h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've been very surprised by the scale of euroscepticism in the UK, as shown by the success of UKIP in the recent elections.

Do most people in Britain (and a fair few in the rest of Europe apparently) really want out of European Community and if they do, why?

There is a convosation here about the Eu, F135418?thread=435102 Thought you may be interested

The EU is far from over. It will continue to have to grow in power over it's member states and in geographical size and global power.

On the other question - not most people is the answer. And I doubt that a significant proportion of people in mainland Europe want out. However there a a great number of people in Europe that are not happy with way the EU is run, opperates and generates law. Where as most people in Britain unlike the rest of Europe have no ethusiasm for the 'European Ideal' and simply wish for the EU to be what it was sold to us as when we joined, a Free Trading Block. That isn't6 to suggest that UKIP is the party of the old who stuck in the past, it is a party with notable support amongst the young who never had a chance to vote on Britain membership in the 70s.

"who never had a chance to vote on Britain membership in the 70s"

I think this is a key point in many situations where people resent abiding by decisions made for them by previous generations and reminds me of the often said phrase "look at the young people these days".

What is not said enough in return is "look at what the previous generation left us to work with"

Indeed!

Europe isn't dying, it's evolving. it's becoming a new entity, and is trying to become a single state. rather than just a continent.

Building Bridges ,rather than Walls

"Europe isn't dying, it's evolving. it's becoming a new entity, and is trying to become a single state. rather than just a continent."

Oh, controversy!!!
Western Europe has recovered from the war that left it in ruination. Parts of it are stagnating though as policies that aidded this recovery now hinder it's developent... Eastern Europe has developed so differently and has new problems that need to be dealt with...

The new countries to the EU do not want to become members of a superstate, they've fought hard to free themselve from the yoke of USSR and have no desire to give it all up for a different superstate. The Irish feel the same, because of their experiance under the Empire, British people for the most point just want the EU to be what it was that they were told it was, a free trade area.
There are people that want a European superstate, these are mostly people that want there to be a military and economic rival to the USA. The EU's politicians will not admit to wanting to create a Superstate, those that have in the past have now changed their public tune...
It could be argued that we are in a European superstte confederation already, given we elect for a parliament in Europe and EU law overides national laws...

I personally do NOT want the Super State's of Europe. or whatever name they give it, but introduction of the Euro, the attempted abolishment of passports needed for internal european travel, the attempted standardisation of prices throughout europe. all point to a superstate forming.

Mmm, but denial will continue until we are in a superstae in all but name, then the proposal will be put forward and there will be no arguing against it since it will no-loner be significant change...

And those that say that is paranoia, are the mostly people that would 'So what?!!' to the idea of being in a European Confederation.

" personally do NOT want the Super State's of Europe. or whatever name they give it,"

your not the only one
In fact i would think the vast majority even among EU supporters not want it

I hope that if they do try it, that they put it up for vote, and if the majority of a country wants in, then they can get in, but if the majoarity of the country do NOT want in then that country dioesn't go in.

I know this may mean that there may be the occasional country from Eurpore that's not in, but is bordered by countries who are in.

If some countries want to be in then good luck to them.

Oh of course it would be put to a referendum, but that won't happen until the European states are so intergrated that they are a to all intents and purposes a superstate...