Britain and the European Union

Britain's relationship with the EU has always been riddled with doubt, scepticism and awkwardness. This new book examines why, how and with what effect the EU has become such a contentious issue in UK politics. It places the debate in historical context by starting with an overview of debates about membership in the 1950s and 1960s and then goes on to examine the impact of Britain's membership since 1973 across core policy areas, including economic and monetary union, agriculture, and foreign and security policy.

Andrew Geddes outlines major changes in the scope of the European project and assesses how central, devolved and local governments have responded to the EU. The book also assesses the EU's impact on domestic policies, assessing debates within and between the main parties and charting the rise of Euroscepticism as a key trend in contemporary British politics. This text provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis both of the EU's impact on Britain and of Britain's contribution to the EU.

Contents:

+ Introduction

+ Britain on the Edge of Europe

+ Looking in from the Outside

+ Full Hearted Consent? Britain in Europe from Heath to Major

+ From New Labour to the Cameron Coalition

+ Britain, EU Institutions and Decision-Making Processes

+ Britain and Core European Union Policies

+ Britain and the EU's Move Into High Politics

+ The British State and European Integration

+ British Party Politics and the Rise of Euroscepticism

+ Conclusions: Britain and the European Union Assessed