There is a spectre haunting the next Conservative Government of the UK: it is the spectre of Europe. For many within the Conservative Party, and its supporters in the media, the relationship between the UK and the EU is a touchstone issue. The ‘Europe Question’ has dogged the party for nearly two decades now as it has struggled to develop a vision of national sovereignty that is compatible with the UK’s obligations under EU Treaties. If they are elected to Government, the Conservatives’ unresolved dilemma could also become a problem for the rest of Europe, possibly starting during the Spanish Presidency, as London attempts to unilaterally redefine its relationship with the rest of the EU.

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