Britain and the Puzzle of European Union

Description

This book is a study of the complex relationship between Britain and Europe from the Second World War to the present day. Drawing on first-hand experience of British and European politics, the author highlights not only the dramatically shifting power play between London and Brussels but also the EU’s own struggle to come to terms with its federal mission. He traces the important constitutional events that have fashioned the EU, of which the Brexit process is an outstanding example. The author proposes a number of constitutional reforms which, if carried through, would form the basis of a new entente between the EU and the UK. Both polities will profit from stronger democratic government of a federal type. The author advocates spanning the divide between NATO and the EU. He proposes installing a new class of affiliate EU membership, which may be useful for the whole European neighbourhood, including the UK. Featuring the history, present and future of Britain’s relationship with the European Union, the book will be of worldwide interest to students and practitioners of European integration, as well as diplomats and journalists. It is the first comprehensive manifesto for the future of Europe and Britain since Brexit. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1 Adrift Schuman Plan Federal and confederal The federalists European Coal and Steel Community Council of Europe European Defence and Political Communities UK Treaty of Association 2 Engaged European Economic Community Euratom European Free Trade Association General de Gaulle Accession I Accession II Accession III 3 Moored European Council Renegotiation I Referendum I Tindemans Report Electing the European Parliament President Jenkins The Thatcher phenomenon Single European Act 4 Retreat Germany unites Maastricht Variable geometry Amsterdam Leftovers Charter of Fundamental Rights Nice Giscard’s Convention Lisbon Financial crash 5 Deluge Bloomberg Renegotiation II New Settlement Referendum II 6 Article 50 Lancaster House Significant uncertainties Separation issues Florence Mansion House Chequers Salzburg Unmeaningful votes 7 Secession Getting it done Trade talks Trade and Cooperation Agreement 8 Neighbourhood Enlargement gets problematic NATO disjunction Association models European Economic Area and Switzerland Ukraine’s association Western Balkans and Turkey 9 The State of Britain Brexit and the British state House of Commons House of Lords Federal Britain? Referendum challenges 10 The State of Europe Differentiation after Brexit Affiliate membership Quest for government The Merkel conundrum A democratic jolt Treaty change Democratic faculty 11 Détente Brexit buyers’ remorse Renegotiation III European Security Council Towards entente Appendix: summary of recommendations Glossary About the author Index