Le paradoxe anglais

Since David Cameron’s announcement for a referendum on the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the European Union widely reinforced Britain’s reputation as a ‘eurosceptic’ and difficult Member State. This Chapter explores the ‘English paradox’, i.e. the United Kingdom’s ever-present demands for EU reforms paired with a relative compliance when it came to the ratification of the successive European treaties. It first deals with the Cameron’s demands for reforms in order to fix the UK-EU relationship and avoid a withdrawal from the EU. It then looks back at the reforms which had already been put forward by the previous Prime Ministers during the negotiations related to the adoption of the European treaties. Finally, it explains the British internal procedure for the ratification of the European treaties and how the specific political system involves the English paradox. The conclusion puts into perspective the aforementioned elements and the United Kingdom’s ‘eurosceptic’ image.