Position of Parties in Britain on the European Union - Essay Example

Position of parties in Britain on the European Union Introduction The development of a stronger union has dominated politics in European countries and this has led to the development of new party manifestos. Due to importance of the topic, the approach adopted by a party towards the topic determines its ability to influence the electorate and win an election. As a result, the three main parties in the united kingdom, the liberal democrats, the labour party and the conservatives have developed varying atitudes towards the integration as captured in their manifestos. The idea of a united European continent was first mooted by Nikolaus Kalergi in 1923 when he expressed his ideas of a united country in his pan Europa manifesto. This kind of unity was favoured by the development that occurred in the regon after the second world war which left different countries in the continent ruined by the war. Development and the achievement of social order were believed to be only possible through the development of a united European union. Today, the European union is a strong body with significant roles in the political, social and economic development of the member countries1. Different countries in the continent have expressed support or reservation towards the union and this affected by the political parties in power. In the united kingdom, the liberal democrats, the conservatives and the labour party have developed different approaches to the integration debate and this has been captured in election manifestos. In this paper, the attitude towards political integration in the European Union will be discussed by weighing on the views and manifestos of the political parties2. Liberal democrats and the European union Liberal Democrats manifesto for the 2009 elections to the European parliament is based on the ideology of “stronger together poorer apart”. They believe in stronger European ties and cooperation and the development of stronger trade and political ties that can create growth opportunities for the continent. Liberal Democrats believe in European co-operation and this has been demonstrated by David Cameron’s support for European union policies. With this a better deal for the British families who work hard in European Union to achieve reasonable help to reduce burden on those who are at home is thought to be achieved. This reduces the telephone, electricity and heating bills through their influence. It is through this cooperation that projects can be pioneered and this generates green jobs which include network for renewable energy, industries, and business establishments3. They advocate for the rebuilding of the economy and protecting the environment and believe in working wirh Liberal countries in Europe union to help in protection of Britain from terrorists, drug traffickers and criminals who operate all over their national border and this influence is used in the capacity of helping the European Union see through its goal of achieving of a peaceful, more prosperous and stable world. They believe there is need for change in the European Union since a lot of resources including money are wasted on policies that are not exexperimentl to the modern world and is out-dated including its structures4. Instead the European Union need to put a lot of concentration on greater and current issues and should not be involved on issues that do not have regional, national or global interests. Liberal Democrats believe in the Lisbon Treaty since in this there are interests of Aid and efficiency and accountability nd Britain cannot win the case of Brussels in which democratic, and flexible Europe is needed through settling disputes internally regardless of any country being in European Union or not. This is the reason why the Liberal Democrats are in support of holding a referendum on whether Britain needs to be in European Union or not but they stand with their ideology of being in it to win it5. Liberal democrats believe in a liberal Britain which is stronger and working together with other nations through well known international bodies including NATO and the European Union. With this a united Europe is believed to have a greater influence through sharing of democratic values, ideals, the development of international corporation and a common legal system. The European union according to the liberal democrats allows for easier conflict resolution which contributes to political stability and economic prosperity6. The European Union is the priority of the Liberal Democrats and the interests of safety in numbers are not beneficial to the world. Its through this interest that they push for the regulation of global capitalism through advocating for creation of international institutions and this enhances democracy, peaceful coexistence and human rights bodies. They believe that Britain must be strong all over the world and Europe and this will be essential in securing global agreements that help in stopping dangerous climate changes. This is why the Liberal Democrats on a day to day basis champion for stronger and, liberal Europe through its MEPs to deliver real benefits for the citizens of Britain7. The approach to of the liberal democrats towards the European union also fight for the development of stronger and capable Britain that has the ability to lead and be at the forefront of the regional issues. This, the party believe can only happen by making it stronger, more prosperous to be able to support the world in the interests of European Union. To achieve this goal, the party works through the Union to promote stronger economy and creation of business opportunities, advocate for more laws that put eradicate the challenges of climate change. They believe in creation of jobs and employment to their citizens through close cooperation and working together with the neighboring states and creating a brighter or greener channel which in turn develop green industries, helping people save money that could be wasted in energy payments. They also advocate for encouraging and making the European Union countries merge together with them in order to and put such investment in proper transport network that all of them can be so proud of as this will reduce wastage and create a fair share in the cut down of taxes through the merger which allows both the countries benefit from reducing the off show centres8. They believe in summary that working together within the European Union will help in reduction of recession since recession affects businesses, families and livelihoods throughout Britain and Europe and need to be hauled to enhance health, trade and, jobs creation. Therefore, they advocate of working together urgently with other European countries to help Britain pull through recession as this will reduce recession and save many jobs. They ague that in the past the conservatives have mislead people in and left Britain without influence in European Union and therefore they want the union to adapt to modern changing trends and focus mostly on changing the world of 21st century9. Liberal democrats do not believe on one sided way for solving ideas but believe that each and every person and the community at large have the best idea of what affects them and so the solutions to their problems should be by themselves not from any other person or bureaucrats. They therefore resolve that Europe should not get involved in national, local or regional problems that can easily be solved from within effectively. The conservatives and the European union They do not agree with the conservatives tackling crime and as they say that conservatives have been in support of cross border working together by blocking cooperation hence putting British and its citizens at danger. They themselves support strong cooperation on this to enable British to protect its borders and help in globalization of crimes that are against humanity to reduce crime rates across the borders internationally. Conservatives believe that creating the correct actions in Europe promotes the solutions to the many challenges that Britain is at risk of and tat affects them. They work hard ensure that Britain achieve the best possible deals from the neighbouring European nations10. Conservative MEPs tend to promote national interests in Brussels and are committed to cutting the cost of European Union and oppose exaggerated involvement in of the union and interference in internal affairs to its member states. Their manifesto talks of making change on matters in which the European Union differences in competiveness globally, global poverty, and global warming. Conservatives also believe in sufficient cleansing of global politics through the EU by enhancing transparency and advocating for these policies to be adopted through the union11. They differ heavily with the Labour party and Liberal Democrats on the issue of holding referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which they have not achieved hence they ague that this resulted in giving away citizens powers without giving them an opportunity to have their own say. They are against making Britain join the euro in which the strongly think that can result in interest rates that will not be of benefit to Britain which will in turn hinder businesses12. They believe in working inside the union to spread sustainable agriculture globally through setting standards throughout the European Union and push it further with reforms they formulate and test in Britain. These can include; animal welfare, common fisheries and agricultural policies and this help in reduction of policies that harm them and countries those makes up the union and amend the union’s constitutional clauses that are not friendly globally. On recovery routes, the aim towards mono market and creation of other markets and oppose the move for harmony of taxes within the European Union through resisting individual country’s protectionism. In promotion of businesses they aim at reducing EU legislations and minimize recurrent regulations, introduction of new measures in support of small businesses, not getting into euro in order to make their interest rates high and help in cooperation in the Union through national finance regulation policy involvement but only with understanding national markets together with national regulators13. In monitoring the role globally, apart from achieving directly on championing human rights around the world, and taking a major role in Trans Atlantic Economic trade and putting in place policies of trade between USA and European Union, they aim at promoting global development and trade deals hence ensuring that the Union takes into account championing of millennium development goals in each and every country. To ensure that European Union enlarges commits it they advocate for achievement of major energy security by liberalizing energy markets at the same time maintaining the independence of UK foreign affairs and keeping its commitment to NATO in terms of defense Conservatives also aim at put EU to task of improving better governance, monitoring the Unions’ aid programmes to help in ensuring proper delivery of money value. Markets and trade should therefore be free and creation of wealth and work schedules essentially is believed by the conservatives to be the role of the Union which they must press for. Through this free trade and free market there is sustainable and affordable products are realized and the EU’s goals are achieved. They believe that advanced knowledge which is based on economic growth and competition globally should be made easier by the European Union forcing them to work from within the Union for this to be achieved14. The labour party and the European union The banning of the participation of the corporate world from participating on political fundraising and attempts to increase campaign finance was first done in 1907. Other laws subsequently followed, most of which were enacted by the central government which made it mandatory for political parties to disclose their sources of finance and provide statements of account after every election. These laws affected the political landscape of the country and reduced the source of political financing for several parties and candidates in the country15. The enactment of the FECA regulation demonstrated who far the campaign regulation crusade would reach as it produced far reaching political ramification in the country. This law affected the ability of most candidates without fat bank accounts to vie for the top offices in the land for their avenues of fund raising were capped by the act. This act reduced the contribution of an individual in a political campaign to $1,000 per candidate for any election in the country16. This considered the party primaries as being considerably different from the general elections that the political party was considering participating in. all the citizens in the country who had interest in financing politicians and parties of their choices also had their contributions significantly controlled to $25,000 every year. Such contributions could be made to individuals, parties or party organs for an individual supports. Through this provision, the participation of the American citizens in the development and strengthening of their political parties of choice was affected and this left less financially endowed candidates and parties to struggle17. The amount of money spent on the house races were also controlled by these regulation thus making every individual vying for a house seat to limit his/her spending to $25,000. The candidates for the senate seat also had their personal spending on political campaigns reduced to $35,000. This provision was unfair and this led to uproar among the politicians and the public culminating into a court contest at the Supreme Court. In this case, the citizens united sought the indulgence of the court in determining whether the government contravened the provisions of the first amendment by enacting laws that limited political expenditures. This body was against a bill that had been sponsored by senator McCain in the senate known as the McCain-Feingold in which strict campaign finance regulations were put in place18. The bipartisan campaign reform act was intended to make significant reforms to the campaign finance act of 1971 and make far reaching effects on the public finance regulation in the country. Through this act, the corporate world was to be banned from using their finances to fund political communications in the country through the provision of advertising services to the candidates within a specific timeline to the elections. The citizen united in arguing their case used a film that featured Senator Clinton during the 2008 primaries in which the group produced documentaries and films for the candidate19. In their final ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the legality of the BCRA amendment through a majority vote of 5 to 4. While making their decision, the Supreme Court established that the enactment of this law will significantly infringe on the provisions of the first amendment to the United States constitution. This amendment, the Supreme Court established, was against the involvement of associations in political and campaign funding in the country in the form of corporate communication. The first amendment prohibits the restriction of speech of any identified individual whether the individual has corporate identity or not. In making this decision, the court referred to the Buckley v valeo case which established that government cannot limit the corporate ability to use their finances during political campaigns as it restricts the members of the corporate to express their political opinions freely20. They advocate in their manifesto in the ability of British to project their values and enhance their interests and promoting their membership in the international organizations with the inclusion of the European Union as the world’s most popular organization and trading block. The EU’s policies have a greater impact on the world and development through is involvement in handling sustainable amount of aid it dispenses globally. The conservatives therefore believe in working in the union in order to support these policies that promote success, transformation, and development of countries across Europe. By this, the believe that the global reach by the EU is employed by both the European and national interests to achieve ambitious goals including the eradication of global poverty through opening the world beyond its border and politically empowering it21. They achieve this European dream through involving themselves in policy making and this leads to their interests captured in the EU’s constitution which are counter produced and pursued and engaged in the global realities. The labour party believes in making the European Union work for Britain and achieve and promote the current reliable EU allowing them to respond effectively to global challenges and deliver on the ideology of being fair to everybody in delivering opportunity. They advocate for each country to approve the Lisbon Treaty before it comes into effect and are in support of the referendum on this22. The labour party also is in agreement in working with the European Union in fighting trafficking of humans expansively women and children who are victims of this inhuman trade. The labour Mps and MEPs have been working hard to put this to an end to this vice that they report to make the streets of Britain insecure. Labour party puts British interest first in promotion of safe, strong and prosperous for all the citizens in consideration of the emerging economic turbulence. They disagree with the conservatives who oppose their fiscal stimulus which they believe would provide help to families and businesses which would uplift the enhance recovery and reduce recession. They pledge to match their spending plans and actualize cuts in public services23. The Labour party believes in working with the EU by being fully engaged with partners all over the world and Europe in order to deliver on the pledge of fair world for all. This is on the idea that that the world is increasingly becoming interdependent and major challenges affect these countries and therefore should be faced and solved together in unionism. As these challenges are faced together presenting opportunities are viewed and they remain fully engaged with partners global goals are achieved24. They advocate for the rebuilding of the economy and protecting the environment and believe in working with Liberal countries in Europe union to help in protection of Britain from terrorists, drug traffickers and criminals who operate all over their national border and this influence is used in the capacity of helping the European Union see through its goal of achieving of a peaceful, more prosperous and stable world. They believe there is need for change in the European Union since a lot of resources including money are wasted on policies that are not experimental to the modern world and is out-dated including its structures25. Instead the European Union need to put a lot of concentration on greater and current issues and should not be involved on issues that do not have regional, national or global interests. Liberal Democrats believe in the Lisbon Treaty since in this there are interests of Aid and efficiency and accountability and Britain cannot win the case of Brussels in which democratic, and flexible Europe is needed through settling disputes internally regardless of any country being in European Union or not. This is the reason why the Liberal Democrats are in support of holding a referendum on whether Britain needs to be in European Union or not but they stand with their ideology of being in it to win it26. Liberal democrats believe in a liberal Britain which is stronger and working together with other nations through well-known international bodies including NATO and the European Union. With this a united Europe is believed to have a greater influence through sharing of ideas, and values on democracy. Conflicts are also easy to solve through this cooperation which effectively contributes to stability and well inserted national interest27. The European Union is the priority bet for the Liberal Democrats and the interests of safety in numbers are not beneficial to the world. Its through this interest that they push for the regulation of global capitalism through advocating for creation of international institutions and this enhances democracy, peaceful coexistence and, human rights globally. They believe that Britain must be strong all over the world and Europe as well therefore, secure global agreements that help in stop dangerous climate changes28. This is why the Liberal Democrats on a day to day basis champion for stronger and, liberal Europe through its MEPs to deliver real benefits for the citizens of Britain. Conservative MEPs tend to promote national interests in Brussels and are committed to cutting the cost of European Union and oppose exaggerated involvement in of the union and interference in internal affairs to its member states29. Their manifesto talks of making change on matters in which the European Union differences in competiveness globally, global poverty, and global warming. Conservatives also believe in sufficient cleansing of global politics through the EU by enhancing transparency and advocating for these policies to be adopted through the union30. They differ heavily with the Labour party and Liberal Democrats on the issue of holding referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which they have not achieved hence they argue that this resulted in giving away citizens powers without giving them an opportunity to have their own say. They are against making Britain join the euro in which the strongly think that can result in interest rates that will not be of benefit to Britain which will in turn hinder businesses31. They believe in working inside the union to spread sustainable agriculture globally through setting standards throughout the European Union and push it further with reforms they formulate and test in Britain. These can include; animal welfare, common fisheries and agricultural policies and this help in reduction of policies that harm them and countries those makes up the union and amend the union’s constitutional clauses that are not friendly globally. On recovery routes, the aim towards mono market and creation of other markets and oppose the move for harmony of taxes within the European Union through resisting individual country’s protectionism32. Conclusion The idea of a united European continent was first mooted by Nikolaus Kalergi in 1923 when he expressed his ideas of a united country in his pan Europa manifesto. This kind of unity was favoured by the development that occurred in the region after the Second World War which left different countries in the continent ruined by the war33. Development and the achievement of social order were believed to be only possible through the development of a united European union. Today, the European Union is a strong body with significant roles in the political, social and economic development of the member countries. Different countries in the continent have expressed support or reservation towards the union and this affected by the political parties in power. Bibliography Labour, Wining the fight for Britain’s future: European elections 2009, the labour party. Conservative party, 2009, Vote for change, European election manifesto. Liberal democrats, stronger together, poorer apart, 2009, http://europe.libdems.org.uk,. Archick K., The European union: questions and answers, congressional research service, 2014, p.121. Bale T., The conservative party: From Thatcher to Cameron. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2013, p45. Banchoff, T. & Smith M., Legitimacy and the European union: The contested polity, London: Routledge, 2005, p128. Callaghan J., Fielding S. & Ludlam S., Interpreting the labour party: Approaches to labour politics and history. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2003, p212. Cole M. & Deighan H., Political parties in Britain. Edinburgh University Press, 2012, p66. Gaffney J., Political parties and the European union, London: Routledge, 1968, p78. Russell, A. & Fieldhouse E., Neither left nor right: The liberal democrats and the electorate. Manchester University Press, 2005, p114. D. Watts, The European union. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, p.43 Watts, D & Pilkington, C., Britain in the European union today: Third edition. Manchester University Press, 2005, p112. Read More