“Our True National Interests — Our Best Interests”
Taking a look on the history of Great Britain and Europe, we clearly see long years of struggle in order to become a member of the European Community since the relations and the trade with the Commonwealth states more and more declined. Charles De Gaulle’s vetoes against an accession of Britain can be seen as a rabbit punch for Britain and its people.
Nevertheless, the British kept on trying to become a part of the EC and finally succeeded in 1973 under Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath, even if in an uncomfortable time of low or negative economic growth in Europe.
However, in the past years before Britain’s entry, there has always been the will to be close to Europe. After De Gaulle’s first veto, Heath stated that “We are not going to turn our backs on Europe. […] We are part of Europe: by geography, tradition, history, culture and civilization”.
When speaking of an alternative to the European Community, Harold Macmillan said that “if we are honest, we must say there is none”.
And now, 43 years after the entry? There is a considerable amount of people in Britain who want to see the country outside of the European Union. And there is David Cameron. A prime minister fighting his struggle to maintain Britain as a part of the EU.
In his speech on Europe on January 23, 2013, Cameron argues strongly for the benefits of staying in the EU, mainly concentrating on economic facts and drawing comparisons to other “isolated” states in Europe like Norway or Switzerland.
Taking a closer look on his rhetoric, one can see him putting emphasis on the interests of Britain (“our true national interests; out national interests; our best interests”). “Power and influence; our country’s destiny; working together; one of Europe’s strongest powers; comfortable; all my heart and soul; I believe something very deeply; the vision; prosperity of our peoples for generations to come….” -these are only some examples of how he tries to reach the British with a rather emotional approach, trying to create a “non plus ultra” feeling of Britain in the EU.
After negotiating with the EU, he presented the deal rather factual as an achievement of a “special status” which Britain could get in the EU, when staying. Though he only has achieved one major point, namely that EU-foreigners cannot get social benefits in Great Britain for four years.
Maybe he has seen, that this alone is not enough to convince many people. So, his latest appeal (May 09, 2016) was on the possible threat of wars, if Britain leaves the EU. He warns the people against an aggressive Russia and the so called Islamic State — quite “popular” topics and indeed appropriate to reach the emotions of the people (at least more than rather dry economic facts). He asks if the Brexit is “a risk worth taken”.
I think it is okay to evoke emotions when trying to convince someone. But in this case Cameron tends to exaggerate a lot and he should watch out that his argumentation in favor of staying in the EU remains serious. Playing with the fears of people could quickly turn out to be an own-goal…these actually aren’t the true national interests.
Sources:
The last section of David Cameron’s speech on Europe, 23 January 2013.
