The European commission said it would not be possible because only countries that were in the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) or in the process of becoming members were eligible for inclusion. Britain had been due to have one of its cities designated European capital of culture, along with one in Hungary, in 2023. Only two other UK cities – Glasgow and Liverpool – have previously been British recipients of the title, in 1990 and 2008 respectively. Under EU law, the UK government was obliged to launch the competition to find the candidate cities once in the process or face a possible fine. EU and me: writers reminisce on their relationship with Europe Read more“Being the capital of culture had a transformative effect in Glasgow and Liverpool, fuelling regeneration, tourism and community pride.

Source: The Guardian November 23, 2017 15:10 UTC