Euro-sceptic or -centric?

With the European elections in May, the EU is once again becoming a hot topic, and the Eurosceptic lobby is going to extreme efforts to make itself heard, protesting incessantly about the problems that have plagued the single currency and the bureaucracy of Brussels.

And yet, the multitude of benefits that being one of the member states of a scheme that is still attracting members and constantly redefining the barriers of Europe are always conveniently forgotten by the polemicists, even though they far outweigh the paltry negative arguments put forward constantly.

When it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, despite the problems surrounding the future of the single currency, it reminded everyone that despite two world wars, we now live in one of the most stable and prosperous parts of the world.

In a continent ravaged by war historically, the EU has done what no treaty or alliance could manage in the past – bring peace. When it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, despite the problems surrounding the future of the single currency, it reminded everyone that despite two world wars, we now live in one of the most stable and prosperous parts of the world. And the guarantee of democracy they offer is not unfounded – if Vladimir Meciar, who attempted to remove the rights of the 450,000 Hungarian-speakers in Slovakia, won the 2002 elections, they would have been barred from EU membership.

Although this may seem like controlling the democratic process, it is simply the EU maintaining standards to ensure the member states uphold the European convention on human rights. And in an increasingly globalised world, the EU has proven to be an effective dampener when it comes to populism and nationalism. Look at Spain, Portugal and Greece, all nationalist dictatorships 50 years ago. Thanks to the efforts of Brussels, these countries have become thriving democracies and integral partners in Europe.

Although anti-immigration is at an all-time high, it is important to remember that freedom of movement often enriches an economy, bringing new life to a stagnant workforce.

Those who claim that the UK does not benefit from membership would do well to remember that 50% of our trade is with other countries within the EU. Membership brings a range of trade benefits, and the institutions that make up the EU advocate free trade, something which would be hampered for any country that wished to leave. Labour also benefits from the mobility offered by the EU. Although anti-immigration is at an all-time high, it is important to remember that freedom of movement often enriches an economy, bringing new life to a stagnant workforce.

Perhaps the most valuable thing that the EU can offer us is the possibility to feel like we still have a voice on the world stage. Through the EU, member states have the ability to influence the world on matters such as climate change and the ongoing economic crisis. Although the problems with the EU have cost all member states heavily, the advantages bring much more, both politically and economically. If any more proof is needed that the EU is worth retaining, just look at the countries clamouring to sign up. That alone vindicates the mission of one of the grandest political experiments in history.

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Photo: flickr/33119465@N03