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The Yorker asks questions on disputed topics, such as migration to the UK and the British attitude towards the Euro.
Why is the EU good for Britain?
Since joining the European Economic Community in 1973, before the EU we know today existed, Britain has always played a key role.
On an economic level the British have benefited from the EU: removal of trade barriers promotes economic growth and creates new job opportunities, while consumer choice is greater.
On a political level, joining the EU means an ever closer relationship with member states to effectively tackle issues which affect us all, such as fighting international crime and illegal immigration.
The EU is considered a powerful voice in the world, and working together allows member states to gain help and know-how when needed. The EU is well respected around the globe.
For more information visit the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) website.
Why do many people think the EU is a bad thing?
With 27 member states interests vary, and all players have to obey common rules.
The way things are currently, I can’t see the UK joining the Euro in the foreseeable future.
One of the reasons Britain is considered as negatively inclined towards the EU is because it does not want to enter the 'Euro-zone'. To accept common interest rates with states that are not on the same economic level is risky.
Stuart does not think that the UK will join the Euro any time soon: “The way things are currently, I can’t see the UK joining in the foreseeable future.”
A compromise is always risky, and in this case costly.
It is arguable that the Euro has much to offer - admittedly, in the long run. However, the massive costs of constantly having to convert one currency to the other are considerable.
On one hand, Britain enjoys the benefits of the removal of economic barriers; but, on the other, it is arguable that Britain makes working together more difficult by not joining the EU.
Migration is another important issue. The EU does not make policy regarding non-EU nationals; the Member States do. Similarly, the EU does not prescribe immigration quotas; the Member States do.
Another issue is migration within the Union. People say that the EU is responsible for migrants taking 'our' jobs.
But Stuart explained that this is not necessarily true, and has more to do with efficiency. In simple terms: if you want to have a good job, you have to work hard for it. Whether it is your neighbour who gets it because he is willing to accept a lower wage or whether it is the immigrant makes no difference. You are the one who has to adjust to market realities of labour. As she put it:
"The public is more worried than they need to be. I think the influx in Polish workers keeps inflation down, so there is a positive impact. At the same time people see no control, and that is why they are fearful; they go to the supermarket and see a Polish food section which takes all familiarity away.
National identity is something so many fear to lose. However, the Union's motto suggests that actually the contrary is true: 'in varietate Concordia' (united in diversity).
The Lisbon Treaty
This treaty, which will come in to force in 2009, intends to improve the Union’s efficiency.
Firstly, by simplifying the voting rules, it will accelerate decision-making. Giving the European Parliament a stronger voice aims to make the EU more democratic as Parliament will share equal importance with the European Council.
Solidarity between Member States is emphasised by allocating resources towards the security sector.
Citizens’ rights are protected by the Charta of Fundamental Rights and freedoms, adopted together with The Lisbon Treaty.
To improve the EU's foreign policy, a new High Representative for the Union in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will be conducting the EU’s foreign relations. This will not, however, diminish the importance of foreign relations for each of the Member States.
For more information on a treaty aimed at improving cooperation at the European level, visit The Lisbon Treaty website.
Since 2004, 12 new Member States have joined the EU. This has created some unrest among citizens: should the EU take time out in order to digest the most recent enlargements? Or, should it continue to expand, as the current negotiations with the Balkans and Turkey suggest?
Stuart was positive about the future of the EU: “As far as Britain is concerned, we still want to bring in Turkey and we have to find a way to bring in former Yugoslavia.”
Such enthusiasm is seldom found; and, after all, a membership to the EU is not about entering 'the white man’s club' (as the League of Nations was called). Instead, it is about defining and defending common interests.
Nonetheless, before the EU can bring in new members it needs to make sure that the values it stands for are clear. This is something The Lisbon Treaty tries to achieve, and it is perhaps wise to give it, at least, a chance.
Is it just me, or does this article completely fail to answer the question posed in the headline?
It's not just you! The British hate the EU because it's bad for Britain. The only people that can't see that are the politicians themselves that have become embroiled in the web of EU law and beaurocracy. Give us a referendum!
Could anyone please answer me, why the EU would be bad for Britain?
All I see is a stronger currency (yes, that's right, the euro is far stronger than the pound at the moment), a more influential foreign policy and a cost for Britain that is far lower per head than in France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and more countries...
Seems to me like you are getting more out of it then everyone seems to think here
The Euro being a stronger currency is a bad point, #3. It's all about the economies and the synchronisation of them when joining the Eurozone. Britain generally has a stronger economy than countries like Greece and Portugal, that's the problem.
Plus, the EU is more than just single currency membership. (as a point of information, I'm not opposed to EU membership, nor fundamentally to Eurozone membership)
A more influential foreign policy?!!? Are you nutty? Do you think our alliance with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Poland gives us a more influential foreign policy? I think what you mean is that THEY get more influence because of the UK's position as the 2nd largest defence-spending nation in the world, committment to NATO and close and valuable alliance with the USA.
As for your currency point, a 'strong currency' is good/bad for a country depending on the weighting that particular country places on imports and exports. A 'strong currency' cannot be pranced round as beneficial if a nation exports far more than it imports.
The EU is undemocratic (its accounts have not been 'passed' or 15 consecutive years because they are corrupt), unnacountable and costly financially to the UK. We fund French farmers to make butter mountains and let Spanish fishermen wipe the cod stocks from our waters, and you think this is valuable?! We get nothing valuable out of it. I could go on and on and on and on. It's no wonder all the Europeans want us to stay members of it.
comment deleted by the author The main benefits of EU membership are economic - increased trade as a result of the removal of tariffs and harmonisation of regulations. The commenters above were right to say that a strong currency is not necessarily better. A stable currency however, is. The Euro has proved itself to be a very stable currency; it's well respected, and has become a worldwide reserve currency second only to the US Dollar. Fortunately for us, the pound is pretty stable and well respected too.
Withdrawing from the EU would not mean an end to free-trade. On the contrary, withdrawal would allow us to negotiate free-trade agreements with nations OUTSIDE the EU which we are prohibited from doing so at the moment. I suggest you look at the difference between a 'free-trade' bloc and a 'customs union'.
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