The Rise and Fall of British Policy for Membership of Europe

by: John S.F. Wright (Author)

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Edition: 2024th

Publication Date: 2024/8/18

Language: English

Print Length: 291 pages

ISBN-10: 3031651359

ISBN-13: 9783031651359

Book Description

This is a book about policy change that focusses on a single case study; the rise and fall of the British policy for membership of European institutions. It traces the establishment of British identity as a European Member State and the meaning of the country’s participation in the block in 1973, to its deterioration through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, ending with its eventual failure at the 2016 referendum. Considering the abject state into which the meaning and identity of the pro-European policy had fallen by that time, the book argues that while David Cameron might have lost his June referendum by a slender 1.8% majority, he should have lost by a whole lot more. It also raises important implications for understanding the nature and dynamics of policy change in UK politics and beyond. It will appeal to scholars and students of political theory, public policy, British and European politics.

About the Author

This is a book about policy change that focusses on a single case study; the rise and fall of the British policy for membership of European institutions. It traces the establishment of British identity as a European Member State and the meaning of the country’s participation in the block in 1973, to its deterioration through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, ending with its eventual failure at the 2016 referendum. Considering the abject state into which the meaning and identity of the pro-European policy had fallen by that time, the book argues that while David Cameron might have lost his June referendum by a slender 1.8% majority, he should have lost by a whole lot more. It also raises important implications for understanding the nature and dynamics of policy change in UK politics and beyond. It will appeal to scholars and students of political theory, public policy, British and European politics.