ABSTRACT
Euroscepticism is a phenomenon affecting both the left and the right in British politics. The Eurosceptic discourse of the Telegraph during this period, of course, was associated with, and in the service of, the wider discourse relating to the imminent General Election of 1997. Unsurprisingly the discourse of the three Eurosceptic tabloids differs from that of the broadsheets in significant ways. The thematic range of Euroscepticism is more limited and the themes themselves are considerably less defined than in the broadsheets. The Euroscepticism of the Mail and Express, and the phobias which nourish them, are integral parts of their respective discourses. This discourse plays variations on a narrower range of themes than those of the broadsheets although the ideological underpinning is considerable. The Euroscepticism in the category finds its expression in two well-worn and associated themes: the perceived deception and dishonesty perpetrated by Britain’s European partners.
