The Europe Dilemma: Britain and the Drama of EU Integration (Policy Network)

"What is Britain's future in Europe? This book revisits an old argument but for dramatically new times. The old argument is about Britain's 'semi-detachedness' from Europe and whether that posture could ever change. The new times are the crisis in the Eurozone and its wider impact on the European Union's future. While logic may point to deeper integration, the politics associated with the EU's problems make this a significant and possibly insurmountable challenge. Where should Britain stand? What future should Britain want for the EU? And how important is continued membership of the EU for Britain's future? This book offers new answers to these questions from the perspective of an author who has combined experience both at the heart of the British Government, as Tony Blair's European adviser and with years of understanding Europe from the inside - working at a senior level in the European Commission. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the future of British and European politics."--Bloomsbury Publishing What is Britain's future in Europe? This book revisits an old argument but for dramatically new times. The old argument is about Britain's 'semi-detachedness' from Europe and whether that posture could ever change. The new times are the crisis in the Eurozone and its wider impact on the European Union's future. While logic may point to deeper integration, the politics associated with the EU's problems make this a significant and possibly insurmountable challenge. Where should Britain stand? What future should Britain want for the EU? And how important is continued membership of the EU for Britain's future? This book offers new answers to these questions from the perspective of an author who has combined experience both at the heart of the British Government, as Tony Blair's European adviser and with years of understanding Europe from the inside - working at a senior level in the European Commission. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the future of British and European politics. --Amazon.com What is Britain's future in Europe? This book revisits an old argument, but for dramatically new times. The old argument is about Britain's 'semi-detachedness' from Europe and whether that posture could ever change. The new times are the crisis in the eurozone and its wider impact on the European Union's future. While logic may point to deeper integration, the politics associated with the EU's problems make this a significant and possibly insurmountable challenge. Where should Britain stand? What future should Britain want for the EU? And how important is continued membership of the EU for Britain's future? This book offers new answers to these questions from the perspective of an author who has combined experience both at the heart of the British government - as Tony Blair's European adviser - with understanding of Europe from the inside - working at a senior level in the European Commission. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the future of British and European politics. Book jacket. Act 1 Missed Opportunity -- 1 The Conservative Legacy 3 -- 2 Europe And The Failure Of Labour Revisionism 18 -- 3 Labour's Turn To Europe 36 -- Act 2 Blair's Failure -- 4 In Power Without A Policy 55 -- 5 Policy-making At The Red Lion 72 -- 6 (half) Making The Case 87 -- 7 Reforming The Club Rules 103 -- 8 Reforming Member State Economies 118 -- 9 Drafting, Ditching And (90 Per Cent) Reviving Europe's Constitution 135 -- 10 Blocked On The Euro 153 -- 11 A Glass Half Empty 173 -- Act 3 Cameron's Gamble -- 12 The Unexpected Return Of Europe To British Politics 195 -- 13 Renegotiation And Referendum 215 -- 14 A Progressive Alternative 234. Roger Liddle. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title Page; Copyright Page; Contents; Biography; Glossary of Abbreviations; Preface; A Drama in Three Acts; The Prelude; Act One: Missed Opportunity; Chapter 1 The Conservative Legacy; Chapter 2 Europe and the Failure of Labour Revisionism; Chapter 3 Labour's Turn to Europe; Act Two: Blair's Failure; Chapter 4 In Power without a Policy; Chapter 5 Policy-Making at the Red Lion; Chapter 6 (Half) Making the Case; Chapter 7 Reforming the Club Rules; Chapter 8 Reforming Member State Economies; Chapter 9 Drafting, Ditching and (90 per cent) Reviving Europe's Constitution Chapter 10 Blocked on the EuroChapter 11 A Glass Half Empty; Act Three: Cameron's Gamble; Chapter 12 The Unexpected Return of Europe to British Politics; Chapter 13 Renegotiation and Referendum; Chapter 14 A Progressive Alternative; Conclusion; Appendix A Timeline of UK-European Relations; Notes; Bibliography