The European Union and Britain: debating the challenges ahead

Book abstract:

This volume originates from the 1st CREST Conference on the 'Role of the UK in the EU -Reflections on the British Presidency', organised under the auspices of the University of East Anglia, Norwich in May 1998. The aims of the conference were twofold: first, to analyse Britain's membership of the European Union, and second to assess the results of the 1998 British Presidency of the EU, which was then nearing its expiry date. This book addresses those same issues, with the added benefit of hindsight gained in the few months which elapsed after the end of the UK Presidency and allowed the dust to settle and the first few results to solidify.

The UK's position in Europe has long been in some way 'different' than in other countries. The amount of debate and differing opinions in the UK exemplifies this. The British relationship is perceived as one which strives perpetually to occupy two positions at once: on one hand, an inevitably very influential position in the shape and the beat of the heart of Europe, and on the other, a position 'in orbit' of EU developments, painstakingly trying to maintain a 'safe distance'.

A host of academics, practitioners and policy-makers from all over Europe gather their insights in this book, debating and giving anwers to such questions as: Is Britain's attitude to Europe changing? Will it opt for a single currency? Can it overcome its perception of threat to its identity and sovereignty and work towards closer political integration with Europe? What are the challenges facing the EU as it looks beyond the new millennium? The result is a stimulating and challenging book which contributes towards our understanding of the relationship between Britain and the European Union in particular, in a pragmatic and down-to-earth manner.