Impact of EU on UK

• What was the aim of the Common Fisheries Policy?

  To preserve fish stocks through quotas
• What controversy arose from the Factortame case?

  UK law conflicted with EU fishing access rights
• What was required by UK law for fishing in UK waters?

  A majority British crew on fishing boats
• What was the outcome of the Factortame case?

  The European Court ruled in favor of Spain
• What grievance was raised regarding fish quotas?

  Fish had to be thrown back into the sea
• What was the purpose of the Social Chapter in the Maastricht Treaty?

  To establish guaranteed rights for workers
• Why did John Major refuse to sign the Social Chapter?

  He feared businesses would be disadvantaged
• Who adopted the Social Chapter in 1997?

  Tony Blair
• What was Tony Blair's stance on future EU social policy expansion?

  He did not want to sign up for it
• How has the profile of the Prime Minister changed due to the EU?

  They attend European Council meetings
• What role does the foreign secretary play in EU meetings?

  They attend European Council and EU meetings
• What is the role of civil servants in EU negotiations?

  Ministers rely on their work for negotiations
• What committee has been set up for cabinet members regarding the EU?

  A committee on European affairs
• What must Parliament do with EU laws?

  Examine and review proposed legislation
• What challenge does the amount of EU legislation present to Parliament?

  It makes effective review difficult
• What has happened to some policy areas due to the EU?

  They are now devolved to regional institutions
• What is the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with the EU?

  Negotiations over withdrawal terms are ongoing
• What do Eurosceptics favor regarding Brexit?

  A 'hard Brexit' with full border control
• What is the stance of those favoring a 'soft Brexit'?

  They want to retain access to the single market
• How did the Brexit vote affect Scottish independence discussions?

  It raised the issue again due to differing votes
• What did the SNP argue regarding Scotland's EU access?

  Scotland should not leave the EU against its wishes
• What weakened calls for 'indyref2' after the Brexit vote?

  The decline in SNP support in 2017 election
• Which policy areas are controlled by the EU?

  Trade, single market, social and employment policies
• Which areas remain the exclusive preserve of the UK?

  Defence, taxation, healthcare, and education
• What do critics of the EU argue about its impact on the UK?

  It has led to a loss of national sovereignty
• What do supporters of the EU argue about its impact on the UK?

  Pooling sovereignty strengthens the UK
• What rights has the EU guaranteed for workers?

  Important rights and safety standards for products
• How does EU membership affect the UK's prosperity?

  It strengthens prosperity through the single market
• What are the arguments for and against the view that EU membership has limited parliamentary sovereignty?

  Arguments for:

  • Loss of national sovereignty
  • Inability to control borders
  • Handing over control of policy areas

  
  

  Arguments against:

  • Strengthened UK through pooled sovereignty
  • EU guarantees rights for workers
  • Enhanced prosperity through single market
• What is legal sovereignty?

  • Supreme law-making authority in a state
  • Historically lay with the monarch
  • Now transferred to Parliament
• What is political sovereignty?

  • Sits above legal sovereignty
  • The electorate is the political sovereign
  • Parliament is accountable to the electorate