An in/out referendum on Britain's place in the European Union is now confirmed for 23rd June 2016. What are the facts about the powers that the EU holds and what is the reform or renegotiation that might be needed? This book looks beyond the headlines and analyses the truth behind the rhetoric.

Summary

Following the agreement made by Prime Minister David Cameron with the EU on 18-19 February 2016, the day for the referendum for the UK to remain in or leave the EU is set for 23 June 2016. This will be the most important decision taken by the British people in half a century, and whose consequences will live on for another half century.The first edition of this book, published in March 2015, laid the foundations for any objective assessment of the workings of the EU and the UK’s place in it. It was widely acclaimed and rated as “a myth-breaking exercise of the best kind”.This second edition adds a substantial new chapter following Cameron’s agreement with the EU and announcement of the referendum. It reviews both the ‘Plan A’, namely the status quo for the UK in the EU as amended by the new agreement, and three variants of a ‘Plan B’ for secession. The key point is that the ‘leave’ camp have not done their homework or ‘due diligence’ to specify the post-secession scenario, or how the British government would face up to the challenges that this would bring. The authors therefore do the ‘leave’ camp’s homework for them, setting out three Plan Bs more concretely and in more depth than the ‘leave’ camp have been able or wanted to do, or any other source has done. The book is therefore unique and essential reading for anyone concerned with the fateful choice that lies soon ahead.

Reviews

Emerson and his fellow authors deserve congratulations for producing a book that uses hard evidence to set out the arguments with clarity and common sense. Financial Times

An absolutely invaluable resource for anyone concerned with Britain’s evolving relationship with the European Union.


Professor Lord Anthony Giddens, London School of Economics

In the finest tradition of British pragmatism: a much needed injection of common sense and seriousness into the British debate on Europe. François Heisbourg, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, Paris

This is a comprehensive and cogent analysis of the British government’s review of EU competences. While the government was reluctant to draw conclusions from its own review, the CEPS researchers are bolder. Charles Grant, Director of the Centre for European Reform, London

This extraordinarily fair-minded and balanced book is a myth-busting exercise of the best kind. Meticulously boiling down every single European policy field to its very essence, the authors (one of Europe's leading think tank teams) are replacing misperception and misrepresentation with sober facts and sound assessments. Jan Techau, Director of Carnegie Europe

Table of Contents

Glossary / About the authors / Preface / Executive Summary – Common sense and noble idea / Part I - Questions / 1. What is the Balance of Competences Review? / 2. What are the EU’s competences? / 3. What are the underlying issues? / Part II - Evidence / 1. Core single market policies / 2. Sectoral policies / 3. Economic, monetary and social policies / 4. Justice and home affairs / 5. Education, research and culture / 6. External relations / 7. General issues / Part III – Conclusions / 1. By groups of policies / 2. By reform, renegotiation, or repatriation / 3. Contemplating secession / Appendix A. Balance of Competences Review – Schedule of the British governments’ work / Index / List of Boxes and Figure

Contributors: Graham Avery / Miroslav Beblavý / Arno Behrens / Steven Blockmans / Hugo Brady / Michael Emerson / Daniel Gros / Alzbeta Hájková / Karel Lannoo / Adam Łazowski / Jorge Núñez Ferrer / Steve Peers / Michael Wriglesworth

Author Bio

Michael Emerson is Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.