The EU

Question 1

What are the key aims of the EU ?

Answer 1

Key aims of the EU include achieving peace, the 4 freedoms of the single market, and political/economic union.

Question 2

What are the 4 freedoms ?

Answer 2

(free movement of goods, services, people, capital).

Question 3

What are the origins of the EU ?

Answer 3

The EU started as a coal and steel pact between 6 countries in 1950 to promote peace after WWII, and later became the European Economic Community (EEC) and then the single market with 4 freedoms

Question 4

When did the UK join the EU ?

Answer 4

The UK joined the EEC in 1972, opted out of the euro and Schengen area, and voted to leave the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum after growing Euroscepticism.

Question 5

What is the Schengen area ?

Answer 5

the Schengen area is made up of 27 European countries that agreed to create common entry and exit requirements in order to remove the need for internal border

Question 6

Arguments for brexit enhancing parliamentary sovereignty ?

Answer 6

no higher EU court striking down laws, Parliament regaining control in areas like trade/agriculture, and key court cases like Miller.

Question 7

What was the Miller court case ?

Answer 7

Miller vs Secretary of State for Exiting the EU in 2016 and comments labelling judges as “enemies of the people”.whether it would be possible for the government to make a formal notice to leave the EU,

Question 8

Arguments against brexit enhancing parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 8

Northern Ireland still following some EU laws, powers went to the executive more than Parliament, loss of pooled sovereignty” EU influence, and increased risks of Scotland/NI leaving UK.