Thatcher was a Euro-sceptic who believed integration into Europe was not in the interests of Britain. Controversy over the involvement with the EU was Thatcher’s legacy as she heightened the issue and split the party with such speeches as the Bruges speech in 1988 where she highlighted her opposition to European integration. Her strong opposition to the ERM alienated prominent figures in the conservative party, namely Howe and Lawson who believed the ERM was crucial for Britain’s economy and her stance opposition eventually led to Lawson resigning. The issue raised with Thatcher was over further integration, she knew Britain needed membership to provide employment opportunities, markets and inward investment, however Thatcher felt further integration would damage British sovereignty. Moreover, because of her views, the issue became controversial in which the Euro-sceptics became a powerful group.
In contrast to Thatcher, Major was more pro-European and believed Britain would suffer if it were to remain isolated from the EU but major had to play a delicate game as to not anger the Euro-sceptics as it would of fractured the party. Nevertheless, Major remained committed to Europe even after the ERM crisis in 1992 which destroyed Major’s political credibility and the Conservative’s reputation for a good economic management. Furthermore, Major’s attempts at moving Britain closer to Europe would be more controversial as the public became more sceptical about integration while the position of the Euro-sceptics within the party strengthened. After the crisis the Euro-sceptics saw their opportunity to pull Britain out of Europe with the ratification of the Maastricht treaty in 1993. However, Major was determined to integrate Britain further into Europe, despite the fact it would shatter party unity. By passing the treaty through the House of Commons using a vote of confidence the Euro-sceptics had no choice but to vote for the Maastricht treaty otherwise it would have brought down the government. Major’s actions had shown that he wants Britain further integrated into Europe despite hostility from his party which was the ultimate downfall to the party.
Similarly to John Major, Tony Blair believed in European integration. However, Tony Blair was far more committed to Europe and wanted Britain fully integrated into the European system, as did the subsequent Labour leader, George Brown, who signed the Treaty of Lisbon in 2008. Blair showed he was committed to the EU by abandoning the opt-outs in 1997 on EU employment law and social policy that was enforced with the Maastricht Treaty and by 2007; Blair took the lead in European initiatives on issues such as climate change, world trade and aid for Africa at meetings such as the G8 summit at Gleneagles. From his time as Prime Minister there was pressure from the Euro-sceptics within his party and the public who questioned if he was giving too much control over British affairs to the EU. To appease the Euro-sceptics, Blair spoke in Warsaw which he entitled ‘the third way’, addressing the Euro-sceptics argument that integration is damaging for Britain. He claimed that Britain should follow his third way which would aim to create a Europe based on common economic and political interests, made up of sovereign states. Blair knew he had to disguise the process of integration into Europe, otherwise the same situation that split Major’s government would happen to Blair’s and the third way successfully appeased the Euro-sceptics. The issue of further integration was so controversial that the only way to get Britain further into Europe was to mask the process, as seen with the ratification of the Maastricht treaty and Blair’s third way speech. Nevertheless, Blair wasn’t fully able to integrate Britain fully, as his vision of replacing the pound sterling with the Euro was blocked by Gordon Brown who denounced Blair’s plans, highlighting that Blair’s aims of European integration would never succeed as long as the Euro-sceptics held powerful positions.
British relations with Europe were so contentious because from 1951 the British public have been told different theories as to why Britain needs Europe. Churchill said Britain doesn’t need Europe because of the many colonies and strong economy. But after the decline of the economy, Macmillan told the public Europe is needed in order to revive the economy. Events such as De Gaulle vetoing and Black Wednesday have shrouded the public’s positive attitude towards Europe and there is only a small minority of Pro-Europeans in Britain who accept the whole principle.
