Britain and Europe does not really seem to be quite a blessed partnership. Deep historical conflicts, contradicting international interests and approaches to the European idea, geographical separation and injured national identities –this is the soil on which the concept of a unified Europe is supposed to prosper. No doubt, that this undertaking will not be characterised by an easy-going, harmonic spirit. In this matter of Europe policy, the two major parties in Britain had the chance to take a firm stand. Yet, how firm this stand in reality is, should be examined by this work. The question is, whether the British parties can be clearly distinguished into a pro-European and an anti-European party and if that is the case, how unified is the voice of the respective party?
Table of contents
1 Introduction
2 Historical view on Great Britain’s Europe attitude
2.1 Labour’s sceptical view on the EU (Kinnock, Smith)
2.2 Conservative’s Anti-EU policy (Thatcher, Major)
3 Current relationship between Great Britain and the EU
3.1 Tony Blair and the EU - a dream team?
3.1.1 What political changes in regard of Europe did Blair accomplish so far?
3.1.2 In which areas does Blair have a rather critical attitude towards Europe?
3.2 David Cameron and the EU - hereditary enemies?
3.2.1 Which of the current EU-political approaches does Cameron support?
3.2.2 In which areas does the Conservative Anti-European attitude still exist?
4 Conclusion
5 List of refrences