Britain and Her European Neighbours

After World War II European countriesrealized that the only way to prevent a new war was some form of integration. Economic and military integration was begun by the Brussels Treaty in 1948 and NATO in 1949. Initially, Britain was against economic union because she was already engaged in different political relationships – the Commonwealth and the special relationship with the USA and Europe. The transatlantic relations between the USA and Britain very soon proved that Britain was not considered equal. Though after the war Britain saw herself as a part of the “Big Three”, the world had been already divided between two superpowers – the USA and the USSR. So, during 15 years after war Britain remained detached from closer union with European countries – she did not take part in the Coal and Steel community in 1952 and the 1957 Treaty of Rome, which led to the creation of the Common Market. In 1961, when Britain eventually applied for the membership in the European Economic Community (EEC), her application was vetoed by France. The situation repeated itself in1967. Only a third attempt to join EEC was successful – in January 1972 a treaty admitting Britain into EEC was signed. She joined the Community along with Ireland and Denmark.

For a long period of time the relations between Britain and EEC remained difficult – the Thatcher Government tried to establish for Britain a special role in Europe and in the Commonwealth to protect British economic and diplomatic interests. In 1981 the Labour Party Manifesto also called for Britain`s withdrawal from the European Community.

In 1990 when the John Major government came to power a more favourable attitude towards EEC was established. Though today Britain`s policy towards European Unity changed, the attitude to this membership still remains ambiguous.