292 The European Union – United or divided? It has socialised us to an extent many have perhaps not realised. Join the queue to board the Eurostar at St Pancras station, or line up at the easyJet departure lounge at almost any airport in the land, and you will meet a European world, which seems normal and familiar, but would not have been a generation ago. The difference is not about food or café culture, or the arrival of Zara or Novotel – though the EU has improved our quality of life in all these respects. Nor is it about language per se; Britons retain a foolish pride in their hopelessness at foreign languages. What has changed is our awareness and acceptance of the different European accents and mores. […] There can be no return to that parochialism. Not only because European consciousness is now lodged inside our heads – yes, even in the head of Nigel Farage – but because our friends and neighbours will do their utmost to prevent it. […] Britain’s strength, its international influence and its 21 st -century identity are perceived by the outside world, above all, as European. That is how others see us. It is also, deep down, how tomorrow’s Britons will see themselves. Mary Dejevsky, The Independent, January 31, 2013  Describe the given front page. Focus on the crusade logo (M 12). 2 Analyse what the “Daily Express”-crusade is about and why its initiators celebrate a “victory” (M 12). 3 Describe how the British idea of Europe differs from many other member countries (M 12 14). 4 Name functions of the media in a democratic system and evaluate this campaign, taking in consideration what type of newspaper the “Daily Express” is (M 12). 5 Analyse the cartoon (M 13). 6 Summarise reasons why Britain should stay in the EU (M 14 M 16). Use the Internet to find more arguments. 7 Role play: Discuss whether Britain should stay in the EU. Take the following sides: • Conservative MP who wants Britain to leave the EU • Labour MP who wants Britain to stay in the EU • Daily Express editor who defends the campaign and its reasons • Other journalist who criticises this campaign, its reasons and effects • German journalist who takes on a “German view” Exercises 50 55 60 65 70 Nigel Farage British politician and leader of the UK Independence Party, born 3 April 1964 71051_1_1_2015_Inhalt_4.indd 29 21.01.15 10:40 Nu r z u Pr üf zw ec ke n Ei ge nt um d es C .C .B uc hn er V er la gs