Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Never Again | 20060807 | Allan Little looks at how the European Union was created, from the devastation of World War Two to its current incarnation as a new kind of superpower. Focusing on key moments along the journey, he analyses Britain's contradictory relationship with 'Europe'. If today's European Union seems to be all about vetoes and subsidies, nothing could have been further from the minds of its early founders. 'Never again' was their impetus. They embarked on creating a Europe where three wars in two generations would not only be unthinkable but impossible. Allan Little talks to the surviving members of the Coal and Steel Community, the first step towards European union. The weapons of war would be turned into tools of a new kind of co-operation in Europe. 1/4. Never Again Allan Little looks at how the European Union was created, from the devastation of World War Two to its current incarnation as a new kind of superpower. Focusing on key moments along the journey, he analyses Britain's contradictory relationship with 'Europe'. If today's European Union seems to be all about vetoes and subsidies, nothing could have been further from the minds of its early founders.'Never again' was their impetus. They embarked on creating a Europe where three wars in two generations would not only be unthinkable but impossible. Allan Little talks to the surviving members of the Coal and Steel Community, the first step toward European union. The weapons of war would be turned into tools of a new kind of co-operation in Europe. Followed by Weather. If today's European Union seems to be all about vetoes and subsidies, nothing could have been further from the minds of its early founders. 'Never again' was their impetus. They embarked on creating a Europe where three wars in two generations would not only be unthinkable but impossible. Allan Little talks to the surviving members of the Coal and Steel Community, the first step towards European union. The weapons of war would be turned into tools of a new kind of co-operation in Europe. | |
| 02 | Tell Them I'm Occupied With Cyprus | 20060814 | 9.30pm (Rptd) | Charting Britain's ambiguity towards the process of European integration, first hesitating on the sidelines, then wanting to be 'in'. Initially Britain was rejected - not once but twice, each time by French President Charles de Gaulle. Edward Heath made it his priority to enter the EEC as soon as he was elected prime minister in 1970. We'll hear from those present at secret negotiations held between Heath and Georges Pompidou. But Britain had to make sacrifices - did our late entry lay a time bomb that would explode a decade later? Allan Little looks at how the European Union was created, from the devastation of the Second World War to its current incarnation as a new kind of superpower. Focusing on key moments along the journey, he analyses Britain's contradictory relationship with 'Europe'. 2/4. Tell Them I'm Occupied with Cyprus Charting Britain's ambiguity towards the process of European integration, first hesitating on the sidelines, then wanting to be 'in'. Initially Britain was rejected - not once but twice, each time by French President Charles de Gaulle. Edward Heath made it his priority to enter the EEC as soon as he was elected prime minister in 1970. We'll hear from those present at secret negotiations held between Heath and Georges Pompidou. But Britain had to make sacrifices - did our late entry lay a time bomb that would explode a decade later? |
| 03 | Breaking Down The Borders | 20060821 | The completion of the single market and Margaret Thatcher's complicated relationship with Europe, publicly so bullish about sovereignty and rebates - and yet in many ways taking us 'in' further than any Prime Minister since Edward Heath. Contributions from Jacques Delors, Lord Douglas Hurd, Lord Geoffrey Howe, Sir Bernard Ingham and Lord Charles Powell. Allan Little looks at how the European Union was created, from the devastation of the Second World War to its current incarnation as a new kind of superpower. Focusing on key moments along the journey, he analyses Britain's contradictory relationship with 'Europe'. 3/4. Breaking Down the Borders The completion of the single market and Margaret Thatcher's complicated relationship with Europe, publicly so bullish about sovereignty and rebates - and yet in many ways taking us 'in' further than any Prime Minister since Edward Heath. Contributions from Jacques Delors, Lord Douglas Hurd, Lord Geoffrey Howe, Sir Bernard Ingham and Lord Charles Powell. | |
| 04 LAST | Ever Larger Union | 20060828 | The future of Europe in the 21st century. Allan talks to the man responsible for starting Spain's accession progress just days after General Franco's death in 1975. Today's Europe is made up of 25 rather than six members, with at least three potential new members banging loudly at the door. How are the founder countries dealing with the enlargement of their once very exclusive club? Allan Little looks at how the European Union was created, from the devastation of the Second World War to its current incarnation as a new kind of superpower. Focusing on key moments along the journey, he analyses Britain's contradictory relationship with Europe. 4/4. Ever Larger Union The future of Europe in the 21st century. Allan talks to the man responsible for starting Spain's accession progress just days after General Franco's death in 1975. Today's Europe is made up of 25 rather than six members, with at least three potential new members banging loudly at the door. How are the founder countries dealing with the enlargement of their once very exclusive club? |