This book explores how New Zealand, a small country almost as far from Western Europe as it is possible to be , assumed political importance in Britain's accession to the European Community vastly out of proportion to its size, proximity and strategic position. At several points in accession negotiations, the issue of New Zealand's continued trade with Britain threatened to derail UK Government attempts to join the Community. This issue also interacted with the broader context of the Cold War, economic shocks and decolonisation, materially affecting the terms of entry into the European Community, and altering Britain's relations with its European partners and the British public's perceptions of British membership. After entry, New Zealand continued to resurface as a continued source of tension between Britain and an integrating Europe. The role that New Zealand played sheds light on Britain's attempts to retain global influence after the demise of its formal empire. Contributing to a growing body of research which challenges the traditional historical narratives of British 'decline' and colonial 'independence' in the second half of the twentieth century, this book fills an important gap in the historiography of Britain following the 1973 enlargement of the European Communities.

Challenges existing scholarship on Anglo-New Zealand relations, in the context of the UK's relationship with the EC Examines New Zealand's interaction with Britain and the European Community in the second half of the 20th century Helps us to understand Brexit and the post-referendum efforts of the UK government to articulate 'Global Britain'

Autorentext

Hamish McDougall is Executive Director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs - Whare Taw hi-a-mahi i Aotearoa. Previously, his doctoral study of international history at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), focussed on the topic of Anglo-New Zealand relations in the context of European integration.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Chapter 1. New Zealand and Britain's failed Accession Attempts, 1960-69.- Chapter 2. Negotiations for European Community Enlargement, 1970-71.- Chapter 3. New Zealand, the European Communities Act and the Treaty of Accession, 1971-72.- Chapter 4. New Zealand and the First Year of British Membership in the European Community, 1973.- Chapter 5. Renegotiation, Referendum and the Review of New Zealand's Special Arrangement, 1975.- Chapter 6. Lamb is Shepherded into the CAP and New Zealand's Special Arrangement is Extended, 1979-81.- Chapter 7. Cold War Endings to Brexit and Free Trade Agreements, 1985-2022.- 8. Conclusions.