Britain & EU member-states
Britain's populist arms race over immigration
27 January 2014
Britain's immigration debate is damaging the country's economic and political interests. It will also make it harder for David Cameron to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership in a way that satisfies Tory eurosceptics.
The Great British trade-off: The impact of leaving the EU on the UK's trade and investment
20 January 2014
Eurosceptics think Britain can leave the EU and still have access to its markets. But to do so, Britain will have to sign up to EU rules.
What Germany's new coalition government means for the EU
16 December 2013
Germany finally has a new government. The coalition agreement may be underwhelming, but it tells us little about how Germany will response to future challenges.
David Cameron and EU migration: Nasty, visionary – or just necessary?
05 December 2013
David Cameron is more style than substance on EU migration. But a wider European debate on managing the free movement of people has merit.
The EU's 'yellow card' comes of age: Subsidiarity unbound?
12 November 2013
National parliamentarians' rejection of a proposed prosecutor for the EU marks their arrival as serious players in how the Union is governed.
Britain is held back by its business culture, not the EU
28 October 2013
Britain's big competitiveness problem is not red tape, business taxes or the EU but business short-termism, and the system of corporate governance that encourages it.
How to build a modern European Union
10 October 2013
The CER proposes reforming the EU’s policies and institutions, to foster a more dynamic European economy and to make decision-making more accountable.
Is immigration a reason for Britain to leave the EU?
01 October 2013
A 2013 policy brief that remains relevant today: Britons are increasingly hostile to one of the single market's four freedoms: the free movement of labour. But EU immigration makes Britain's economy stronger.
Continuity and change in Germany's EU policy
06 September 2013
Germany's EU policy is shifting. It will seek a 'grand bargain' with France but be tougher on the Commission. Treaty change is moving off the agenda.
The Commons vote on Syria: The world turned upside down
04 September 2013
Britain has long boasted of punching above its weight. Does Parliament's vote on Syria change that? Will others take over Britain's role or follow its example?
Issue 91 - 2013
24 July 2013
- The spectre of default stalks the eurozone, Simon Tilford
- Edward Snowden's '1984', Ian Bond
- Will the Dutch help Cameron to reform the EU?, Rem Korteweg
Will the Dutch help Cameron to reform the EU?
24 July 2013
To renegotiate the terms of Britain’s EU membership, David Cameron must find allies. One of his targets is the Netherlands.
Can national parliaments make the EU more legitimate?
10 June 2013
The euro crisis has hit the EU's legitimacy. Part of the answer is to give national parliamentarians a bigger role in the EU.
The CER commission on the UK and the single market
07 June 2013
The CER's commission was launched this week. Policy experts, economists and business people will examine the economic case for and against EU membership.
Tilting at European windmills
29 May 2013
Britain's debate about the costs and benefits of EU membership is welcome and overdue. It should be based on informed analysis, not scary sound bites.
Issue 90 - 2013
24 May 2013
Could Britain's coalition collapse over EU police co-operation?
24 May 2013
Britain's government has finally reached internal agreement on opting out of EU police co-operation. But the fragile accord exposes the coalition’s fundamental differences over Europe.
The working time directive: What's the fuss about?
26 April 2013
The working time directive has had limited impact on British business. It has caused trouble in hospitals partly because the NHS relies so heavily on junior doctors.
European austerity: Turn or TINA?
25 April 2013
Despite the overwhelming weight of evidence, both empirical and theoretical, many policy-makers will continue to trot out Margaret Thatcher's favourite line: there is no alternative.
Germany’s plans for treaty change – and what they mean for Britain
28 March 2013
Germany is no longer pushing for a new EU treaty. This makes it harder for David Cameron to renegotiate the terms of British membership.