Chapter 2
The Road to Brexit: The UK’s Rocky Relationship with the EU
IN THIS CHAPTER
Eyeing up Europe amidst the decline of an empire
Joining the European Economic Community in the 1970s
Transferring more power to the EU, and the rise of Euroscepticism
Deciding to “put the issue to bed” with a referendum
Zeroing in on the referendum battle lines
Just because you live next door to someone doesn’t mean you’re always going to get along. Sure, she lent you some coffee that time, but she also plays loud music at 4 a.m. The same is (sort of) true of the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. They may be neighbors, but they haven’t always enjoyed the easiest relationship.
Many people believe that the catalyst for Brexit was the rise of nationalism and, in particular, the emergence of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP). But dig a little deeper and it’s clear that cracks began to show many years ...
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