Britain’s departure from “Ever Closer Union” is of great significance

The expression “ever closer union” remains a driving force of European integration of the federalist kind, writes Geoffrey Van Orden MEP, who took part in the expert proceedings on the topic at the LSE Commission on the Future of Britain in Europe. This is why if the UK were to decide to remain in the EU after 23 June, the reform package secured by David Cameron in this area could be of great significance. However, this would have to be accompanied by real political drive on the part of UK government, in order to exploit opportunities and resist the inevitable moves by others towards greater integration.