DOCSLIB.ORG

Brexit, Trade Tariffs and the Battle to Ensure British Sugar Hits Sweet Spot Brexit, Trade Tariffs and the Battle to Ensure Brit

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Brexit, Trade Tariffs and the Battle to Ensure British Sugar Hits Sweet Spot Brexit, Trade Tariffs and the Battle to Ensure Brit Saturday January 6th 2018 the times | Saturday January 6 2018 1GM 57 the times | Saturday January 6 2018 1GM 57 TheThe Manifesto ManifestoBusinessBusiness Brexit,Brexit, tradetrade tariffstariffs andand thethe battlebattle toto ensureensure BritishBritish SugarSugar hitshits sweetsweet spotspot SWNS FOR THE TIMES SWNS FOR THE TIMES Paul Kenward has toto get get it itto to the the level level of of purity purity we we have have Paul Kenward has inin one one pass pass at at a abeet beet factory.” factory.” developeddeveloped a a taste taste for for That’sThat’s because because “the “the sugar sugar beet beet is isa a machinemachine for for turning turning sunshine sunshine into into oneone of of the the UK’s UK’s less less energyenergy and and into into sugar” sugar” and and because because BritishBritish growers growers had had improved improved their their celebratedcelebrated products, products, yieldyield by by 25 25 per per cent cent in in the the past past writes Marcus Leroux decade.decade. “European “European beet beet is issome some of of writes Marcus Leroux thethe most most cost-efficient cost-efficient sugar sugar in in the the world.world. The The yield yield we we get get per per hectare hectare of of s sa a procession procession of of lorries lorries landland is is higher higher than than it itis isin in Brazil, Brazil, andand tractors tractors dumped dumped their their Thailand.Thailand. And And the the factories factories are are very very cargoescargoes at at a a factory factory in in efficientefficient as as well.” well.” Newark,Newark, Paul Paul Kenward Kenward BritishBritish Sugar Sugar has has four four such such waswas surveying surveying not not the the factories,factories, where where the the beets beets are are Agrowing mounds of beets, soily, carried by conveyor into a flume, Agrowing mounds of beets, soily, carried by conveyor into a flume, misshapenmisshapen lumps lumps that that look look like like wherewhere they they are are washed washed and and sliced sliced into into parsnipsparsnips on on steroids, steroids, but but one one of of slim,slim, chip-like chip-like shapes shapes called called cossettes. cossettes. Brexit’sBrexit’s innumerable innumerable battlelines. battlelines. TheThe sugar sugar is is extracted extracted and and the the OnOn one one side side are are commercial commercial solutionsolution made made continuously continuously more more interestsinterests and and pro-leave pro-leave MPs, MPs, the the likes likes concentratedconcentrated through through several several stages stages ofof American American Sugar Sugar Refining, Refining, owner owner of of ofof being being boiled boiled in in a avacuum. vacuum. Staff Staff in in a a thethe Tate Tate & & Lyle Lyle brand, brand, which which controlcontrol room room look look at at the the sugar sugar campaignedcampaigned loudly loudly for for Britain Britain to to crystalscrystals forming forming to to ensure ensure that that leaveleave the the European European Union Union so so that that it it nothingnothing happens happens too too quickly quickly or or too too couldcould be be free free to to import import cheap cheap raw raw slowlyslowly (because (because an an unusual unusual granule granule sugarsugar cane cane from from sunnier sunnier climes, climes, and and sizesize can can cause cause havoc havoc for for the the food food anan influential influential cabal cabal of of Conservatives, Conservatives, manufacturers).manufacturers). whowho identify identify sugar sugar as as a a classic classic case case of of ItIt is is an an energy-intensive energy-intensive process, process, EUEU protectionism. protectionism. One One of of their their butbut besides besides the the sweet sweet stuff stuff British British number,number, Daniel Daniel Hannan, Hannan, the the MEP MEP SugarSugar throws throws off off an an enormous enormous consideredconsidered by by many many to to be be one one of of the the amountamount of of byproducts, byproducts, including including intellectualintellectual driving driving forces forces of of Brexit, Brexit, electricityelectricity from from the the steam steam it itgenerates generates saidsaid last last month: month: “We “We shouldn’t shouldn’t be be andand animal animal feed feed from from the the beet beet growinggrowing beet beet at at all. all. It’s It’s a a crop crop created created leftovers.leftovers. Some Some of of the the soil soil washed washed off off byby distortive distortive subsidies.” subsidies.” thethe vegetables vegetables ended ended up up in in the the OnOn the the other other side side is is Mr Mr Kenward. Kenward. OlympicOlympic Park. Park. Even Even the the pebbles pebbles end end TheThe boss boss of of British British Sugar, Sugar, the the sole sole upup in in fish fish tanks. tanks. purchaserpurchaser of of Britain’s Britain’s beet beet crop, crop, is is IfIf Mr Mr Kenward, Kenward, 45, 45, defends defends his his alarmedalarmed by by calls calls to to scrap scrap the the EU’s EU’s industryindustry with with the the zealousness zealousness of of a a protectiveprotective tariff tariff on on sugar sugar imports, imports, persuadedpersuaded convert, convert, that’s that’s because because he he fearingfearing in in turn turn that that Britain Britain could could is.is. After After spending spending a afew few years years in in becomebecome a a dumping dumping groud groud for for cheap, cheap, consultancyconsultancy helping helping companies companies to to subsidisedsubsidised sugar sugar and and arguing arguing that that adjustadjust to to the the early early days days of of internet internet “all“all we we ask ask for for in in world world sugar sugar is is a a level level disruption,disruption, he he set set up up his his own own tailoring tailoring playingplaying field. field. business,business, which which he he sold sold before before taking taking “That“That will will mean mean different different things things to to a ajob job at at Associated Associated British British Foods’ Foods’ differentdifferent people, people, but but to to us us sugar sugar beet beet smallsmall central central function. function. Then Then he he growngrown in in the the UK UK is is grown grown without without becamebecame a aright-hand right-hand man man to to George George directdirect subsidy. subsidy. We’re We’re not not subsidised. subsidised. Weston,Weston, the the company’s company’s overall overall boss boss There’sThere’s no no specific specific tax tax treatment treatment for for TheThe EU EU sugar sugar market market is is being being liberalised liberalised just just as as Britain Britain is is leaving leaving the the bloc, bloc, but but Paul Paul Kenward Kenward sees sees big big opportunities opportunities ahead ahead andand scion scion of of the the Weston Weston dynasty dynasty that that BritishBritish sugar sugar or or its its growers. growers. controlscontrols most most of of ABF’s ABF’s shares. shares. “If“If you you look look at at Brazil, Brazil, Thailand, Thailand, HeHe believes believes that that his his background background as as India,India, that’s that’s not not the the case. case. It’s It’s a a very very seekingseeking out out challenges challenges and and WhatWhat is is your your favourite favourite Hall,Hall, Oxford Oxford University, University, a aconsultant consultant is is coming coming in in useful. useful. The The politicalpolitical product product in in those those countries countries meaningfulmeaningful work work televisiontelevision programme? programme? modernmodern history history EUEU sugar sugar market market is is being being liberalised, liberalised, andand sugar sugar is is very very heavily heavily supported.” supported.” WhatWhat has has been been the the most most FrasierFrasier, below., below. Wonderful Wonderful Career:Career: 1992: 1992: scholar, scholar, justjust in in time time for for Britain Britain leaving leaving the the SupportSupport that that includes includes volume volume QQ&&AA importantimportant event event in in your your characters,characters, beautifully beautifully ArthurArthur Andersen; Andersen; 1996: 1996: bloc.bloc. This This means means that that prices prices are are no no quotas,quotas, export export price price guarantees guarantees and and workingworking life? life? writtenwritten and and acted acted president,president, Oxford Oxford Union; Union; longerlonger propped propped up up by by restrictions restrictions on on softsoft loans, loans, a a language language evocative evocative of of a a WhoWho has has been been your your JoiningJoining ABF ABF in in 2007. 2007. It It feels feels WhatWhat does does leadership leadership 1996:1996: associate, associate, OC&C OC&C production,production, but, but, on on the the other other hand, hand, it it bygonebygone era era of of policy policy and and one one with with mentor?mentor? likelike a anatural natural home home, with, with a a meanmean to to you? you? StrategyStrategy Consultants; Consultants; isis free free to to export. export. whichwhich Britain Britain must must reacquaint reacquaint itself itself AtAt EMI EMI I Iloved loved working working for for blendblend of of real real autonomy autonomy for for TellingTelling a acompelling compelling story story. 1999:1999: commercial commercial director, director, “It“It is is such such a atransformation transformation that that is is afterafter leaving leaving the the European European bloc. bloc. PeterPeter Palmer, Palmer, who who was was the the trustedtrusted management management teams teams LeadersLeaders need need to to listen listen to to Europe,Europe, EMI EMI Recorded Recorded happeninghappening and and needs needs to to happen happen at at “The“The only only country country in in the the world world seniorsenior vice-president vice-president, , andand support support from from a a(mostly) (mostly) customers,customers, suppliers suppliers and and Music;Music; 2002: 2002: founder, founder, BritishBritish Sugar.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • OPENING PANDORA's BOX David Cameron's Referendum Gamble On
    OPENING PANDORA’S BOX David Cameron’s Referendum Gamble on EU Membership Credit: The Economist. By Christina Hull Yale University Department of Political Science Adviser: Jolyon Howorth April 21, 2014 Abstract This essay examines the driving factors behind UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to call a referendum if the Conservative Party is re-elected in 2015. It addresses the persistence of Euroskepticism in the United Kingdom and the tendency of Euroskeptics to generate intra-party conflict that often has dire consequences for Prime Ministers. Through an analysis of the relative impact of political strategy, the power of the media, and British public opinion, the essay argues that addressing party management and electoral concerns has been the primary influence on David Cameron’s decision and contends that Cameron has unwittingly unleashed a Pandora’s box that could pave the way for a British exit from the European Union. Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank the Bates Summer Research Fellowship, without which I would not have had the opportunity to complete my research in London. To Professor Peter Swenson and the members of The Senior Colloquium, Gabe Botelho, Josh Kalla, Gabe Levine, Mary Shi, and Joel Sircus, who provided excellent advice and criticism. To Professor David Cameron, without whom I never would have discovered my interest in European politics. To David Fayngor, who flew halfway across the world to keep me company during my summer research. To my mom for her unwavering support and my dad for his careful proofreading. And finally, to my adviser Professor Jolyon Howorth, who worked with me on this project for over a year and a half.
    [Show full text]
  • IEA Brexit Prize: the Plan to Leave the European Union by 2020 by Daniel
    IEA Brexit Prize: The plan to leave the European Union by 2020 by Daniel. C. Pycock FINALIST: THE BREXIT PRIZE 2014 IEA BREXIT PRIZE 3 3 Executive Summary 3 A Rebuttal to Targeting Exchange Rates with Monetary Policy I – THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS FOR LEAVING THE EUROPEAN UNION 6 V – FISCAL POLICY: SPENDING PRIORITIES The Constitutional Processes of Leaving the AND TAX REFORMS 28 European Union On the repatriation of, and necessary reforms to, The articles of the proposed “Treaty of London” Value Added Tax 2017 On the Continuation of Current Corporation Tax The impact of BREXIT on the United Trends, and Reforms to Individual Taxation Kingdom’s Trade Position On The Desirable Restructuring of Income Tax The European Union, Unemployment, and Rates: The History of the Laffer Curve Trading Position post-withdrawal On Government Spending and the Need to Improve GAAP use in Cost Calculations II – THE IMPACT OF BREXIT ON THE UNITED KINGDOM’S TRADE POSITION 10 Suggestions for savings to be made in Defence, Health, Welfare, and Overall Spending Trends in UK Trade with the EU and the Commonwealth, and their shares of Global VI.I – ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE 34 GDP The Mismatch of Policy with Hypothesis: Climate The UK and the Commonwealth: The Return of Change, Energy and the Environment an Imperial Trading Zone? The Unintended Consequences of the European The Trends of Trading: The UK’s Future Union’s Environmental Policies. Exports & Those of Trading Organisations Fracking, Fossil Fuels, and Feasibility: How to Unemployment in the European Union,
    [Show full text]
  • The Road to Nexit a Look Into Dutch Euroscepticism
    The road to Nexit A look into Dutch Euroscepticism FINAL EXAM PROJECT 8 June 2018 Sofyan El Bouchtili Sofyan EL Bouchtili Europe in the World 2017-2018 Examiner: Asbjørn Jørgensen Final Exam Project 8 June 2018 Table of Contents ON THE ROAD TO NEXIT (25.079 CHARACTERS)……………………………………………………………………………….3 REFLECTION REPORT (17.760 CHARACTERS)……………………………………………………………………………………17 SOURCE LIST .............................................................................................................................. 24 2 Sofyan EL Bouchtili Europe in the World 2017-2018 Examiner: Asbjørn Jørgensen Final Exam Project 8 June 2018 Link to story on Medium: https://medium.com/@elbouchtili.sofyan/on-the-road-to-nexit-9eac93f9dd48 On the road to Nexit Brexit caused a shock to the process of European integration and has left many Eurosceptic parties with the idea that an exit from the European integration project is possible after all. In the Netherlands a new party is advocating for a Nexit. Forum for Democracy has set its sights on the exit door, but to leave the Union they have another challenge first: convincing the Dutch. Daniel Hannan, British Conservative and Member of the European Parliament, came to speak about ‘Brexit, and the opportunities for the Netherlands’. Photo: Sofyan El Bouchtili “I drank champagne on the morning of the results of the referendum”, says one of the youths as he congratulates British Conservative and Member of the European Parliament Daniel Hannan on Brexit. Brexiteer Daniel Hannan was invited to an event at the Red Hat in Amsterdam on 25 May. The renowned debating center in the heart of the historic center of the city was the venue of choice for Forum for Democracy to talk about ‘Brexit and the opportunities for the Netherlands’.
    [Show full text]
  • The Truth and Facts Behind the Deceptive Eurosceptic Arguments
    1 MYTHS SUMMARY BRAND EU European Union Brand Centre EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Top 10 Myths about the EU The truth and facts behind the deceptive Eurosceptic arguments. TM 500 million people. One Brand brandeu.eu BRAND EUTM MEDIA FOUNDING PARTNERS goldmercury.orgPARTNER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - DEMYSTIFYING EUROSCEPTIC MYTHS 10 Key Eurosceptic Myths about the EU MYTH REALITY 1 THE EU IS BIG, There are fewer than 27,000 full-blown Eurocrats to serve an EU population of COSTLY AND more than half a billion people. By contrast, Britain has just under half a million civil INEFFICIENT servants, 158 times as many as the EU Commission, on a per capita basis (Social Europe Journal, 2009). 2 THE EU’S BUDGET IS The EU budget is smaller than that of a medium sized member state like Austria or EXCESSIVE Belgium. The EU budget costs around 1% of the EU’s total GDP, compared to the average member states’ budgets which cost around 44% of their total GDPs. The EU budget is always balanced, too (European Commission, 2014). 3 THE EU DICTATES More politically neutral sources (such as a comprehensive House of Commons AROUND 75% OF report in 2010, and a study by EUROPP at the London School of Economics) found a UK LAWS more reasonable figure to be around 15%. It is a bad idea to use the percentage of laws as an indicator for the degree of European influence anyway, as such a figure assumes the impact of all laws to be the same, and all degrees of EU influence in those laws to be the same too.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Journal C 350 E Volume 44 of the European Communities 11 December 2001
    ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 350 E Volume 44 of the European Communities 11 December 2001 English edition Information and Notices Notice No Contents Page I (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER (2001/C 350 E/001) E-3040/00 by Joachim Wuermeling to the Commission Subject: Discrimination against PVC products in Denmark (Supplementary Answer) .................. 1 (2001/C 350 E/002) E-3148/00 by Ilda Figueiredo to the Commission Subject: Use of Community funds (Supplementary Answer) ............................... 2 (2001/C 350 E/003) E-3570/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs to the Commission Subject: ‘Bio’, ‘organically grown’ and ‘organic’ descriptions ............................... 3 (2001/C 350 E/004) E-3577/00 by Riitta Myller to the Commission Subject: Energy co-operation with Russia .......................................... 4 (2001/C 350 E/005) E-3757/00 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya to the Commission Subject: Interreg programme ................................................. 5 (2001/C 350 E/006) E-3821/00 by W.G. van Velzen to the Commission Subject: Follow-up question on international roaming charges for mobile telephones ................. 5 (2001/C 350 E/007) E-4017/00 by Elizabeth Lynne to the Commission Subject: Longline fishing ................................................... 7 (2001/C 350 E/008) E-4137/00 by Jeffrey Titford to the Commission Subject: Sea fishing with longlines ............................................. 8 (2001/C 350 E/009) E-0067/01 by Camilo Nogueira Román to the Commission Subject: Talks between the Commissioner Frank Fischler and the Moroccan Prime Minister and other members of the Government concerning the fisheries agreement between the European Union and Morocco .......... 9 (2001/C 350 E/010) E-0133/01 by Christopher Huhne to the Commission Subject: Schemes to vary national demand ........................................
    [Show full text]
  • The All-In-One Audiobook
    THE ALL-IN-ONE AUDIOBOOK “Hannan’s book is essential intellectual equipment for Tea Partiers everywhere.” – The Weekly Standard In March 2009 British conservative Daniel Hannan became an overnight celebrity when he assailed Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the floor of the European parliament. The YouTube clip went viral, leading to whirlwind appearances on FOX and other conservative media outlets. A thoughtful and articulate spokesman for conservative ideas, Hannan is better versed in America’s traditions and founding documents than many Americans are. In The New Road to Serfdom, Hannan argues forcefully and passionately that Americans must not allow Barack Obama to take us down the road to EU-style social democracy. Instead, he pleads with Americans not to abandon the founding principles that made this country a beacon of liberty for the rest of the world. Daniel Hannan is a conservative British member of the EU parliament. He was president of the Oxford Conservative Association and has been a columnist for the Daily Telegraph since 1996. He was elected to the EU in 1999 at the age of 28 and has been twice reelected. With acting credits that span stage and screen, Gildart Jackson is most often recognized for his role as Gideon on Charmed. Theater roles include Trigorin in The Seagull, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Adrian in Private Eyes at the Old Globe. Running Time: Approx. 4.5 Hours • Unabridged This recording of the book The New Road to Serfdom, by Daniel Hannan is © 2010 Daniel Hannan and 2010 Dreamscape Media, LLC. Produced by arrangement with HarperCollins Publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 of 3 BBC NEWS | Programmes | Analysis | Divorcing Europe
    BBC NEWS | Programmes | Analysis | Divorcing Europe Page 1 of 3 Explore the BBC Home Search Low graphics | Accessibility help News services Your news when you BBC NEWS CHANNEL want it News Front Page Page last updated at 13:09 GMT, Monday, 16 November 2009 World E-mail this to a friend Printable version UK Divorcing Europe England BBC Radio 4's Analysis: Northern Ireland Divorcing Europe is Scotland broadcast on Monday 16 Wales November at 20.30 BST. Business Politics Read the programme transcript Health Home Education The Lisbon Treaty might not be About the programme Science & your idea of a page-turner but Contact us Environment there is, buried within it, a What would be the consequences of Technology surprise: "Any member state withdrawing from the EU? FAQs Entertainment may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its SEARCH ANALYSIS: Also in the news own constitutional requirements." ----------------- Video and Audio The Treaty goes on to set out, for the first time, the process a PODCAST ----------------- member state would follow if it chose to leave the EU. Have Your Say Download or subscribe to Magazine Polls consistently reveal a large body of opinion - sometimes this programme's podcast In Pictures up to 50% - in favour of withdrawal. Country Profiles Special Reports The popular and politic debate is intense. But what would actually happen if Britain did, one day, choose to leave? For SEE ALSO If the UK left the EU what would RELATED BBC SITES Analysis Chris Bowlby set out to answer that little-discussed the consequences be? SPORT question.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Post-Event Brochure
    MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT It was my great honour to welcome you all to ACRE’s Summer Gala Dinner. The Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) is Europe’s leading Conservative movement. Since our foundation in 2009, we have become one of the most important pro-market, pro-transatlantic European political groups. We count more than 36 parties and an active family of representatives in the European Parliament, Council of Europe, Committee of Regions and NATO Parliamentary Assembly. United by our Centre-Right values expressed in the Reykjavik Declaration, ACRE is dedicated to individual liberty, national sovereignty, parliamentary democracy, private property, limited government, free trade, family values and the devolution of power. These values underpin our politics, including our vision for the reform of the European Union. Europe faces a crossroads and ACRE’s agenda for reform has never been more salient. Join our movement, and help advance a Europe - and a world - of free peoples, free nations and free markets. Jan Zahradil MEP ACRE President Château de Grand-Bigard Visitors are always amazed when discovering Belgium through its national monuments and historic castles. The province of Brabant is host to a number of these majestic castles and palaces that have stood the test of time. In the pretty town of Grand-Bigard, 7 km west of Brussels is one of the best preserved castles in the country. The castle of Grand-Bigard dates back to the 12th century, and is surrounded by a wide moat, and a crown of centuries-old beech trees. The bridge which has five arches, is flanked by two heraldic sculptures from the seventeenth century, the gatehouse itself dates from the fourteenth century.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Directors
    From the directors The Adam Smith Institute is one of the world’s leading To promote these same ideals today, the Adam Smith policy think tanks. Yet our aim is not just to think about Institute has assembled Westminster’s most talented and public policy: our aim is to change events. effective policy team. In the last year, they have trebled our media exposure. We are doing more, and better- Clear principles assist us in that aim: freedom, choice, com- quality, events than ever before. Sales and downloads of petitive markets, smaller and less costly government. On such our reports are at a record high. Hundreds of thousands foundations we build innovative and practical initiatives, using of people read our blog. And our outreach to young reports, events and the media to transform the public debate. people is second to none. Our name comes from the great Scottish economist Adam The indebtedness and over-centralization of government Smith (1723- 1790), whose book The Wealth of Nations are of course huge threats to economic and personal showed the importance of a free economy and a free freedom. But, working alongside policymakers and with the society. It became the blueprint for a century of free trade, backing of our many loyal supporters, that is something we growth and prosperity. can change. Dr Madsen Pirie, President Dr Eamonn Butler, Director Tom Clougherty, Executive Director The Adam Smith Institute 02 ANNUAL REVIEW 2010 History and Mission Statement Contents The Adam Smith Institute was founded in the 1970s, as competition and enterprise. And yet in many ways govern- post-war socialism reached its high-watermark.
    [Show full text]
  • What Does Leave Look Like V5.Pdf
    2 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3 No clear or credible plan for an alternative ..................................................................... 5 The Norway model? ........................................................................................................... 7 The Swiss model? .............................................................................................................. 9 Iceland and Liechtenstein? ............................................................................................. 11 Macedonia and Andorra? ................................................................................................ 13 The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands? ..................................................................... 13 Turkey? ............................................................................................................................. 13 Australia? .......................................................................................................................... 14 South Korea? .................................................................................................................... 15 Ukraine, Moldova, or Morocco? ...................................................................................... 15 Vanuatu, Brunei and Nicaragua? .................................................................................... 16 Canada? ...........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Power of the Anglosphere in Eurosceptical Thought
    The power of the Anglosphere in Eurosceptical thought blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2015/12/10/anglosphere-is-the-other-side-of-the-eurosceptic-coin-a-conception-of- britains-identity-and-place-in-the-world/ 10/12/2015 The idea of the Anglosphere is an important element of British Euroscepticism. Ben Wellings and Helen Baxendale show that calls for unity of purpose between English-speaking peoples offer Eurosceptics an alternative political community to the European Union, and one that aligns history, culture and politics more closely than does Britain’s membership of the EU. Although the Anglosphere does not yet constitute a viable political alternative to Britain’s EU membership, articulating it helps Eurosceptics imagine a UK outside the European Union. The rise in Euroscepticism within the Conservative Party after 2010 was preceded by a decade of discussion about the existence of the so-called ‘Anglosphere’ as a viable alternative to the UK’s membership of the European Union. Amidst all the searching for Swiss or Norwegian models for Britain’s relationship with the EU, some Eurosceptics advanced the Anglosphere in response to criticisms about the lack of an alternative vision to European integration. Euroscepticism and the Anglosphere Speaking in the debate on the Maastricht treaty in 1992, the Conservative Minister for Europe, Tristan Garel-Jones posed the question that always caused some awkward silences amongst British Eurosceptics: ‘Can the anti- federalists, the Euro-sceptics and little Englanders offer a positive alternative?’ Reflecting on this in The Spectator, Tim Congdon floated a response: the English-speaking peoples or what was increasingly being referred to as the ‘Anglosphere’.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critical Assessment of a Eurosceptic Party Group on European Integration: a Case Study of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group
    A Critical Assessment of a Eurosceptic Party Group on European Integration: A Case Study of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group A Critical Assessment of a Eurosceptic Party Group on European Integration: A Case Study of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group Sertan Akbaba İcadiye Mah. Hacıbkkal Sok. Palmiye Apt. No. 19/1, Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The article explores Euroscepticism and the way it is utilized within the politics of Europe, analyzed upon evidence from a Eurosceptic Euro-party located in the European Parliament, namely the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR). The aim of this article is to clarify that the selected party disproves the argument of EU- criticism being an unfavourable condition, and, more importantly, its contribution to the political contestation in the EU. For such an assessment, a survey of the party manifesto, party working documents, as well as the discourses of the Member of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be analyzed, and the concept of Euroscepticism will be once again in the centre of this analysis. This argument is evaluated based on the transnational-level analysis of the aforementioned party, focusing primarily on three specific issues—the democratic deficit, the issue of sovereignty and anti-immigration rhetoric. Keywords: European Conservatives and Reformists, European integration, European Parliament, Euroscepticism, party politics doi:Baltic 10.2478/bjes-2014-0006 Journal of European Studies Baltic Journal of European Studies 97 TallinnTallinn University University of of Technology Technology (ISSN (ISSN 2228-0588), 2228-0588), Vol. Vol. 4, 4, No. No. 1 1 (16) (16) Sertan Akbaba 1.
    [Show full text]