Current problems of Europe

British Euroscepticism: The definition and main factors

Благовещенский Р.И.

Blagoveshchensky R.I. – postgraduate student, Faculty of international relations, St. Petersburg state university.

Abstract

The outcome of the 2014 elections of the European Parliament, the results of the 2015 national elections and particularly the outcome of the Brexit referendum begged the question of whether Euroscepticism is becoming a prominent political force in the United Kingdom. The polls show that Euroscepticism is widening its reach in the EU. This article defines Euroscepticism, analyzes its main factors in Britain and explains why Britain became the first country in the XXIst century to hold a referendum on leaving the European Union.

Keywords

Euroscepticism, United Kingdom, Brexit, referendum, Cameron, European integration, the European Union.

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