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Why isn't Britain 'leading' the EU?

Hello all,

This is mainly due to my lack of historical context in relation to this subject. After reading several articles about the recent Cypriot crisis, I've noticed a lot of anti-German sentiment throughout all of the financially-troubled countires, such as Italy, Portugal, Greece and so forth. However, this simply made me think... why isn't Britain itself leading the EU? I realise we as a country have been very much 'towing the line', trying to reap the benefits of being in the EU, without having to fully commit, but why is Germany, in comparison a relatively 'new' state, taking charge instead of us, or even France? With us being a former Empire and (arguable) superpower, does it not make more sense that we would want to take the reigns of a potential for a United Europe?

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Reply 1
When we sort Britain out. Then maybe.
Reply 2
Because we're whipped by the EU.
Reply 3
Well, a large mass of land being 'lead' by a tiny island smacks of colonialism. But seriously, no-one would take us seriously, as we are geographically isolated, and (unfortunately) to a large extent culturally isolated. But it's not late to change that (the latter of course)
Reply 4
At it's roots the EU is a French and German project. We refused to join at first and then had our membership vetoed. Meaning that we never had much of a hand in the start of the EU. Simply put by coming into it later we had less influence. In the current EU we do actually have a fair bit. The Germans need us as we have a similar outlook as them whilst the French see things very differently. Recently our attempts to leave and remove ourselves from the EU has damaged and weakened our influence. It's also difficult to lead something like the EU with so many competing interests, were we to throw ourselves fully into it we would be one of the louder voices though.
Because Britain is not in the Euro so isn't in a position to take charge on financial stuff. Germany is the strongest economy in Europe so all the struggling countries have to go to Germany for help which means Germany can put some rules in place in return for helping them out.
Have you seen how strong Germany's economy is? They're the only country with their finances reasonably in order and have lived within their means and not over-borrowed. They have many industries especially SME's who are the backbone of the German economy and as a result produced the strong economy they have. Germany should be leading the EU as firstly it was their idea to begin with to stop something like World War 2 happening again and also they're in the best position economically to lead the EU. We on the other hand, are not, our economy is flatlining and we don't know whether we're coming or going.
Reply 7
Original post by theoracle01
Hello all,

This is mainly due to my lack of historical context in relation to this subject. After reading several articles about the recent Cypriot crisis, I've noticed a lot of anti-German sentiment throughout all of the financially-troubled countires, such as Italy, Portugal, Greece and so forth. However, this simply made me think... why isn't Britain itself leading the EU? I realise we as a country have been very much 'towing the line', trying to reap the benefits of being in the EU, without having to fully commit, but why is Germany, in comparison a relatively 'new' state, taking charge instead of us, or even France? With us being a former Empire and (arguable) superpower, does it not make more sense that we would want to take the reigns of a potential for a United Europe?


Most of us,want to get out of the EU lol!
For a start, we entered the EU quite a few years after it was founded.

Secondly, our country is a mess at the moment and we need to sort that out first.

Thirdly, our government/country isn't a massive fan of the EU anyway so that's hardly a good starting point for leading it.

Fourthly, the EU isn't really made up to have a single leader.

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Never mind leading it. Let's leave it.
Reply 10
Original post by s.a.u
Well, a large mass of land being 'lead' by a tiny island smacks of colonialism.


A tiny island that's actually the largest that is geographically in Europe, by far the largest that is part of the EU and that has the 3rd largest population out of all EU countries.

People say Britain is a tiny island, but it's actually a bloody big island compared to the vast majority of islands in the world :tongue:
Original post by theoracle01
Hello all,

This is mainly due to my lack of historical context in relation to this subject. After reading several articles about the recent Cypriot crisis, I've noticed a lot of anti-German sentiment throughout all of the financially-troubled countires, such as Italy, Portugal, Greece and so forth. However, this simply made me think... why isn't Britain itself leading the EU? I realise we as a country have been very much 'towing the line', trying to reap the benefits of being in the EU, without having to fully commit, but why is Germany, in comparison a relatively 'new' state, taking charge instead of us, or even France? With us being a former Empire and (arguable) superpower, does it not make more sense that we would want to take the reigns of a potential for a United Europe?


Italy, Portugal and Greece - Of course they would hate the German gov't. How dare they not be allowed to overspend at the expense of the Germans? What is this? The Fourth Reich? (Sarcasm)

It's mainly German money that's gone in to the bailout, and it's only fair that Germany gets their money back

France - Socialist gov't. Nuff said
Reply 12
Original post by Psyk
A tiny island that's actually the largest that is geographically in Europe, by far the largest that is part of the EU and that has the 3rd largest population out of all EU countries.

People say Britain is a tiny island, but it's actually a bloody big island compared to the vast majority of islands in the world :tongue:


While you may be correct, this is how the vast majority of Europeans think, and the fact that we do not have the Euro and are not physically connected to Europe would make our 'leading' Europe highly improbable.
Reply 13
Original post by s.a.u
While you may be correct, this is how the vast majority of Europeans think, and the fact that we do not have the Euro and are not physically connected to Europe would make our 'leading' Europe highly improbable.


I agree, but I think that view is largely created by Britain. The UK has excluded itself from these things, so it's hardly surprising the rest of the EU doesn't see it as being fully "in".
Reply 14
Original post by a729
Most of us,want to get out of the EU lol!


Actually I think you'll find that everyone has different opinions on the subject, and that's why there's a problem at all. If most people wanted out then we would already be out, but because nobody can agree on what should be done we've ended up as the awkward kid hovering on the edge - going along with whatever the rest of the EU thinks, but not being brave enough to speak out loudly for ourselves.

We'd be better off either leaving the EU altogether or plunging headfirst into it full of enthusiasm. Doesn't matter which, but anything would be better than what our indecisiveness has forced us to become.
Reply 15
Original post by Arbolus
Actually I think you'll find that everyone has different opinions on the subject, and that's why there's a problem at all. If most people wanted out then we would already be out, but because nobody can agree on what should be done we've ended up as the awkward kid hovering on the edge - going along with whatever the rest of the EU thinks, but not being brave enough to speak out loudly for ourselves.

We'd be better off either leaving the EU altogether or plunging headfirst into it full of enthusiasm. Doesn't matter which, but anything would be better than what our indecisiveness has forced us to become.


Hmm but a referendum would be useful
Reply 16
We entered the club late when the Franco-German leadership was already established.

France would provide political leadership and Germany the money because it was booming as a result of the miracle.

The UK is an important actor but Germany is the decider. Germany since unification in 1990 has been more assertive.

The Single market was when all three converged, it was a British Idea
(edited 11 years ago)
Britain doesn't want to be part of the EU that's the reason and as stated above.
Germany and france have already established leadership
Reply 18
Original post by Odd Future
Because we're whipped by the EU.


Although you may not believe this but from the perspective of the outside Eu countries Britain seems to be very significant to the EU and one of its important leaders.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by player19
Although you may not believe this but from the perspective of the outside Eu countries Britain seems to be very significant to the EU and one of its important leaders.


Nahhhh, when it comes to the EU issues on our far eastern medias, Germany is always referred to the a solute leader, France is usually a follower of Germany, while Britain is constantly described as a witness...

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