Democracy Impacts

Cameron Suggests Moving Forward EU Referendum

January 07, 2015

In a recent interview, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron indicated his willingness, in the case of a Conservative victory in this year's Parliamentary elections, to advance the timing of a proposed referendum on Britain's EU membership to a date prior to 2017.
Iceland Will Withdraw EU Application

January 07, 2015

Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson has stated that his government will formally withdraw Iceland's application for EU membership in early 2015.
France Will Oppose New U.K.-EU Settlement

December 24, 2014

French President Francois Hollande has indicated his unwillingness to support a treaty change resulting in a reformed relationship between the U.K. and the EU prior to any referendum on British exit from the bloc.
ECJ President Criticizes Euroskepticism

December 17, 2014

In a recent speech, the President of the Court of Justice of the EU ("ECJ") Vassilios Skouris encouraged the new European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to protect "the fruits of European integration" by defeating euroskepticism.
Hannan Outlines Potential British Exit from EU

December 17, 2014

In a paper published by the Centre for Policy Studies, Dan Hannan makes the case for the U.K. to split from the "political union" of the EU but to retain a relationship based on trade.
Report Finds EU Blow to U.K. Deregulation Campaign

December 17, 2014

A report from the think tank Reform finds that over the past three years, new directives from Brussels, including pension and energy requirements, have heavily obstructed the U.K.'s campaign against deregulation.
If Negotiations Fail, U.K. Minister Will Seek Exit from EU

November 26, 2014

In recent remarks, U.K. Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin announced that if Prime Minister David Cameron fails to repatriate substantial authority over border and justice issues from the EU, he will vote for the U.K. to leave the bloc in a proposed 2017 referendum.
Former British Minister Calls for EU Exit

November 26, 2014

Former U.K. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has called for the British Government to give notice of leaving the EU prior to negotiation of the country's new relationship with the bloc and to limit its future relationship with the EU to a free trade agreement.
EU Official Acknowledges Importance of Subsidiarity

November 19, 2014

Reflecting the current pressure of anti-EU parties on European institutions, European Commissioner for Energy Union Maroš Šefcovic has called for respect of the principle of subsidiarity and has argued that national parliaments must have a greater say in EU decisions.
British Secretary Says U.K. Must Be Prepared for EU Exit

November 19, 2014

U.K. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond argues that in order to secure the best deal of repatriated powers with other EU member states, the British Government must be prepared to leave the EU in case negotiations are unsuccessful.