European Union: An Emerging British Consensus?

As part of RUSI's European Futures project, and in conjunction with Open Europe, Dr Liam Fox will address some of the fundamental questions facing the UK as it considers its future relationship with the European Union, including:

• How do we shape a credible debate on the European Union?
• How should the UK respond to proposals for further Eurozone integration?
• Can the UK coexist in a Union centred around a unified Eurozone?
• Who needs who more, the EU or the UK?
• What are the UK's own political constraints?
• Should a renegotiation of our relationship take place and if so when and how?

Dr Liam Fox has been the Member of Parliament for North Somerset (Woodspring) since 1992, having previously worked in General Practice within the constituency. His early parliamentary career included appointments as Senior Government Whip and Minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He subsequently acted as Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Constitutional Affairs, before spending four years as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and then Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party. Prior to a return to government he served as Shadow Foreign Secretary and then Shadow Secretary of State for Defence for over four years. He was appointed Secretary of State for Defence on 12th May 2010, leading the Ministry during the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), before resigning from the position in October 2011 and returning to the Back Benches. Throughout his political career he has engaged with questioned European political and defence integration, questioning the duplication of NATO capabilities and opposing the defence provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.

Registration opens from 13.45.  Following the speech there will be a reception in the Library of Military History, for refreshments and further discussion.