Britain in Europe

Abstract

No modern textbook on the British political system can afford to ignore Britain’s membership of the European Union and still be an accurate and complete reflection of contemporary political realities. The vast network of economic and political relationships which this involves and especially the legal and constitutional issues which it raises, are essential to a proper understanding of contemporary British politics. Things have not been the same for Britain ever since it joined the European Community (as the European Union was then called) in January 1973. Even more significant changes are taking place under the aegis of the 1986 Single European Act (which made possible the European Single Market) and the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht (which foreshadows European Monetary Union by the end of the century). It is therefore essential to include in this book a substantial chapter on Britain in Europe and to take full account of the European dimension of British politics in every other chapter where it is relevant.