Abstract
This chapter maps the development of British engagement in foreign policy co-operation with the EU, and particularly the British view of the purpose and utility of the CFSP. It argues that there has been considerable continuity in the underlying attitudes and approaches of the Conservative, Labour and Coalition Governments during this period. Most importantly, it argues that governments of all political hues have engaged with the CFSP with an assumption that Britain should play a leadership role in European foreign policy, and its capacity to do so can be seen in the strategic action it has undertaken. The chapter concludes with some reflections on what Brexit is likely to mean for UK engagement in future European foreign policy co-operation.
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Notes
- 1.
Interview, Norwich, 2011. My emphasis.
- 2.
Since the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
- 3.
Interview, Ministry of Defence, London, 2012.
- 4.
These were a joint initiative to create small rapid reaction forces capable of quick deployment in crisis management operations (Consilium, 2009).
- 5.
In his long-anticipated 2013 speech on Britain’s relationship with the EU, David Cameron adopted a similar tone: ‘I want to speak to you today with urgency and frankness about the European Union and how it must change’ (my emphasis) (Cameron, 2013).
- 6.
Interview, London, 6 December 2010.
- 7.
Interview, London, 6 December 2010.
- 8.
Interview, London, 6 December 2010.
- 9.
Interview, London, 6 December 2010.
- 10.
Interview, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, 2010 (UKO1).
- 11.
Interview, Ministry of Defence, London, 2012.
- 12.
Interview, Ministry of Defence, London, 2012.
- 13.
Interview, Ministry of Defence, London, 2012.
- 14.
Interview, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, 2011 (UKO2).
- 15.
Interview, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, 2010 (UKO1).
- 16.
Interview, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, 2011 (UKO3).
- 17.
Interview, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, 2012 (UKO6).
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Wright, N. (2019). From Pusillanimous Realism to Defensive Engagement: Britain’s Changing Relationship with the CFSP. In: The EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy in Germany and the UK. New Perspectives in German Political Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93470-9_2
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