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The British Tradition
by Ferdinando Riccardi from Agence France.
23rd May 2003
The situation of Great Britain is quite different. Threats to its freedom have always come from the Continent and twice during the last century it owed its salvation to the United States. It is hard to efface this from the memory of the people. But reason proves that the situation has changed and that it is precisely Europe's unity that represents a definitive guarantee. But some things continue to lie within a people's subconsciousness, putting a brake on the degree of acceptable integration.
Several key British politicians have understood this evolution and are fighting for their country to become a part of all aspects of integration. Andrew Duff is not on his own. But the attitude adopted by the British press and the continued reticence on the part of the public force the government to hesitate and waiver.
Sometimes, the speech by Winston Churchill on 19 September 1946 is quoted as proof of the resolve for European integration, but the close union that he recommended only concerned the countries of the Continent with his country being represented as a separate pole (to use a term now in fashion) with the Commonwealth.
Also, in 1952, Anthony Eden reaffirmed how impossible it was for Great Britain to sign up to any suggestion of a continental federation. Part of the British press gives the impression, by its inflamed tone, of repeating the battle of end 1958, when the British government accused the "Six" of wanting to break Europe apart with their intention to create a common market.
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