Thatcher, Margaret

The author aims to analyse the many aspects of Margaret Thatcher's controversial relationship with Europe. She demonstrates that Thatcher's policy on European integration was aggressive in public tone but pragmatic in practice. Prior to coming to power as prime minister she supported the accession of the UK to the European Communities in 1973 and campaigned for a yes vote in 1975. As PM, she led the Conservative Party on a Europe platform that did not question the fundamentals of British membership and she has been described as a strong supporter of the single market in Europe and signed the Single European Act. She fought fiercely for a British rebate, and her critics say that she saw the benefits of an open market but failed to appreciate that the management of that market would inevitably lead to the handing over of some sovereignty.