Like John Major before him, David Cameron has pragmaticallymanaged his party’s dissensions over Europe withoutaddressing their fundamental sources.

Much as it did for his predecessors in the 1980s and 1990s, the “Europe Problem” has caused headaches for UK Prime Minister, David Cameron. While some have commented that Cameron has been more flexible on these issues than some of his predecessors, Simon Usherwood disagrees. He argues that David Cameron, just like John Major before him, has been unwilling to address the fundamental sources of the Conservative Party’s split over Europe

As much as Cameron has been pushed by his backbenchers on Europe, his instincts as a politician have prevailed

After yesterday’s long awaited speech by David Cameron on the future of the UK in Europe, Simon Usherwood offers an analysis of its implications. He suggests that the Prime Minister’s speech will intensify, rather than placate, demands from the right-flank of the party

What’s working with supporters of the leave and remain camps?

What can Twitter tell us about the nature of the UK’s referendum campaign? Drawing on an analysis of the first three months of campaigning, Simon Usherwood illustrates how each of the main groups have sought to convey their messages to voters. He notes that while Vote Leave followers are more likely to retweet material than their Stronger In counterparts, the online environment is a complex one, with followers often responding to content in ways that are difficult to predict

Is there still a point to UKIP? The future of British Euroscepticism post-Brexit

The United Kingdom Independence Party is in the process of appointing a new leader, following the resignation of Nigel Farage after the EU referendum. Simon Usherwood writes that in many respects the British Eurosceptic movement is now at a crossroads, having achieved its aim via the referendum, but still wanting to maintain a presence in British politics. He suggests that there are essentially three main paths open to British Eurosceptics in the aftermath of Brexit

Will Christmas come early in the Brexit negotiations?

Michel Barnier has indicated that the UK has two weeks left to make concessions if the Brexit negotiations are to advance to the next stage at the December European Council meeting. Simon Usherwood writes that the next fortnight is set to be critical in determining whether the UK and EU are ready to make progress in settling their evolving relationshi

May’s foreign policy gambit: what could possibly go wrong? Plenty.

After the three turbulent weeks that followed the EU referendum, Theresa May has taken over from David Cameron as the new British Prime Minister and unveiled her first appointments: Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary, and David Davis at the newly established post of Secretary for Brexit. Simon Usherwood assesses where to next

Did the possibility of a Brexit influence the shape of the new Commission?

The UK’s nominated Commissioner, Jonathan Hill, was assigned the financial services portfolio in Jean-Claude Juncker’s proposed European Commission. As this was viewed as a positive outcome for British interests, some commentators have suggested the threat of a ‘Brexit’ may have factored into the decision. Simon Usherwood writes that while a Brexit might not have been foremost in Juncker’s mind, it nevertheless played a role. He argues however that the UK should not expect preferential treatment and that the country’s relationship with the EU remains far from resolved

The UK’s Labour Party faces a conundrum over offering a referendum on the EU

The British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on the UK’s EU membership should he win a majority at the next general election. Simon Usherwood writes on the policy of the opposition Labour Party, who are reportedly considering offering a referendum on EU membership of their own. He argues that the main factor behind this decision is likely to be the upcoming European elections in May. Even if most voters are indifferent about voting and oblivious about the issues, Labour may feel that they need to build momentum in the run-up to the general election

Eurosceptic parties will have success in the 2014 European elections, but their impact in the European Parliament will be limited

One of the key issues in relation to the 2014 European Parliament elections is the potential for an unprecedented number of Eurosceptic and populist parties to secure seats. Simon Usherwood writes that while Eurosceptic parties such as UKIP in the UK, the Front National in France, and the PVV in the Netherlands may come out on top of their national votes, there are real obstacles to them actively influencing the work of the parliament itself. Ultimately the main issue may be whether they can use the platform gained in 2014 to secure real power in the next European elections in 2019

Thursday’s European Council demonstrated the UK’s isolation in Brussels

On 15 December, Theresa May travelled to Brussels for a European Council meeting. Simon Usherwood writes that although Brexit was briefly discussed, the meeting highlighted the extent to which the rest of the EU have moved on from treating the UK as an equal partner, and that the flipside of taking back control from the EU is that the EU can now no longer be controlled by the UK