-
Roger G Lewis says:The EU does need to be reformed, the extent to which it pursues Neo Liberal ideology and enshrines neo liberal dogmas into the EU constitutional fabric are well set out in this Corporate Watch publication.https://corporatewatch.org/publications/2015/false-dilemmas-critical-guide-euro-zone-crisis
pp.83.
Changes in EU structures:
using the crisis as a good excuse
Summarised below are the major changes to the EU’s structure. They are the precursors to two key features of greater integration: the fiscal compact and the banking union explained in more depth below.
i) The European Semester proposed in Spring 2010 and adopted a few months later, stipulates that national budgets must first be approved by the Commission before they are shown to national parliaments. Each April EU member states are required to present to the Commission and the Council their draft national budgets, and wait for recommendations, comments and approval by July each year. In Autumn the governments present them to national parliaments.
ii) The Euro Pact in March 2011 is a commitment by states that the solution to the crisis is austerity: bringing down wages and lowering social expenditure to increase competitiveness. It is not legally binding.
iii) The ‘Six Pack’ transformed the above into six legislative proposals, the most important of which is the strengthening of the Growth and Stability Pact which includes making stricter enforcement rules such as semi-automatic sanctions and fines.
iv) Fiscal Compact: is also known as the permanent austerity treaty as it stipulates that states must tighten their budgets, which if not within the 3% limit must follow an adjustment programme to lower the ‘structural deficit’ (which is the deficit if there were no recession). The fiscal compact leaves individual government’s manoeuvring to make alternative policy suggestions impossible.Diem 25 plans to reform the EU from within, it is not going all that well I would suggest. The UK Hung Parliament and Brexit vote may prove to be the catalyst for greater dissent in other EU countries equally disenchanted with the Neo Liberal doubling down, since the 2008 crisis and now further since Article 50 was invoked following the Brexit referendum.On Subsidiarity and the Euro, it should always be emphasised that the ECB and EU monetary policy is an exclusive competence of the commission and therefore not subject to the arcana of subsidiarity. Subsidiarity protects democratic ideals, exclusive competencies of the commission do not.
It seems to be a hard position to defend that somehow the UK needs to not go through with Brexit as the FT suggests here.
https://www.ft.com/content/aa79df04-7dd2-11e7-ab01-a13271d1ee9cWhen there are no grounds for believing the EU has adopted a reform minded stance, will adopt such a stance or that the present crop of functionaries is even capable of imagining a stance other than their full speed ahead for a federal neo liberal Europe, and to a degree that would make James Buccannan very proud. -
Andy Ross says:I don’t see how nation states can be genuinely autonomous in a globalised world, the route to a more civilised world can surely only be through powerful supra-national bodies, such as the EU
-
Roger G Lewis says:Hi Andy,
It’s a question of subsidiarity for me. The direction of travel of individual communities should be determined by those communities and what requires wider consensus and decision making should be delegated to the Central bodies which are overseen by Subsidiary decision making bodies, and where a power of recall of authority still rests with them.If Consensus based political economy is desired and a functioning democracy an aim, it is very important to express the checks and balances that are to be applied to globally operating entities.
The EU as a powerful supra national body can be tested against democratic and economic metrics, as can the results of the NAFTA agreement between North and south America. NAFTA has not worked out well, Heres a link to the 20-year report on its impacts.
https://www.citizen.org/sites/default/files/nafta-at-20.pdfEnlargement of the EU has also had adverse effects on the periphery of the EU, the answer is not trade deals like CETA or TTIP. Of course the Much commented upon suggested US/UK trade deal, chlorinated Chicken and all, is not what many of us want for The UK.
It is a leap of faith or faith based statement to say that Globalisation can only work with powerful supra national bodies like the EU. If those powerful Supra National Bodies are not Democratic and in many respects aggressively anti – democratic, we need to make sure that the Oversight and rights of recall of representatives or of delegated powers are properly enshrined in the treaties between members and the constitutions of the Supra National Bodies themselves.
The EU is in a very real sense a newly minted or certainly nascent Supra Regional Super State. To me, that’s a bad idea and in many respects, we have seen a sort of Enclosure of the Information economy leading to similar fall out with a new type of Urban Serfdom emerging as the means of wealth creation flows into those with first use of the massively enlarged FIAT money supply.So the Extent to which Nation states and regional government can be genuinely autonomous is actually a function of International Law and if that is a democratic based process honouring and protecting Democratic rights of Citizens rather than the Corporate Rights of Supra National Global Corporations there is no reason to believe that the only way to do things is by concentrating power into supra national organisations.I think that it is a fact that the past 40 years has seen the direction of our political economy in the direction of Massive Centralisation of Economic and Political Power. Has that lead to a better society?-
Andy Ross says:Hi Roger,
I do share some of your concerns, but the EU is a long way from being a super-state, and more importantly, for our global proximity it is the only show in town. Despite its many failings, it is a reality we have to choose or reject and as the balance of what is good for the UK is firmly within the EU, I choose a soft-as-ducks’ down BREXIT, or better, a shift in public opinion that allows convergence and reform and a better and united progressive EU.
-
-
-
Pilgrim Slight Return says:RogerSorry to bang on about this but……….Please let us remember that the EU is made up of member states who basically agree with each other about a lot of things (trade, austerity etc.,). As soon as we start to talk of ‘super states’ the danger is that we start to forgetting about the countries the EU is made up of and the inherent power that those states have to change the EU so that the social, economic and democratic objective it was founded on are not hijacked by asinine American ideas about social-economic life. The EU is the sum of its parts – economically and philosophically.Only the currency in my view (the Euro) can be argued to be truly ‘supra’ in its conception and its management (via the very unaccountable ECB).What we need to happen is for the individual member countries to use the democratic system within the EU to get off the neo-lib horse and start to challenge the ECB. Then the spell will be broken. I live in hope of that for a better Europe as well as remaining in it.
-
-
Roger G Lewis says:Hi PSR,
The EU has gone very badly off track, the Commission is far too powerful in my opinion.
It is correct that the many European States have gone down the Neo Liberal Rabitt hole and that if they changed direction then the EU may be redeemable.
For any hope of the process starting in that direction, My own view was and still is that Brexit and Trump were a good thing as has been the resurgent Labour Party with its Democratic Socialist agenda.
On Statehood, the if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck? perhaps the jury is still out on that question but the Charlemagne element of the Spinola group EU federal fanatics certainly see the EU as a project of statehood, do neo liberal ideologues in the individual states go along with it? one has to conclude that yes some of them do.
The EU needs to be much more respectfully of its own constitutional provisions of subsidiarity. That the EU has baked Austerity into the fabric of its own rules is deeply worrying as is making the Euro compulsory for all member states. I live in Sweden where I am happily married to a Swedish Wife and Swedish Children in Swedish Schools whilst I remain a UK citizen, I am almost certain that I will eventually choose to become a Swedish Citizen. Sweden has a much more engaged attitude to the EU Parliament and EU parliamentary process the Swedish Parliament reviews and liaises with its EURO MPS in making amendments to legislation. Sweden is very good though at consensus, much more so than we Brits, that said the Swedish Appetite to remain outside NATO remains High and the Swedish public opinion of EURO membership is also still strongly against. Karl Bildt Piece in project syndicate is quite good.He recently suggested more Europe and Less Brussels. Reinfeldt the last PM here before Bildt, who also leads the same party the Moderate Party in the early 90’s, throws up an interesting question about Neo Liberalism in Sweden, the Reinfeldt Tenure was not a success with the various economic liberalisation of Schools and also the railways seen as being abject failures. When Stefan Löven was elected it was obvious that the “Markets´´for which read Washington Consensus neo liberal establishment, decided to punish the Swedes by attacking the Kroner. This factor of international political economy can not be ignored, the Political landscape is littered with the Landmines of Neo Liberal ideology and suggesting that the EU is a symptom of national politics rather than a driver of geo political policy in accordance with its role in service to Global Capital is I think an argument that fails the DUck test. What was TTIP , or CETA , National Parliaments were largely becoming skepåtical as Public opinion set against those Trade deals but the recent ECJ case which said that CETA might not need to be accepted at National Government level tends to suggest that the EU is not the whipping boy of the National Governments but in fact the Commission and ECJ itself seems to have a rather more inflated view of its own constitutional position vis the whole edifice.
We will see how long Mrs Mays Minority government lasts, we will then see if Mr Corbyn is able to finish the Job he started in the June election. There are choppy waters ahead with overheated stock markets and a financial system probably more over balanced than in 2008, events will more than likely see Mrs May Out of office and indeed another UK election probably before next Summer. Mr Blairs Centrists, (( Left Wing Neo Liberal Fanatics) (The Left wing of neo liberalism is a bit like choosing whether Hitler or Mussolini was to the left or right of each other,) ) are still briefing against Mr Corbyn and his alleged support for an extreme Hard Brexit. Mr Corbyn it seems to me advocates a Social Democratic Brexit and the policies advocated under the 2017 Labour Manifesto such as the regional Investment Bank may well be illegal under EU law as currently constructed. If the EU reforms and becomes worth being a member of then the EU in that guise would welcome a non-neo liberal UK into its community of interests.Until the EU starts the process of reform and Mr Macrons election in France was not a good sign that the neo liberal Establishment has decided to yield to a more democratic breeze, I think we need to get used to doing things our own way for a few years whilst the rest of the European population not least in Germany and France cotton on to the Corporate capture of their political class. ( See my earlier Link to the corporate watch report, I have a series of very in depth Blogs on Brexit regarding the misteps of the ECB and the EURO particularly, here is the Blog link.http://letthemconfectsweeterlies.blogspot.se/2017/02/meet-fuggers-brexit-euro-and-clueless.html
-
-
Pilgrim Slight Return says:Roger‘I think we need to get used to doing things our own way for a few years whilst the rest of the European population not least in Germany and France cotton on to the Corporate capture of their political class. ‘So fundamentally we agree then?The fight back against Neo-liberalism will and can only start at home, in the national Governments of each EU member nation both here and in Germany, Sweden etc. The positive side of this is that a lot of people here and in the EU continent are going to get pissed off with lower living standards as they measure their self worth against what the market is offering. The bad side of this is the Right wing reactionary contingent here and Europe lying in wait to turn this anger into something ugly.Is time on our side for an epiphany – a revelation of what is happening to our democracies and the EU? I do not know. I hope so.However Roger, we must not lose sight of the fact that (1) there are still good reasons to be part of the EU (no queues at Dover and illegal immigration held at Calais to name but two) and (2) if we are not part of Europe, who do we trade with instead? America?That would be jumping out of the frying pan only to end up in the fire because we would be sidling up to the very cradle of Neo-liberalism itself. Not a good idea in my view.
-
Roger G Lewis says:Hi PSR,
It looks like we do fundamentally agree with the proposition that Membership of a Democratic EU not wedded to neo liberal dogma is a good good thing.
How we achieve our political objective to secure a Democratic European treaty that allows for the ability of individual states to implement policies to serve the democratic and economic interests of its own voters is a big question.
The CETA and TTIP trade deals are rather large black marks in the EU copy book for me, Mrs Merkel was at pains to have Mr Trump not rule out TTIP in principle which he did not, if you recall The German Chancellors state visit to Washington to see the New President.
A starting point to voters actually voting against neo liberal candidates would be to get the word out as to its very existence, Not many will have read Marowskis Road from Mt Perelin and whilst Montbiot is quoted above and linked to, Mr Montbiot does not represent any part of the Establishment I would hitch my particular carriage on to.
In your aide memoir paragraph I think we may perceive slightly different benefits to EU membership, Culturally the diversity of Europe is something that pre dates and will, of course, outlive many iterations of the EU as a Political institution. It is also I think a trivial point regarding ques at Dover. On the EU refugee/Migrant crisis, that is a Geo Political Mess with its roots in the Neo Conservative and Neo Liberal US Establishment and their Military industrial complex. Freedom of Movement based upon the Economic necessity for individual EU states would not be a problem where the race to the bottom in wages and working conditions were not sanctioned by EU policies and certainly those promoted by the ECB.
CETA is an interesting question as to whether the UK remains bound to its terms post Brexit, regarding frying pans and Fryers the point is academic TTIP is already a trajectory into that particular Fire anyway, the argument that the EU block has a stronger Hand against US strong arm tactics is at best a weak argument, my own view is that The UK has an independently sufficient set of cards to make international trade deals on perfectly good terms with who it pleases. The idea that Trade deals are a good thing is not something I accept as an in principle given.
Corporate Power is at the heart of this question and the reality of the Global Oligarchy and the US oligarchy in particular. If you accept that the USA is in fact an Empire and that the US empire is in fact ruled by an Oligarchy one needs really to look at what is going on in the US oligarchy, I see at least 3 Factions and possibly 4. The Bankers ( Wall Street), The Media and Californian Tech Moguls, Traditional Large Manufacturing, The Military Industrial Complex. Mr Trump’s problems seem to me to be based upon his not having a large constituency in any one arm of the Oligarchy but with some weak alliances in perhaps Wall Street and Traditional Industry. The US Oligarchy will have different faction taking different sides in the Brexit EU question and it is about control of the Economic Playing Field which is increasingly dominated by Finance since 2008 this dominance has been reinforced and not curbed.
Before the referendum I did this blog called Brexit Schmexit, where I argued that the US election was a key driver as to whether or not Brexit would have a chance of success, A Hilary Win would have Made Brexit very difficult. Bernie Saunders would have been a Sort of Corbyn effect and the effect of Trump is still an open question, the US deep state still seems to wish to be free of Mr Trump particularly his opposition to NAFTA, Follow the money on NAFTA and Its the Big Corporations and especially the Banks who have won, Mr Trump looking at this might wish to reconsider how many Goldman Sachs alumni he has stuffed his administration with. https://letthemconfectsweeterlies.blogspot.se/2016/03/brexit-smexit-why-we-should-all-be.htmlI read this article in the Independent on line today and read the comments with interest also.http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/hard-brexit-philip-hammond-liam-fox-political-suicide-leavers-like-me-second-referendum-a7892806.html?cmpid=facebook-post I disagree with the Writer and many of the comments, what surprises me most is the discourse is still very low information.I suspect the Voters got it right on balance and leaving is the best thing for the UK for now always with the proviso that the more extreme Elements of Mrs Mays Cabinet do not get their fully Chlorinated Chicken Trade deal with the USA. https://letthemconfectsweeterlies.blogspot.se/2016/09/democracy-unfolded-emergent-reality-of.html This Last Link is a Poem I wrote, I do believe the Political Establishment did not dream that Brexit would see a Yes Vote, the EU is, in fact, Neo Liberal enough for even the most avid Neo Liberal. Now the Neo Liberal Trick of not letting a good crisis go to waste will be in full flow. The Crisis is not, however, Brexit. The real Crisis is the rotten core of Financialised Monopoly Capitalism practised By both the EU, The US and the UK, there will continue to be a great deal of the Pot calling the kettle Black I think.
-
-
Roger G Lewis says:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2f8nYMCO2I This 1990 Video of Mrs Thatcher reporting to the House on the European Council meeting at Rome held on 27/28 October. Marks I think the Watershed for where The Neo Liberal EU kicked in. That Mrs Thatcher is the Poster Girl of Neo Liberalism along with President Reagan is somewhat paradoxical but it stems back to Factions in the Oligarchy. Industrial Capitalism and Finance Capitalism are really not batting on the same side a point pointed out By Carol Quigley in Tragedy and Hope but also by Marx in Kapital.
“Talk about centralisation! The credit system, which has its focus in the so-called national banks and the big money-lenders and usurers surrounding them, constitutes enormous centralisation, and gives this class of parasites the fabulous power, not only to periodically despoil industrial capitalists, but also to interfere in actual production in a most dangerous manner— and this gang knows nothing about production and has nothing to do with it.” –
See more at: http://www.debtdeflation.com/blogs/2009/01/31/therovingcavaliersofcredit/#sthash.d4gs1dAX.dpuf
Marx, Capital Volume III, Chapter 33, The medium of circulation in the credit system, pp. 544–45 [Progress Press]
http://letthemconfectsweeterlies.blogspot.se/2016/01/the-iron-law-of-oligarchy.htmlTony Benn and Dr David Owen both make very interesting points in questions to Mrs Thatcher, it is also interesting to read the body Language of Ken Clarke and John Major through the Debate, Neil Kinnock is also providing much material for the Spitting Image crew. -
Do the EU member states Dog wag the EU institutions Tail? Or does the EU Tail Wag the Member States Dogs.
The EU should be at the heart of left-of-centre internationalist thinking
Posted on August 13 2017I have never been much of a fan of David Miliband. Seemingly clone like in hisbehaviour; it has always been hard to discern any original political contribution he had or might make. His espousal of centre ground politics in the Observer today does little to shake that impression.I do not wish to leave the EU: I have made that very clear. The reasons are partly pragmatic. I do not want the economic and social chaos of leaving imposed on this country.They are also cultural. As a citizen of two EU countries at present I have always felt European. As a child of the 1950s I was also brought up with an ingrained sense that peace had to be a better alternative to war, and that European cooperation was the basis for that.Economically it so happens that I also think European cooperation good news: costs are reduced, markets are enlarged, driving common standards up is a good thing, regulation has overall been a big win for many, especially in employment and these days on tax. The list goes on. -
Pilgrim Slight Return says:RogerSorry to bang on about this but……….Please let us remember that the EU is made up of member states who basically agree with each other about a lot of things (trade, austerity etc.,). As soon as we start to talk of ‘super states’ the danger is that we start to forgetting about the countries the EU is made up of and the inherent power that those states have to change the EU so that the social, economic and democratic objective it was founded on are not hijacked by asinine American ideas about social-economic life. The EU is the sum of its parts – economically and philosophically.Only the currency in my view (the Euro) can be argued to be truly ‘supra’ in its conception and its management (via the very unaccountable ECB).What we need to happen is for the individual member countries to use the democratic system within the EU to get off the neo-lib horse and start to challenge the ECB. Then the spell will be broken. I live in hope of that for a better Europe as well as remaining in it.
123
-
‘Anyone who campaigns for soft Brexit will be doing the government’s dirty work for it … Pro-European Brits should put their heart into stopping Brexit rather than campaigning for a soft one.’Pro-Europeans ought to exploit May’s problems to drive change in public opinionFT.COM4 Comments
Comments
Roger Lewis Hi Ashley, What does Stop Brexit mean?
The terms of the UK membership pre the referendum?
The main leadership personalities of the EU institutions have made some policy goals explicit since the Shock of the referendum Result and then the triggering of article 50.Guy Verhofsted and Jean Claude Junker have both made clear statements of Closer Union and also the compulsory adoption of the Euro Currency.
The EU has principles related to exclusive competencies and Subsidiarity. Monetary Policy is an Exclusive competence of the Commission and as such not subject to Democratic oversight by the Parliament of the EU let alone State Parliaments.
The type of Brexit that emerges in the UK post leaving the EU would be subject to our own electoral politics, these seem to be in a state of flux and Mrs May and her 3 Brexit-ers efforts are not locked in, in the same way, stopping Brexit would lock the UK to the EU institutions and their own apparent direction of travel.
To reinforce that point leaving the EU with or without Tariff free Access to the single market isn’t as fixed and final in the same way as stopping Brexit `, might suggest, hence my question what do you mean by stopping Brexit. There is not a clear offer of either a satisfactory previously existing Status Quo, or of a newly defined status quo which the political figures who operate the EU bureaucracy have indicated would be the new reality of a UK that scraps the Article 50 process and remains as a member state of the EU. Is that with or without opt outs and exclusions sir?
I have read the linked article and it does not help me with this question of what Stopping Brexit means. Before Stopping Brexit I would like to know what it is we are remaining a contracted party to. The EU would have to progress to the sorts of positions which DIEM 25 are campaigning for.
DIEM 25 are not exactly at the heart of the EU debate regarding future policy within the 5 presidents report which is clueless on the reality of how a one size fits all monetary policy will hurt the smaller EU members over the Larger members and as such neo liberal free market dogma will not work and has not been working within the EU since the ECB and EURO project was embarked upon against the advice of one of its designers Bernard Leitaer. ( roughly paraphrased, he said the political union would have to be much more advanced for the necessary balances that would have to be implemented to prevent the outcome which we saw and continue to see, I.e the suffering of the so called PIIGS.That’s a bit long, but I am keen to understand what STopping Brexit means? What exactly is on offer.
The Green Party 2015 manifesto asks my question for me it said this on Europe.Europe
The Green Party recognises that the UK is part of Europe and that we cannot cut ourselves off from our geography or its political
realities. Our message on Europe is positive, not based on fear and nostalgia.
Much EU action has been progressive: safeguarding basic rights, peace and security achieved through mutual understanding,
environmental protection, the spread of culture and ideas, and regulation of the financial system. And in other areas, such as
welfare policy, open discussion and coordination are useful.
However, we prioritise local self-reliance rather than the EU’s unsustainable economics of free trade and growth. We would not
adopt the Euro, which cannot work properly without much deeper political integration, and this would be contrary to our policy
of subsidiarity.
We support the proposal to have an in–out referendum so that the British people can have their say. This is because much has
changed since the UK joined the Common Market in 1974. Endless debate on membership is a diversion from more important
matters, such as ending inequality and adapting our economy to One-Planet Living.
So it’s yes to Europe, yes to reform of the EU but also yes to a referendum. This is the policy that led to the election of an
additional Green MEP, Molly Scott Cato, in the South West last year.P.71 https://www.greenparty.org.uk/…/Green_Party_2015…
As we had the referendum the GP advocated for we are left with the Green Parties wish to reform the EU, which is pretty much the DIEM 25 agenda for change, Caroline Lucas was an original member of DIEM 25 and attended at its Launch Conference.
https://diem25.org/manifesto-short-version/
Much of the FT´s position in the article relate to Big Business interests around the EU and Tariff free single market access, These interests are not the same as those of EU CItizens and UK voters should bear this in mind, Wage stagnation is a phenomenon across the whole EU and Washington Consensus, the Share of increases wealth under all Washington Consensus regimes has been directed almost exclusively to the top of the corporate tree since the 2008 Financial Melt down.
So it seems to me that Stopping Brexit stops short of making a convincing case.
One final Link a case study on the EU response to the Financial Crisis from Corporate watch.
https://corporatewatch.org/…/false-dilemmas-critical…
pp.83.
Changes in EU structures:
using the crisis as a good excuse
Summarised below are the major changes to the EU’s structure. They are the precursors to two key features of greater integration: the fiscal compact and the banking union explained in more depth below.
i) The European Semester proposed in Spring 2010 and adopted a few months later, stipulates that national budgets must first be approved by the Commission before they are shown to national parliaments. Each April EU member states are required to present to the Commission and the Council their draft national budgets, and wait for recommendations, comments and approval by July each year. In Autumn the governments present them to national parliaments.
ii) The Euro Pact in March 2011 is a commitment by states that the solution to the crisis is austerity: bringing down wages and lowering social expenditure to increase competitiveness. It is not legally binding.
iii) The ‘Six Pack’ transformed the above into six legislative proposals, the most important of which is the strengthening of the Growth and Stability Pact which includes making stricter enforcement rules such as semi-automatic sanctions and fines.
iv) Fiscal Compact: is also known as the permanent austerity treaty as it stipulates that states must tighten their budgets, which if not within the 3% limit must follow an adjustment programme to lower the ‘structural deficit’ (which is the deficit if there were no recession). The fiscal compact leaves individual government’s manoeuvring to make alternative policy suggestions impossible.156Roger Lewis Ashley Drake That’s not simple at all Ashley, Remaining within the EU without a reform agenda for the EU and its institutions is constitutional suicide and the Death of UK Democracy. It may be that Voting in Mrs May amounted to the same thing, of cours…See More
Ashley Drake Yes it is. You stay and argue your case.Roger Lewis When no change is baked into the cake, which it has progressively been, Arguing for change where none is actually sanctioned constitutionally and the possibility for change barred, is a fool’s errand.
Is your answer that Stopping Brexit means taking whatever is given?
Is the Arrangement immediately pre referendum, as negotiated by Mr Cameron what we are to think, is the situation with which we will be accepting if Brexit is stopped.
As you think stopping Brexit is what we should all be asking the British Establishment to engineer A good explanation of what the EU is What it does and where it is headed would be very useful. Is it possible to set out what that membership entails and where ultimately it leads?
On the questions of Arguing your case Ashley would it be too much to ask for you to have a shot of setting out why it seems obvious to you that NBexit should be stopped?
I have no objection in principle to being part of the EU as long as it is Democratic and puts the rights of Citizens over those of Corporations. The Point regarding Mrs Mays and Mr Johnsons American trade deal, chlorinated chicken and all, is that The CETA, TTIP and ISDS treaties which the EU has progressed to the full extent of its ability are only on the back burner in the case of TTIP in any case, because of that other interesting question, the Election of President Trump.
In a competition between, Mr Junker, Mrs May and President Trump I would not rush to pick any of them, that said Mr Junker was not elected by any kind of popular vote to his position, in a system of checks and balances I do not see how the EU qualifies for entry in the race when Mrs Mays and Presidents trumps legitimacy may be argued as weak on democratic merit, Mr Junker has no democratic merit what so ever. DO you think the EU is up for getting rid of the Commission it would be a jolly good start to getting my support for a UK remaining in the EU.Ashley Drake Roger – I work full-time and am heading off on holiday tomorrow so I have no time to prepare a manifesto for you. I wish to stay a member of the EU. That is it.Roger Lewis A manifesto isn´t required Ashley, but some actual points of argument would be nice. Have a great holiday. Schools start back here on Wednesday.Write a reply…Roger Lewis http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/…/the-eu-should-be-at…/ I like Richard Murphy Ashley, he seems to think that the EU can be reformed from within, personally, I think it would have a better chance if the UK goes ahead with Brexit and is followed by Italy and the Czech Republic, who look favourite to be following the UK out.
If the EU made strong moves to reform back from the extreme neo – liberal agenda and look for a Europe of less Brussels and more Europe as Karl Bildt suggested, then that would be progresshttps://www.project-syndicate.org/…/remaking-post…
I have never been much of a fan of David Miliband.…TAXRESEARCH.ORG.UKLikeShow more reactions· Reply · Remove Preview · 19 hrs
Roger Lewis The whole Washington consensus including the UK and EU is corrupt Ashley. An EU with proper subsidiarity to the smaller members along with sovereign currency and taxation powers for all members including an independant Wales .
The EURO as a currency would be worse than Stirling has been for Wales and Scotland and Ireland Ashley. Stirling should be federalised as I have mentioned to you before . The EURO currency needs to be changed so that individual States have their own currencies and the EUro would be a Currency just for trade outside of the EU which would end up with more robustness in the banking system and the Economies of individual states would have the ability to make monetary policy in line with their national and regional circumstances.
Keeping this short, I know your pushed for time. Have a great Holiday and love to the girls.LikeShow more reactions
0046702273052
skype: rogerglewis
Skype telephone number +46406931188
Portfolio of on line Profiles( Go on be Nosy ) CLICK HERE PLEASE
#ConquestofDough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImZHIX5ljgg
what do you make of North Here, I have read all his EU books but I do think he is wrong about WTO rules, whats his stich do you think he is very poor on Money none of his books tackle it which I noted in my own Technical Brexit series. Meet the Fuggers, EU Enlargement and Their Lordships and Article 50.
Sections of the book on Energy policy and also other Trade matters are important and covered extensively in the book. One does wonder why Dr North does not dig into the Gnomes of Zurich(Basle) aspects as much as he is clearly capable of doing, and which I assume he has chosen not to. Dr North also writes convincingly on political devolution and of devolving democratic powers back to the local level, That is, I found it convincing but I am a natural member of that particular choir.
https://longhairedmusings.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/article-50-globalisation-and-the-real-seat-of-power-the-top-table-and-the-trump-card-and-the-elephant-in-the-room/
Just a memory jogger on the Raab Marr interview, Baker Cash evidence to committe and the Bruges Group memory holed scop?
https://longhairedmusings.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/no-actuelite-let-alone-economy-with-the-actualite-death-of-truth-post-truth-brino-lies-subterfuge-and-general-telling-of-tall-tales-and-outright-porkies-brino-pdc-personal-destiny-control-wik/
https://longhairedmusings.wordpress.com/2017/10/27/brexit-discourse-does-not-improve-at-the-bbc/ looking at the comments exchange on this John not possible on BBC anymore that avenue has all but disappeared.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/19/last-brexiteers-standing-will-now-do-everything-stop-sell-out/#comments comments are racing ahead on this Telegraph piece about Steve BAker John, I wish more sloggers would stick some links to your blog in there?
https://twitter.com/PMotels/status/1119187720444755968 lets try and start a fight with Richard North also we need to get UKIP and Brexit PArty supporters to engage with the same issue IBS and EU Military. All talking head Politiicans silent on it.
12:46https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/19/last-brexiteers-standing-will-now-do-everything-stop-sell-out/#comments comments still racking up on this John its a very good piece. How is David Davis doing I think he was blind sided with a Control File issue and under a lot of coercion riight now. Baker is a Loyall WIng man for Davis and probably fairly clean, ideal target for a honey Trap I guess he is smart enough to avoid the Sppon though I think? Can we get some sort of message to Davis and see if we can help with whatever hios embarrasment might be?