The next UK government must not let talk of a Brexit undermine its attempts to influence EU decision-making

With the UK going to the polls on the 7 May 2015, it is still far from certain which party will emerge with enough seats to form the next government. Anand Menon writes that regardless of whether Labour or the Conservatives win power, the issue of Europe will play a key role in the next parliament. He argues that there is a danger talk of a referendum on EU membership could undermine attempts by the UK to shape EU decision-making, which would be particularly undesirable given that the current EU agenda is more congruent with British interests than it has been at any time in recent memory.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: The strange silence over Brexit http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-strange-silence-over-brexit-the-uks-general-election-a-fundamental-change-to-uk-eu-relations-where-is-the-british-election-taking-europe/

ESO: Background information: United Kingdom general election, 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/united-kingdom-general-election-2015/

ESO: Background information: The myth of British Euroskepticism http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-myth-of-british-euroskepticism/

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