European Movement news: Annual General Meeting, 11th September 2010, London. Click here for more details.
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The Coalition Government's European policy: insight into the last four months
Four months after the general election was held and the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government took office, the European Movement has highlighted below the major official stance of the government regarding the European Union.
Coalition’s programme for government, 20th May 2010
The main theme of the newly elected government as described in its programme published on 20th May is that “Britain should play a leading role in an enlarged European Union, but that no further powers should be transferred to Brussels without a Referendum” over the course of this new Parliament. This is defined as the “Referendum lock” and it aims to ensure that the UK shows a “constructive engagement” towards its 26 European colleagues while also protecting Britain’s “national sovereignty” in the eyes of its citizens. The main positions on Europe as listed on page 19 of the programme for government are the following:
- Limiting the application of the Working Time Directive in the country
- Pressing for Westminster to remain the ultimate authority
- Ensuring that Britain doesn’t join or prepare to join the single currency in this Parliament
- Campaigning for the abolition of the Strasbourg seat of the European Parliament
- Defending the UK’s national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations
- Keeping the opt-out on criminal justice matters for any further legislation
- Supporting any further EU enlargement
David Cameron’s visit to the European continent
For his first foreign trip as Prime Minister, David Cameron started with France and met with President Nicolas Sarkozy on 20th May 2010. The main topic of the discussion, as reported by the BBC, was on the euro and the crisis in the Eurozone and how the 27 member states should deal with it. David Cameron confirmed that the UK would not join the euro during this Parliament and that it was right not to do so. What adds up to what he said previously is that Cameron acknowledged that “it is in Britain’s interests that the eurozone is a success, that the euro is a successful currency, and that the eurozone economies recover”. However, with the UK being out of the single currency, he considers “it is not the same call on us in terms of financial support”.
Interestingly, Nicolas Sarkozy at the press conference said: “In my political life, I was less European at the beginning of my political career, and I have become gradually more and more European. Why do I say so, because I have understood one thing, which is that, if you want to change things, you cannot do so alone. You can’t go it alone. You have to create a web of solidarity.” The European Movement can only hope David Cameron feels the same way through this Parliament.
David Cameron continued his European visit, meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin the day after, on 21st May 2010. He reiterated many points already mentioned above. You can watch the press conference here and read here the BBC’s report on the visit.
David Cameron at his first European Council meeting in Brussels on 17th June 2010
On 17th June, David Cameron joined his 26 EU counterparts at the European Council meeting in Brussels. Click here to watch the Prime Minister’s press conference.
On 21st June, David Cameron reported the results of the European Council to MPs in the House of Commons. Click here to read the full text. The most noteworthy elements of his speech are the following:
The Europe 2020 Strategy “has some worthwhile objectives … This should not interfere with national competencies” … “Europe has never lacked strategies, but European countries have frequently failed to deliver them” … “A strong and successful eurozone is vital for the British national interest” … “I was generally supportive of the Council's efforts to strengthen the eurozone governance arrangements, but I was equally determined to ensure our national interests are protected” … “The UK Budget will be shown to this House first and not to the Commission” … “As we are not members of the euro, we will not back measures that draw Britain further into financial support for the euro area”. David Cameron concluded saying that “The Council delivered good outcomes for Britain”.
William Hague’s first keynote speech on 1st July 2010
Foreign Secretary William Hague gave his first keynote speech on 1st July. In his speech, he toned down the usual position of the Conservatives on Europe and said he would promote a “distinctive foreign policy that is active in Europe and across the world”. British influence and power need to be reasserted internationally given that “the world has changed” and that the stronger role of emerging countries has modified the balance of power. In that prospect, among others, more British officials are needed in Brussels in order to strengthen the UK’s position in Europe, according to our Foreign Secretary. Mr Hague, however, fails to see where the problem within the relationship that the UK maintains with the EU really lies.
Click here to read William Hague’s speech and here to read an analysis in the Financial Times. Click here to read a letter written by EMiL Chairman Petros Fassoulas and published in the Financial Times in response to the analysis and react on our blog here.
David Cameron’s speech about Turkey on 27th July 2010
On 27th July, David Cameron was in the Turkish capital Ankara where he reiterated his strong support for Turkey’s accession to the EU. Click here to read his speech and here to read the BBC’s report on it.
Click here to read EMiL Chairman Petros Fassoulas’s article about the subject which was published on Progress Online.
Minister for Europe David Lidington MP’s answers on government policy on Europe, 30th July 2010
“It is in British interests to stay within the EU” our current Minister for Europe said. After having launched an invitation to the general public through his blog to ask questions about the government policy on Europe, David Lidington MP published on 30th July the answer to 10 of the questions asked. Questions ranged from the usual referendum on EU membership, through to UK’s priorities for the Common Security and Defence Policy and the roles of the EU presidency and EU High Representative, to the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. You can watch his answers here.
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Further reading
Click here to read Brendan Donnelly’s analysis of the European policy of the Coalition and give us your reaction on our blog
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Events
It is a lot of reading but we are also holding two events in September at which the topic will be discussed in depth. Come along!
- Dinner and meeting in Eastbourne on 8th September with Brendan Donnelly as a guest speaker. Click here for further details.
- European Movement’s AGM in London on 11th September. Click here for further details.
