24 - EU Referendum Flashcards
When was the last EU referendum?
Last one was in 1975 shortly after joining the EU when the country then voted to stay in
General…
There have been growing calls for another vote because the EU has changed a lot since with many more countries joining and more control over more aspects of daily lives.
David Cameron initially resisted these calls but in 2013 he changed his mind
Mr Cameron agreed a package of changes to the UK’s membership of the EU in Brussels in February. The agreement, which will take effect immediately if the UK votes to remain in the EU, includes changes to…
Child Benefit
Migrant Welfare Payments
Eurozone
Protection for the City of London
Sovereignty
‘Red card’ for national parliaments
Competitiveness
Some limits on free movement
Child Benefit…
Child benefit payments to migrant workers for children living overseas to be recalculated to reflect the cost of living in their home countries
Migrant Welfare Payments…
The UK can decide to limit in-work benefits for EU migrants during their first four years in the UK. This so-called “emergency brake” can be applied in the event of “exceptional” levels of migration, but must be released within seven years - without exception.
Eurozone…
Britain can keep the pound while being in Europe, and its business trade with the bloc, without fear of discrimination. Any British money spent on bailing out eurozone nations will be reimbursed.
Protection for the City of London…
Safeguards for Britain’s large financial services industry to prevent eurozone regulations being imposed on it
Sovereignty…
There is an explicit commitment that the UK will not be part of an “ever closer union” with other EU member states. This will be incorporated in an EU treaty change.
‘Red card’ for national parliaments…
It will be easier for governments to band together to block unwanted legislation. If 55% of national EU parliaments object to a piece of EU legislation it will be rethought.
Competitiveness…
The settlement calls on all EU institutions and member states to “make all efforts to fully implement and strengthen the internal market” and to take “concrete steps towards better regulation”, including by cutting red tape.
Some limits on free movement…
Denying automatic free movement rights to nationals of a country outside the EU who marry an EU national, as part of measures to tackle “sham” marriages. There are also new powers to exclude people believed to be a security risk - even if they have no previous convictions.
Why do some want the UK to leave?
They believe Britain is being held back by the EU, which they say imposes too many rules on business and charges billions of pounds a year in membership fees for little in return.
They also want Britain to take back full control of its borders and reduce the number of people coming here to work. One of the main principles of EU membership is “free movement”, which means you don’t need to get a visa to go and live in another EU country.
They also object to the idea of “ever closer union” and any ultimate goal to create a “United States of Europe”.
Why do some want the UK to stay?
They believe Britain gets a big boost from EU membership - it makes selling things to other EU countries easier and they argue the flow of immigrants, most of whom are young and keen to work, fuels economic growth and helps pay for public services.
They also believe Britain’s status in the world would be damaged by leaving and that we are more secure as part of the bloc.
David Cameron wants Britain to stay in the EU, now he has got some powers back from it. Sixteen of his cabinet also back staying in.
The Conservative Party has pledged to be neutral in the campaign - but the Labour Party, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems are all in favour of staying in. As mentioned above, according to polls, the public seems pretty evenly split on the issue.
Brexit bill…
March 13 Brexit Bill was successfully passed without amendments
Problems…
June 23 Britain voted to leave the EU
PM, David Cameron resigns
Theresa May as new PM
David Davis as Brexit Secretary
Miller v the Secretary of State for Brexit
