In a study examining six key episodes in the history of Britain's involvement with the European integration project, Anthony Forster argues that opposition to Europe has been shaped decisively by the opportunities available to sceptics to oppose government policy and the domestic arena in which European policies have been made. In addition, there have been important continuities between the arguments and individuals opposed to integration within both the Labour and the Conservative parties. The book traces the evolution of opponents of integration from anti-Europeans into anti-Marketeers and finally into an organised and resourced body of Eurosceptics committed to opposing the Political and Economic and Monetary Union agenda. It shows how party allegiances have tempered their influence, but also how the actions and beliefs of the sceptics have impacted on the parties themselves.
This challenging new history of Euroscepticism thus gives fresh insight into the domestic context underpinning Britain's troubled relationship with its European partners as well as the party struggle since 1945 and will be a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate students of politics and European studies, along with researchers and policymakers.
