After months of debate and speculation regarding the UK's position in the European Union we are no closer to determining the UK's future as David Cameron postponed his long awaited speech in the Netherlands. It is felt Cameron's vision for the UK would serve as a basis for renegotiating its EU membership. However the UK will more than likely be disappointed as it is doubtful European leaders will to agree with the changes sought. Britain's membership and involvement in the European Union has created many dividing views and has even caused division within Cameron's own party for years and this is not set to change anytime soon.
In the lead up to Cameron's speech the Fresh Start Conservatives presented a manifesto outlining recommendations they believe are necessary for Britain to remain in the EU. In particular changes in four areas are emphasised; social and employment law, EU financial services, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy and finally police and judicial cooperation and immigration. Fresh Start is calling for control over these areas to be returned to the national parliament. With regard to social and employment law, it feels EU legislation in this area is too onerous. Returning this area to national control would present an opportunity for the UK to opt out of the 48 hour working time. In addition, it would provide the opportunity to grant temporary agency workers with the same rights as permanent employees.
In light of the economic crisis the EU's financial services legislation has been a problematic area with many diverging views and positions. Fresh Start's manifesto calls for a halt to developing this legislation. In 2011 the UK unsuccessfully sought to veto such legislation. However, it did veto treaty changes to impose stricter budgetary rules on the Eurozone. In addition, the UK succeeded in obtaining safeguards under the Single Supervisory Mechanism for non-eurozone members, thus avoiding the risk of them being outvoted on banking regulation matters.
Fresh Start is calling for the UK to completely opt out or end its participation in the CAP and the Common Fisheries Policy, as it views theses areas as too protectionist and sadly does not see the benefits of its participation. Once again it is seeking to return control from the EU to Westminster. At the very least they are advocating the phasing out the farming subsidies and wish to regain greater control over regional fish stocks including access to British waters by European fishing vessels.
Finally, Fresh Start encourages the UK to opt out of EU police and judicial cooperation, such as the European Arrest Warrant. Objections are also raised to the inclusion of the European Convention of Human Rights in British law; however, it is necessary to note this is a Council commitment and is not imposed. The manifesto advocates a number of changes to Britain's immigration policy. Firstly, it seeks to limit the rights of new immigrates to the UK. This would mean limiting welfare benefits received as well as the right to work. The manifesto also seeks tougher measures of control covering the entry of asylum seekers from other EU member states into the UK. Despite the reasons behind such demands, it is doubtful European leaders will agree to allow the UK to opt in and opt out of legislation as they see fit.
The possibility of a referendum has created unease. Pro-Europeans have referred to the referendum as a risk and are concerned it would push the UK in the direction of exiting the EU. One must also take into account the fact that UK citizens are incredibly poorly informed on EU issues, generally misguided by biased tabloids that have hijacked the debate. It is argued such an exit would be immensely harmful to the UK's business interests. However, David Cameron has emphasised that a referendum would not be a simple in or out vote, as this would give voters a false choice. Cameron supports the UK's membership in the EU but feels that a more desirable UK position could be reached. As the European Union is currently undergoing many changes, Cameron feels this is the best time to seek a renegotiated position. He hopes to influence the direction of the changes to create a European Union that is more flexible and competitive. It is unlikely other member states will sit back and allow the UK to direct the future of the European Union. The UK could therefore find itself sitting out in the cold while the European Union continues to move forward.
While Cameron's aims are commendable, his speech, which at the time of writing was meant to be delivered yesterday but has been postponed, will be received against a backdrop of continued, often unwarranted, euro-scepticism by members of his party-even within the European Parliament. Often this has been immensely counterproductive, giving the impression that the Tories view membership within the EU as a business transaction and nothing more. Other European politicians have grown weary of this attitude, which most unfortunately tends to distract from the valuable input the UK adds to the European debate.
If a referendum takes place it will mostly likely not be scheduled before 2018. David Cameron has assured a referendum will only take place should there be a fundamental change to the UK's relationship with the EU.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP