Mission Statement

“YES to European trade! NO to European government!”

The European Foundation is a think-tank, providing both challenging arguments and solid facts on the European Union that will benefit you no matter which side of the debate you approach the issue. Our outlook begins from a Eurorealist viewpoint, and as such, we believe in making the European Union an institution which is beneficial to all the countries and peoples involved. We believe that greater democracy can only be achieved among the various peoples of Europe by the fundamental renegotiation of the binding treaties of Maastricht (1992), Amsterdam (1997) and Nice (2001). The Foundation does not advocate withdrawal from the European Union, rather its thoroughgoing reform. In sum, by taking a Eurorealist position on global economic and political developments, the European Foundation's raison d'être has been: “yes to European trade, no to European government.”

 

Objectives

“YES to European trade! NO to European government!”

To further prosperity and democracy in Europe

To renegotiate the treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice and prevent the ratification of the European Constitution

To reform and scale down the acquis communautaire

To ensure that future member states get a fair deal from EC/EU membership        

To halt the continuing arrogation of power by the EC/EU

To prevent the UK from adopting the euro

To contribute as actively as possible to an informed public debate about the future of Europe        

To liaise with like-minded organisations all over the globe

To liaise with organisations affected by EC/EU action and policy



History of the Foundation

On 7 February 1992, under John Major's conservative government, the Maastricht Treaty was signed – a major European treaty pressing the European member-states towards a deeply troubling political, legal and economic unification. In effect, the European Union (EU) was born. By October 1992, in strong opposition to the Maastricht Treaty, a group known as The Great College Street Group – consisting of MPs, academics, businessmen, lawyers, and economists – was formed. The Group provided comprehensive briefs in the campaign to win the arguments both in Parliament and throughout the UK. Shortly after the Maastricht debates the European Foundation was created by Bill Cash MP, a member of the Great College Street Group, who had helped to bolster a significant parliamentary opposition inside the Commons throughout the Maastricht Rebellion crisis period. The European Foundation has since existed to conduct a vigorous campaign in the UK and across Europe to reform the EC/EU into a community of free-trading, sovereign states. The Foundation continues to establish links with like-minded organisations across Europe and throughout the globe.