4.3 - The Aims, Role, And Impact Ofthe European Union On The UK Flashcards
(21 cards)
1
Q
What’s Britain’s history with the EU
A
- 1973, UK joins EEC
- 1975, Britain voted 2:1 to remain in EEC
- 1992, Treaty of Maastricht transforms EEC into a closely integrated political + economic union
- 2016, 52 to 48 vote for brexit in Britain
- 2020, Britain formally leaves the EU
2
Q
What are the main institutions of the EU
A
- European Commission (supranational
- European council (intergovernmental)
- the council of the European Union (intergovernmental)
- The European Parliament (supranational)
- the European court of justice (supranational)
3
Q
What is intergovernmental
A
- natiomal governments working together
4
Q
What does supranational mean
A
- EU institutions independent of national governments
5
Q
What are the 4 freedoms?
A
laid down in the treaty of Rome,
- free movement of goods: no tariffs should be imposed, creating a customs union
- free movement of services: business should be free to open up in any member state
- free movement of capital: capital should move freely through member states
- free movement of people: no internal barriers should stop citizens of EU working in any member state, and being able to claim social benefits
6
Q
What did the French economist Frederick bastiat say about European integration
A
“If goods do not cross borders, armies will”
7
Q
What terms were agreed upon at the Maastricht treaty in 1993
A
- principle of monetary union, establishing European integration
- in 1999, euro was introduced
- it also create the European Central Bank to set a common interest rate for members of the eurozone, by 2022, there were 19 EU member states in the eurozone
- included the social chapter establishing rights for workers in the EU
8
Q
What terms were agreed upon at the Lisbon treaty in 2009
A
- charter of fundamental rights of the EU was proclaimed in 2000, became legally binding in Lisbon treaty. This overlaps with the European convention on human rights
- the treaty advanced committing EU members to a common foreign and defence policy
- this treaty also established a full time president of European council and a high commissioner for foreign affairs and security
9
Q
What impact has the EU had on the UK
A
- supporters of the EU may claim it provided positive social and economic impact of membership
- critics may claim British membership in EU undermined democratic accountability, threatened Britain’s existence as an independent nation, creating a layer of unnecessary bureaucracy
10
Q
What benefits did the EU provide to the Uk
A
- duty free access to worlds second biggest economy. UK exporters benefited from being able to sell abroad more cheaply, with UK consumers benefitting from cheaper EU imports, in 2016, 43% of trade was with the EU, worth 241 billion
- most economists argue Britain benefitted from EU immigration, in 2013-14, EU citizens living in UK paid 14.7 billion in tax and national insurance, claiming just 2.6 billion in tax and child benefits
- more than 3 million British jobs relied on trade with the EU, with net benefit to UK economy worth between 4-5% of GDP
- since the European wars, in which 110 million died from 1900-1950, the EU has encouraged peace and stability across member states
11
Q
What are the arguments against membership of the EU
A
- British membership of EU challenged parliamentary sovereignty, as a result of pooling of sovereignty, parliament lost its right to legislate on behalf of British people
- critics argue EU legislation creates another layer of unnecessary law which may not serve British citizens interests. Think tank ‘open Europe’ claimed the implementation of EU regulations in the Uk cost 33 billion every year
- The Uk contributed more to the EU then it got directly back, as in 2017, the UK made a net contribution of 8.9 billion
12
Q
What were the main factors in the Brecht campaign for remainders and leave voters
A
- many expected that the referendum would prove zbritain wanted to remain because of the economic argument
- the leave campaign focused on restoring British sovereignty, highly popular amongst C2, D, and E voters
13
Q
What impact has Brexit had on the UK
A
- full restoration of parliamentary sovereignty
- potential conflict with EU members, sovereignty over Gibraltar has become contentious
- brexit also exposed unresolved tensions within UK democracy, seen when BJ removed the whip from 21 pro-European conservatives, transforming the conservatives into a fully eurosceptic party
- critics may claim it has led to an abuse of authority, in 2019, the Johnson government enacted legislation restoring the right for the PM to determine the date of the general election
- it has undermined the integrity of the UK, as 62% of Scot’s voted to remain, which has led the SNP to press for another referendum, in hopes of rejoining the EU
14
Q
What did Theresa May’s gov do in relation to Brexit
A
- HOC triggered article 50 to start a new process of leaving the EU
- she then called a snap election to increase her majority which failed terribly, meaning conservatives had to rely on support from the DUP.
- She struggled to get a brexit deal which pleased her party, and after coming 4th in the May 2019 EU parliament elections, she resigned
15
Q
What did Boris Johnson’s gov do in relation to Brexit
A
- he failed a few times to pass his own Brexit deal, as one nation cons allied with labour to vote against his Brexit proposals, as they were seen as too much
- forced by Parliament to ask for extension of article 50 to avoid a no-Brexit deal
- general election called for December 2019, winning a 80 seat majority, the passing his withdrawal agreement, therefore Brexit completed in December 2020
16
Q
How has leaving the EU had a good effect on UK parliamentary sovereignty
A
- no longer a higher court that can strike down laws
- parliament can now legislate on issues the EU used to have control over, seen with intro of illegal immigration bill in march 2023
- Key court cases in relation to Brexit strengthened parliamentary sovereignty, Article 50 case confirmed a majority is needed to unmake a treaty, 2019 prorogatioj case reaffirmed parliamentary sovereignty to hold gov to account v an overarching executive.
17
Q
How has the increase in parliamentary sovereignty since Brexit been limited)
A
- Parliament doesn’t have same level of sovereignty over NI as it does over rest of UK. As NI remains aligned with EU law to have a frictionless border with the Republic of Ireland, with 300 EU regulations still applying to NI.
- Significant sovereignty has been given to executive rather then parliament, can make trade agreements without parliamentary agreement, EG: the March 2023 UK-Asia trade deal
18
Q
How was achieving peace a key reason for the EEC community, and European integration
A
- European interrogation fosters cooperation and economic independence, making war much less likely
- peace also a key motivator for EU after collapse of Soviet Union with 13 new member states
19
Q
To what extent have the 4 freedoms been achieved
A
- they’ve largely been achieved, however limitation could be free movement of people
- seen when Schengen area was introduced in 1995 abolishing border controls, with Britain and Ireland negotiating opt-outs
- some member states introduced border restrictions in 2015 to the migrant crisis, and in response to Covid
20
Q
How is economic union an Aim of the EU
A
- establishing an economic and monitory union was a goal, leading to the Eurozone, creation of European Central Bank controlling interest rates and a single currency, the euro
- this made cross-border trade easier, by 2014 there were 19 members
21
Q
How is political union an aim of the EU
A
- creating closer political union and cooperation has been another key aim of the EU
