Britain & EU member-states
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.
Issue 90 - 2013
24 May 2013
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.
Issue 89 - 2013
25 March 2013
- It's the politics, stupid!, Simon Tilford
- Central and East European migrants are a boon for Britain, John Springford
- Why Europe should change its approach to Azerbaijan, Rem Korteweg
Central and East European migrants are a boon for Britain
25 March 2013
When economies are struggling, governments find it difficult to resist calls for protectionism of one form or another. The British government is trying to erect barriers to immigration.
Do Britain's European ties damage its prosperity?
22 March 2013
Leaving the EU would not resolve Britain's economic difficulties, which are mostly home-grown. However, it could turn Britain into a more closed economy.
Why British prosperity is hobbled by a rigged land market
13 February 2013
The British have the least living space, highest office rents and most congested infrastructure in the EU-15. A rigged market for land is to blame.
Annual report 2012
08 February 2013
Charles Grant analyses Britain's difficult relationship with the EU and looks back on what the CER did in 2012.
Issue 88 - 2013
25 January 2013
- Leaving the EU will not set Britain's economy free, Philip Whyte
- Why the EU should support France in the Sahel, Rem Korteweg
- Can Turkey and the UK learn from each other's EU strategies?, Katinka Barysch
Cameron's optimistic, risky and ambiguous strategy
24 January 2013
Some of David Cameron's EU speech is sensible. But his strategy is risky, riddled with ambiguities and could lead to a British exit.
Britain's 2014 justice opt-out: Why it bodes ill for Cameron's EU strategy
23 January 2013
Britain is likely to leave most EU co-operation on crime and policing in 2014. Hugo Brady explains why supporters of the move are wrong.
What a banking union means for Europe
05 December 2012
A full banking union is needed to stabilise the eurozone. However, even an embryonic union could drive a wedge between the eurozone and the EU-27.
How Britain could leave the EU
26 November 2012
Britain's departure from the EU grows ever more likely. David Cameron, the prime minister, wants Britain to stay in. But he seems set on a path that could lead to an exit.
Issue 87 - 2012
26 November 2012
- How Britain could leave the EU, Charles Grant
- Germany's opposition and the euro crisis, Katinka Barysch
- Eurozone: Trouble in the core?, Simon Tilford
Germany's opposition and the euro crisis
26 November 2012
Although Germany’s next general election is not scheduled until October 2013, the campaign started in earnest on 28 September 2012.
Much ado about little: Britain and the EU budget
07 November 2012
Britain is expending considerable political capital on freezing the EU budget. It would be best to push for reform of how the budget is spent.
Will the euro crisis lead to the break-up of EU member-states?
24 October 2012
The crisis is fuelling separatism in Spain and Belgium. But elsewhere in Europe separatists do poorly. Scotland's example may yet discourage others from following Catalonia and Flanders.
Cameron's European 'own goal': Leaving EU police and justice co-operation
03 October 2012
David Cameron wants to pull the UK out of most EU co-operation on crime and policing by 2014. The move is bad for Britain.