The EU is preparing to consult its citizens again (or some of them – those who might be interested) under the European Citizens’ Initiative. Here is the objective of the Initiative: “The European citizens’ initiative, foreseen in the Treaty on European Union, allows EU citizens to participate directly in the development of EU policies by calling … More Citizens’ Initiative
The EU keeps on both demanding solidarity and, when it suits, claiming that it exists. We question both whether it exists and whether it is necessary, or even possible. Jean-Claude Juncker from his annual 2016 State of the Union address: “Solidarity is the glue that keeps our Union together.” “Being European, for most of us, … More Solidarity
We argue that the EU is founded on two conceptual pillars and examine the assumptions on which these are based. Both the pillars and the assumptions are disguised because they would not be acceptable to most citizens. The two conceptual pillars are: A: contempt for the inability of the nation states of Europe to bring … More Foundations
EU budgets are prepared for seven years ahead; a new one is due for the period 2021-2027 and a first draft has been issued by the European Commission as their proposed multi-annual financial framework (MFF). EU budgets are prepared for seven years ahead; a new one is due for the period 2021-2027 and a first … More Budget Bazaar
We’ve tried to understand more about how members of the European Parliament (EP) are selected but it’s not straightforward. What follows is taken mostly from the EU Parliament’s websites and Wikipedia, with a few comments from us to challenge some of the propaganda. “Role [of the EP]: Directly-elected EU body with legislative, supervisory, and budgetary … More (S)election of MEPs
A. What has the EU (ever) done for us? Has it made us richer? Our growth has stayed pretty much on post-war trend throughout. We didn’t catch up with average EU6 post-war recovery rate, they slowed to ours then fell behind on average. Has it made us safer? Only Britain, France and Poland … More Shorties-16
The EU is happy to use its legal muscle against Brexit Britain, American corporations it doesn’t like and less ‘important’, deviant member nations while overlooking blatant German malpractices and Russian interference. There’s been a leak from the European Commission which shows that gas sales by Russia favour Germany over other EU nations in central and … More Gas Leak
Psychology suggests we’re more likely to fail if we believe we’re going to fail: optimists who look forward to a successful future are more likely to succeed. That applies to people, to communities and to nations. Too many Britons are worried by what we may lose when we leave the European Union and don’t recognise … More Accentuate the Positive
We are not just citizens of the EU, we are subjects of an administration that we cannot change, either alone or in the company of a majority of our fellow citizens. We examine the claim that the EU is a democracy. Here is the definition of the term ‘democratic deficit’ from the EU’s own glossary … More Democracy Denied
David Davis is a nice bloke, always smiling despite having to deal with the intractable Michel Barnier and those behind him. Compare him with Donald Trump, widely regarded around the world as a complete oaf. Which of them is the more successful negotiator? Despite the USA being the world’s foremost power it feels it has … More The Art of The Deal
This EU Won't Work 