William Hague - going native and following the Party line

William Hague (The Right Honourable Lord Hague of Richmond FRSL) is reported in the press to have said that leaving the European Union could lead to the break up of the United Kingdom 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lord-hague-says-leaving-eu-7059693. 

This statement is straight out of the 'Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt' (FUD) book.

The European Union, as far as Brussels is concerned, is divided into a Europe of the Regions. Scotland, the North, the East etc. are all regions of the European Union. Therefore it could be argued that part of the reason for a 'regional' base is to undermine that Nation State. The United Kingdom as a Nation is being undermined by this regional development and devolvement. 

The 'Northern Powerhouse' is not some Conservative initiative - it is part of the drive to divide the United Kingdom into the regions that the European Union has created.

The break up of the United Kingdom is already happening and so leaving the European Union will not necessarily lead to the break up of the United Kingdom any faster or at all.

The devolving of decision making to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh assembly assists and may have accelerated the process but it is happening already.

What is so dispiriting about Mr Hague's intervention is how he has decided to tow the Conservative Party line - this was the man who in 2001 was reported to have said "A Labour victory on June 7 could spell the end of parliamentary democracy as Britain knows it." 

Well a vote to remain in the European Union will mean exactly that Mr Hague. The United Kingdom has nothing to fear from leaving the European Union. Under FlexCit, the plan mainly written by Richard North, the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union would essentially be the same on day 1 after we leave the European Union. It would take some time to unpick the existing relationship into something different and what we want the United Kingdom to be.

However, having got the vote to leave and invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty we would then be negotiating as an independent Sovereign state, at the top table, with our own independent vote (not a 28th of a vote) and not ruled by Fax from anywhere.

The world is moving to Global Governance from the UN, Basel and other non European Union bodies. In order to take advantage of the opportunities these offer, we must, once again be an Independent Sovereign State. We have nothing to fear from leaving the European Union Mr Hague.

Vote to Leave the European Union

Other Bloggers and Thanks

When I started this blog I was determined to credit others for their blogs or opinions. One of these is Peter Hitchens of 'The Mail on Sunday'. You may not always agree with what he says but he can certainly make a good argument.

His blog today contains the following article:

"It is now quite plain that David Cameron neither expected nor wanted to win an overall majority at the General Election. He promised the EU referendum in the belief and hope that he would never have to redeem his pledge.

He has no idea what to do. The concessions he claims he will win aren’t available, and he wouldn’t want them if he could get them, as he’s rather keen on having the country run by foreigners.

Remember the wild haste with which he rushed us back into the European Arrest Warrant, a gross interference with our laws and freedom?

I bet he gulped, rather than whooped, when news was brought to him that he was going to have a majority big enough to allow (or rather force) him to do as he had said he would. He’s still hoping nobody has read the wild Election manifesto he issued, when he was sublimely confident that he would be heading another coalition.

His never-ending journey round European capitals, in search of an unattainable deal, is the most desperate quest since The Lord Of The Rings.

And he is not going to be rescued by any wizards, elves, walking forests, giant eagles or ghost armies.

Only one thing will save him, the ghastly flitting grey shapes of the politically undead, John Major, Michael Heseltine and the rest of the Europhile Black Riders, screeching and wailing (quite untruly) that Britain cannot survive outside the EU.

As long as he can persuade the Blair creature to stay silent, such a campaign of fear may just work. Millions of British people have never lived in an independent country and are scared of trying to do so, like infants who have never ridden a bicycle without stabilisers.

And when they are not scared, they are bored by the subject, or put off it by the blazer-and-cravat bangers-on, who can speak of nothing else.

It’s a pity really, that it should come to this, that a country created by repeated episodes of dangerous valour and solitary endeavour should come to an end because its voters are frightened of letting go of Nurse Angela Merkel, or think they can’t manage on their own in the world without Jean-Claude Juncker to wipe their noses for them. But, after the failure of Mr Cameron’s latest scrabble for unavailable concessions, I suspect that’s the way it will go.

Fear conquers all."

-------------------------------

Before taking a break I want to acknowledge that this blog started because of and was inspired by Richard North. His EUReferendum.com blog is simply indispensable to anyone who wants to learn anything about the European Union.

I am also extremely grateful personally to 'A Boiling Frog' who was kind enough to make suggestions to and give critical feedback on my posts. Any errors remain mine and I restate my promise to correct any that are pointed out to me and to acknowledge them.

Lastly, I want to thank those who have read and who read my posts. It is very satisfying that people read my output. I hope that they give pause for thought.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

Vote to leave the European Union

A Fundamental law of the European Union

Associate Membership was flagged some time ago by 'A fundamental law of the European Union' published by The Spinelli Group which appeared on the Spinelli Group website on 4th October 2013. 

This is offered as a 'major contribution to the debate on the future of Europe'.

Its 'Headline proposals' (http://www.spinelligroup.eu/article/fundamental-law-european-union) are:

1.   'Ever Closer Union' defined as federal union of states and citizens deriving legitimacy from popular sovereignty. 
2.   Constitutions of EU Staes must respect EU values
3.   Commission becomes the EU Government, appointed by and answerable to the legislature of Council and Parliament 
4.   Limited right of legislative initiative to Council and Parliament
5.   European Council redefined as the lead formation of the Council of Ministers
6.   Rotating Council presidency abolished: Each formation elects its own chair
7.   Commission becomes smaller, nominated by its President
8.   Certain number of MEP's elected in pan-EU constituency on transnational lists
9.   Wide extension of ordinary legislative procedure
10. Widen jurisdiction of Court of Justice
11. Easier access for citizens to Court of Justice
12. Ending rigid unanimity for future treaty change and entry into force
13. Ending opt-outs in Justice and Home Affairs
14. Creation of an Associate Membership
15. EU tax revenue to finance EU spending
16. Additional Budget for the Eurozone
17. Common economic policy focussed on sustainable growth
18. Fiscal solidarity to complement fiscal discipline
19. New powers for European Parliament in economic and employment policy
20. National Parliaments get a say in excessive deficit procedure
21. Wider powers for European Central Bank
22. Permit sharing of Sovereign debt under strict conditionality
23. Lifting prohibition on approximation of national laws
24. Modernisation of common policies
25. Right of assent for Parliament on all international agreements

There are some real issues of concern in the above list. I will return to this in later posts.

In this post however, I will assert that most of the above list is not acceptable. Number 12 for example implies the wider use of Quality Majority Voting (QMV) where the Franco-German axis can force perhaps unwilling states to do what it wants to accelerate ever closer union. 

The United Kingdom must leave the European Union

Vote to Leave the European Union

Overcoming the Settled View

An observation about elections. General Elections in the United Kingdom take place under 'First Past The Post'. In the General Election of 2015, the Conservative Party polled 11,334,576 votes, 36.9% of those who voted but only 24.39% of the Electorate. Labour polled 9,347,304 votes with 20% of the electorate. The Conservative party gained 331 seats (the winning post was 325 seats) against Labour's 232. These voting totals are all seats including those the relevant parties did not win.

In Oldham on Friday, the turnout was 40.26% and Labour's share was 62%. This means that Labour won with 24.9% of the constituency vote. Talk of Jeremy Corbyn being 'toxic' on the doorstep, as I read in some papers in the lead up to the contest was, in my view, done firstly to undermine Mr Corbyn' leadership and secondly to scare the Labour voters of Oldham to turn out to vote.

The point is that overcoming a 'Labour' area or a 'Conservative' area ('Tribal' voting) is incredibly difficult. It is apparent that the immigration issue is not a vote changer and that Mr Farage who, I am told, is a very good public speaker seems not to be persuasive enough.

In the forthcoming European Referendum, the 'Leave' side have to overcome the argument that 'we're in it so we might as well remain it it' view and especially the 'deal' that Mr Cameron will try to sell. Mr Cameron's prestige and salesmanship must be our chief target which we must neuter if the 'Leave' side has any chance at the ballot box at all.

Therefore what is needed is an exit plan which persuades the voter that leaving the European Union is not a risk and that when we leave, the United Kingdom will still have access to the single and world markets. FLEXCIT, written chiefly by Richard North, is the plan. It illustrates how we can leave the European Union (which we must) and take our place again as an Independent Sovereign State taking part in the rapidly evolving Global Governance. Please visit and look at.http://www.eureferendum.com/documents/flexcitlite.pdf

We need to be at the 'top table' in World Governance not have a 28th of a vote. We will find ourselves in a minority in the 28 more and more if we don't leave. An individual elector will have no influence whatever. Technocrats in Brussels will govern and be impervious to all representations. 

The United Kingdom has nothing to fear from leaving the European Union. Quite the contrary. 

Vote to Leave the European Union

Syrian thoughts

I decided this blog would be about the European Union and why I believe that we should vote to leave. There are other subjects that I am interested in but that would, in my view, dilute what this blog is about and so I must impose some self discipline.

On the subject of Syria, there are some issues that I believe may impinge on the European Union and that is the reason for this particular post. 

France has said it will breach the stability and growth pact in its National interest (Government deficit 3% of GDP and Debt 60% of GDP) and so in some cases National Interest trumps the European ideal (Philip Hammond please take note). France has great geopolitical interest in Syria. 

I personally wonder about the statement that "We shouldn't be content with outsourcing our security to our allies" (David Cameron - 26/11/2015). Isn't our security safe in our hands by NOT taking part in military action?

Would the United Kingdom taking military action in Syria exacerbate the movement of refugees and irregular migrants from Syria and other Middle Eastern states to Lesbos and Malta? If it would is this, in itself, a desirable outcome? 

Maybe taking military action will make the European Union a less safe place if, by our action, more young African and Middle Eastern men escape from the the bombing in their nations and migrate to the European Union. These individuals would then be able to move throughout the European Union (fences and temporary suspension of the Schengen area having been overcome). I have read of tensions in Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Greece, Malta, Hungary and Poland

If we leave the European Union, we will once again become an Independent Sovereign Nation and not be instructed by fax from Brussels or Berlin or Paris about what to do. We could even start to renegotiate some of the conventions in this area such as the 1951 convention on Refugees. We can act in our selfish National interest.

Vote to leave the European Union 

A European Passport

The last blog was about the government of a nation which is what the European Union has become. As well as having a flag (the 'ring of stars') and an anthem ('Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's 9th symphony) the European Union has a passport - a EUROPEAN passport. 

There is no such thing as a British Passport. As I look at my passport now, the first words on the cover are 'European Union'. The passport office in the United Kingdom issues passports on behalf of the EU.  EU passports have common features such as their burgundy cover giving them a uniform look for the whole union (nation).  

When you and I return from our holiday, we do not join the queue for 'British Passport Holders' (that would be illegal under European Union law) but a queue for 'EU passport holders' with the Irish, French, Germans etc who, like us, are citizens of the EU.

This helps to build the nation that the European Union wants. The EU wants us to have loyalty to this nation. We must all carry EU passports which helps promote 'ever-closer' integration and start to build a 'common European' identity. The fact is that we seem to return again and again to ever-closer union which is what the European Union is about.

The United Kingdom as a nation is being absorbed as a state into the European Union. Every Government since 1970 has assisted this process - step by small step ('salami' style). Generally people have not protested because, after all, you can still travel. In addition to this I do not believe that they have realised the significance of the small steps.

The significance is huge. The United Kingdom is gradually ceasing to exist as it breaks into regions and decisions about its policies are not being taken in London SW1A but in Brussels.

It maybe just a passport but what it represents is altogether different. It represents the fact that our allegiance is being pointed not to the United Kingdom but to the European Union. 

I have no allegiance to the European Union. My country is not the European Union. My country is the United Kingdom.

Vote to leave the European Union.

The Government of a Nation?

"Yes, the Commission does want to increase its powers; yes, it is a non elected body and I do not want the Commission to increase its powers against this House, so of course we are differing. Of course the Chairman er The President of the Commission, Monsieur Delors, said at press conference the other day that he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the Community; he wanted the Commission to be the Executive and he wanted the Council of Ministers to be the Senate. No! No! No!" 

"What is the point in trying to get elected to Parliament only to hand over your sterling and to hand over the powers of this House (of Commons) to Europe?" (Margaret Thatcher 30/10/1990)

Executive: A person or persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organisation or the person in whom the supreme power is vested. 

Senate: An assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.

It is very interesting that the definition above includes the word 'Nation': A Nation is what the European Union is being moulded into. It is being moulded into a Nation with subservient states - like the United Kingdom.

The European Union is a not an Economic Construct. Access to the single market can be maintained outside the European Union. 

The European Union is a political construct. A Flag, An Anthem, A Parliament, A Senate, An Executive, A President.

In the referendum, we must vote against Associate Membership (which is the 'renegotiation' Mr Cameron will bring home) and vote to Leave in order once again to become a Sovereign Nation and stop being a subservient state.

Vote to Leave the European Union

A Personal View - Remembrance

More than 72,000 people are remembered on the above memorial at Thiepval.

I am going to try not to insult others in my blog. I disagree with those who are passionate about the EU and who sometimes say that leaving the EU will lead to plagues of locusts and other imaginary disasters. 

I will call people liars when the need arises but their personal foibles or mode of dress does not concern me. Nor does the possibility that they may have grey hair or none at all. 

That said I do not doubt their sincerity nor their patriotism. They misguidedly believe that their position is correct.

On this remembrance Sunday, therefore, I am absolutely appalled with Leave.EU and today's post by them. I will not link to it and disassociate myself from it entirely. 

Every Government since at least 1970 has passed European legislation. There has also been every opportunity to elect someone else. I sincerely hope that in the forthcoming EU referendum the 'Leave' choice will be democratically endorsed.

Those who joined the forces either voluntarily or by conscription were sent to serve by the United Kingdom Government in these islands or overseas. Many died in the service of the Nation. They did and do what I could not and would not do.  

I commemorate those who died because they died in the service of the country they served. They should be remembered for that fact alone.

The Four Pillars of the European Union

The Single Market is a trading bloc. The single market consists of the 28 members of the European Union and the EFTA states. It has removed most trade barriers but there are four pillars of the market:

Freedom of movement of People

Freedom of movement of Capital

Freedom of movement of Services

Freedom of movement of Goods.

The electors need to be reassured that when they vote to leave the European Union (EU) in the referendum that the UK will retain access to the single market if they are ever going to put their vote next to the 'Leave' box. In order to retain access to the single market, we must commit to keeping the above freedoms. It is just not credible or possible for the other 27 states to allow the UK to somehow have control of its own borders, thus limiting the freedom of movement of people and remain in the single market. 

We do not need to remain in the European Union to retain access to the single market. We can, as the first stage of once again becoming a Sovereign Independent State, leave the European Union and rejoin EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and trade with the European Union states through the EEA (European Economic Area).

There is a strategy or roadmap by which the UK could successfully leave the European Union which is documented in FlexCit (http://www.eureferendum.com/documents/flexcit.pdf). The first stage is the Norway (Interim) Option where we would join the EEA as the first stepping stone towards becoming once again an Independent Sovereign State.

Leave the European Union is an attempt to explore some of the issues about the European Union that interest me. I hope some of the posts will illustrate why the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. They are intended to be as informative for me as for other readers and visitors.

References to items from other blogs and texts will be shown and there are links on the right hand to other sites which are far more knowledgeable than this one.

I started off with sketchy ideas of why I believed the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. I have learned a great deal from and owe a huge debt especially to EUReferendum.com and 'The Boiling Frog' who have put flesh on these ideas and who are a vital resource to me and others who want to leave the European Union.

Any errors will be corrected as quickly as they are spotted or pointed out