In almost opposite ways China and the EU demonstrate the need for political regimes to take some account of the ‘wishes of the people’. This is not to say that either is democratic but that unless the power of the people is carefully fragmented and weakened it may assert itself disruptively, eventually. China uses economic … More No Regime Change, Yet
Theresa May repeatedly guarantees that we’re leaving the Customs Union (CU) and Jeremy Corbyn concurs. That was also the promise in both parties’ 2017 election manifestos and so is a commitment made by 80% of MPs now in the House of Commons, if not necessarily their true wish. The apparent position now is that under … More Unusual Customs
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
In this post we tease out some of the evidence that supports our claim that the EU is founded on contempt for its member nations and disdain for its citizens (see also Foundations). Here is a sample of views of those who would rule over us, rather than represent us. “Europe’s nations should be guided towards … More Attitudes and Ideology
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
Chief EU Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, is milking the Irish border issue, although ‘milking’ is scarcely the right word, ‘inflaming’ would be more appropriate. Lord Patten, one of the appeasers in the upper House, recently stated that a clean Brexit would result in a hard border in Ireland which was like carrying a can of … More Irish Troubles
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
Despite appointing leading Brexiteers to Cabinet positions responsible for managing the process of leaving the EU, the balance of power seems to lie with Remainers keen to keep things as close as possible to how they are now. Theresa May warned the Conservative Party Conference in 2002 that some voters saw them as the Nasty … More The New Appeasers?
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
This EU Won't Work 