The European Union

What is the European Union? 

The European Union is a group of 27 European countries which work together to try and make their country a better place. To be part of the EU the country needs to follow strict rules and they must pay to be part of it. The rules include bringing in laws to make sure that people are treated fairly, people's human rights are respected and everyone over a certain age is allowed to vote.
They also need to prove that they don't waste money or spend to much of it. Often counties need to adapt laws or change them completely to be able to comply with these mandatory guidelines.
The EU grew rapidly in 2004 going from 15 countries to 24 and England joined the EU in 1973. Most counties in the EU use the currency of the Euro.
People who think the EU is ineffective are called Eurosceptics, some Eurosceptics in the UK think that being part of the EU makes Britain loose its independence.

What are the benefits of it? 

The aims of the EU are to try and make it easier for businesses and companies to trade with each other despite the businesses being in completely different countries. The EU also aims for Europe to be listened to more and people to live in freedom without the threat of war. One thing which is quite interesting is 4 rights which the EU made for every Citizen: 

1) Freedom to move between countries in the EU and be able to live there. 

2) Right to Vote 

3) If you are traveling outside the EU your country doesn't need to have an embassy, they can use another countries. 

4) Free speech and opinion on political subjects. 

So why is in the news at the moment? 

The EU is in the news at the moment because David Cameron is claiming that the budget for the EU in the next 7 years is unrealistic. Mr Cameron says that the EU needs to ajust to the 'Real World'. However, despite this he seems willing to negotiate with them. If a deal can't be made England might even leave the EU! 

Would there be any benefits of leaving the EU? 

Looking at this idea from a short-term perspective, probably; there would be slightly lower taxes and Britain would be more independent. However this might be a slightly stubborn thing to do because if we do leave it means that in the future when England might need advice or help we would need to go through the hard process of joining again. 

By Liam Pape