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The British position was special for at least three reasons: - British state doctrine has always been: We are the empire, the natural rulers of the world. We o
by sgift 7y ago
The British position was special for at least three reasons:
- British state doctrine has always been: We are the empire, the natural rulers of the world. We only live by chance near the rest of Europe, so we have to interact with the continent at bit more
- Britain was a net payer. We may strive for that to not be relevant, but if you pay you have influence
- Britain got many exceptions to the usual rules that allowed them to further their position
No other country has that combination, so the EU "skepticism" of others countries is less important, though there's still danger. We'll see how that plays out in the end, but still: GBs position was in many ways unique. Even if GB rejoined in a few years it probably wouldn't be the same.
- Chris2048 7y ago> Britain got many exceptions to the usual rules that allowed them to further their position Can you explain what you mean?
- gumby 7y agoThe rebate is (was) the biggie.
- 781 7y agoBritain was allowed to not follow many EU laws, for example they were allowed to keep the pound and not join the Euro as the treaties mandate.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- jddj 7y agoI'm not GP, but the UK has negotiated four opt-outs (you could also include Cameron's pre-referendum requests). This is more than any other EU country. The economic and monetary union (the euro), Schengen, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and "the area of freedom, security and justice".