The European Union

Question 1

What is the EU?

Answer 1

27 European countries who have voluntarily joined a Political and Trading Union. Used to be the EEC (European Economic Community) and was set up to unify coal and iron production between France and Germany. The goal was to prevent future wars between the countries by making them mutually dependent on each other.
UK tried and failed to join in late 1960s (Churchill didn’t want to join when EU was set up by treaty of Rome in 1957).

Question 2

When did UK Join EU

Answer 2

1973 under Heath. Referendum under Wilson in 1975 to legitimise membership (and also for him to avoid divisions in labour party)

Question 3

What is pooled sovereignty in regards to the EU?

Answer 3

The idea that decisions (and laws) should be made together at a cross-state level. This means that countries voluntarily give up the right to make their own decisions (in certain areas) and agree to go along with the group decision.

Some people disliked the EU as they felt it meant that the UK had less control over itself and its borders. An example here might be not having control over fishing rights within UK waters.

Question 4

What is the Euro

Answer 4

Single European currency used by 19 of the 27 members. UK refused to join under Blair/Brown.

Question 5

What are the 4 main institutions of the EU?

Answer 5

European Parliament
Council of the European Union
European Commission
European Court of Justice

Question 6

What is the European Parliament?

Answer 6

A directly-elected body that has co-legislative powers

Question 7

Who are the Council of the European Union?

Answer 7

Ministers from the executives of the member states; holds co-legislative powers with the Parliament

Question 8

What does the European Commission do?

Answer 8

Consists of commissioners, appointed by member states’ governments. Has an executive role, proposing legislation and issuing directives.

Question 9

What does the European Court of Justice do?

Answer 9

Performs the judiciary role in the European Union

Question 10

What is the European Council?

Answer 10

Summits of European heads of state or heads of government

Question 11

What does the European Central Bank primarily concerns itself with?

Answer 11

The Euro and Eurozone countries

Question 12

What are the 7 Key Aims of the EU?

Answer 12

• Economic and monetary union
• A single market
• Economic growth and stability
• Environmental protection
• Peace and security
• Promote scientific, technological and academic progress
• Economic, social and political integration and cohesion

Question 13

How is economic and monetary union achieved?

Answer 13

the Euro

Question 14

What are the Four Freedoms?

Answer 14

• Freedom of movement of goods
• Freedom of movement of services
• Freedom of movement of capital
• Freedom of movement of people

Question 15

What are the Four Freedoms a key feature of?

Answer 15

The EU’s single market

Question 16

What is the freedom of movement of goods?

Answer 16

The free trade of goods between member states of the EU i.e. states will not charge tariffs on imports

Question 17

Which International treaty created the 4 freedoms of the EU?

Answer 17

The Treaty of Rome (1957)

Question 18

Which areas of Policy does the EU normally legislate in?

Answer 18

Trade, Industry, Agriculture, Employment rights

Question 19

Which international treaty of the EU brought in detailed workers rights?

Answer 19

The Social Chapter - which was part of the Maastricht treaty in 1992

Question 20

Did Britain join the Maastricht treaty (social chapter on workers rights by the EU)

Answer 20

Not intially. John Major said that workers rights should be dealt with by national parliaments. However Blair join in 1997. Cameron said we would opt out again to restore Parliamentary Sovereignty but he never did.

Question 21

Why was the Labour party concerned about Brexit in regards to workers rights?

Answer 21

By being a member of the EU, the UK had to follow EU policy on sick pay, holiday pay, workers rights, safety, wages, etc. This meant that these rights were effectively entrenched. After Brexit, any of these can be adjusted through a vote in the UK Parliament.

Question 22

What are some of the key successes of the EU?

Answer 22

Peace - EU memberstates have never gone to war. Previously, European countries had fought for hundreds of years.
Continued growth - Many previously USSR countries have now joined
Single Market and Single currency is well established
Greater Political union between the counties e.g. European Parliament
Close cooperation on science, environment, security, policing

Question 23

What were the key arguments for Brexit?

Answer 23

Reduce immigration
Restore National Parliamentary Sovereignty
Stop paying money to EU (£350 for NHS!)
Make international trade deals instead

Question 24

What were the key arguments against Brexit?

Answer 24

Keep 4 freedoms (movement of people, money, goods, services)
Collaborative, global and liberal approach with Britain heavily involved in international issues
Keep trading with closest neighbours
Protect citizens rights
Continued peace in Europe

Question 25

Why do some argue that the EU impacted national sovereignty?

Answer 25

Because EU law outranked UK law (See factortame case study)

Question 26

Which Party was particularly divided over Europe? Why?

Answer 26

The Conservatives. Because 2 parts of conservative ideology pull it in different directions.
Neo-liberal side: Pro-Free trade, globalisation,
Neo-conservative: Nationalist, Anti-immigration, Pro-UK approach

Question 27

Why did immigration increase hugely after 2004?

Answer 27

Eastern European bloc joined EU (e.g. Poland) which led to sharp increase in immigration to the UK from those countries.