In the aftermath of the Second World War, when plans were being discussed in 1947 for Europe's economic recovery, the UK declined an offer from the French to be involved in a project to form a European customs union. UK officials nonetheless took part in discussions in the 1950s with the six founding member states – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – about proposals for economic integration. Due largely to its grave doubts about becoming a member of a supranational body, the UK's Conservative government left the talks that eventually led to the founding of a common market in 1957, thereby instigating what would subsequently be identified as ‘the parting of the ways’ (Young, 1989).

Even before the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the failed attempts of the UK to join in the 1960s, evidence can be found of the conflictual relations existing among the potential member states over the social dimension. Efforts to reach consensus through trade-offs and compromise were further complicated by international and domestic events, and by clashes of personality and changing coalitions. Since the UK did not join the EEC during its formative years, not only did it forego an opportunity to influence the social dimension, but it was also unable to benefit from the favourable economic conditions enjoyed by the founding member states during the 1960s. By the time the UK joined what was by then the European Communities (EC) in 1973, it was engulfed in a global economic recession; and the UK's changing place in the world order was calling into question the role it might play in a European common market.

In seeking to gain a better understanding of the UK's influence on the development of EU social policy during its membership, this chapter addresses the following issues:

• • how the accession of the UK affected the balance between the economic and social dimensions of the EC;

• • how UK membership influenced the relationship and the distribution of competences between EU institutions and national governments in the social domain;

• • how the UK assisted the European Commission in building its social policy capacity and the evidence base;