Chapter 11 - The UK and the European Union

Question 1

When did the UK first apply for EU membership?

Answer 1

1961

Question 2

Why did the UK first apply to the EEC?

Answer 2

Declining importance of the Commonwealth
UK’s declining influence in world affairs
Success of EEC
Pressure from US gov

Question 3

Who led the UK into negotiations in the Maastrich treaty and saw it as an opportunity?

Answer 3

Major

Question 4

When did sterling exit the ERM?

Answer 4

1992

Question 5

Which PMs have struggled to hold the pro-European and Eurosceptic wings of their party together?

Answer 5

Thatcher, Major and Cameron

Question 6

Who agreed the Amsterdam Treaty?

Answer 6

Blair

Question 7

What condition did Blair attach to QMV in several treaty agreements?

Answer 7

That the UK would have a veto on matters of ‘vital national interest’

Question 8

Conflict in where persuaded the UK to become a prime mover in the creation of a European Security and Defence Policy?

Answer 8

Kosovo

Question 9

Which 5 economic tests did Brown layout for entry to the Eurozone (Name 3)

Answer 9

Sustainable convergence
Sufficient economic flexibility
Impact on investment in the UK
Impact of financial services
The impact on employment

Question 10

When was the European Union Act passed?

Answer 10

2011

Question 11

The UK has the right under what treaty to opt out of EU policy?

Answer 11

Lisbon Treaty

Question 12

The Eurozone crisis prompted what two moves towards fiscal union in 2011 and 2013?

Answer 12

Euro Plus Pact

Fiscal compact

Question 13

In what year did Cameron veto plans for an EU treaty on fiscal union?

Answer 13

2012

Question 14

What different factors contribute towards Britain’s ‘awkwardness’ within the EU?

Answer 14

History & Culture
Wariness of further integration
Limited influence in EU negotiations
Weak elite consensus
Limited popular support

Question 15

Name the four different forms of sovereignty is used in debates on Europe

Answer 15

National
Parliamentary
Popular
Economic

Question 16

While Eurosceptics consider sovereignty an absolute matter, Pro-Europeans consider it…

Answer 16

A kind of legal concept

Question 17

What is the term used to refer to collective sovereignty within Europe, used by Pro-Europeans?

Answer 17

Pooled sovereignty

Question 18

Which act gave future EU law legal force in the UK?

Answer 18

European Communities Act 1972

Question 19

UK ministers cannot agree to EU legislation which…

Answer 19

Has not been debated in the House of Commons or cleared by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee

Question 20

How has the EU strengthened the position of the PM?

Answer 20

He attends European Council meetings and helps shape key policy objectives

Question 21

Local government has benefited from which EU fund?

Answer 21

The EU Structural Fund

Question 22

Responsibilities of the UK’s relation with the EU are reserved for Westminster, meaning that….

Answer 22

Devolved bodies must be separately consulted on matter concerning the environment etc

Question 23

Which political party initially supported EU membership while it’s main competitor opposed it?

Answer 23

Conservatives

Question 24

When did Labour call for a withdrawal from the EEC in their manifesto?

Answer 24

1983

Question 25

Is there currently much party competition with the main two parties over Europe?

Answer 25

Both leaders have taken a pro-European stance, but the Conservative party is being pulled apart by opposing views on the matter