Britain's Unsettled Relationship with Europe: A Hidden History

Strategic Insights -

The story of Britain's complex and evolving relationship with Europe is a tale of power struggles, diplomatic missteps, and shifting allegiances that spans over seven decades. This narrative is expertly woven by Tom McTague in his book "Between the Waves," which delves into the untold history of Britain's post-war engagement with the Continent. McTague's meticulous research, spanning from 1945 to 2016, reveals the intricate web of relationships between British leaders, their European counterparts, and the United States, shedding light on the pivotal moments that shaped Britain's European adventure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain's post-war relationship with Europe is marked by a series of missed opportunities, with leaders like Harold Macmillan and Winston Churchill failing to forge a confederal Europe with a common foreign and defense policy.
  • Charles de Gaulle's vision for a Europe of national states was doomed to fail due to his self-defeating policy of excluding Britain, despite sharing anti-federalist views with Macmillan.
  • Britain's first two applications to join the European Community in 1961 and 1967 were vetoed by de Gaulle, with the latter citing Britain's lack of communautaire essence.
  • Margaret Thatcher was not an early Brexiteer; instead, she initially supported a European Community based on "willing and active cooperation between independent sovereign states."
  • Thatcher's 1988 Bruges speech, often misinterpreted as eurosceptic, actually emphasized Britain's commitment to European cooperation while recognizing its special position.
  • The UK has secured opt-outs from the euro, Schengen agreement, and the social chapter, but now finds itself outside seeking opt-ins, a less satisfactory position compared to its previous balance of membership and recognition of its special status.

Statistics:

  • Britain's first application to join the European Community in 1963 was vetoed by de Gaulle.
  • Thatcher secured a rebate on the UK's financial contribution to the European Community in 1985.
  • The UK's relationship with Europe has undergone significant changes, with a shift from seeking opt-outs to now seeking opt-ins, reflecting a loss of influence and a more peripheral role within the European Union.
  • The Brexit referendum in 2016 marked a significant turning point, with the UK's decision to leave the European Union ending seven decades of post-war engagement with the Continent.
  • The UK's current position outside the EU, seeking opt-ins, is a status previously held by Switzerland.

Sources:

  • Tom McTague, Between the Waves: The Hidden History of a Very British Revolution
  • Vernon Bogdanor, Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution