Question

a. What is the history of the UK's membership in the EU? b. Why did UK want to change the terms of membership? Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union? Why? d. What are the risks of leaving? How could a "Leave" vote affect the rest of Europe? Explai C.

Answer 1

a) The European Union was a concept started after world war II ended in 1945. At that time, Britain supported such idea but it opted out from European Steel and Coal Community. However, the mainland European countries continued their efforts for a single market and witnessed strong growth that makes Britain apply for membership status. The suspicion towards Britain because of its over-reliance on the trans-Atlantic partner the US means Britain's application vetoed by France twice.
However, Britain got the membership eventually in 1973 and it also negotiated rebates like agricultural subsidies.
Britain also joins the exchange rate mechanism of the European Union but opts out after the speculative attack on British Pond in 1992. Britain also opts out from the common single currency of the EU that is Euro. A referendum took place in Britain has resulted in Britain choosing to leave the European Union for which negotiations are currently in progress.

b) The UK since historical times had a love-hate relationship with the mainland European countries. It had fought against France, Germany, and Russia but also allied with them in the past. The British empire which was a military and trading superpower always proud of themselves and maintained a separate identity. The former British PM has openly said that in all her life the problems for Britain came from Europe while solutions came from the US.
However, more than their alienation, the recent influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe has affected the public sentiments.
This is also coupled with huge membership fees which Britain pays to EU but according to the British, they get little return of such payment. The referendum which took place in Britain about the termination of EU membership has been approved by the British citizens with 52% people voting in favor of 'Brexit'. A popular term used for Britain's exit from the EU.

c) Britain should not leave the European Union. Europe is consists of smaller countries with different languages, culture, and history. They have fought with each other throughout history and complete integration in the line of the US seems to be not possible right now. However, the EU countries are export-dependent countries and they need a single market to compete with the US, China and also emerging economies like BRICS countries. The EU has been the best thing which allowed labor and goods movement within the union without any trade restriction which means a bigger market and more growth.
Britain or for that any matter any EU country is going to benefit from being in the union.

d) The EU is a single market which has no restriction of movement of labor or goods within the union. This allows for balanced growth and specialization of resources. If Britain leaves the EU then it will lose access to the mainland EU market and it will be subjected to the restrictions for its trade with the EU. Considering the geographical proximity of Britain to the EU, such trade restrictions means Britain will see a decline in trade with the EU and that will affect its economy.

The EU has some powerful members such as France and Germany which are strong but there are also other members who are economically not strong. The EU crisis which witnessed a bailout for Portugal, Italy, Iceland, Greece, and Spain commonly known as PIIGS has been borne out by richer countries like France, Germany, and Britain. This has fuelled the sentiments within the EU about breaking up of the union. Britain leaving the union will further rake up the issue and might see many member opting out of the union.