"The 2004 European Parliament Elections in England: The Impact of Political Elite and Media Framing"

Glass, Bryan S. (2005) "The 2004 European Parliament Elections in England: The Impact of Political Elite and Media Framing". In European Union Studies Association (EUSA) > Biennial Conference > 2005 (9th), March 31-April 2, 2005, pages 45, Austin, Texas.

Abstract

As the widening and deepening of the European Union continues in earnest, there are an ever-increasing number of issues for Eurosceptic elites in England to attack. This paper posits that political elites and the media frame issues in order to create Euroscepticism among the masses. This tactic is taken by political elites in a bid to gain electoral support. On the other hand, the media use Euroscepticism as a way to increase profits. In the 2004 European Parliament elections, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) benefited from rising Euroscepticism among the British public that has been carefully crafted by both Conservative and Labour elites since the beginning of the European project in 1951. A determination of the substantive issues that have consolidated the level of support for this Eurosceptic mentality in the last five years will be made by answering some pertinent questions. Is Euroscepticism a viable party platform in British mainstream politics today? Has the implementation of popularly-supported devolution in both Scotland and Wales made the English more aware of their distinct identity? Do members of the general public who identify themselves as English actually have a tendency to support Eurosceptic candidates and parties and purchase Eurosceptic newspapers? A survey of party elites from across the political spectrum is utilized to shed light on this escalating Euroscepticism. In the end, while the United Kingdom is not the only country facing increased Europhobia, the impact of framing by political elites and the media may force the Labour Party to rethink its strategy of deeper integration but, hopefully, will not lead to a pullout from the EU.