What do British political parties think about further European integration?
What is the main agenda of your party and how does European integration fit into your agenda?
Labour: In securing a third term, our agenda is it renew our country, taking Britain forward to a better future rather than returning to a failed Tory past. We support continued integration, in an appropriate time-table. Being a strong partner in the EU enhances our ability to achieve good around the world, such as promoting democracy, supporting human rights, improving the environment, and enhancing trade (LP 2005).
Conservative: Right now Britain is being governed by the wrong values. We believe that individuals should have more control over their own lives, and that government should move from the centre back to the local communities. It is not that British people don’t want to be part of the European Union; they simply want the EU to be more democratic and more accountable. We propose the EU do less, and therefore do it better. We believe Britain should remain an independent state, not submerged into Europe, as the best institution to provide stability and solidarity for the British people remains the nation state. We therefore support bringing power back from Brussels, maintaining the pound, and limiting adoption of policies that benefit Europe but would be detrimental to Britain and her citisens.(Howard 2005).
Liberal Democrat: Our main agenda is to make government more efficient and responsive to the people. We particularly support slimming government and moving away from centralisation. Doing so would allow local governments, which are more effective, to better serve their local constituents (LD 2005a). Regarding European integration, we believe the EU can play a fundamental role in areas such as protecting the environment, promoting enterprise, and fighting discrimination. We support integration, but want integration into a Citizen’s Europe, with power exercised at the lowest effective level. Changes can only be made by the UK in the EU if we are involved (LD 2005b).
What would be the five most important achievements made in
European integration - in your point of view?
Labour: Increased strength in international affairs, increased trade, economic stabilisation of the economy through adoption of the euro provided, of course our five tests are met. Integration improves our position to be a force for good in the world, and to address global issues such as poverty and human rights (LP 2005).
Conservative: Put Britain first, move power back from Brussels, increase accountability of the EU to member states, limit judicial jurisdictions, allow flexibility in economic and other decisions, rather than requiring one policy for all (such as euro adoption).
Liberal Democrat: Ratification of the constitution, maintenance of the UK veto especially in areas involving entering into military conflict, greater emphasis on the environment, adoption of the euro, increasing openness and reducing fraud.
What impact has your party had on shaping the European integration process? And what are they?
Labour: Labour remains at the forefront of responsible integration, balancing the desire of the British people for some caution in integrating with Europe and the need to progress forward as a country. Instituting plans leading to responsible integration, such as the five tests for euro adoption, ensure our continued move towards EU integration remains favourable for Britain (LP 2005).
Conservative: We are the voice that insists on putting Britain first. Tony Blair’s government has gone back on many of its promises regarding Europe, and allowed others to set the agenda for us. We have been in many cases the voice of reason pulling Britain back from integration areas, such as the euro, that would have been detrimental to our country (Howard 2005).
Liberal Democrat: As the strongest supporter of integration, our party continues to be a champion of reform both at home and in Europe. We have consistently pushed for ratification of the constitution, referendum on the euro, and a number of other important integration issues that might otherwise have been buried by other parties (LD 2005a).
Do you think that the economic integration has been successful so far? For example the single European market. And do you support further economic integration?
Labour: Thus far, yes. Our interest and mortgage rates are the lowest they have been for thirty years. Unemployment has dropped, and we continue to sustain economic growth. Opening our markets as part of the EU has made Britain more competitive, both in Europe and globally. We support further economic integration, considering always the needs and interests of the UK (LP 2005). However, our county will continue to benefit from the increased markets and economic stabilisation provided by EU integration (Titley 2004).
Conservative: Not as it is currently presented. The Constitution, for example, is simply bad for jobs and our economy. It gives the EU power to impose additional regulations on our businesses, in an environment where over half of regulations already originate in Brussels. The EU would have power over our employment practices, and damage our competitiveness (Howard 2005).
Liberal Democrat: We do, particularly adoption of the euro, after successful referendum (LD 2005b). Locking all our economies together will allow a more competitive Europe and benefit all nations involved (Graham 2003). It is important economically that we continue to open our markets to others in the European Union in addition to developing countries’ products (Graham 2003).
Do you think that the political integration has been successful so far? And do you support further political integration?
Labour: We would like to see a greater and speedier commitment on the part of the UK to political integration. We are coming to the point where our delay is causing the UK to lose influence and power in the EU. Whilst we support readiness for integration from the populace first, continued distortions from the Conservatives and various media entities confuse the public regarding the benefits of political integration (LP 2005).
Conservative: The EU has already been given too much power over Britain, and too much involvement in her affairs. We only support further integration with substantial reform to the current EU system, such as limited powers for the European Court of Justice, and the allowance of member states to establish their own immigration policies (Howard 2005).
Liberal Democrat: Whilst political integration has been somewhat successful, it is important that we ratify the constitution, and soon. We need to get on board with a united Europe, and stop arguing amongst ourselves if we intend to remain a leader in Europe.
What do you think of further enlargement?
Labour: Successful enlargement creates new opportunities for us and other EU nations. It brings millions of additional consumers into the EU, and thereby creates new opportunities for British business. Enlargement improves the environment through regulation on member and entering states, and reduces illegal immigration, organised crime, and other problems. We strongly support future enlargement for countries showing the economic stability and commitment likely to make them viable members of the EU community (LP 2005).
Conservative: Enlargement offers a unique opportunity to recast Europe and build an EU based on co-operation, not coercion. We support competitive, free markets in the EU, and the flexibility to allow Member States to be different as best suits their individual needs. However, we are concerned that many countries could be rushed into the EU before they can truly function as economic or political partners. We favour strict standards for membership and careful consideration of the repercussions to individual nations already in the EU when considering enlargement (CP 2005).
Liberal Democrat: We support continued enlargement. Each addition to the new Europe makes it stronger and more democratic, reducing the power of bigger countries. It is important that with enlargement we focus on cooperation, rather than try to force our own agendas by might (Graham 2003).
Is EU working effectively? If not why do you think the reason is?
Labour: We feel the EU is working effectively, and would be more effective with greater UK participation and support. We need to be a leader in the EU (LP 2005). We cannot hide from the insecurities of our current world by hiding away or going it alone. We need to grasp the opportunities available to us and become more involved in the EU, including ratification of the Constitution (Titley 2004).
Conservative: The EU, quite simply, has too much power. It needs to become more accountable, more open, and more efficient. As with any centralised, beauracratic entity, many of the EU’s functions would be performed more effectively by individual nations (CP 2005).
Liberal Democrat: No one is pretending the EU is perfect, but we feel government at the EU level is typically no better or no worse than government at national or local levels (Graham 2003). The EU will not work as effectively as it could whilst a number of areas that would be better administrated by national parliaments or at a more local level remain centralised. There is also not enough openness regarding how decisions are made or ongoing debates within the EU governance (LD 2005a). Right now the EU is weak on trade, on Iraq, and on and on the Euro (Graham 2003).
Tags: Britain, conservative, EU, Euro, integration, labour, liberal democrat, party, trade, UK
