Does the UK still have the same say within the EU?
Over the last few months we have seen the UK government criticised by EU partners, stitched up in the recent EU ministerial posts saga and effectively sidelined by many EU partners. There is no doubt that the UK is now a less prominent figure within the EU, perhaps based on the fact that the UK has yet to adopt the euro. So will the UK ever regain its prominence within the EU?
The likes of France and Germany are now the figureheads of the EU and have on a number of occasions attempted to belittle and ridicule the UK government. This is a massive turnaround from just 12 months ago when Gordon Brown was hailed as the saviour and his blueprint for recovery in the UK was adopted by many EU partners. However, once it became apparent that the blueprint was flawed he was effectively cut adrift by his former friends and colleagues from within the EU and left to fend for himself.
Until the UK officially adopts the euro as the main currency in the country it is unlikely that any UK government will have the same prominence and power within the EU that we have enjoyed for some time. The Conservative party has already confirmed it would look to reduce the power of the EU although this has the potential to sideline the UK even more than ever and could impact upon the economy. In reality, the UK needs the EU as much as the EU needs the UK.
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