Can the British dream co-exist with the EU?

David Goodhart's new book The British Dream argues that a meaningful national identity is still required to balance the diversity and individualism of modern life. Is such a national identity inevitably in tension with membership of the European Union or can the two happily co-exist? The free movement rule designed for a Union of similarly developed states has recently created a large movement of workers, especially to Britain, which has challenged the fundamental idea that governments should give priority to their own citizens. Is it now impossible for EU states to remain true to the principle of “fellow citizen favouritism” and also to the rules of the EU?

David Goodhart is the Director of Demos and the author of The British Dream (2013) about postwar multiculturalism, national identity and immigration. He is the founder and former editor of Prospect magazine and still works as the magazine’s editor-at-large. Before Prospect, David was a correspondent for the Financial Times for 12 years – including a stint in Germany during the unification period.

Robert Cooper is a Former Counsellor at the European External Acton Service and ECFR Council Member. Robert joined the UK Diplomatic Service in 1970 after which he served in different countries both in Asia and Europe. Before moving to Brussels in 2002, he was Special Representative for the British Government in Afghanistan.