Political Parties and Europe - An enduring dilemma

This chapter maps party positions on “Europe” over the period 1989-2014. Focussing on the four main parties, the chapter shows how attitudes to the European Union vary considerably across parties and also over time. Rather than a consistent approach dictated by a shared understanding of national interests, positions appear to be determined by the economic and political preferences of the constituencies parties represent. “Europe” has proved particularly divisive for the centrist parties as well as increasingly for the left whereas it has been an ideal battle horse for the nationalist right. The chapter highlights several aspects where the experience of the Swiss parties mirrors that of their UK counterparts, thus shedding light on some likely future trajectories of the European question in British party politics.