Unit 3: EU for beginners!

Click here to access a simple and easy to follow piece on all things EU.

Useful for your studies, but also for the upcoming Brexit vote!

Unit 1 & 2: All things EU

Click here to access several presentations and articles on the EU and BREXIT.

Useful to give some context to questions on democratic deficit, strength of Prime Minister, parliament etc.

Unit 1 & 4: UK Political parties and the EU

Thanks to Jacob for this article on why UKIP views on Europe could be a disaster for Britain. Europe has historically split both Labour and Tories for years. Lib Dems have always been the only true pro EU party.

Unit 4: Treaty of Amsterdam & Lisbon

Excellent, simple to understand clips on the last two treaties of the EU.

Treaty of Amsterdam


Treaty of Nice Treaty of Lisbon Part 1 Treaty of Lisbon Part 2 Treaty of Lisbon Part 3

Unit 4: EU Past Questions on the institutions

Past 15 Markers on the institutions

Jan 08 - To what extent is the EU a supranational body? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 08 - Assess the importance of the role of the Council of Ministers. (Old Syllabus)

Jun 08 - To what extent has the European Court of Justice become a more important body since
1992? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 09 - Why has the European Parliament become a more significant body since 1992?

Jan 10 - Why did the Reform Treaty (Lisbon Treaty) create controversy in the UK? (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - How important are EU Heads of Government (European Council) meetings? (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - How much influence does the European Parliament have in EU policy-making?

Jan 13 - How significant is the Council of the EU (Council of Ministers)?

Jun 10 - Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the European Court of Justice.

Jun 12 - How significant is the post of European President?

Jun 12 - To what extent is the European Commission accountable?

Jun 13 - Explain the role and significance of the European Court of Justice.

Past 45 Markers on the institutions

Jun 08 - To what extent does the EU still suffer from a ‘democratic deficit’? (Old Syllabus)

Jun 09 - Assess the importance of the European Commission as a decision-making body in the
EU. (Old Syllabus)

Jan 10 - ‘The European Parliament is now a more effective and influential body than it was in
1992.’ Discuss. (Old Syllabus)

Jan 13 - To what extent is the EU an example of supranational governance?

Jun 11 - ‘The Council of Ministers is the most powerful decision-making body within the EU.’
Discuss.

Jun 12 - The goal of a Federal Europe has been achieved. Discuss

Jun 13 - ‘The European Commission is the major driving force within the EU.’ Discuss.

Unit 2 & 4: EU, the commission and Nick Clegg

It's amazing what you learn when you listen to 'BBC Radio 6 Music' (essential radio for anyone serious about music!).

Just been listening to the news and the power of the EU commission is being called into question by Conservative politicians. I have found two articles worth reading.

Useful for Units 2 & 4.

Conservatives call for Veto over EU Laws

Nick Clegg backs EU benefit changes

Unit 2 & 4: Constitution & EU Law (Factortame test case)

Although this is an old case. It sets a precedence for the UK and constitutional issues. It is the example that is always used in mark schemes on both Unit 2 Constitution questions and Unit 4 questions on the sovereignty issue regarding EU.

Thursday, October 28, 1999 Published at 03:18 GMT 04:18 UK 


UK Politics

Spanish fishermen net £100m compensation 

Spanish fishermen claimed for three years of losses 

Britain will have to pay compensation estimated at £100m to Spanish fishing companies unlawfully banned from operating British-registered vessels 10 years ago.

BBC News' David Shukman: "This could fuel passions over Europe"

In 1988 the Conservative government passed laws intended to stop Spanish fisherman increasing their take of fish by the ploy of using British fishing quotas.
The legislation was later found to have broken European law.
Euro-scepticism, already high over the beef impasse with France, was further inflamed when five law lords unanimously ruled on Thursday that the breach was sufficiently serious to entitle the fisherman to claim compensation.

Spanish fishermen bought up British boats

They said that although the government's intention was to protect British fishing communities, the effect was to discriminate against Spanish nationals, thereby flouting one of the most basic principles of European law.
The law lords said the government had deliberately decided to run the risk of introducing the legislation, knowing that it could be unlawful. Justice required that the wrong should be made good.

The amount which now could be claimed by the Spanish in individual court cases has been estimated at £80m - but interest and legal costs are expected to push the total bill to be picked up by the British taxpayer at over £100m.
Plymouth Fisheries manager Peter Bromley branded the decision a "sick joke.
"The feelings of the industry will be very strong and the government will continue to do absolutely nothing about it.
"As far as I am concerned the British industry is a valuable asset to this country, and it is not exploited to the extent it should be to the benefit of the British people or the British fishermen.
"This is just a sick joke played on an industry which is having to fight very hard for its survival.
"We seem to be kow-towing to Europe over everything at the moment."
The case was brought by Spanish company Factortame Ltd and almost 100 other Spanish fishing companies. They are claiming for losses while their ships were laid up over three years from 1988-1991.
Following the Icelandic cod war in the 1970s, Spanish fishing companies started buying UK-registered ships.
In 1988, the UK Government passed the Merchant Shipping Act, preventing the Spanish-owned ships from fishing against UK quotas, or "quota-hopping".
But three years later the European Court of Justice overturned the UK's legislation.
It also ruled member states must pay compensation where a breach of European law was deemed sufficiently serious.
After the ruling John Couceiro, director of Factortame, said: "I am delighted.

"Hopefully after our long battle we can now sort out the damages and put this all behind us."

Unit 1 & 4: EU referendum bill

The Conservatives are desperate to have a referendum on EU membership. The bill was passed in the commons yesterday. A bill calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU in 2017 has been approved by the House of Commons.

The legislation passed its final stage in the Commons on Friday despite efforts by Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs to delay its passage.

The bill will now move to the House of Lords for scrutiny early next year.  Click here to read the full article.

Unit 4: An Introduction to the European Union

A slightly amusing but informative look at the EU (from an American point of view).

A2 Politics - More stats on the EU

EU Economy Study Companion 2012 from tutor2u

A2 Politics - Welcome back

Welcome back everyone,time to start on A2 politics - prepare to be educated!