Foreign Developments: Arguments for Britain being in a stronger/weaker position in the EU 1997-2007 Flashcards
Which universal policy in relation to currency were Britain unable to accept?
The Euro
Who ran tests to see if adopting the Euro would be economically sustainable in Britain?
Gordon Brown
What was an issue for Blair in regards to not adopting the Euro?
Britain would not be able to be at the heart of Europe
When did Brown conclude the tests for the Euro showed it would not work for the British economy?
2003
What did Brown tell the media in relation to the Euro?
That Britain would not accept it
Name 2 prominent Labour members who wanted the Euro to be accepted
Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson
What did Blair not being told what Brown would tell the media show with his authority in this aspect of his party?
His authority over Europe was weak
Why did Brown not want to accept the Euro in terms of inflation?
Inflation was stable at around a 2.5% increase a year
What did Blair opt in to in the EU in 1997?
EU workers rights’ legislation
What did Blair opt in to in the EU in 1998?
Eu defence policy
What did it mean when Britain opted into the EU defence policy?
The EU was now a separate military force from NATO
Which President was pleased when Britain accepted the common EU defence policy?
The President of France
What year did British contributions to the EU rise to £7 billion a year?
2004
What did Blair agree to in terms of EU Budget contributions in 2005?
Agreed to increase them
What percentage of the total CAP funding did Britain contribute to?
10%
How was Blair strong with the use of his veto against paying rebates?
He argued Britain never got their full rebates
How can it be seen Britain never got their full rebates?
66% of rebate money went back into funding the EU
Which policy were Labour unable to get Britain under?
Common Agricultural Policy
What concept did Blair create with the hope this would get Britain into the CAP?
The Third Way
What did Blair’s Third Way with the EU say ?
If Britain continued to accept EU reforms then they should be rewarded
What did most EU ministers think about Blair’s Third Way?
Britain accepting reforms was instead the country catching up to the EU legislation
What did France and Germany do against Britain in the EU?
They worked together to make sure Britain could not join the CAP
What did Blair say he would give up in terms of British abilties in the EU?
He would give up Britain’s ability to veto EU policies
Why did Blair propose Britain should receive by giving up their ability to veto?
Joining the CAP
What could possibly happen in the future if Blair gave up Britain’s ability to veto EU policies?
They could introduce a policy which Britain heavily opposed that they could not get out of accepting
Name a prominent area of Britain that would be impacted heavily by future EU policies if they were made
London
Why would London being impacted by potential future EU policies be an issue for Labour?
They could potentially lose votes there
Why would the issue of getting rid of Britains ability to veto in terms of the British electorate have been more prominent by the 2005 election in terms of seats won?
Labour only won 66 seats in the 2005 election
How many EU reforms were given to Labour during Blair’s time as Prime Minister?
3000
What percentage of all EU reforms given to Labour were accepted during Blair’s time as Prime Minister?
80% of them
