Britain and the European Union Quiz

Answer: A former member that voted by public referendum to leave the European Union

The European Economic Community was formed in 1957 by one of the Treaties of Rome. The UK joined in 1973 and in 1993 (the Maastricht Treaty) the European Economic Community became the European Union as the word "economic" did not sufficiently reflect the scope of the activities of the E.U.

The member countries within the E.U. who work together on a wide and growing range of activities including trade and a large amount of legal activity to control the Union. In a referendum held on 23rd June 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union.

In a very high turnout, 51.9% of voters chose to "Leave", with 48.1% wishing to "Remain".

Answer: The ability of the Government to win the following general election

The other two tests were the effects of joining on investments and finally the amount of flexibility in the UK and EU economies. In June 2003 the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Gordon Brown) said that the only two tests that then mattered were the "convergence" and "flexibility" tests. Now Britain has voted to leave the European Union the question of joining the Euro is effectively dead.

Answer: 1979

Every five years since 1979 the UK people go to the polling stations and elect the MEPs. However, the real power in the E.U. comes from other sources such as the Council of Ministers and the European Council (meetings of the Heads of Government). In 1999 the Government brought in proportional representation for us to elect our members of the European Parliament.

This procedure enabled members of minority parties such as the Green Party and the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) to be represented in Europe. Clearly elections will end when Britain finally unravels itself from the European Union.

Answer: Meetings of one Government Minister from each country

This is the central piece in the jigsaw of the the E.U. The Foreign Ministers of each country (or the appropriate Minister for the issue being discussed) meet to discuss and formulate policy. This is the body we hear about most in the media and the Ministers report straight back to their cabinets in their home countries.

Answer: Meetings of Heads of Government

Since 1974 the Heads of Government have met on a regular basis. This body has nowadays to meet at least twice a year. This is the body that the UK Prime Minister attends and its decisions are highly influential within Europe.

Answer: Diplomats appointed by the member countries

These diplomats bring their countries' views to the discussion of European issues at an early stage and enable essential issues only to get to the Council of Ministers.

Answer: The top European Court for EU law

There is also a Court of First Instance that helps with the work of the European Court and from which appeals may lie to the European Court of Justice. The ECJ basically enforces the European law as laid down by the EU and in its constitution. It should *not* be confused with the European Court of Human Rights.

Answer: Representatives of different spheres of Community activity

There are 222 members to this committee who are appointed by the member countries from different fields of activity such as employers, trade unions and the pressure groups and similar who the E.U. wish to bring into their decision making process. The committee does not make decisions, but its influence on the decision making process is said to be strong.

Answer: U.S.A.

In 2003 there were fifteen member countries of the E.U. - namely: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany (originally only West Germany), Italy (original members from 1957), Britain, Denmark, Ireland (joined in 1973), Greece (joined in 1981), Portugal, Spain (joined in 1986), Austria, Finland and Sweden (joined in 1995). In 2004 the membership was increased to 25 countries and in 2007 to 27 countries.
As stated above, Britain has voted by a national referendum on 23rd June,2016 to leave the European Union. Other countries in Europe may well do the same in the future.

Answer: No

The country seemed to be split down the middle on this issue. Both the campaigners for and against the "euro" were convinced that their view would win the day and any possible public referendum on the issue. In the vent the Government chose not to hold a referendum, instead exercising its opt-out from the Maastricht Treaty, which enabled it to retain the UK pound sterling.