Origins After World War II, moves towards European integration were seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism that had devastated the continent. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), formed by the Inner Six countries in 1951 and Gradually more and more countries joined with each adjustment to policy for example the last major amendment was the Lisbon Treaty Which ultimately formed the “official EU”.

Living in the EU The EU covers over 4 million km² and has 503 million inhabitants — the world’s third largest population after China and India. By surface area, France is the biggest EU country and Malta the smallest. Benefits of being in the EU; No wars Free to travel and settle Work freely buy property Study Health Insurance Free Market States run by common policy

The Economy Operating as a single market with 28 countries, the EU is a major world trading power. EU economic policy seeks to sustain growth by investing in transport, energy and research – while minimising the impact of further economic development on the environment. The EU's economy is now bigger than the US's: EU in 2012: € million With just 7% of the world’s population, the EU's trade with the rest of the world accounts for around 20% of global exports and imports. Around two-thirds of EU countries’ total trade is done with other EU countries.

Institutions of the EU The European Union has seven institutions: European Parliament Council of the European Union European Commission European Council European Central Bank Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Auditors.

The EU from the Perspective of the UK There has been a lot of unrest between the relationship of the UK and the EU. Party members Conservative and UKIP have been demanding change. Here are some changes the prime minister would like; Working Time Directive, which imposes employment rules such as limiting the working week and giving EU workers a minimum number of holidays each year. The UK is also keen on opt-outs from policing and criminal justice measures. The 2010 Conservative manifesto said: "We will work to bring back key powers over legal rights, criminal justice and social and employment legislation to the UK." Also to restrict immigration.

What has the PM said; "Would Britain collapse if we left the European Union? No, of course not. You could choose a different path. The question is, what is in our national interest? I've always been very clear it's in our national interest as a trading nation to be in the single market.“ What does this mean? We can make the rules and not have any outside influence.

What other leaders have said; French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius "We want the British to be able to bring all their positive characteristics to Europe. "But you can't do Europe à la carte. I'll take an example which our British friends will understand. Let's imagine Europe is a football club and you join, but once you're in it you can't say let's play rugby." German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle "Germany wants the United Kingdom to remain an active and constructive part of the European Union... But cherry picking is not an option."

Former EU commissioner and Labour MP Lord Mandelson; "On the other hand, he's saying that Britain's membership of Europe is a sort-of blank sheet of paper, which has to be completely renegotiated, and if Britain doesn't get what it wants then we're leaving and heading out through the exit door. For the UK this is very controversial and has created a split within the country, there will be a referendum on this issue after the next general election in 2015.

Questions What benefits are there from being a member of the EU? Would the UK leaving the EU affect you? What disadvantages are there of leaving the EU? Would the UK survive if we left the UK? Would Spain ever leave the EU?