TOPIC GUIDE: EU Referendum 2016
"The UK should leave the EU"
PUBLISHED: 10 May 2016
AUTHOR: Nadia Butt & Justine Brian
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INTRODUCTION
In February 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that on June 23, the UK will vote on a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU), describing it as “one of the biggest decisions in our lifetimes” [Ref: BBC News]. There are many strands to the debate about the UK’s membership of the EU including: the strength or weakness of the UK’s economy inside or outside of the ‘common market’; the issue of political sovereignty - the country’s control over its laws, borders and economy; and whether without a union of European nation states, we run the risk of a repeat of the bloody history of Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. For many arguing to remain in the EU, the wider consequences of a ‘Brexit’ are of concern for the EU project as a whole, with Greece’s former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis claiming that, “the EU’s very existence depends on Britain staying in” [Ref: Guardian]. But those who believe that the UK should leave the EU claim the benefits of continued membership, both for the UK and European nations as a whole, are significantly outweighed by the undemocratic nature of the European Union, arguing that “the EU model is the antithesis (of democracy): centralising decision-taking in the hands of an unaccountable technocratic elite” [Ref: Spectator]. So, is the EU anti-democratic and a threat to the UK’s sovereignty? Or are our nation’s interests best served as part of the broader European project with our role in Europe allowing us to be, “part of a much bigger entity with far-reaching international influence” [Ref: Observer]?
DEBATE IN CONTEXT
This section provides a summary of the key issues in the debate, set in the context of recent discussions and the competing positions that have been adopted.
The European project: keeping the peace
The UK joined the forerunner of the European Union, the European Economic Community (EEC), in 1973, a decision later endorsed by referendum in 1975 [Ref: BBC News]. The EEC was forged in the aftermath of two world wars, and an influential argument for those who want to remain in the EU is that “the only sustained period of peace in modern European history directly coincides with the EU’s creation” [Ref: New Statesman]. The belief that the EU provides a bulwark against European nationalist antagonisms underwrites many of its advocates’ arguments. Euroscepticism, they argue, is a means to legitimate ‘populist’ right-wing politicians promoting nationalistic ideas against fellow European nations. As one commentator asserts, “together we are more than the sum of our parts” [Ref: Guardian]. But some are not convinced about the voracity of claims about European peace and stability, referencing the 1990’s war in the former Yugoslavia, as well as the recent events in Ukraine, and argue that factors outside of the EU have kept the peace, with peace within Europe becoming “fragile, as the euro unleashes competitive pressures that pit national economies against one another” [Ref: University of Cambridge]. Others speak positively of the EU as a guarantor of universal “social rights” [Ref: Left Foot Forward], with supporters suggesting that the EU’s treatment of human rights is: “second to none” [Ref: Observer].
Investment, trade and power
For those in favour of the UK’s continued membership of the EU, the combination of a common market and a transnational form of government means that, “in the political arenas like the G8 and G20, Britain has far greater heft because we are alongside other EU nations” [Ref: Evening Standard]. Moreover, they maintain that the UK reaps many benefits from being part of the world’s largest economic bloc, and through collective trade deals between the EU and other world powers - with no tariffs on imports and exports between EU members [Ref: The Week]. The economic debate is polarised – with advocates of Brexit arguing that the UK could negotiate its own trade deal with the EU, as other nations have, relieving the UK from its current responsibilities to the EU and “costly, unnecessary and undesirable” EU regulation [Ref: Telegraph]. Whilst, those who wish to remain remind us that any agreement is hypothetical, and Brexit would be taking a leap into the unknown, which might “discourage investment, especially foreign direct investment, of which Britain is the biggest net recipient in the EU” [Ref: Economist]. Much criticism of the European Union has focused on its attempts to maintain financial stability and the credibility of the euro on international markets, in the light of the 2008 Eurozone crisis [Ref: BBC News]. The Eurozone is an economic and monetary union of 17 member states, who share the common currency of the Euro under strict fiscal rules created by Eurozone leaders. Although the UK is not part of the Eurozone, some argue the political consequence of these fiscal rules highlight the fundamentally anti-democratic nature of the EU more broadly. They say that Brussels can directly intervene in national economies [Ref: Guardian], such as Greece in 2015, for the benefit of a European elite who “care only about keeping their political project alive, regardless of how those who must deal with the consequences are affected.” [Ref: Salon]
A democratic deficit?
The European Parliament is an elected institution of the EU, but with much of EU legislation decided by the unelected European Commission, those in favour of Brexit argue that the EU lacks democratic legitimacy, a position outlined by a German official who said that, “the weakness of the system is …about legitimacy” [Ref: Economist]. Those critical of the EU project argue that it has, “taken decision-making away from national parliaments. On virtually everything that matters, from the economy to immigration, decisions are made elsewhere”, and that it operates in, “a protected sphere, safe from the demands of voters and their representatives” [Ref: Telegraph], a view which is highlighted by a Pew Research poll which shows that majorities in seven European countries (the UK included) don’t think their voice counts in the EU [Ref: Pew Research]. Perhaps more fundamentally, opponents go on to highlight that the EU prohibits the UK from applying its own principles of law, and is profoundly undemocratic as a result [Ref: Telegraph], with one commentator observing that, “nothing… should ever override the right of the demos to choose who governs them and to shape through public debate the political make-up of their ruling institutions” [Ref: spiked]. Entwined with the issue of legal and democratic sovereignty, the free movement of peoples is a key topic within the discussion, with opinion divided as to whether it is good for the UK or not. Approximately 3.3 million EU nationals are currently living in the UK [Ref: BBC News], and critics of this aspect of the EU, argue that membership means that the UK cannot control migration from EU member states, and that this has created, “huge pressure on wages, the NHS and other public services” [Ref: Telegraph], whilst others counter that a shortage of skilled workers would be created by leaving the EU, as this might deter European workers from coming here. Moreover, in such an integrated, globalised world with a “network of international treaties and obligations”, supporters of the EU have questioned whether national sovereignty can ever be restored in the way that those in favour of Brexit suggest [Ref: Economist]. Notwithstanding these concerns, advocates of the UK remaining in the EU argue that despite its flaws, we should stay in, as: “The growth of euroscepticism across Europe means the elites won’t be able to bamboozle the people into agreeing more transfers of power to Brussels, as they have done in the past” [Ref: Independent]. So what are the key issues at stake with the UK’s membership of the European Union? Is a loss of national sovereignty and economic self-governance too high a price a pay? Or is it the case that: “There are no good alternatives to membership. We should stay in the EU and put our energy into reforming it” [Ref: Independent]?
ESSENTIAL READING
It is crucial for debaters to have read the articles in this section, which provide essential information and arguments for and against the debate motion. Students will be expected to have additional evidence and examples derived from independent research, but they can expect to be criticised if they lack a basic familiarity with the issues raised in the essential reading.
The UK’s EU referendum: All you need to know
BBC News 18 April 2016
Reality check: the FT dissects pro and anti-Brexit claims
Chris Giles Financial Times 11 April 2016
FOR
I resigned so I could tell the truth about Brexit – and what it will cost Britain to stay
John Longworth Guardian 11 April 2016
The Undemocratic EU Explained – It Will Never Change
Matthew Ellery Huffington Post 21 March 2016
There is only one way to get the change we want – vote to leave the EU
Boris Johnson Telegraph 16 March 2016
Obama’s wrong. Americans should back Brexit – and so should you
Irwin Stelzer Spectator 12 March 2016
Love democracy? Then leave the EU
Brendan O’Neill spiked 22 February 2016
AGAINST
Why Breixt would be nothing less than an act of political arson
David Miliband Guardian 11 April 2016
Yanis Varoufakis Guardian 5 April 2016
Britain’s choice: economic security with the EU, or a leap into the dark
David Cameron Telegraph 4 April 2016
Leaving the EU would be a self-defeating dereliction of duty and history
Tristram Hunt New Statesman New Statesman 25 March 2016
The City has too much to lose and nothing to gain from leaving the EU
Simon Nixon The Times 18 February 2016
IN DEPTH
Economist 27 February 2016
The left wing case for leaving the EU
John King New Statesman 11 June 2015
KEY TERMS
Definitions of key concepts that are crucial for understanding the topic. Students should be familiar with these terms and the different ways in which they are used and interpreted and should be prepared to explain their significance.
BACKGROUNDERS
Useful websites and materials that provide a good starting point for research.
The Spectator Debate: Should Britain Leave the EU?
Spectator 28 April 2016
A plague on both their houses: This pitiful EU referendum ‘debate’ is an affront to voters
Michael Toner International Business Times 14 April 2016
Maurizio Zanardi New Statesman 12 April 2016
Reality Check: How much does the EU Budget cost the UK?
BBC News 5 April 2016
A Brexit vote may be the only way to get real EU reform
Liam Halligan Telegraph 2 April 2016
EU referendum: the pros and cons of Britain voting to leave Europe
The Week 1 April 2016
Guardian 15 March 2016
Project Fear looks more like mafia blackmail
Melanie Phillips The Times 26 February 2016
Britain outside the EU would stand tall as a free and prosperous nation
Nigel Lawson Telegraph 17 February 2016
BBC Radio 4 5 January 2016
Can the EU keep the peace in Europe? Not a chance.
Chris Bickerton University of Cambridge 28 October 2015
Europe wants Greece to suffer: The truth about the never-ending financial crisis
David Dayen Salon 23 June 2015
A fragile rebound for the EU’s image
Pew Research 12 May 2014
Why Britain should stay in the EU
Hugo Dixon Independent 25 March 2014
The EU: should Britain be in or out?
Observer 18 January 2014
Europe is slowly strangling the life out of national democracy
Peter Oborne Telegraph 1 January 2014
For Britain to leave the EU would be economic suicide
Tony Blair Evening Standard 9 September 2013
BBC News 19 June 2012
Four reasons Britain should stay in the EU
Left Foot Forward 12 June 2012
An ever deeper democratic deficit
Economist 24 May 2012
Ed Miliband, you stoke this anti-Europe fire at your peril
Gaby Hinsliff Guardian 21 May 2012
Is Britian still a sovereign state?
Phillip Johnston Telegraph 17 September 2009
1975: the UK embraces Europe in a referendum
BBC 'On this day'
ORGANISATIONS
Links to organisations, campaign groups and official bodies who are referenced within the Topic Guide or which will be of use in providing additional research information.
IN THE NEWS
Relevant recent news stories from a variety of sources, which ensure students have an up to date awareness of the state of the debate.
Devastating MORI poll shows Europe’s peoples share British rage over EU
Telegraph 10 May 2016
Brexit will aid the West’s enemies and leave Britain ‘dangerously weakened’, warn defence chiefs
Daily Mail 10 May 2016
Eurozone crisis ‘pushing migrants to UK’
BBC News 13 April 2016
EU referendum: 250 business leaders back exit, say campaigners
BBC News 26 March 2016
EU referendum: Cameron sets June date for UK vote
BBC News 20 February 2016
Nearly two million EU workers in Britain, new figures show
Telegraph 13 May 2015
Change the EU from within, urges manufacturing
Guardian 3 July 2014
Officials forced to approve EU mandates against their will, says former advisor
Telegraph 30 June 2014
Anti EU parties enjoy election success
Financial Times 26 May 2014
UK could be plunged into crisis if it left the EU
Telegraph 16 May 2014
Cameron: “The EU is not working, and we will change it”
Telegraph 15 March 2014
Britons back EU membership over leaving
Reuters 11 March 2014
Italy crisis: Silvio Berlusconi resigns as PM
BBC News 13 November 2011
Eurozone crisis: Greek PM George Papandreou to resign
Guardian 6 November 2011
AUDIO/VISUAL
The Spectator Debate: Should Britain Leave the EU?
Spectator 28 April 2016
Guardian 15 March 2016
BBC Radio 4 5 January 2016
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