The European Union & the United Kingdom: A Troubled Relationship | EU History Explained Episode 4

Summary

This episode of EU History Explained explores the United Kingdom's complex relationship with the European Union, from its initial reluctance to join in the 1950s to its eventual membership in 1973. It discusses key moments like Winston Churchill's views on European integration, the UK's concerns over economic competition and political integration, and its multiple opt-outs from EU policies. The narrative culminates with the UK's decision to leave the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum and the subsequent negotiations for a new relationship.

Takeaways

• 🇬🇧 The UK had a troubled relationship with the EU since joining in 1973, having initially refused to join in the 1950s.
• 🏛️ Winston Churchill supported European integration but did not see the UK as part of it, due to the UK's global interests and economic protectionism.
• 🚫 The UK was hesitant to join the European Coal and Steel Community and later the European Economic Community due to concerns over trade with the Commonwealth and competition from European industries.
• 🤔 The UK feared that joining the Community would undermine relations with the US and the Commonwealth, and was suspicious of European federalism.
• 🔄 UK trade with the Commonwealth was significant, and joining the Community would have threatened preferential treatment and subsidies for British farmers.
• 🔄 Harold Macmillan proposed 'Plan G' for a looser free trade area to protect UK interests, but it was opposed by Charles De Gaulle.
• 🇫🇷 De Gaulle vetoed UK membership twice, fearing it would block the development of the Common Agricultural Policy and serve US interests.
• 📈 The UK's policy changed in the 1960s due to the success of the Community, cooling US relations, and weakening ties with the Commonwealth.
• 🗳️ The UK held a referendum in 1975 on continued membership, with 67% voting to remain.
• 💷 Margaret Thatcher fought to reduce the UK's financial contribution to the EU and maintained a critical stance towards the Community.
• 🚷 The UK opted out of several EU initiatives, including the Schengen Agreement and the Euro, reflecting its reluctance to fully integrate.
• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The 2016 referendum resulted in a 52% vote to leave the EU, leading to Brexit and negotiations for a new UK-EU relationship.

Q & A

Why did the United Kingdom initially refuse to join the European Union?

The UK initially refused to join the EU because it saw itself as more than a European power with strong transatlantic links and a Commonwealth spanning several continents. It also feared that joining would undermine its relations with the United States and the Commonwealth and expose its economy to European competition.

What was Winston Churchill's stance on European integration, and did he see the UK as part of it?

Winston Churchill was an early advocate for European integration, even calling for a United States of Europe. However, he did not see the UK as part of this project, viewing the British Empire as more significant than just a European power.

What was 'Plan G' proposed by Harold Macmillan, and why did it fail?

Plan G was a proposal for a looser free trade area covering all of Western Europe, allowing the UK to continue trading with the Commonwealth. It failed due to fierce opposition from French President Charles De Gaulle, who was against granting any concessions that might harm French interests.

Why did the UK change its policy in the early 1960s to pursue membership in the European Economic Community?

The UK changed its policy due to the success of the Community and the risk of commercial exclusion, cooling relations with the United States after the Suez crisis, and a gradual loosening of economic ties with the Commonwealth.

What were the main reasons behind Charles De Gaulle's veto of the UK's membership in the European Economic Community?

De Gaulle vetoed the UK's membership because he feared that the UK would block the development of the Common Agricultural Policy, which was key for French interests, and that the UK would act as a 'Trojan horse' for US geopolitical interests in Europe.

What was the issue with the UK's financial contribution to the Community during accession negotiations?

The UK believed that the requested financial contribution was disproportionate to what they would receive, considering that the Community's budget was dominated by the Common Agricultural Policy, which did not benefit the relatively small British agricultural sector.

Why did the UK hold a referendum in 1975 on its continued membership in the European Community?

The 1975 referendum was held to decide on continued membership in the Community after the UK had renegotiated its accession terms and obtained a correction for its budgetary contribution. The majority of voters (67%) voted in favor of remaining.

What were some of the opt-outs that the UK negotiated as part of its membership in the EU?

The UK negotiated several opt-outs, including remaining outside the Schengen Agreement, opting out of the Social Chapter and the planned introduction of a European single currency, and later from the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

What was the outcome of the second referendum on British membership held in 2016?

In the 2016 referendum, 52% of British voters voted to leave the European Union, leading to the start of the Brexit process.

What was the nature of the final deal reached between the UK and the EU after Brexit?

The final deal reached was a free-trade agreement, with the addition of a special Protocol to safeguard the Irish peace process, due to the UK's insistence on maintaining its sovereignty and control over its laws and borders.

How did the UK's relationship with the EU evolve from an insider with opt-outs to an outsider seeking opt-ins?

After Brexit, the UK transitioned from being an insider with numerous opt-outs to an outsider seeking opt-ins as it negotiated a new relationship with the EU, focusing on a free-trade agreement and specific arrangements to protect certain interests, such as the Irish peace process.