British Public Opinion and Party Policy Towards European Integration, 1973–2016 (Security, Conflict and Cooperation in the Contemporary World)

By: Stuart Smedley

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Synopsis: This book provides the first detailed historical account of British public opinion and party policy towards European integration from 1973 (the year in which the UK joined the European Community) to 2016 (the year in which the UK voted to leave the European Union). It takes a thematic approach towards this subject, exploring party policy and public opinion towards significant developments in the European integration process during the period covered. These include moves towards deeper and flexible integration, economic and monetary union, the Single Market, enlargement, and foreign and defence policy cooperation. The author assesses the nature of British public opinion towards these developments - some of which Britain's government and main political parties supported, and others which they opposed - and analyses the extent to which party policies reflected public opinion.