Alarming Drum: Britain's European Dilemma

"Alarming Drum" is a trenchant analysis of the UK's past and present relationship with the European Union, together with a percipient scrutiny of global strategic prospects for the next half century. The economy dominates the investigation, but other components, such as projected military and demographic developments, are also covered. The central thesis is that European countries need treaties to extend the scale and scope of their actions in domains such as trade, defence and security, but the EU treaties actually in force are seriously misconceived. The pending referendum on the Constitution provides a timely opportunity to rethink our commitments. Peter Morgan has lived and worked on the continent for much of his life. He was Marketing Director for IBM Europe and, as Director General of the Institute of Directors, was involved in the negotiations surrounding the Maastricht Treaty, EMU and the Social Chapter. He was one of the UK delegates to the Brussels-based European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), for which he was awarded an MBE in 2003.

Table of Contents:
PART I: Misconceived Union? =========================== 1. A Fundamental Misconception 2. 'Ever-Closer Union' 3. EU Institutions 4. Democracy and Liberty 5. 'United in Diversity' 6. EU Achievement 7. Superpower 8. The Future of Europe 9. The Constitution 10. The Charter of Fundamental Rights PART II: Misconceived Destiny? =============================== 11. EU Stagnation 12. UK Resurgence 13. 'Better Off Out?' 14. FDI and Globalisation 15. The UK in the 21st Century 16. The New World Order Conclusion APPENDIX I: Chronology 1944-2004 ================================ 1. ECSC/EEC/EC/EU 2. Atlantic Alliance APPENDIX II: Countries and Regions of Europe ============================================ (a) Western Europe (b) Atlantic & Mediterranean Europe (c) Northern Europe (d) Central Europe (e) South East Europe (f) Eastern Europe (g) Russia and the Trans-Caucasus (h) The CIS in the New World Order

About the Author :
Peter Morgan read history at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Thirty years as an IBM executive included eight years' residence in Paris while assigned to the headquarters of IBM Europe. During a five year appointment as Director General of the Institute of Directors he was involved in the public policy issues relating to the introduction of the Single Market and the preparation for the Maastricht Treaty and the battles over ERM, EMU, the Social Charter and working time. After the IoD he was for eight years a UK delegate to the Brussels-based European Economic and Social Committee which was deeply involved in the development of the EU and its powers, for which he was awarded an MBE in 2003. He has first-hand knowledge of Europe and the EU. He wrote this book to share his insights with a wider audience because Britain's European dilemma has such profound consequences.

Review :
"It is reassuring to find that the debate over Britain's membership of the European Union is alive and well." -- Alasdair Blair Political Studies Review "This book is a mine of facts and data which are likely to be used by everyone writing or speaking about the EU for a long time to come." -- John Mills Eurofacts "Alarming Drum is the product of intensive research and as such is a valuable resource for anyone who needs easy access to the facts... Recent events would justify a chapter entitled 'Told You So' in any future edition." -- Matthew Attwood The European Journal "An authoritative history and critique... characterised by a refreshing lack of hysteria." -- This England This England "An extensive, refreshingly independent critique of the EU's accumulating economic, legal and political disadvantages." -- David Ashton England's Standard "The taramasalata of EU studies: key seasoning for a feast." -- Lee Rotherham Salisbury Review "Peter Morgan shines a laser beam into the Euro-fog through which those who would betray Britain into the hands of a continental power seek to shroud their purposes." -- Peter Jay Peter Jay "Peter Morgan has done a thorough and masterly job of analysing Britain's relationship with the EU - political, legal and economic. His book is also a timely brief for the British people on the draft EU Constitution. It should be widely read." -- Professor Patrick Minford, Cardiff Business School Professor Patrick Minford, Cardiff Business School "For those who want to see through and beyond the present blur of arguments and assertions about Britain's role in Europe, and about shared European foreign policy, 'Alarming Drum' is the book to read. It shatters the myth that Britain is faced with a 'take it or leave it' choice in European affairs and shows with piercing accuracy where Britain's best interests in the coming global order really lie." -- Lord David Howell Lord David Howell "Peter Morgan has written a challenging and important analysis of the most fundamental issue in British politics today." -- Professor Tim Congdon, Lombard Street Research Professor Tim Congdon, Lombard Street Research "This is an important book for all those who want to know how the European Union went wrong, how it fails to meet the challenges of the modern world, and what Britain can do about it." -- Rt. Hon. David Heathcoat-Amory MP Rt. Hon. David Heathcoat-Amory MP "The debate on Britain's membership of and relationship with the other member states of the EU is surely one that can only intensify. The more informed argument made available to support this all-important debate the better and I welcome 'Alarming Drum' as a very useful, timely and constructive contribution." -- Ruth Lea, Director, Centre for Policy Studies Ruth Lea, Director, Centre for Policy Studies "A timely and thoughtful work that helpfully clarifies the failure of the government to grasp adequately the practice of national interest." -- Professor Jeremy Black, University of Exeter Professor Jeremy Black, University of Exeter