Reading list on UK-EU relations 2013-16: reform, renegotiation, withdrawal

Published Monday, February 29, 2016

The Commons Library has compiled a selection of books, journal and press articles, think tank, parliamentary and library publications relevant to the UK's renegotiation of its membership of the European Union. This reading list accompanies a series of Commons Library briefing papers on the EU reform proposals and negotiations by the UK, and a possible EU exit.

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Contents of reading list

Books
Journals
Press
Think tanks
Committees
Devolved Assemblies
Commons Library briefings

MPs and their staff may consult any hard-copy resources listed by contacting the Commons Library Customer Services Team at papers@parliament.uk.

Background

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has on various occasions over the last few years set out proposals for EU reform which he maintains would benefit the UK and the EU as a whole. They can be summarised as follows:

No to "ever closer union" and decisions taken so far away from people
Eurozone integration must be fair to those inside and outside the single currency
Welfare incentives encouraging EU citizens to seek work in the UK must be tackled
The need to maintain competitiveness, jobs, growth, innovation and success

David Cameron presented his reform agenda to the European Council in June 2015, triggering a process of 'technical talks' on what might be feasible, with or without Treaty change. These talks have been held in private by EU and UK officials.

Mr Cameron presented details of his proposed reforms in a letter to the European Council President in November 2015. There was no agreement on them at the European Council in December 2015 but a new settlement for the UK in the EU was agreed at the European Council meeting on 19 February 2016.

The pro- and anti-EU membership campaigns began in October 2015.

The European Union Referendum Bill 2015-16 received Royal Assent on 17 December 2015. The provisions of the Bill which attracted most debate during Second Reading were those concerning the franchise, the timing of the referendum and the lifting of the purdah provisions.

Commons Briefing papers CBP-7220

Authors: Julie Gill; Vaughne Miller

Topics: EU Council of Ministers, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, EU political integration, European Commission, European Council, European Parliament