Explaining the Failure of Euroscepticism in the European Parliament

Abstract

Abstract Eurosceptics have failed to transform success in the European elections of certain member states into legislative and campaigning achievements within the European Parliament. This is at a time when the Parliament has developed a substantial role within the European Union (EU) legislative system that Eurosceptics oppose. Negligible alliance-building between Eurosceptic representatives is compounded by the failure to construct a homogeneous political group or any of the wider parallel structures common to the established party families at the European level. This chapter shows that unless other issues are also pursued, as is the case for the Soft Eurosceptics who have other policy interests, the European Parliament is an unrewarding location for Eurosceptics.