U.K., E.U. & Social Charter

[Greadius]

I have to write a paper on why the UK opted out of the EU's social charter.

I've already began my research, but I'm unclear on several big issues, like what exactly the social charter entails.

Plus I want to know what the Brits & the Euro's think, since they know much more than I do

So, what is the social charter, and why are the British afraid of it?

 

[insurgent]

Europhobia + Arrogance = Britain

 

[knowltok2]

Originally posted by insurgent
Europhobia + Arrogance = Britain

I'm sure that is exactly the level of depth and analysis his assignment is looking for.

I am looking forward to reading this thread, and potentially your paper when you are finished. Good luck on the research.

 

[insurgent]

Well, allright, I could do better than that... I would also like to read the assignment.

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Greadius
I have to write a paper on why the UK opted out of the EU's social charater.

Are we talking about The Social Charter, or The Social Chapter?

 

[amadeus]

First, with the European Union, change the name of your paper to the "E.U. Socialism Charter"

Why the Brits kicked Thatcher out is beyond me...

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
Why the Brits kicked Thatcher out is beyond me...

Her own party kicked her out. She was becoming an utter electoral liability.

See the 'poll tax' for details.

 

[amadeus]

I know the Conservative Party kicked her out...

Second, the Conservatives didn't even pick someone from the right of center! They pretty much may as well have changed their name to the "New" Labour party.

 

[Crazy Eddie]

The tories are more or less split between the pro-Europe and anti-Europe sides of the party, so every leader scince Thatcher has been a compromise (ie. useless) candidate.

 

[amadeus]

Yeah, the infighting in the Conservative party has to stop before real movement can be made, i.e., keeping the pound and limited interaction with the European Union.

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Crazy Eddie
The tories are more or less split between the pro-Europe and anti-Europe sides of the party, so every leader scince Thatcher has been a compromise (ie. useless) candidate.

What about Hague? He was hardly Mr compromise, with regards to the whole issue, was he!

I find this slightly laughable really, when you consider how much John Major's party nearly came about at the seams over the issue. Hardly a compromise candidate.

In reality, you're going to get one person from one of the two camps, and until those two camps resolve their differences, the whole issue will be a disaster for the conservatives. (and has been)

 

[Crazy Eddie]

Do you really think that Hague was anyones first choice as party leader?

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
Yeah, the infighting in the Conservative party has to stop before real movement can be made, i.e., keeping the pound and limited interaction with the European Union.

Errrrr.

That's their present policy.

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by Crazy Eddie
Do you really think that Hague was anyones first choice as party leader?

Nobody who was sane, certainly.

 

[Crazy Eddie]

I'm stunned Hamlet - we actually agree on something.

 

[magic-monkey]

To go from William Hague to Iain Duncan Smith is almost as baffling. "So, a bald, europhobic, right winger with minimal charisma led us to utter defeat in the last election, what we need is someone.... balder, more europhobic, further right and with even less charisma!"

To his credit, IDS appears to have led his party on a somewhat more centrist route than expected. However, I'd imagine that's more to do with his own personal weakness rather than any sudden conversion to liberalism.

Oh, and if someones wondering why the British kicked thatcher out, perhaps they've probably not been ill in the UK recently, or had the misfortune to be educated there, or for that matter even visited the, cough, "industrial" areas in the North.

 

[Greadius]

So... the topic has been kind of waylaid here...

From my extensive *coughtwentyminutes* research, I've discovered something called the Maastricht treaty, which was the foundation of the EU. And John Major was the PM, so its not about Thatcher or Hague or any of those others...

Anyway, the Social Charter deals primarily with workers rights, or am I missing something?
My ability to find a decent definition for the Social charter is really hampering my progress... as is procrastination.

 

[magic-monkey]

er, sorry. Yeah, maastricht. I believe the treaty was partly negotiated by Francis Maude, financial secretary to the Treasury at the time. This kind of undermined his later crowing euro-scepticism as shadow foreign secretary. I believe Norman Lamont was still chancellor at the time, and he was among the sceptics.

John Major was primarily a coalition bulider as Prime Minister, in contrast to his authoratrian predecessor dear old Maggy. Due to his lack of major ministerial experience ( he was rapidly fast tracked through a series of major jobs, without really settling in any where) and his lack of charisma he couldn't really stamp his authority on the party. Also, the tory party were more interested in clawing at each other than engaging in any kind of coalition or co operation. The major issue responsible for this intense dis unity was that of Europe. His position wasn't helped, either, by Maggy lobbing increasingly eurosceptic hand grenades into the mix at every opportunity. Negotiating an opt out was seen as a "victory" over the forces of european federalism etc. The arguments were that the granting workers excessive rights would damage the competetiveness of british industry.

Anyway, this is a fairly limited version of my limited knowledge on the topic, and stuff that you could probably guess anyway. Hopefully the debate will prove useful.