Britain must open up to EU before it’s too late

With Germany and France tackling the Eurocrisis seemingly on their own, Britain lately feels even more on the sidelines than usual. It is easy to see why your British average Joe, or average Dave, would see some kind of conspiracy there. Euro-less Britain is not consulted, the financial centre of Europe is overlooked as the French bastards and Nazi Germany decide the future of Europe among themselves.

I am of course exaggerating there, yet the mood on the ground is very eurosceptic. The public’s opinion, let by such revered publications as the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail, is that Europeans are out there to spend British taxes on Mercedes limousines and Portuguese wines. The EU, or Brussels—the term preferred by the lazy journalist, interferes with the great British way of life by forbidding bent bananas, giving prisoners the vote and disabling the emergency phone number 999.

British politicians do little to counter this “misinformation”. They thrive on giving their people the low-down on Brussels, and blaming the EU for everything they don’t want to take the responsibility for. Easy rule – if it’s popular with the people, say it’s your own achievement. If it’s unpopular, blame “Brussels”.

Could this happen in Trafalgar Square?

 

This strategy has worked well in times of plenty, but now that the Euro struggles, the EU is weak and an international financial crisis is upon us, Britain must rethink. Britain’s markets are already more intertwined with the Euro than with any other currency. Mainland Europe is Britain’s biggest trading partner, it is the most popular tourist destination for its citizens, and the closest political ally for its politicians. If the EU falls, Britain will be pulled down with it.

Yesterday Eurobee attended a talk by the French ambassador to the UK, Bernard Emié. And he made it very clear to the audience that Britain is crucial to the future of the Euro, and that both Germany and France are keen on working with Britain to get this crisis over with.

Emié gave the audience the best reason for Britain to stay involved and take a leading role in the Euro talks. “If the Euro coughs and Europe falls ill, the whole world will suffer,” he said.

But to achieve better collaboration, Britain’s politicians must stop the scaremongering and get real about Europe, be honest about the EU’s advantages and speak clearly about the opportunities it offers.

During the talk last night, Emié told the audience that “there is no Franco-German plot against the City of London.” This was supposed to be humorous, but there were quite a few faces in the audience who did not believe him.

It’ll be a long road, but if Britain’s politicians do not act now and help their country work with Europe they will have failed to do what they should – to act in the best interest of their country.