Palace voices 'regal displeasure' over Brexit claims
Buckingham Palace has officially complained to Britain's press watchdog after the Sun newspaper printed an article claiming that Queen Elizabeth II was in support of the UK moving away from the European Union in the forthcoming referendum. The complaint was addressed to the Independent Press Standards Organization contending that "Clause 1 of the Editors' Code of Practice" dealing with accuracy, had been violated.
French Politician Robert Schuman proposed to create a community keeping in mind Germany's peaceful interests. The community remained open for other countries to join. The European Coal and Steel Community Treaty was signed in 1952, followed by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 by 6 countries in order to avoid any division of Europe through war. This laid the foundation of EU.
British Prime Minister Ted Heath wanted Britain to join the European Union for two reasons. First, because he supported Jean Monnet, father of EU, in his vision that political and economic integration was the best way of avoiding war. Second, he believed that Britain's neighbours will anchor its economic future following the 'ever closer union' concept (one for all, all for one).
The Maastricht Treaty or the Treaty of Europe was signed in Maastricht, Netherlands on 7 February 1992. When the treaty was finally enforced on 1 November 1993 during the Delors Commission, it created the European Union and led to the creation of a single European currency - the euro. This treaty further introduced the concept of European citizenship.
EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for its contribution in the advancement of peace, democracy and human rights in Europe.
UK has stood firm in its desire for a new economic relationship through renegotiation, regardless of all consequences. German think-tank Bertelsmann Stiftung has warned that Cameron's idea of British exit or 'Brexit' from EU will harm UK the most. Calculations show that the British economy might suffer a loss of about £224 billion by 2030 as it will lose all trading privileges and agreements.
British Prime minister, David Cameron would initiate the talks with the European Union to renegotiate UKs ties with EU. Cameron had expressed the desire to hold a referendum on whether Britain should leave EU by the end of 2017. He felt that the demands and changes which were to be discussed were necessary and would be incorporated only by making changes in EU treaties.
The government's plan for the 2017 EU referendum were unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in her speech. It was informed that an in/out referendum will be held in 2017; a question along the lines of whether UK should continue as a member of EU would be asked to make the decision. Through the referendum, the public would be given a real voice and choice.
The British PM and European council president Donald Tusk met in London to renegotiate "Britain's relationship with EU before crucial summit" on 18-19 February. Britain had put together four key areas to be renegotiated to strike a deal. However, no decision was reached at and with that "David Cameron's preferred option of an early referendum on Britain's membership of the EU edged further away".
The Cameron-Tusk meeting was undertaken to tackle 4 key contentions. Britain wanted an assured protection of the single market for non-euro countries and a pact on "competitiveness by setting a target for the reduction of the "burden" of red tape". Britain wanted an exemption from "ever-closer union" and lastly, it called for restrictions on EU migrants' access to in-work advantages such as tax credits.
EU Chief Donald Tusk unveiled proposals to keep Britain in the EU, triggering the start of negotiations between him and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The plans include a four year halt on welfare payments to EU migrants, empowerment of national parliaments and special rights for non-Eurozone economies. Cameron said it's likely that the referendum in Britain would be held in June.
European Union leaders unanimously reached a deal to prevent the exit of Britain from the 28-nation union. The package will include exemption from the "ever closer union" goal, migrant workers' welfare-rights, and safeguard for London's financial centre. Britain which already enjoys semi-detached status (as it is not a part of single euro currency, passport-free travel Schengen zone, etc.) will now get a special status.
