What did the EU ever do for us? – by Simon Sweeney

Not much, apart from: providing 57% of our trade; structural funding to areas hit by industrial decline; clean beaches and rivers; cleaner air; lead free petrol; restrictions on landfill dumping; a recycling culture; cheaper mobile charges; cheaper air travel; improved consumer protection and food labelling; a ban on growth hormones and other harmful food additives; … Continue reading “What did the EU ever do for us? – by Simon Sweeney”

Not much, apart from:

  • providing 57% of our trade;
  • structural funding to areas hit by industrial decline;
  • clean beaches and rivers;
  • cleaner air;
  • lead free petrol;
  • restrictions on landfill dumping;
  • a recycling culture;
  • cheaper mobile charges;
  • cheaper air travel;
  • improved consumer protection and food labelling;
  • a ban on growth hormones and other harmful food additives;
  • better product safety;
  • single market competition bringing quality improvements and better industrial performance;
  • break up of monopolies;
  • Europe-wide patent and copyright protection;
  • no paperwork or customs for exports throughout the single market;
  • price transparency and removal of commission on currency exchanges across the eurozone;
  • freedom to travel, live and work across Europe;
  • funded opportunities for young people to undertake study or work placements abroad;
  • access to European health services;
  • labour protection and enhanced social welfare;
  • smoke-free workplaces;
  • equal pay legislation;
  • holiday entitlement;
  • the right not to work more than a 48-hour week without overtime;
  • strongest wildlife protection in the world;
  • improved animal welfare in food production;
  • EU-funded research and industrial collaboration;
  • EU representation in international forums;
  • bloc EEA negotiation at the WTO;
  • EU diplomatic efforts to uphold the nuclear non-proliferation treaty;
  • European arrest warrant;
  • cross border policing to combat human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling; counter terrorism intelligence;
  • European civil and military co-operation in post-conflict zones in Europe and Africa;
  • support for democracy and human rights across Europe and beyond;
  • investment across Europe contributing to better living standards and educational, social and cultural capital.

All of this is nothing compared with its greatest achievements: the EU has for 60 years been the foundation of peace between European neighbours after centuries of bloodshed.

It furthermore assisted the extraordinary political, social and economic transformation of 13 former dictatorships, now EU members, since 1980.

Now the union faces major challenges brought on by neoliberal economic globalisation, and worsened by its own systemic weaknesses. It is taking measures to overcome these. We in the UK should reflect on whether our net contribution of £7bn out of total government expenditure of £695bn is good value. We must play a full part in enabling the union to be a force for good in a multi-polar global future.

Simon Sweeney,
Lecturer in international political economy, University of York

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9 thoughts on “What did the EU ever do for us? – by Simon Sweeney”

  1. So, we’re supposed to believe that NONE of this would have happened unless we were members idf the EU? I’m sure we could have achieved most of this on our own. Even if you’re tight, we can be thankful for all the EU has done for GB. BUT, it’s now time to LEAVE as the cost of EU membership,, on so many levels, has over time, become Just TOO HIGH! It’s time to go it alone. We are a strong nation, big and bold enough to make our own way in the world. Yes, of course, there will be consequences to leaving the EU. But, as the song says – WE SHALL OVERCOME !!!

  2. Hi Michelle,

    I’m afraid that I don’t believe the UK would have moved aggressively on any of these things, even if they could. What would be their leverage for cheaper air fares or reduced costs of mobile roaming? Why did the Working Time Directive (restricting a working week to 48 hours without consensual overtime) come from the EU and not the UK?

    Why is it that the EU has presented the standard in these areas? Why has the UK not actually just gone one better? Because if the EU hadn’t decreed it, they wouldn’t do it. Why is the strongest wildlife protection an EU decree? How many injurious monopolies have been broken up by the UK government?

    We are a strong nation but we will be weakened by leaving the EU – on a national level, on a regional level and indeed on an individual level.

    All of that plus I don’t trust Iain Duncan Smith to be the author of the human rights of the nation.

    You can claim that the EU costs too much but actually Norway pays the same into the EU to establish the economic and social agreements they need and yet they’re not a member. But somehow the UK plans to maintain and improve their agreements but not pay in as much? I wonder how that is going to work?

    Governments are designed to re-distibute wealth. I don’t know which part of the UK you are from but I have zero confidence that Westminster would allocate any of the money given to the EU to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland does “well” out of the EU – deservedly so because of the ongoing situation here.

    1. I’m more concerned at your ignorance. You know that we have elected Members of the European Parliament?

      And the comments about Commissioners being unelected could easily apply to any staffer at the Civil Service in the UK. Permanent Secretaries in charge of Government Departments aren’t elected either.

  5. Absolutely brilliant piece by Sweeney. Such a shame that so many people were conned by the likes of Gove and Johnston.
    They will survive, but the many poor and dispossessed who supported their mantra’ Take back control’ will be the one’s who suffer in the years ahead. This referendum should never have taken place at a time of extreme austerity. People look for scapegoats. It used to be ‘benefit scroungers’ – now it’s the ‘immigrant’ despite the enormous contribution they make to this country. So sad.
    Hopefully, Parliament will have to vote on any package agreed with the EU. If it’s not what’s in the best interests of the U.K.- then article 50 may never be invoked.

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