[...] The divisions in public opinion, on the political parties and a Murdoch- owned press obligated Tony Blair to have a very cautious approach concerning the recommendable level of integration (exe: decision not to risk a referendum; Britain not part of the “cradle of euro” countries). New Labour is committed to constructive engagement in Europe. The new Labour government fully intends to make the most out of Britain's membership of the EU. Signing the Social Charter was an important symbolic step. In reversing the isolationist, opt-out approach of the Tories, Britain will finally be at the centre of the agenda-setting and decision- making processes in Europe, thus ensuring that the interests and concerns of Britain and her citizens are properly represented and taken into account. [...]

[...] Britain disagreed with point 3 and leaked the plans to the smaller countries. British/French relations collapsed over the leak. More generally there appear to be 3 main reasons why De Gaulle vetoed: He thought Britain to be a Trojan horse for US influence in the EEC; Britain still had the Commonwealth, so De Gaulle argued that British interest was for pragmatic reasons- Britain was not committed; he feared Britain taking over the French role with Germany, acting as the political power in the EEC with Germany providing the economic power. [...]

[...] They are to benefit other member states, which have a very different economic profile to the UK. A second problem is CAP. The major beneficiaries of CAP are independent farmers in Germany and France- Britain has a very small agricultural sector. A third problem is that the payments to the EC are linked to VAT levels. Two other major issues are the single currency and the creation of a single market. Mrs Thatcher was committed to the single market programme. [...]

[...] Britain is widely regarded as the ‘awkward partner' in Europe; How accurate is this assessment? The Second World War gave impetus to the idea of European unity. A view developed that only by the creation of some form of European federation would Europe enjoys a permanent peace. After WW2, European states focussed on national reconstruction, whereas Britain had a globalist perspective. This difference of interests produced a discrepancy between Great Britain and the other countries in the idea of integration in an institutionalized Europe. [...]

[...] It has positioned itself in a less communitarian and integrationist stand sometimes limiting the UK action in terms of influence in the EU. In a sense, Britain spent the century wandering lost between Europe and the USA in a painful dilemma that still torments Britain today (Iraq invasion, European constitution question and the euro issue). The UK never felt home” in the European community. The public opinion continues to show reluctance in abandoning the pound; therefore the biggest of surprises would be for a on a national referendum about the issue. [...]