The imperatives that drove countries to join the EU, in many cases, no longer stand despite federalist forces pushing for more integration - argues Dr Lee Rotherham
Of all the friends and allies of European integration, the greatest has been time. The founding fathers counted on it, when they set up a tariff union in the post-war world. It was time that saw out Charles de Gaulle. It was time that has seen countless binned schemes re-emerge in classic civil servant style as soon as new ministers arrive. Time saw out the British opt-out on the social chapter. Time nearly saw the United Kingdom's opt-out on the single currency go too. Time outlives the veto.
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The imperatives that drove countries to join the EU, in many cases, no longer stand despite federalist forces pushing for more integration - argues Dr Lee RotherhamOf all the friends and allies of European integration, the greatest has been time. The founding fathers counted on it, when they set up a tariff union in the post-war world. It was time that saw out Charles de Gaulle. It was time that has seen countless binned schemes re-emerge in classic civil servant style as soon as new ministers arrive. Time saw out the British opt-out on the social chapter. Time nearly saw the United Kingdom's opt-out on the single currency go too. Time outlives the veto.