POLITICS - UK GOV - L32 : EU AND BREXIT

what is meant by supranational

supranational refers to where power is vested in an authority above national governments and can make binding decisions on member states

eu is supranational, ECJ

whats meant by intergovernmental

refers to where sovereign states agree to work together on certain issues, decisions are made through negotiation and consensus

what is the origins of the EU

• french and german coal and steel production was pooled to prevent future conflict

• this led to the European coal and steel community being established

how did the ECSC become the EEC

the treaty of rime 1957 created the european economic community

aimed to strengthe economic ties across europe and set out the 4 freedoms as goals for members

what were the 4 freedoms

• free movement of goods

• free movement of services (businesses)

• free movement of capital and assets

• free movement of people

what did the 1992 maasctricht treaty establish

• the EU

• established eu citizenship , soldified freedom of movement

• established the Euro currency, John Major opted out

what are the 4 aims of the EU

• promoting peace and liberal democracy

• adressing social issues , workers rights

• establishing a single european market

• economic and monetary cohesion

arguments F/A the EU being sucssesfull at promoting peace and liberal democracy

• for , members must abide by ECHR or face consequence

• against, Poland / hungary gone against eu values - anti gay legislation

arguments F/A the EU being sucssesfull at economic an monetary cohesion

• for , euro established

• against , harsh disparity in economic strength in union, greece crashed because euro too strong for its economy

arguments F/A the EU being sucssesfull at adressing social issues/workers rights

• for, EU regulated on working conditions , breaks, working hours , paid leave ect

• racial equality directive

arguments F/A the EU being sucssesfull at establishing a single european market with 4 freedoms

• created estimated 3 million jobs

• helped former communist states transform into modern economies

• led to skill shortage some countries

when did UK join the ECC

1973 , brought by ted heath

what was the consensus of the cons and labour over ECC membership

CON - pro, ensures economic security

LAB - anti , saw it as a capatalist org that would erode pay , conditions and job security for UK workers

what happened with ECC membership in 1975

• following labour being elected in 1974, harold wilson called a referendum on ECC membership

• suspended collective cabinet responsibility so ministers to campaign against the govs position (pro ecc)

who in the labour party were anti ecc and why

• those to the left on the party like Tony Benn who believed the ECC’s trade rules would prevent the UK from implementing socialism

what was the outcome of this referednum

67% voted to remain

what is the social chapter

• part of the maastricht treaty which aimed to implement social policies and protect worker rights across the union

• john major opted out the social chapter

how did blairs election change relationships with the EU

• blair opted into the social chapter

• the neo liberal capitalism of the Eu with the social protections of the social chapter alligned well with his third way ideoligy

what caused tension over migration

• 2004 eastern european countries joined

• led to 1 million eastern euros moving to UK

• caused concerns about jobs, strain on services

what led to the 2016 referendum

• rise of UKIP

• con party increasingly split

what was the result of the 2016 ref

52% leave 48% Remain

arguments for remaining in EU (trade)

• boosted trade for exporters, led to cheaper imports , over 40% trade was with EU

arguments against remaining in EU (trade)

• being in the single market also meant extensive regualtion , causing costs to businesses

• the proportion of EU trade was decreasing

arguments for remaining (immigration)

• eu migrants contributed more in tax than they claimed in benefits

arguments against remaining (immigration)

• concern over strain on services

• concerns over job availability

• concerns over cultural change

arguments to remain ( 4 freedoms )

the four freedoms particulary movement of services and people allowed british entrepeneurs and citizens oppurtunities across the union

arguments to leave ( 4 freedoms )

meant a loss of control over national borders and immigration policy

arguments to remain (social chapter)

social chapter ensured workers rights such as working time directive

arguments to leave (social chapter)

workers rights were already protected UK