Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

FINDINGS:
In January, there were suggestions of refashioning the EU-
UK relationship. 11 A EU Bill was proposed to prevent the
handover of further powers to Brussels without a public
vote. 12 Tory Eurosceptics expressed dissatisfaction with UK
Prime Minister David Cameron and concerns over UK sovereignty
as the transfer of powers to the EU continues. 13 The
government initially rejected calls for a UK referendum on
EU membership, but Conservative pressure for one returned
in September. 14 In October, Cameron refused the
call for a referendum despite a 100,000 strong petition in
September. 15 16 The result was the resignation of several
Tories and rebellion against Cameron. 17 18 Statistics
showed that 70% of voters want a referendum on the UK’s
EU membership. 19 In October and November the majority
of the new intake in government also desired a different
relationship. 20 The issue of regaining UK power was ongoing
throughout the year, and there was a general increase
in Euroscepticism. 21 22
UK influence in EU affairs
- In February and March, the UK exercised its influence
over the EU, encouraging them to take action over the
situation in Libya 23 and was perceived to be taking control
of EU action in the matter, along with France. Cameron’s
approach reveals a conflicting EU stance; he was
pro-EU in March 24 and a “practical Eurosceptic” by September.
25 In October, Cameron said that any change to a
EU treaty would not be against UK interests, 26 27 yet in
December he refused to cooperate. 28 During the Eurozone
crisis his focus was on protecting British interests, 29 and
reports emerged of arguments between Member States
and the UK, with no movement from either side. 30
The Eurozone crisis
- In December the Eurozone crisis put treaty changes back
on the EU's agenda. 31 32 David Cameron reiterated that
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