Stepping Stones

The United Kingdom has been a member of the European Union since 1st January 1973 - 43 years ago. On joining we took on the existing Acquis Communitaire (the body of law) and since then we have adopted many new laws. 

I think it is unrealistic to expect that the United Kingdom can just leave the European Union and on day one revoke all the laws and treaties it has signed up to. Apart from leading to Chaos, the electorate will not vote to leave the European Union if the result is uncertainty, an inability to trade or financial meltdown.

We have to leave in an organised and logical way which preserves our markets, our currency and our economy. In a way that minimises the risks to employment and to the livelihood of the population.

The Market Solution is a blueprint for how the United Kingdom can leave the European Union in a structured way, with minimal risk. It sets a pathway to an endgame where the United Kingdom can once again be a Strong Independent Sovereign Nation State. The Market Solution is a multi-stage process and the first step is an interim one - a stepping stone - to allow for an expeditious exit within the two year Article 50 period.

If you have not seen it I urge you to look at 'The Market Solution' http://www.eureferendum.com/documents/flexcit.pdf principally written by Richard North and the contributors to EUReferendum (www.eureferendum.com). In my view Dr North is owed a huge debt by people like me who want to leave the European Union. His books and articles on the European Union are not only educational but also illustrate the issues with our membership. EUReferendum is simply an indispensable resource to those who want to leave the European Union (including this blogger).

We must all accept compromises - my father once told me that politics is the art of the possible. It is not politically possible to walk away from the single market on day one after our decision to leave. The Westminster 'bubble' (Press, Pundits, Economists and Politicians) will have to accept that until they can be repatriated and renegotiated in our own National Interest that things like the Common Agricultural Policy and Freedom of Movement of people will have to remain in the medium term but TEMPORARILY.

If those who want to leave the European Union can show the mainly risk averse electorate that leaving the European Union can be done with minimal risks and that the stepping stones to a different destination are clearly laid out (as they are in 'The Market Solution') then I believe they will vote to leave.

Let us show the 'Remain' side that there is a logical alternative and that leaving the European Union is not Fear Uncertainty and Doubt but rather Strength, Independence and The Top Table. Let's adopt the plan. Let's win.

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Amber Rudd talks Rubbish

Amber Rudd, the Energy Secretary, has now joined the chorus of FUD and fibbers. According to the Daily Telegraph she has said that leaving the European Union will have 'unknown consequences for Britain's energy security' and that 'Britain would lose its influence on European energy markets if it leaves the bloc in the upcoming referendum' and that “[If you are outside of the EU] then you’re not in the room making the decisions in the same way and we’re not one of 27 influencers."

This is excrement. Firstly Ms Rudd, is it not the case that the United Kingdom has closed down perfectly good power stations thanks to European Directives? Is it not the case that 'Britain's energy security' is threatened by lamentable Government policy? Is it not the case that we are having to rely on China (which is not in the European Union) to rescue us from years of Government inaction, dithering and incompetence? Is it not the case that Britain has lost its influence on European energy markets already because it is represented by Brussels and has only a 28th of a voice?

Is it not the case that thanks to the Climate Change Act, piloted through the House of Commons by one Ed Miliband, that energy bills are much higher than they would otherwise be in order to try to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions? Is it not the case that, in the event of 'spikes' in demand that there are diesel generators all around the country ready to be started which are far greater polluters than Didcot would ever be?

When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, it will once again be an Independent Sovereign State with an Independent SINGLE voice and vote at the 'top table' where it really will be able to influence World (and thus European) energy markets.

On day one after we declare our intention to leave under Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty nothing much will change except that we will be on the first step of a pathway mapped out in "The Market Solution". 

Amber Rudd is at best being disingenuous and at worst telling a straightforward falsehood.

The only way that Britain can influence European energy markets is by leaving the European Union. 

Vote to Leave the European Union

Correction

Thanks to Jim for pointing out my error in my original post which I have removed. I apologise for my mistake.

“[If you are outside of the EU] then you’re not in the room making the decisions in the same way and we’re not one of 27 influencers."

Indeed: Instead we will be an Independent Sovereign State at the Top table with our own Independent Sovereign voice representing the United Kingdom and no one else

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The Positive Case for Leaving

For far too long, we have been told that leaving the European Union will present nothing but negatives. Jobs, Trade, Influence will all be lost if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Nick Clegg, Michael Heseltine, Kenneth Clarke and David Cameron are the lead singers in this chorus. 

Here's the thing. The European Union is a political construct. It is about 'ever closer union' - this is what "Common" policies are about - Common Fisheries Policy, Common Agricultural Policy etc. In addition, in 'A Fundamental Law', the term 'Nation' is craftily changed to 'State' which, in my view, signals something less than a Nation.

The case for leaving is a POSITIVE one. When we leave, the United Kingdom will leave an organisation to which it is subservient and once again become an Independent Sovereign Nation. Instead of having a 28th of a voice, we would be able to state a case that is in the National Interest of its citizens. Whatever the Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt chorus might say, Norway does have a seat at the top table and, after leaving the European Union, so will the United Kingdom.

"The Market Solution" (http://www.eureferendum.com/documents/flexcit.pdf) is a strategy for leaving and moving along stages to the kind of Nation we want. The Market Solution is a multi-stage process and the first step - leaving the European Union - is a stepping stone "to allow for an expeditious exit within the two year Article 50 period".

There is no way around this. If you do not want to be in a country that is subservient to the Qualified Majority Vote of other Nations (who may not have this Nations' interests in the forefront of their minds); If you want to take the positive view that you want to be an Independent Sovereign State with a voice (and seat) at the top table that will be able to influence Global policy initiated by UNECE, Basel, the United Nations, WTO etc. then:

Vote to Leave the European Union

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."

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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.

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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

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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. 

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