Chapter 11 - The UK and the European Union Flashcards
When did the UK first apply for EU membership?
1961
Why did the UK first apply to the EEC?
Declining importance of the Commonwealth
UK’s declining influence in world affairs
Success of EEC
Pressure from US gov
Who led the UK into negotiations in the Maastrich treaty and saw it as an opportunity?
Major
When did sterling exit the ERM?
1992
Which PMs have struggled to hold the pro-European and Eurosceptic wings of their party together?
Thatcher, Major and Cameron
Who agreed the Amsterdam Treaty?
Blair
What condition did Blair attach to QMV in several treaty agreements?
That the UK would have a veto on matters of ‘vital national interest’
Conflict in where persuaded the UK to become a prime mover in the creation of a European Security and Defence Policy?
Kosovo
Which 5 economic tests did Brown layout for entry to the Eurozone (Name 3)
Sustainable convergence Sufficient economic flexibility Impact on investment in the UK Impact of financial services The impact on employment
When was the European Union Act passed?
2011
The UK has the right under what treaty to opt out of EU policy?
Lisbon Treaty
The Eurozone crisis prompted what two moves towards fiscal union in 2011 and 2013?
Euro Plus Pact
Fiscal compact
In what year did Cameron veto plans for an EU treaty on fiscal union?
2012
What different factors contribute towards Britain’s ‘awkwardness’ within the EU?
History & Culture Wariness of further integration Limited influence in EU negotiations Weak elite consensus Limited popular support
Name the four different forms of sovereignty is used in debates on Europe
National
Parliamentary
Popular
Economic
While Eurosceptics consider sovereignty an absolute matter, Pro-Europeans consider it…
A kind of legal concept
What is the term used to refer to collective sovereignty within Europe, used by Pro-Europeans?
Pooled sovereignty
Which act gave future EU law legal force in the UK?
European Communities Act 1972
UK ministers cannot agree to EU legislation which…
Has not been debated in the House of Commons or cleared by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee
How has the EU strengthened the position of the PM?
He attends European Council meetings and helps shape key policy objectives
Local government has benefited from which EU fund?
The EU Structural Fund
Responsibilities of the UK’s relation with the EU are reserved for Westminster, meaning that….
Devolved bodies must be separately consulted on matter concerning the environment etc
Which political party initially supported EU membership while it’s main competitor opposed it?
Conservatives
When did Labour call for a withdrawal from the EEC in their manifesto?
1983
Is there currently much party competition with the main two parties over Europe?
Both leaders have taken a pro-European stance, but the Conservative party is being pulled apart by opposing views on the matter
