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Thatcher and Europe
Concerned by protectionism (economic policy followed by EEC) and European ideas of centralisation
She is also concerned by the budget payments made by the member states that rewarded inefficient nations but penalised efficient ones
Westland Affair when
1986
Westland Affair
Defence Secretary Heseltine resigns (Westland Affair) – Heseltine refuses to accept Thatcher’s choice for Westland Helicopters to be taken over by an American company, he thinks it was in Britain’s industrial interest to go European.
Resigns in January 1986 in protest, exposing deep divisions within Tory Party. Becomes a backbencher.
Single European Act when
1986 Thatcher accepts entering it
Single European Act
Discontent, committed UK to a single European market
Biggest step towards a centralised Europe, for example no individual state could veto majority decisions
Outcomes of Single European Act politically
Many Eurosceptic politicians including Labour Leader Neil Kinnock + Tory Bill Cash and some unions opposed it, thought it reduced UK sovereignty and weakened workers’ rights, led to internal party disagreements
Bruges Speech
1988
Thatcher condemns the erosion of democracy by centralisation and bureaucracy
She doesn’t want Britain’s national identity to be absorbed into a centralising Europe
Thatcher’s adversarial style is out of place in European context
ERM
Thatcher agrees to enter in October 1990 → told by financial experts it would provide means of fighting inflation
ERM outcomes under Major
1992 monetary crisis - Black Wednesday - withdrew
Thatcher claims she was misled to enter it by Lawson and Howe
Who withdraws in 1989
1989 Lawson resigned when found out Thatcher was taking more notice of Alan Walters (whom she had appointed as her special economic adviser) than she was him as chancellor.
Who resigns in 1990
Howe resigned 1990 – revealed serious divisions in Tory party over Europe – criticism of Thatcher – prelude to leadership struggle
Other than Europe, why did Howe and Lawson resign?
Thatcher’s autocratic leadership style