In 2010 – 11 the Federal Trust, in conjunction with the Global Policy Institute and with co-funding provided by the European Commission Representation in the UK, organised a series of conferences entitled A new British Government – A new British role in Europe?
The objective of these conferences was to examine the ways in which the new British Government could and would contribute to the development of the European Union, both internally and externally. The project looked in particular at how far the new British Government could play an influential role in shaping the course of wider European developments.
“THE COALITION AND EUROPE – AFTER THE HONEYMOON” – REPORT
May 2011
This final report brings together the conclusions from the four thematic conferences (for details on these, please see below). It concludes that the first year of the Coalition’s European policy has been more pragmatic and harmonious than might have been feared. It warns however that in the longer term the Coalition is storing up considerable difficulties for itself and the country by the policy of European semi-detachment that it is following.
Conferences
Britain in Europe
20th May 2011
Speakers:
- Video Message from Peter Sutherland KCMG, former European Commissioner and Director-General of the WTO
- Jonathan Scheele, Head of UK Representation of the European Commission
- Sir Stephen Wall, former UK Representative to the EU and European adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair.
> Videos of the conference speeches
Citizenship and the Lisbon Treaty: Can the British ever be European Citizens?
21st January 2011
Speakers
- Georgia Georgiadou, Policy Officer, Citizenship Unit, DG Justice, European Commission
- Richard Laming,Chairman, Federal Union
–> Videos of the conference speeches
Europe’s Place in the World and Britain’s Place in the World
16th December 2010
Speakers
- Dr Antonio Missiroli, Head of European Dialogue Section, Bureau of European Policy Advisers, European Commission Lord Hannay of Chiswick, House of Lords EU Select Committee
- Prof Stephen Haseler,Director, Global Policy Institute
- Prof Richard Whitman, University of Bath
Commentary on the conference by Sir Peter Marshall
–> Videos of the conference speeches
Europe 2020: European Financial Regulation and European Economic Recovery
4th November 2010
Speakers
- Benjamin Angel, Head of Unit ‘Economic analysis of financial institutions and financial stability’, DG Economic and Financial Affairs, European Commission
- John Stevens, former MEP
- Graham Bishop, Financial commentator and founder of grahambishop.com
- Sir Brian Unwin, former President of the European Investment Bank
Has the General Election changed the UK’s relationship with the EU?
8th October 2010
Speakers:
- Europe, the Coalition and the Liberal Democrats
Andrew Duff MEP, LibDem member of the European Parliament for the East of England - “A Conservative view of the Coalition and its European policy”
Maurice Fraser, London School of Economics, former special adviser to Douglas Hurd - “The Coalition from the perspective of Opposition”
Lord (Roger) Liddle, Chairman, Policy Network - “The Coalition viewed from the EU Institutions”
Anthony Teasdale, Deputy Chief of Staff to President of European Parliament; former Special Adviser, FCO and HMT
