This paper will critically review the competing definitions of the concept of equality as epitomised in UK and EC equalities legislation. Attempts to formulate childcare policies by organisations like the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and some local government women's committees (LGWCs) in the UK and the Equal Opportunities Bureau (DG5) of the European Community (EC) are fundamentally affected by these definitions. Our exploration of the differing principles which underpin UK and EC legislation within the context of EC political relations lead us to conclude that without a radical change in UK government thinking, the potential of the EC as a vehicle for promoting equal opportunities in Britain will be lost.
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