Britain is widely regarded as the « awkward partner » in Europe.
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document in english
international relations
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date published 27/03/2007
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Summary“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’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.’ 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 the same way, Keynes wrote in 1919: “England still stands outside Europe. Europe’s voiceless tremors do not reach her. Europe is apart and England is not of her Flesh and blood.” This statement also highlights the fact that by the end of the First World War Britain was considered to be “in Europe but not of Europe”.
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.’ 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 the same way, Keynes wrote in 1919: “England still stands outside Europe. Europe’s voiceless tremors do not reach her. Europe is apart and England is not of her Flesh and blood.” This statement also highlights the fact that by the end of the First World War Britain was considered to be “in Europe but not of Europe”.
Table of Contents
- UK and the European Community: the problem of the integration
- Historical review of Britain an de European Union, from 1950 to these days
- Britain, E.E.U.U. and the European Community
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