The Making of Eurosceptic Britain: Identity and Economy in a Post-Imperial State

What has been the political impact of the Eurozone Debt Crisis in the UK? To what extent have the bank collapses and bailouts reinforced Britain’s Eurosceptic trajectory? In this revised and updated second edition Chris Gifford addresses these key questions reflecting on the Labour government’s approach to Europe while exploring the extensive mobilisation of Eurosceptic forces in opposition to the Conservative-led coalition government. The book examines the extent to which Euroscepticism has become dominant within both the Conservative leadership and the bulk of its parliamentary party and how this has affected the relationship of the coalition government with the European Union. By placing current attitudes to Europe in relation to the wider history of Britain’s post war interaction with its continental neighbours the author shows how British Euroscepticism is structural in nature and a persistent and institutionalised feature of UK Politics.

Table of Contents:
Preface and Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- The Post-Imperial Crisis -- Britain and the Beginnings of European Integration -- British Membership and its opponents -- eurosceptic Thatcherism -- a european crisis of the British state -- Labour in power: The Rise and Fall of anglo-europe -- The eurosceptic challenge to the coalition Government conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index

About the Author :
Dr Chris Gifford is the Head of Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Huddersfield where he is a member of the Academy for British and Irish Studies.

Review :
'Not only does this book provide us with an updated analysis of the relationship between the UK and the EU but it offers an essential contribution to the debate about British Euroscepticism. In identifying it as a structural effect of post-imperial change and "integral to the trajectory of the British political order", Gifford gives a new and fascinating perspective to British post-war history.' Agnes Alexandre-Collier, Universite de Bourgogne, France 'For those seeking to make sense of Britain's troubled relationship with Europe, Chris Gifford's historical-political analysis provides a timely and engaging argument. Keeping pace with Eurosceptic politics and theoretical advances, Gifford explains convincingly why Europe was not - nor could ever be - an answer to Britain's post-imperial malaise.' Ben Wellings, Monash University, Australia 'The Making of Eurosceptic Britain is comprehensive in its account of the developments within the party system that have contributed to a hardening of Eurosceptic views, and the argument that it is a result of a post-imperial hangover is persuasive. ... the work is interesting reading for undergraduates interested in the general field of Britain's relationship with Europe. The fact that its narrative remains coherent in the face of five years of substantial change in British Euroscepticism is a testament to its rigour.' LSE Review of Books