There are only two coherent British attitudes to Europe. One is to participate fully... and to endeavour to exercise as much influence and gain as much benefit as possible from the inside. The other is to recognise that Britain's history, national psychology and political culture may be such that we can never be other than a foot-dragging and constantly complaining member; and that it would be better, and certainly would produce less friction, to accept this and to move towards an orderly, and if possible, reasonably amicable withdrawal.


Speech at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference centre (22 March 1999), quoted in The Sunday Telegraph (28 March 1999).

Roy Jenkins Quotes

There are only two coherent British attitudes to Europe. One is to participate fully... and to endeavour to exercise as much influence and gain as...

There are only two coherent British attitudes to Europe. One is to participate fully... and to endeavour to exercise as much influence and gain as...

There are only two coherent British attitudes to Europe. One is to participate fully... and to endeavour to exercise as much influence and gain as...

There are only two coherent British attitudes to Europe. One is to participate fully... and to endeavour to exercise as much influence and gain as...