The Tories and EuropeAn examination of one of the most contentious issues in British politics over the last 30 years of the 20th century. It traces the way in which the issue of Europe has led to the electoral disintegration of a party which had previously dominated British politics for a century. Europe has exposed the principal fault-line within contemporary Tory politics like no other comparable issue and has been the major cause of mounting discord and dissent within the party. The text discusses the way in which growing integration in Europe has challenged many aspects and assumptions in British politics, and in particular, Tory politics. It also examines the ways in which notions of sovereignty, integration and federalism have now become an implicit determinant of any future Tory agenda. |
Contents
Tory politics and | 41 |
sovereignty the budgetary | 76 |
integration Bruges | 104 |
Copyright | |
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agenda anti-European approach April argued attacked backbench ballot became Blair Britain British politics Bruges Bruges Group budgetary campaign candidates cent centre left challenged Clarke closer Common Market Conservatism Conservative Party Council created Daily Telegraph defeat defence Delors divisions dominated economic election electoral entry European Community European integration European issue European Parliament European Parliament elections European Union Eurosceptic Euroscepticism factionalism federalism federalist foreign further integration Group Guardian Hague Hague's Heath Heseltine ideological increasingly Independent institutions issue of Europe join June Lawson lead leader Lilley London Maastricht Maastricht Treaty Major membership ministers monetary union moves national interest national sovereignty negotiations organisation party conference party's perspective poll position post-war pragmatic pro-European problems Redwood referendum resignation role sceptical seen shadow cabinet single currency Single European Act single market social speech Thatcher Thatcherite tion Tory leadership Tory Party Tory politics Treaty vote voters wider