2000-2002

The European Council agreed the Nice Treaty in December 2000, promising to deliver a stronger Britain in Europe. On February 26 2001, Robin Cook (former foreign secretary) signed the treaty. Agreement of the treaty means that the EU will be ready for enlargement by the end of 2002.

On January 1 2002 euro notes and coins began official circulation in the EU. Tony Blair's Labour government is still deciding whether the UK should join the euro. They believe that there are no political barriers to entry and that the only tests to be applied are of economic advantage. As Gordon Brown, chancellor of the exchequer, has put it, the government is pro-euro "because...we believe that - in principle - membership of the euro can bring benefits to Britain."

The Conservatives have campaigned extensively for 'saving the pound' but agree that the UK should be part of Europe. Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the Conservative party has said he would never join the euro.

Peter Hain, the minister for Europe gave the EU 8 out of 10 for its policies and institutions in his speech for Europe21 in on January 22 2002. He said 'It's not perfect. No level of government is, but... the case for a strong Britain in a strong Europe gets an unequivocal 10 out of 10.'

Chart the rich history of the UK's influence on the European Union from 1946 onwards. To access the information, simply move your mouse over any decade and click.

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