Europe Coalition and Conflict: a Case Study

Of the many differences between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties Britain’s relationship with Europe is perhaps one of the most obvious. The entering into coalition of these parties in 2011 thus raised the question of how when confronted by matters of EU policy did the new government manage its differences to form a coherent strategy? This dissertation focuses on one case from the coalition’s time in power - the December 2011 European Council summit so chosen because it was a clear example of a time when both parties disagreed on the best way forward for Britain in Europe. The ensuing discussions between the parties provided a unique perspective on both parties’ current viewpoints on Europe. They also shed some light on how these differences were managed within the coalition.