Remaining or Leaving?

Abstract

Economic pragmatism in relation to EU matters has characterised the approach of British governments ever since the beginnings of the integration project and it also pervades the Eurosceptic novels. Here, membership in the EU, frequently equated with the single market, appears to be a good thing as long as Britain benefits from it economically, while a full monetary and economic union is strongly rejected. The final analysis chapter closely examines the different scenarios that the novels suggest for the future of Britain—within or outside the EU. It illustrates that the Eurosceptic novels do not remain within the classic dystopian resistance plot structure, but rather include open endings which are characteristic of the so-called critical dystopias. With regard to the British EU relationship, most of the novels envision future forms of cooperation outside a supranational framework. In three novels, the UK eventually leaves the EU (Brexit) and seeks different trading alliances with Europe, the US and the Commonwealth nations. The economic dimension of European integration appears to play a decisive role with regard to the novels’ outcomes: the UK’s economic orientation (e.g. preference of neo-liberal ideas) is said to set the British apart from EUrope.