The UK has been a leading member of the European Union since 1973, when the United Kingdom joined what was then known as the European Economic Community. The UK is one of 28 member states of the EU. The EU’s aim is to strengthen the economy of its countries, as well as promoting peace and social stability. It does this by encouraging free trade between members and fostering close political cooperation.
The UK’s recent vote to leave the EU, also referred to as “Brexit”, has triggered political changes which will affect the entire EU. It is unclear how Brexit will affect the UK or the rest of Europe. There are pros and cons in leaving or remaining within the EU; but it is too early to say what kind of effect Brexit will have on both parties.
What is the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union really? It is quite hard to try to discover this for a lot of reasons. Brexit has undeniably changed the EU’s image, but the UK’s role in the EU is still unclear.
I have tried to clarify my own opinion on this by reading a few articles on both sides of the debate. The information I have discovered has been conflicting and has made me more confused than when I started.
The best one I have found on this subject comes from an article by Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of political economy at St. Mary’s College, California, who explains that the way in which Brexit arose was due to a number of factors including but not limited to; financial interests and the ideology of neoliberalism that had come into power during Margaret Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister from 1979-1990, as well as how Tony Blair, Prime Minister from 1997-2007, had maintained these policies even after “New Labour” came into power.
The article includes references and a bibliography for further research, making it seem credible and reliable. Dr Rasmus does not attempt to give his opinion on whether or not Brexit was right or wrong for the UK, but rather gives his perception of what happened and why it
The EU might be able to handle the UK’s decision to leave, if it had at least some control over its own destiny. But as things are now, the UK can still influence the rules that affect all members of the bloc.
Treaty revision requires unanimous consent. That means every country gets a veto. Right now, those countries include not just the current 28 members but also Britain and any other countries that might join in the future.
If Britain were to make a big stink about being excluded from negotiations over, say, financial regulations or trade rules, it could have a significant impact on what those rules look like.
That’s why a lot of EU countries are arguing for a quick divorce — to minimize British influence on EU affairs. The European Commission has said that if Britain doesn’t invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty (the official mechanism for leaving) by March 2017, it will do so for them. And German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has suggested that Britain’s access to the European single market would be limited until it agreed to the free movement of people — something Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out.
‘It is not an amicable divorce,’ said Bruno Lete, senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation.’The European Commission needs to show
The United Kingdom is a major country in Europe. The British Isles are situated off the northwestern coast of the continent and consist of two main islands: Great Britain and Ireland.
Tidal movements continue to affect the islands, particularly in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland.
The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The UK is not part of the European Union (EU). However, it maintains close political, economic, and cultural ties with its neighbors. The British pound remains an official currency of the EU, and British citizens can travel freely throughout all EU countries and enjoy certain rights to work and reside there.
In addition to its membership in the EU, the UK has independent political alliances with other countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (known collectively as the “Commonwealth of Nations”). The UK also maintains membership in NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and other regional organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (a loose association of former Soviet states) and the G8 (an international forum for finance ministers from leading industrial nations).
The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union. This is a good thing for Britain and the EU, because it puts an end to a relationship that has been poisonous for both parties.
The EU’s attempts to control Britain are the reason why so many countries are eager to leave it. The EU tried to suppress British freedom of action, including its freedom to make trade agreements. The EU also wanted to force Britain down a road toward ever-closer union, which would have made its sovereignty even less meaningful than it is now.
In other words, Britain’s decision is good news for both itself and the EU: it is one less country that wants to be governed by Brussels.
The question now is how the EU will react. Will Europeans accept the democratic decision of their fellow citizens? Or will they support those in Britain who claim that the vote must be reversed?
There are politicians in Europe who want to use this moment as an opportunity to make Europe more centralized and more powerful — instead of more democratic and accountable. There are also those who want to use this moment as an opportunity to punish Britain — rather than reform institutions that have become sclerotic and undemocratic.
Such moves would be a terrible mistake for the EU and for Europe as a
