What are the factors that have caused British political parties to change their policies on the EU since 1970?

Abstract There be a figure of speech of different factors that have caused British form _or_ system of government- do parties to change their policies on the EU, hitherto it is often very herculean to determine what these are. Whilst some may draw out that it is down to a change in commonplace attitudes (Ladrech, 2001, p. 4), others would argue that ships company position changes occur as a result of environmental incentives with policy-making society organisation (Schumacher et al 2009, p. 1). Regardless, EU integration is one of the main issues that has divide British political parties since the 1970s and Britains EU membership has had a significant impact upon political parties. Hence, the two main themes that have shed blood through the main parties with regards to the EU are division and fragmentation, which has led many to believe that Europe has essentially become a cause of political cleavage (Smith, 2012, p. 1277) that has widely impacted mainstream political p arties. This issue will so analyse the changing approaches of British political parties since the 1970s in rescript to determine what factors have led to a change in policies. inlet Introduction to the Study Since the United Kingdom became a member of the European amount, there has been a significant amount of controversy that has surrounded the move. The UK had been toilsome to join the EU since 1961, yet its membership was rejected by the french President. It wasnt until 1973 when the UK finally became a member and although a referendum was held two days later, which resulted in the public voting in favour of the UKs membership, many have continued to research whether it was in fact a thoroughly move. Accordingly, some have argued against further EU integration, whilst others have argued for complete EU withdrawal. This so-called Euroscepticism has existed since the very beginning and has had a significant impact upon the policies of British political parties. In accorda nce with this, it will be considered what factors actually caused British political parties to change their policies on the EU since 1970. explore Objective The objective of this explore is to consider what causes British political parties to change their EU policies and to determine what parties are cautious of further EU integration. It will also allow an sound judgement to be made as to whether there are any parties who embolden the withdrawal from the EU. Thus, it will also be shown that debate surrounding the EU has not been sustained and that many challenges still exist, causing many to question Britains EU membership. literature ReviewIntroduction When the UK became a member of the EU, every political party was in agreement, yet many debates have subsequently been made as to whether it was the right decision to make. Hence, the debates between Eurosceptics and EU supporters are still current in British political parties today, though there the views of the Conservative a nd press parties are diverse and appear to change frequently. Accordingly, during the 1970s and 1980s the promote party appeared to be more Europsceptic than the Conservative party and thereby assure to extricate ourselves from the Treaty of Rome and other Community treaties (Politea, 2007, p. 1). During the 1990s, however, the Conservative party appeared to be moving in the same direction by making a pledge not to co-operate with the EU. Nevertheless, public support for the EU began to explicate since it was believed that the EU would be a good thing for Britain, oddly afterwards the Thatcherism era. As such, Europe appeared to be fundamental to the governments attempts to edict the Thatcher settlement and symbolized a modification of some of its less palatable elements (Gifford, 2008, p. 114).Literature Review Regardless of the EUs initial support, Eurosceptiscim is still dominant in Britain today and many questions have been raised as to wherefore British political par ties have continued to change their policies on the EU since the UKs integration in 1970. Whilst some argue that material factors, such as anti-market and anti-capitalist, are the reason why the policies have shifted, others believe that ideology, such as national sovereignty and anti-immigration is the reason for the shift. Nonetheless, as put by Kopecky (2002, p. 297) ideology is the dominant explanation for both types of support, although strategy at clock plays a role in explaining specific support. Regardless, it has been argued that the Chevenementists shift away from left-right post has not paid off electorally (Milner, 2004, p. 59). This is widely due to the mistrust the public will have in political parties who frequently change their spot and although there may be a number of different factors as to why this happens the public will be fearful of neo-liberal policies. Still, others believe that the changes in policies are primarily the result of Britains desire to mainta in freedom and sovereignty (Harmsen and Spiering, 2005, p. 14). Whether Britains current policies will be maintained is doubtful, especially in light of the recent policy changes The last two and a half years have seen the biggest change of Britains European policy in its four-decade membership of the European Union (Teasdale, 2013, p. 1).Theoretical Approaches A Culturalist theory of political change will be used in this meditate in order to explain why political change occurs. This appears to be the most appropriate way to determine what factors have caused British political parties to change their policies on the EU since 1970. This is because Culturalist theory is based on the idea that people do not respond directly to situations they face and that alternatively situations are seen through orientations (Eckstein, 1988, p. 790). Hence, orientations are how information is processed and can be changed depending on what is being taught. Accordingly, as noted by Eckstein (1992, p. 281) a cogent, potentially powerful theory of political change can be derived from Culturalist premises.Research Question What factors have caused British political parties to change their policies on the EU?How have attitudes towards Europe shifted amongst the two main parties?Proposed MethodologyIn obtaining the pertinent information for this study it will be necessary to use a secondary research approach. This is because, already existing data will be capable of being collected and then analysed in order to pass around an appropriate conclusion. This is the most cost effective and efficient way of ingathering data and is more feasible than using primary research. Hence, it would be difficult to gain access to political parties in order to obtain their views. Therefore, for the purposes of this study it would be impracticable to use primary research. Opinions will thus be acquired from relevant scholars, theorists, politicians and academics in order to allow a general overvi ew of the topic to be provided. These will be obtained from textbooks, journal articles, online legal databases and governmental reports.References Eckstein, H. (1992) Regarding governing Essays on Political Theory, Stability and Change, University of California Press.Gifford, C. (2008) The Making of Eurosceptic Britain Identity and scrimping in a Post-Imperial State, Ashgate Publishing Ltd.Harmsen, R. and Spiering, M. (2005) Eurosceptism, Rodopi.Jansen, J. J. and Jansen, S. J. M. (2011) Fiscal Sovereignty of the Member States in an Internal Market Past Future, Kluwer Law International.Kopecky, P. (2002) The Two Sides of Euroscepticism, Party Positions on European Integration in East Central Europe, European Union Politics, SAGE Journals, Volume 3, No. 3.Ladrech, R. (2001) Europeanization and Political Parties Towards a Framework for Analysis, Keele University, Online unattached bdi.mfa.government.bg// 05 April, 2013.Milner, S. (2004) For an Alternative Europe Euroscepticism and the French Left Since the Maastricth Treaty, Online Available http//www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rodopi/es/2004/00000020/00000001/art00004 02 April, 2013.Schumacher, G., de Vris, C. E., and Vis, B., (2009) Why Political Parties Change Their Positions Environmental Incentives &038 Party Organisation, 05 April, 2013.Smith, J. (2012) The European Dividing sop up in Party Politics, International Affairs, 6.Teasdale, A. (2013) Will Eurosis Condemn Britain to be an foreigner Looking InEUROPP, Online Available http//blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2013/03/05/uk-eu-outsider/ 03 April, 2013.