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.

Outlines

00:00

🇬🇧 UK's Reluctant Entry into the European Union

The paragraph discusses the United Kingdom's initial reluctance to join the European Union. Despite Winston Churchill's early support for European integration, the UK did not join the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 due to concerns over its economy and global interests. The country was wary of the potential impact on its relations with the United States and the Commonwealth, as well as the supranational nature of the Community. Economic considerations, such as trade with the Commonwealth and the potential impact of a Common Agricultural Policy, also played a role. The UK's 'Plan G' proposed a free trade area to protect its interests but was blocked by Charles De Gaulle. The UK eventually applied for membership in 1961 but faced opposition from De Gaulle, who vetoed their entry twice.

05:02

🗳️ The UK's Complex Relationship with the EU

This paragraph details the UK's entry into the European Community in 1973 and its subsequent uneasy relationship with the EU. The UK was seen as a peculiar member, seeking renegotiations and exemptions, such as from the Common Agricultural Policy. A 1975 referendum saw a majority of UK voters choose to remain in the Community. Margaret Thatcher's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by her efforts to reduce the UK's financial contributions and maintain a critical stance towards the EU. The UK opted out of several EU initiatives, including the Schengen Agreement and the single currency. Leading up to the 2016 referendum, the UK negotiated a special status within the EU, but the vote resulted in a decision to leave. Post-referendum negotiations led to a free-trade agreement and a protocol to protect the Irish peace process.

Keywords

💡European Union

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries. It operates through a system of supranational institutions and intergovernmental decisions. In the script, the EU is the central entity that the United Kingdom (UK) has a complex relationship with, ultimately leading to Brexit.

💡United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, also known as Britain, is a country that includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is historically significant as it was the first member state to leave the European Union, a decision known as Brexit, which is a focal point of the video.

💡European Coal and Steel Community

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was an international organization that aimed to regulate coal and steel production in Europe after World War II. The UK's decision not to join the ECSC in 1951 is mentioned in the script as part of its early reluctance to integrate with Europe.

💡European Economic Community

The European Economic Community (EEC), also known as the Common Market, was a regional organization that aimed to create a common market and ultimately a customs union among its members. The UK's initial exclusion and subsequent attempts to join are discussed in the script.

💡Plan G

Plan G was a proposal by British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to create a looser free trade area in Western Europe, allowing the UK to maintain its trade with the Commonwealth. The script explains how this plan was an attempt to mitigate the impact of European integration on UK interests.

💡Common Agricultural Policy

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the agricultural policy of the European Union. It was a point of contention for the UK, as it threatened the subsidies that British farmers received and imports from the Commonwealth, as highlighted in the script.

💡Common Market

The Common Market refers to a regional economic union where there is free movement of goods, services, and labor among the member countries. The script discusses how joining the Common Market would expose the UK to competition from European industries.

💡Referendum

A referendum is a direct vote in which citizens are asked to decide on a specific issue. The script mentions the 1975 referendum in which the UK voted to remain in the EEC and the 2016 referendum in which it voted to leave, leading to Brexit.

💡Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the UK from 1979 to 1990. Known for her strong stance on reducing the UK's financial contribution to the EU, she is mentioned in the script as a figure who maintained a critical attitude towards the Community.

💡Brexit

Brexit refers to the UK's decision to leave the European Union, which was confirmed by the 2016 referendum. The script discusses Brexit as the culmination of a long history of the UK's troubled relationship with the EU.

💡Schengen Agreement

The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that abolished internal borders among its signatory countries, allowing for passport-free travel. The script notes that the UK decided to remain outside of this agreement in 1985, reflecting its reluctance to fully participate in European integration.

Highlights

The United Kingdom is the only member state to have left the European Union.

The UK's relationship with the EU has been troubled since joining in 1973.

Winston Churchill supported European integration but didn't see the UK as part of it.

The UK's initial reluctance to join the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951.

British concerns over economic competition and political integration.

Plan G proposed by Harold Macmillan aimed to transform European integration into a less harmful form for British interests.

French President Charles De Gaulle's opposition to British membership in the European Economic Community.

The UK's first official application for membership in 1961.

De Gaulle's veto of British membership in 1963 and 1967.

Georges Pompidou's more favorable approach to British membership.

The UK's financial contribution to the Community became a contentious issue.

The UK's peculiar status as a member with one foot always out the door.

1975 referendum in which 67% of voters chose to remain in the Community.

Margaret Thatcher's efforts to reduce the British financial contribution to the EU.

The UK's opt-outs from various EU policies, including the Schengen agreement and the single currency.

The special status negotiated for the UK prior to the 2016 referendum.

52% of British voters chose to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

The UK and EU's negotiations for a new relationship post-Brexit.

The economic implications of Brexit, resulting in a free-trade agreement and a special Protocol for Ireland.

Transcripts

Hello and welcome to EU History Explained. In  this series, we try to make sense of today’s  

European Union by looking at its history. Today  we are going to talk about the first – and so far,  

the only – member state that has left  the European Union: the United Kingdom.  

The UK refused to board the train in the  1950s and eventually joined only in 1973,  

and its relationship with the European  Union has always been troubled ever since.  

As early as the 1930s, Winston Churchill is  already championing European integration,  

and even calls for the creation of a United States  of Europe. But Churchill doesn’t really see the  

UK taking part in this project. To him – and to  successive British governments in the years to  

come – the British Empire is much more than just a  European power: it has strong transatlantic links,  

and a Commonwealth that spans across several  continents. These reasons, combined with the fear  

of opening up its heavily protected economy to the  competition of European industries, will lead the  

UK to decide against joining the European Coal and  Steel Community in 1951. The country is faced with  

a similar dilemma in regard to the proposal of a  European Economic Community a few years later. On  

a geopolitical level, the British fear that their  participation in the Community will undermine  

relations with the United States and the  Commonwealth. They are also suspicious  

of European federalism and of the supranational  character of the Community, fearing that this step  

could gradually lead to political integration, and  ultimately a political federation. But there are  

also economic considerations. In 1955, the UK has  very little trade with the Continent compared to  

the Commonwealth, and joining the Community would  mean the end of preferential treatment for the  

Commonwealth. Participation in the Common Market  would also expose the country to competition from  

European industries. Finally, the prospect of  a Common Agricultural Policy would threaten the  

subsidies that British farmers benefit from as  well as imports from the Commonwealth. In short,  

the UK finds itself with an impossible choice: on  the one hand, British interests seem to be against  

joining the European Economic Community, but  on the other, the Community’s creation without  

British involvement would be equally disastrous  for British trade. Initially, the government takes  

a passive approach, not least because it banks  on the failure of negotiations between the Six.  

But when it turns out that negotiations  might actually be successful,  

the new British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan  comes up with what is known as ‘Plan G’:  

if European economic integration can’t be avoided,  it must be transformed into something less harmful  

for British interests. This Plan G consists of a  proposal for a looser free trade area covering the  

whole of Western Europe, that would allow the  UK to continue trading with the Commonwealth.  

However, this plan fails due to fierce opposition  from French President Charles De Gaulle.  

As a result, the UK remains outside  of the European Economic Community,  

and falls back on a smaller free-trade area  gathering Western European countries that are not members of the Community. 

In the early 1960s,  a number of factors prompt the MacMillan  

government to change its policy and start pursuing  membership, most importantly: the success of the  

Community and the risk of commercial exclusion  for the UK; a cooling down of relations with the  

United States after the Suez crisis; and a gradual  loosening of economic ties with the Commonwealth.  

The UK submits its first official application in  1961. But there are problems right from the start,  

with the UK hoping to obtain exemptions  from some of the Community’s requirements  

including the Common Tariff, which threatens to  hamper economic relations with the Commonwealth,  

and the Common Agricultural Policy, which the  UK is reluctant to join. De Gaulle is firmly  

against granting any concessions of this type, and  opposes British membership on principle. He fears  

that the UK’s entry will block the development  of the Common Agricultural Policy – which is key  

for French interests – and that the UK will be a  ‘trojan horse’ for the US’ geopolitical interests  

in Europe. For these reasons, he vetoes British  membership in 1963, and then again in 1967. De  

Gaulle is replaced in 1969 by Georges Pompidou,  who has a more favourable approach to British  

membership, but yet is still determined to avoid  any downsides for the Common Agricultural Policy.  

Therefore, the agreement on a permanent financial  settlement for this policy therefore becomes  

France’s condition for opening accession  negotiations with the UK. As soon as negotiations  

start, a thorny issue soon arises: that of the  UK’s financial contribution to the Community.  

The British believe that the requested  contribution is disproportionate to what they  

would be receiving in return, considering that  the Community’s budget is dominated by the Common  

Agricultural Policy and the British agriculture  sector is relatively small. The British manage to  

negotiate some reduction, but the matter of their  contribution will continue to strain relations  

with the Community in the years to come. The UK  finally becomes a member of the Community in 1973.  

But it will soon single itself out as a peculiar  member, with one foot always out the door.  

A mere one year after accession, in 1974 the new  Labour government calls for a renegotiation of  

British accession terms and obtains a correction  for the British budgetary contribution. In 1975,  

a first referendum takes place in the UK to decide  on continued membership in the Community – on  

that occasion 67% of voters vote in favour of  remain. When Margaret Thatcher takes office as  

British Prime Minister in 1979, she embarks on a  battle to cut the British financial contribution  

and obtains a substantial reduction. Throughout  her term in office, she will maintain a  

very critical attitude towards the Community  despite being a big fan of the Common Market.  

In the following years, British reluctance  to participate fully in European integration  

takes the form of a number of opt-outs. In  1985 the UK decides to remain outside of the  

Schengen agreement which will over the years  abolish internal borders within the Community.  

When the Maastricht Treaty is signed in 1992,  the British negotiate an opt-out from the Social  

Chapter and from the planned introduction of a  European single currency. More opt-outs follow,  

from the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice  and from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.  

In the run-up to a second referendum on  British membership to be held in 2016,  

the British government negotiates a special  status for the UK within the European Union,  

including an exemption from the  objective of an “Ever Closer Union”.  

However, these changes will never come into  effect: in the referendum of June 2016,  

52% of British voters vote to leave the European  Union, and the count-down towards ‘Brexit’ begins.  

After that, the UK and the EU start painful  negotiations to establish a new relationship,  

with the UK switching its position from an insider  with many opt-outs to an outsider seeking opt-ins.  

Because of a number of British red lines, the  deal finally reached will in economic terms  

allow only for a free-trade agreement, with the  addition of a special Protocol to safeguard the  

Irish peace process. Thank you for watching,  and don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe  

to our channel. And stay tuned for the next  episode of EU History Explained coming soon!