The United Kingdom faces a choice

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Long protracted dispute that does not have the final decision - United Kingdom is in the European Union, be or not be?Recently in the British society the conversations about the withdrawal from the European Union become more frequent. In this essay will be considered the facts and arguments from both sides: from United Kingdom and of course from the European Union.

UK has always been famous for its separateness and desire for isolation - as happened historically.And now United Kingdom is not satisfied with the relationships with the European Union.

British Prime Minister David Cameron made an unexpected proposal to hold a referendum about the possibility of the withdrawal of his country from the European Union. (January 23, 2013) It was said by the head of the government in a meeting with businessmen at the London headquarters of the American agency of business news "Bloomberg".

“The next Conservative manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next parliament”, - said Cameron. According to him, after talks Conservatives offered to hold a referendum, which will ask the question: “Are you for or against UK's membership in the European Union?”

At the same time Cameron made an important clarification: the referendum will be held only if his party of the Conservatives wins the elections in 2015. In this case, the referendum will be held in 2017. The head of government named the main problems that, in his opinion the EU faces, but also influences the economy of the UK. First and foremost is the eurozone crisis, the debt crisis in Greece, reducing of the competitiveness of EU products on the world market, as well as a crisis of confidence from the part of the EU citizens.

The last EU summit not only did not bring the desired results, but also it seemsthe UK has becomeeven more convinced that the European Union in its current form is less interesting for them.Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague said that Great Britain is disappointed by the European Union today more, than ever before.He spoke openly that the European Union - is "a great machine that sucks up decision-making", andmoreover hinted to the fact that management of the Union has not recently taken any effective measures to overcome the crisis.Hague did not express in favor of withdrawal from the European Union, but international experts are already talking about the fact that the relationships between the island state and the EU come to a critical point now. еuropean union insulation british

The role of second fiddle

In general, everything is quite predictable: United Kingdom - is fairly strong country in economic and political terms, and it does not suit the role of second fiddle.From the very beginning British government wanted the country to play a key role in the European Union, but now it is evident that the indisputable leadership belongs to Germany. Sore points of the European Union are problems of the eurozone, and Germany as the strongest member of the monetary union is doing everything to overcome the financial crisis, thereby gaining credibility. But the situation in the euro zone has a negative impact on other EU countries, including the United Kingdom. The draft budget, developed by the European Commission suggests that the country over the next seven years will incur additional expenses in the amount of 10 billion pounds - in order to save the euro zone. British Prime Minister David Cameron opposed, but his voice was lost in the general uproar of other European leaders, supported by Germany, therefore proud Brits certainly have regarded as an insulting fact.

At the same time the discontent of the summit, in my opinion was the only convenient excuse for the UK in order to isolate themselves from the European Union;in other words so close relationship becomes too disadvantageous for UK. For instance, the same bank union: it was agreed that control of almost all major banks in Europe will move to the European Central Bank. It means that across the EU there is a new powerful financial structure under the control of the European Central Bank, and this is a serious claim involving competition with British banks.

Rejection of the single currency

Entry into the European Community in 1973 contributed to the growth of the competitiveness of the UK. But since the UK joined the European Union, 40 years have passed, and the country has not switched to the euro. Great Britain in the recent past was a superpower, a colossal world empire. At the end of XIX century, British Pound Sterling was the strongest world currency, claimed to be the only reserve currency. Although, today the United Kingdom is no longer a superpower, yielding the largest European countries, for instance, such as Germany in terms of GDP; the UK does not want to rush the adoption of the euro, it is expensive for the preservation of independence, its identity, a certain degree of national ownership. Application of international currency in the country; is a concession to part of the national sovereignty, which is so cherished by the British.Although, the euro could bring certain benefits for the country, but the sovereignty is more important for the United Kingdom.

Common Agricultural Policy

Another reason why the UK suffers losses from participation in Europe, as always is the Common Agricultural Policy. CAP leads to bureaucracy and unsustainable use of natural resources. But the most serious economic damage CAP causes as a result of inflation in food prices, which particularly affects on such developed urbanized countries like the UK.

Why the United Kingdom should feed the Greeks?

The richest EU countries are the United Kingdom and Germany; and they contribute to the "piggy bank" of the EU much more money than they receive from it. Today, Germans and Britons are specified by fair question: "Why should we feed the Greeks?"

In order to rescue the Greek economy from the disaster, part of the money of German and British taxpayers goes to the EU budget, and thence, in the form of large subsidies - in the "sinking" economy of Greece. Moreover - for free. As David Cameron said, "Britons are angry that the European institutions in Brussels make important decisions without getting the mandate of voters for this."

Influence of weak countries inside the UK

Countries such as Bulgaria and Romania entered the EU, subsequently people flooded into the UK from these countries. Living on the streets; garbage, stink, every day more and more… Britain is not prepared for the fact that her country would be dirtied and turned into trash. The European Union did not consider the problem that people from weak countries of the EU will leave to more affluent. Perhaps, it's in terms of the EU, in order to destroy the rich countries? Anyway, continuation of cooperation with European Union does not provide large benefits, almost only disadvantages for the United Kingdom.

Export of the United Kingdom

However, complete rupture of the relations is not necessary neither the United Kingdom nor the European Union because the British economy is focused on export, and half of all trading transactions accounts for the EU countries and the management of the Union is interested in the maintaining the integrity of the EU. However, here is the problem: United Kingdom insists to renegotiate the terms of its membership in the European Union, but Brussels cannot agree to this, because in this case, each state will require such conditions for themselves. In this instance, the European Union (which recently received the Nobel Peace Prize) will once again become the territory of disagreement and strife between nations. Nevertheless, it is obvious that every time the United Kingdom will insist on greater autonomy, and it is possible that one day its way with the European Union finally will disperse.

Consequences of withdrawal

Impossible to say that the United Kingdom will not be able to develop its own uniqueness; be able, but we should not forget that Europe accounts for about 50% of trading of the UK, and also its social system, despite some differences, in general is similar to Europe. Considering this, those who advocate for UK's unique position outside Europe, should represent the possible economic and social position of the country of the future. The United Kingdom outside the European Union will have 3 major drawbacks.

First of all, the United Kingdom will lose the position of world leadership. UK's membership in the EU affects how the world looks at it in general and its allies, in particular. The idea that the country will build new relationships with the countries like China or India looks quite interesting. Of course, bilateral relations with these countries open up considerable shopping opportunities. UK's withdrawal from the EU may cause on some reduction of UK's investment attractiveness. Thus, products exported to other European countries will be subject to customs tariffs, and their exporters will be faced with local bureaucracy. Moreover, trade relations of the United Kingdom with India are strongly dependent on negotiations of Europe on free trade agreement: now Germany's export to China and India is 2 times more than UK's, and exports (to India) of France, and even Italy are above British.

Secondly, despite the close economic ties between the UK and Europe, withdrawal from the European Union will exclude the country from the decision-making process in determining the rules of the single market. British companies understand this, as International firms which use the UK as the European base. Considering the risks for the status of London as a financial center outside the EU, nobody has noticed that obviously can bring great harm, but at the same time, no one ever doubted that it would be a completely different situation.

And thirdly, the country will lose the possibility of cooperation and support on important issues: climate change and the environment, trade negotiations, international policy. The United Kingdom will cut themselves from new development of events in Europe at the moment when all countries in the world are trying to take advantage of the opportunities offered by regional integration.

From the foregoing it can be concluded that: if the country over the next few years will focus not on how to help the European Union in the recovery and prosperity, but on how to change relationship with the EU, then it will be clear what kind of mood the UK's partners will negotiate. Of course, they will be polite, but do not expect gratitude or good location. Therefore, in my point of view the country should forget about it as long as the UK will be ready to go all the way to the exit from the very beginning to the end.

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