In 2011 – 12 the Federal Trust, in conjunction with the Global Policy Institute and with co-funding from the European Commission Representation in the UK, organised a further series of conferences this time entitled The Coalition and Europe – After the Honeymoon.

The conferences aimed to review the Coalition Government’s European policy in its second year, examining in particular the growing strains on compromises which had initially underpinned its actions within the European Union.

This final report summarises the conclusions of each of the four preceding conferences (for details of which please see below). It notes that three major themes are emerging: a considerable continuity of policy, in many areas a positive and constructive contribution to the EU, both of which are balanced by a growing unease in British public and political opinion with regard to the Union’s underlying principles and central institutions.

Conferences

There May be Trouble Ahead

23 May 2012

Speakers:

Christine Dalby, Deputy Head of Representation, European Commission in the United Kingdom

Peter Sutherland KCMG, former European Commission and Director General of the WTO

Brendan Donnelly, Director, the Federal Trust

The UK and the European Area of Justice, Freedom and Security

24 January 2012

Conference_Report_24_January_2012.pdf

Speakers:

Dr Andrew Blick , Senior Researcher at the Federal Trust and author of Neither In Nor Out: Coalition Policy in the EU Area of Freedom Security and Justice

Jakub Boratynski, Head of Unit, Fight against Organised Crime, DG Home Affairs, European Commission

Professor Steve Peers, School of Law, Essex University