Another round in UK’s European preoccupation

In a year when most rational commentators agree the United Kingdom should be concentrating its efforts on economic growth and the reduction of unemployment, it appears that the country is set for yet another chapter in its interminable debate on European membership.

Prime Minister David Cameron set the scene in a BBC interview in which he said he was “entitled and enabled” to seek a repatriation of powers from the European Union when other countries sought changes in their obligations in order to make the euro work more effectively.

He also foreshadowed that long-running goal of the right wing in British politics – a referendum on whether the United Kingdom remains within the EU - while repeating the mantra of Conservative leaders of the past two decades, that he does not favour a UK withdrawal.

Cameron is seeking a raft of measures, including a bar on non-British EU citizens claiming social security benefits even if they are working in the United Kingdom – anathema to Brussels which sees it as a move against its goal of a single European jobs market.

As changes to EU treaties require the unanimous support of all member countries, Cameron may feel he has the leverage to get what he wants. However European Governments might find a way round a British veto, possibly by making arrangements among themselves without resort to EU law.

Such a path would be complicated and time-consuming and would leave European leaders fuming at yet another example of British spoiling. These is a growing feeling within the Brussels bureaucracy that that it would be no bad thing if a referendum were to result in Britain’s exit.

“There is no doubt that the British attitude is hindering European development,” a senior European Public Servant, who did not wish to be named, told me. “They should decide once and for all – if in, play a full and constructive part – if out, then they can negotiate some kind of arrangement such as the Norwegians have but at least allow us to get on with our work.”

Cameron’s latest ‘get tough’ attitude is certainly influenced by the rise in the polls of Ukip, formerly the United Kingdom Independence Party, that is dedicated to seeking British withdrawal from Europe. Its leader, Nigel Farage, is actually a Member of the European Parliament in Strasbourg where he spends his time lambasting his fellow MEPs and the European Commission as a bunch of worthless and expensive time-servers.

Cynics say that Cameron will call a referendum and blame Ukip if the vote is for withdrawal – a massive act of cutting off the nose to spite the face considering that a full 50 per cent of Britain’s trade is with the EU.

The question should also be asked as to whether EU membership is such a burning issue among the electorate - Even Ukip supporters put it third behind the economy and law and order, while a previous referendum on EU membership in 1974 saw a two-to-one vote in favour of staying in.

While Britons exercise their national pastime for grumbling when it comes to the EU and will probably never agree to give up their beloved pound in favour of the euro, the disadvantages of quitting will weigh heavily when, and if, they are called to the ballot box to vote on the question.