Within Britain and continental Europe, EU membership and its conditions are becoming a hot political topic. With election outcomes increasingly lurching to extremes and nationalist parties on the up, is there room for the EU any longer? Has the period of the European Union come to an end?
Perhaps these questions are too severe, but as a young European I hope the answer to the latter question to be a no. However, living in the UK I’m regularly confronted with views very much in contradiction of my own. With growing concerns in areas like the economy, people are becoming sceptical as to whether the EU holds any of the answers. The very hazy and bureaucratic set up of the European Union and the impression of no accountability doesn’t always enamour one towards the EU either. With the rise of parties such as UKIP proposing a swift exit, the current British government has already bowed to pressure- offering a referendum on the question of membership. What the outcome would be is still unknown, and how this relates to young people in the UK today is an even harder question. Talking and discussing with other young people on the history of Britain in the EU and by trying to find what the EU really stands for will – perhaps – help shed some light on whether there is a place for Britain in a diverse and enriching Europe.
Can the island of Britain be in Europe?
When talking to friends from Britain, Europe, and further afield, it’s interesting what is nearly always the first topic of conversation. The economy. It seems to be everyone’s focus, probably to do with the relevance of the current economic climate we’re living in. But when asking whether Britain even felt ‘European’ the first response and perhaps best put by Emma is that, “I don’t feel like we are, because we aren’t attached to it so we feel segregated. The barrier is like the sea so we’re not as included [as other European countries]”. Britain is geographically not part of mainland Europe. And for lots of people, that does make a difference to the relationship Britain has with Europe. Historically Britain was a world power, ruling the world by the waves. Being surrounded by water does still encourage our insular mentality, encouraging the notion of a defiant island nation with a vast empire. But it isn’t true.
Britain’s main reason for entry into the European Union back in 1961, or then known as the EEC (European Economic Community), was due to the shift in global power. With the US and USSR dominating economically, it created a situation where Britain could no longer compete. Membership itself took a long time to come about as France vetoed Britain’s application in 1963 and 1967. Perhaps Britain’s lack of European spirit comes from the fact that it wasn’t a founding member and reluctantly joined due to the economic benefits, unprepared to embrace the opportunity for a unity beyond that.
Money makes the world go round
As a student, money is the elephant in the room for most of us. Our meagre student budget means that there’s always a small worry around every financial corner. This awareness of finances seems to reflect onto the EU. When talking about the EU many of my friends and family assumed that I wanted to hear their opinion on the economic area, the euro or the effects of the economic crash. And as previously said the main reason for Britain’s membership was for increased economic security. But is that what Europe solely is?
The only positive for a euro-supporter is that Britain is generally seen as if it could not survive without the European Union. Free trade and the tax rebate negotiated in 1980s is a deal that Britain would never be able to attain again. These positives far out weigh the unknown of leaving the Union.
I am first and foremost…
German? English? European? A ‘World’ citizen? How people see themselves, has often affected how they see the European Union and its’ relationship with Britain. A friend from Bahrain interestingly said “I like Europe because it has much more of a free society where freedom of expression is displayed quite clearly”. This view of Europe has never even crossed my mind that we are lucky enough to live in a progressive and quite remarkable union. How Britain is seen internationally is important for lots of people. If we’re seen as united, protecting human rights, for me I can only see positives.
Therefore what perhaps is most important is creating a European identity around these ideals. A French friend interestingly found in Britain that “there is some kind of reluctance to pass on the European ‘pride’ ”. Here in Britain we should be proud of the EU and the fact that we’re part of it. We have free movement within the whole of Europe, all with similar tolerant, uniting principles. Using the perks of free movement like many other young Europeans has always given me a wealth of experiences. Cheaper than going to another continent yet one can still appreciate the richness of our differences.
So is Britain European?
When we look at Britain there are of course cultural differences between here and other European countries but also more organisational; which I feel encourages the isolated feeling in Britain. It can be seen as a trivial matter but the use of number plates on cars and identity cards all show the defiant UK side of being ‘separate’. A small blue strip on the left hand side of the number plate shows the European flag of the golden circle of stars and a letter signifying the country of origin. Across Europe the practice is almost universal but in Britain, they are few and far between. Similarly, most countries in the EU provide their citizens with a European identity card, allowing one to travel with it. Britain abolished this in 2011. Again the Euro, a huge unifier missing from Britain, as the website for the European Union states, “[the Euro] is the most tangible proof of cooperation between EU countries.” Britain is once again alienated, remaining an island using the restricted British pound.
Britain does love to perpetuate otherness when compared to Europe. Our island status, for many in the UK, is seen as a strength and not a weakness. Yet Ama, a non-European student, doesn’t quite see Britain how we may see ourselves; “I do think Britain is part of Europe…. But I do think it’s unfair that all the other countries have to abide by the same laws and have the same currency and England think they’re the ‘superpower’ and they don’t have to do that”. Perhaps it’s time for Britain to leave some of its differences to help it become more integrated in Europe.
So do we all have to be the same to be European?
Well no, not the same but perhaps not so defiantly different. During one discussion I had amongst friends, William, who is British, felt very strongly as to whether Britain was truly part of the EU. “No. I think we’ve developed separately [Britain]. We are culturally, socially, politically distinct from continental Europe.” But does this mean Britain can’t be part of the European Union?
No, I feel what is missing from Britain is to follow the European motto, ‘United in diversity’. Throughout the talks with friends and family, what came out of Britain staying in Europe was trying to unite Europeans. Allow the various cultures and languages to flourish within a diverse global community and accept that the EU is in no way a perfect institution with positives that to me, far out way the negatives. Thus, Britain can be proud of our unique heritage while also learning to love our membership to the bigger European Union.
Cleo Anderson
Young EUptimistics 