What were Winston Churchill's views on the European Union and European integration?

Winston Churchill's views on the European Union and European integration were complex and evolved over time.

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Churchill was a strong advocate for European unity and cooperation. In a speech delivered in 1946 at the University of Zurich, he called for the creation of a "United States of Europe" to prevent future conflicts and promote peace and prosperity on the continent. He believed that a united Europe would be a powerful force for stability and would help maintain Britain's global influence.

However, Churchill's vision of European unity did not necessarily align with the specific form that the European Union eventually took. He favored a looser association of European nations, based on cooperation and free trade, rather than a supranational organization with extensive powers. He was wary of any arrangement that could undermine national sovereignty or dilute Britain's unique relationship with the United States.

As the European integration process progressed, Churchill became more skeptical of the direction it was taking. In the late 1950s, he expressed concerns about the growing power of the European Commission and the erosion of national sovereignty. He believed that the European project should focus primarily on economic cooperation and trade, rather than political integration.

In a speech to the House of Commons in 1962, Churchill stated that Britain should not be part of a "European superstate" and should instead maintain its own distinct identity and global role. He argued that Britain's historical ties to the Commonwealth and the United States made it different from continental Europe and that it should prioritize its relationships with these partners.

Overall, while Churchill initially supported the idea of European unity, his views on the European Union and European integration became more cautious and skeptical over time. He believed in the importance of cooperation and trade among European nations but was wary of any arrangement that could undermine national sovereignty or dilute Britain's global influence.