A Step Change in Britain Relationship with the EU - Essay Example

EXTENT OF A STEP CHANGE IN BRITAINS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU IN 1997 History and Political Science Introduction The British government did not make a reasonable contribution by being committed and joining the single currency, though New Labor was committed despite the decreased chances of winning the referendum on entry to the euro1. In fact, the trust of British citizens on Tony Blair reduced after the war in Iraq, since there was no emergence of countervailing pro in Europe to deal with the issue. However, citizens were aware of the benefits associated with the EU such as numerous chances of developing networks of interdependence. They also knew that European Union assists nations in establishment of steady and flourishing democracies, and it reduces the chance of a country in Europe becoming a rouge state, by developing solid reconciliation between the conflicting parties in a country. Therefore, the paper will develop counter arguments to discuss the extent of “step change” in the relations of Britain with EU during the period between 1997 and 2005. The “step change” initiative was characterized by Blair as a term refereeing to adaptation of the New Labor to a practical European policy. Moreover, there were other terms referring to the same initiative such as Blair’s active promotion of EU expansion; thus, this implies that the government became responsive to affairs concerning the European, thereby dealing with issues like Convention on the Future of Europe. In fact, aim was to arise, instead of leading though the initiatives of the government policy2. The government had international priorities and not European since the themes were running during the entire period, hence raising the concern of whether Britain was seeking eschew from the euro before 1997. Background Europe segregated the British labor party for a period of sixty years, compared to the conservatives who offer support in the process of the integration, though the Prime Minister, Attlee was faced with opposition. Moreover, the history of Britain would be expunged after joining the Common Market, and the Labor Prime Minister Harold Wilson had pragmatic reasons for his willingness to absorb Britain since it had lost the role as a leader in the world and due to deterioration of its economy. Therefore, by 1960, the leadership of the party would have resolved their differences on Europe relating to the segments of labor ranks and files while there was hostility by the labor movement to the notion of membership to the community of capitalist, since there was fear of increasing rates of unemployment3. In 1970, Britain took on a stance against the EU through opposition, whereby the Parliamentary Labor party had differences regarding EU, despite their opposition to the bill in 1971. In this situation, the Conservatives had a stance supporting Britain’s effort to join EU, and others were opposing the parliamentary vote to support the commitment. Moreover, these disputes prevailed even after Britain had joined EU, and this led to a pledge by Harold Wilson during the second general election in 1974, whereby he sought a renegotiation regarding the terms of the EU membership. This would offer a chance to the citizens to make a decision through a referendum on whether to remain members of EU, and this was relinquishing the Cabinet the collective responsibility, hence enabling Wilson to maintain the government in a way that prevents a division over Europe. The citizens voted in favor of remaining in the membership of EU during the referendum and this led to closing of questions regarding the membership, but the differences in the Labor party still prevailed. The party fractured six years after referendum due to issue of EU membership, and this was followed by the establishment of pro-European Social Democratic Party. Tony Blair was elected during the general elections in 1983 through the labor party; this resulted to a proposal pledging for obliteration of Britain from the membership of EU. A ‘step change’ in Britain’s relations with Europe Since 1950, the British politics has failed to appreciate the significance of EU integration, thereby failing the interest Britain. However, there are efforts made to reverse the failure establishing a new vision for Europe and Britain, by dealing the challenges faced in the process of integration. Some of these challenges are such as Euroscepticism, which has contributed to a long history of frustrating the effort to integrate Britain into EU. Therefore, this has become a good reason for persuading the skeptics to change their perception towards EU integration, whereby inspiring the establishment of initiatives such as “step change.” Tony Blair declared a “step change” in the relationship between Britain and EU, which entailed prerequisite of all Politians and civil servants to maintain bilateral links with other members of European Union4. There were intentions for involving the regular contacts with corresponding numbers in other EU capitals, members of administrators like politicians or officials in order to build a substantial basis of understanding the perception of other countries towards issues related to European Union. Moreover, this perception will assist Britain to achieve a strategic advantage during the negotiations of policies; thus, this ‘new bilateralism’ would achieve in the creation of supportive working relationship in EU and the other accession counties. Therefore, during a period of three years the role of the UK in the EU was expected to be constructive through implementation of the ‘step change’ initiative. On the other hand, there was “licentious bilateralism” that was experienced in Britain under Blair, instead of creating a stable connection with other countries such as France and Germany. In fact, this has made a critical contribution to the assertion of bilateralism being a negative issue in Britain that would collaboration blocking progress. In situations where bilateral cooperation was positive like through the declaration of “step change,” Britain was focusing on issues that would lead since it has not joined the euro. Blair had an obsession on the notion of leadership for Britain in EU and on the global stage, though Britain was not in commitment, thus making it difficult to sustain the leadership5. In addition, the initiative focusing on the security field gave Blair a chance to plan leadership in Europe. The “step change” initiative was making a substantial contribution in the debate of European security and defense, and it facilitated to a significant change in attempts for engaging in defense cooperation. Britain had been attributed to hostility after inclusion of the military competence in EU, thereby becoming enthusiastic defenders of Defense policy and Common European Security. Therefore, the revolution was initiated by Tony Blair, hence creating the possibility of eliminating the political barriers that hinder the EU from making assumptions of the role in managing the crisis caused by the Cold War. Implementation of “step change” during 2000 was attributed to the effort made by Britain in bilateralism and a set of ideas, which are shared with Prime Minister of Spain. In fact, Blair assisted in setting the outline for the European Council, in order to initiate the process of “step change,” whereby the leaders were assisted since they support the president of the European Council. Moreover, Blair petitioned the support from the popular members of Britain, though an idea of economic reforms and through the president and government. The strategic objective of the EU is to foster competition and knowledge, which is based on the economy of the world, in order to sustain the economic growth, thus contributing to substantial social cohesion. The “step change” entailed sharing the best practice though an open process of coordination, instead of pursuing the integration in the form of common policies. In fact, there is reliance on the reciprocated learning, benchmarking, compliance to relevant practice and peer pressure for achievement of set objectives. Blair made relevant effort in facilitating success in implementing “step change” initiatives, and took pleasure in the reliable relationship with the counterparts, despite their political affiliations. In fact, this contributed to cooperation and heightening of the perceptions of the approach by New Labor to the integration with EU that was considered essentially pragmatic. Moreover, there was a willingness to work with other leaders and attract other politicians, whereby Blair joint with Italian and Spanish counterparts in marking the inclination in economic liberalization. Furthermore, this contributed to criticism to from numerous European focusing on the rights of the workers that were weakened by deeds of the triumvirate. Convergence of the immigration policy in 2002 resulted to a suggestion by liberals that involved making a mockery of the notion of the EU as an inspiration of democracy, forbearance and liberation. Therefore, the criticism that led inevitable attraction though alliance became a substantial rationality for leaders to pursue the agenda, thereby resulting to odds with conventional social democrat parties. Therefore, the move towards presidential ideas was indicated by the association established between various government officials and Blair. Furthermore, the Cabinet Office was supported by Blair and his advisers through a leading role in the Britain. There was a growing trend reflected in the EU through the European policy making, whereby the premiers made recognitions for vital, critical issues that are associated with European. The foreign secretaries during Blair’s leadership were considered Europhile, and the Europe minister did not have sufficient time in making a significant contribution on facilitating the Prime Minister taking a lead on issues related to EU affairs. Nevertheless, Blair was not used to speaking about Europe in Britain, though while in other counties he was willing to support the notion for Britain integration in EU. For instance, in 1998, Blair made a statement to the French National Assembly indicating that he was sharing European ideals, and his significant contribution to European debate through exchange in a speech to polish stock on October 20006. Blair’s response towards the debate in a federalist call to arm offered at Humboldt University concerning the future of Europe was introduced earlier by Joschka Fischer, who is a Germen foreign minister. His reaction was emphasizing on Britain’s commitment to EU integration, thereby outlining a manifesto for improvement aimed at reinforcing the European Council, though not with the assertion of deteriorating the European Commission. In fact, the European Commission was focusing on the interests of the small states, though his call for a second chamber bore not fruits in the European Parliament compared to a suggestion by the team presidencies that was established through the Constitutional Treaty, which was signed in October 2004. There was a reaffirmation by Blair though a claim that Britain stanching support for expanding EU, though a policy that has been supported by the government. However, the expansion of EU was viewed as a way of attenuating the integration process by Blair, while the labor government was supporting it with an expectation that it would contribute to accession state. Therefore, Britain was offered a substantial opportunity to contribute in the process of integration since the bilateralism entailed the Central and East European states, thereby forging close linkage before the formal process of EU expansion. In conclusion, the paper was focused on developing counterarguments on the extent of a step change in Britain’s relationship with the EU in 1997, and this has been identified as a way through which Blair emphasized the significance for Britain contributing in the European Union. Moreover, it was a means of prefiguring the rhetoric surrounding the New Labor in the Office for the Second terms, whereby he stressed on the substantial role that would be played by Britain. Therefore, “step change” is associated with a move for gathering emerging power, strength in order to bridge the gap in the integration of Britain into the EU. In addition, Blair made proposals on reforms focusing on the intergovernmental, though he had clear European credentials that would support his notion that Europe is a ‘Superpower’. On the other hand, he offered an analysis of Europe, whereby encouraging Britain’s participation as a member of EU. Therefore, the stance of the essay is to support the motion that depicts the extent of a step change in Britain’s relationship with the EU in 1997, whereby relevant information has been gathered to support the motion in a profound that facilitates reliable understanding of the issue. Bibliography Blair, Tony. “Britain’s role in Europe,” speech to the European Research Institute, University of Birmingham, 23 November 2001 Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page1673 Blair, Tony. “A clear course for Europe,” Cardiff, 28 November 2002 Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page1739 Baker, David. ‘Islands of the mind: New Labor’s “defensive engagement.” with the European Union’, Political Quarterly 76, 1 2005, 22–36 Forster Anthony and Alasdair Blair. The Making of Britain’s European Foreign Policy, London: Longman, 2002 Lee, Miles and Gabriel, Doherty. ‘The United Kingdom: a cautious Euro-outsider.’ Journal of European Integration 27, 1 2005, pp. 89–109 Smith, Julie. “A missed opportunity? New Labor’s European policy 1997–2005”. International Affairs 81, 4 (2005), 703-721 at p. 709. Available at: http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/International%20Affairs/Blanket%20File%20Import/inta_480.pdf [Accessed on November 28 2012] Read More