Atlantic Council Program Assistant Ian Hansen writes for EurActive on why Prime Minister David Cameron must begin to demonstrate a long-term vision for the United Kingdom’s role in Europe that resists myopic domestic pressures:
In the 17th century, Englishman John Donne wrote that “no man is an island” suggesting humanity cannot thrive when isolated. Unfortunately, one of Donne’s current countrymen fails to appreciate this concept.
As the European Council Summit again confirmed, and with the September NATO Summit looming, British Prime Minister David Cameron’s increasingly shortsighted leadership risks inhibiting European accord by isolating the UK from Europe.
Cameron seems to understand a strong transatlantic partnership needs increased economic cooperation and a credible NATO if the UK is to remain relevant. Yet, his recent actions fail to demonstrate the pragmatism needed to maintain necessary consensus between the UK and Europe. It is this consensus that is also needed to ensure a credible NATO and increased economic cooperation.