To be or not to be in Europe: is that the question? Britain's European question and an in/out referendum

• Autores: Tim Oliver
• Localización: International Affairs, ISSN-e 1468-2346, Vol. 91, Nº. 1, 2015, págs. 77-91
• Idioma: inglés
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• Dialnet Métricas: 1 Cita
• Resumen

  • The idea of holding an in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union has increasingly become a norm of British politics, an act seen as a necessary step for the country to answer what David Cameron described as the �European question in British politics�. A referendum, it is hoped, will cleanse British politics of a poisonous debate about Europe and democratically sanction a new stable UK�EU relationship, whether the UK stays in or leaves. Such hopes expect more of a referendum than it can provide. The European question is a multifaceted one and whatever the result of a referendum it is unlikely to address underlying questions that will continue to cause problems for UK�EU relations and Britain's European debate. A referendum can be a step forward in better managing the relationship and debate, but it is only that: a single step, after which further steps will be needed. Coming to terms with the European question and bringing stability to Britain's relations with the EU�whether in or outside the EU�will require comprehensive, longer-term changes which a referendum can help trigger but in no way guarantee.