4. Britain and Her European Neighbours

After the Second World War European countries realized that the only way to prevent a new war was some form of integration. Economic and military integra­tion was begun by the Brussels Treaty in 1948 and NATO in 1949.

Initially, Britain was against economic union because she was already en­gaged in different political relationships — the Commonwealth and the special re­lationship with the USA and Europe. The transatlantic relations between the USA and Britain very soon proved that Britain was not considered equal. Though after the war Britain saw herself as a part of the "Big Three", the world had been already divided between two superpowers — the USA and the USSR.

So, during 15 years after the war, Britain remained detached from closer un­ion with European countries — she did not take part in the Coal and Steel Com­munity in 1952 and the 1957 Treaty of Rome, which led to the creation of the Common Market.

In 1961, when Britain eventually applied for the member­ship in the European Economic Community (EEC), her applica­tion was vetoed by France. The situation repeated itself in 1967. Only a third attempt to join EEC was successful — in January 1972 a treaty admitting Britain into EEC was signed. She joined the Community along with Ireland and Denmark.

For a long period the relations between Britain and EEC remained diffi­cult— the Thatcher Government tried to establish for Britain a special role in Europe and in the Commonwealth to protect British economic and diplomatic in­terests. In 1981, the Labour Party Manifesto also called for Britain's withdrawal from the European Community.

In 1990, when the John Major government came to power, a more favourable attitude towards EEC was established. It was continued by the Tony Blair Labour Party Government. Though today Britain's policy towards European Unity changed, the attitude to this membership still remains ambiguous. On the one hand, this is seen as an economic necessity and a political advantage, on the other hand, no one expresses much enthusiasm. Britain still views herself as a country with a special role in the world politics. British opposition to European federalism is deeply rooted in British political philosophy, history and culture, and will not be easy to overcome.