Significant Factors Shaping Britains Approach to the EU

“We have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked, but not combined. We are interested and associated, but not absorbed.” Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill’s famous quote aptly describes Britain’s approach to European integration since the inception of the EU in the 1950’s. Churchill emphasised that although he was ‘not opposed to a European Federation’, he ‘never thought that Britain or the British Commonwealth should…become an integral part.’ As he later put it, ‘I meant it for them, not for us.’ (May; 1991 pp.21) Churchill’s attitude towards the EU has been imitated by many of the Prime Ministers that followed him. Britain’s relationship towards European integration has generally been one of a reluctant union, supporting free trade and mutually beneficial cooperation, while attempting to distance itself from economic and cultural ‘unity’ with Europe.

In this essay it shall be argued that the most significant factors in shaping Britain’s approach to the EU since its inception have b

The result of Britain’s hesitancy and reluctance towards European integration as shown in this essay through their relationship with the world outside of Europe and the question of sovereignty has been that Britain has been a reactive rather than proactive member of the EU. By this it is meant that rather than being influential in shaping policies at the initial stages so that they are the most favourable Britain can hope for, they only join once the policy is proven a success. The can be shown at the inception of what is today the EU when Britain refused to join. The first British reaction was, in the words of one official, that it would not work and ‘we shall have to do what we can to get them out of the mess in which they have landed themselves’ but - dammit - they went ahead anyway. (Marr;1999 pp.177) This pattern has followed through right up to the present day where Britain is still stalling over the inevitable entry into the single currency. In order for Britain to avoid being pegged as an ‘awkward’ partner in Europe they must be more prepared to embrace the policies and ideologies of the EU fully.

‘In my lifetime Europe has been the source of our problems, not the source of our solutions. Its America and Britain that saved the world.’ (Hennessy; 2001 pp.428)

‘Europe of free independent sovereign nations who choose to pool their sovereignty in pursuit of their own self interests.’ (06/10/00)

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