Politics UK

Eleventh Edition

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Chapter 27

Britain and the European Union

Chapter Summary

The UK’s historical relationship with the EU cannot be understood without understanding the legacy of the British Empire and the process of decolonisation after the post-war peri-od. The country’s membership of the EU has been marked by domestic division over the question of Europe in both the Conservative and Labour parties. Immigration and race has become closely connected to the issue of European integration, promoted especially by the tabloid press and UKIP. While the economic crisis of 2008 and the extreme cuts to the social welfare system contributed to the vote, many middle class and affluent voters also supported Leave. Furthermore, BME voters were much more likely to vote to Remain than white workers. Attitudes to race, immigration and social liberal values also shaped the referendum result

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of Britain’s historical relationship with the EU
  • Assess the impact of colonialism and decolonisation in shaping Britain’s relationship with the EU
  • Analyse the role of race, class, and gender in the vote to leave the EU

Quizzes

Test your knowledge with the Chapter 27 quizzes!

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Discussion Questions

  1. Britain’s decision to opt out of early European integration, then later join the EEC in 1973, and finally leave the EU in 2020, reflects its historically complex relationship with Europe. What key factors shaped each of these decisions, and how did Britain’s imperial history and national identity influence them?
  2. Studies show that attitudes towards immigration, race, and multiculturalism played a significant role in the 2016 referendum result. To what extent did race, national identity, and social class contribute to the decision to leave the EU, and how did political campaigns use these issues?

UK in a Changing Europe – A research project analyzing the impact of Brexit and the UK’s evolving relationship with the EU. (https://ukandeu.ac.uk/)  

What UK Thinks: EU – A data portal tracking UK public opinion on EU issues. (https://www.whatukthinks.org/eu/)  

Eurobarometer – A survey platform tracking public opinion across EU member states, including the UK. (https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/screen/home)  

European Parliament – The official site for the European Parliament, providing information on elections and legislative processes. (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/)  

LSE Europe Blog – An academic blog offering analysis on EU politics and Brexit. (https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/) 

Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe (CVCE) – A digital archive providing research and documents on European integration. (https://www.cvce.eu/en/epublications/eisc)  

Runnymede Trust – Publications on Race Equality in Britain – A research organization analyzing how UK-EU policies affect racial equality. (https://www.runnymedetrust.org/currentPublications.html)  

Flashcards

Refresh your knowledge of key terms with this chapter’s flashcards.

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