Technology2 mins ago
What Are The Eu Myths?
36 Answers
Cleggy goes on about debunking the EU "myths" but seems very tight lipped about what they are...
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Could it be that there are a lot of truths in among the "myths"?
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Could it be that there are a lot of truths in among the "myths"?
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10 reasons to leave the EU.
These are real reasons not myths
1. Since we joined the EEC in 1973, we have been in surplus with every continent in the world except Europe. Over those 27 years, we have run a trade deficit with the other member states that averages out at £30 million per day.
2. In 2010 our gross contribution to the EU budget will be £14 billion. To put this figure in context, all the reductions announced by George Osborne at the Conservative Party Conference would, collectively, save £7 billion a year across the whole of government spending.
3. On the European Commission’s own figures, the annual costs of EU regulation outweigh the advantages of the single market by €600 to €180 billion.
4. The Common Agricultural Policy costs every family £1200 a year in higher food bills.
5. Outside the Common Fisheries Policy, Britain could reassert control over its waters out to 200 miles or the median line, which would take in around 65 per cent of North Sea stocks.
6. Successive British governments have refused to say what proportion of domestic laws come from Brussels, but a thorough analysis by the German Federal Justice Ministry showed that 84 per cent of the legislation in that country came from the EU.
7. Outside the EU, Britain would be free to negotiate much more liberal trade agreements with third countries than is possible under the Common External Tariff.
8. The countries with the highest GDP per capita in Europe are Norway and Switzerland. Both export more, proportionately, to the EU, than Britain does.
9. Outside the EU, Britain could be a deregulated, competitive, offshore haven.
10. Oh, and we’d be a democracy again.
By Daniel Hannan
Join the Crusade.
http://
These are real reasons not myths
1. Since we joined the EEC in 1973, we have been in surplus with every continent in the world except Europe. Over those 27 years, we have run a trade deficit with the other member states that averages out at £30 million per day.
2. In 2010 our gross contribution to the EU budget will be £14 billion. To put this figure in context, all the reductions announced by George Osborne at the Conservative Party Conference would, collectively, save £7 billion a year across the whole of government spending.
3. On the European Commission’s own figures, the annual costs of EU regulation outweigh the advantages of the single market by €600 to €180 billion.
4. The Common Agricultural Policy costs every family £1200 a year in higher food bills.
5. Outside the Common Fisheries Policy, Britain could reassert control over its waters out to 200 miles or the median line, which would take in around 65 per cent of North Sea stocks.
6. Successive British governments have refused to say what proportion of domestic laws come from Brussels, but a thorough analysis by the German Federal Justice Ministry showed that 84 per cent of the legislation in that country came from the EU.
7. Outside the EU, Britain would be free to negotiate much more liberal trade agreements with third countries than is possible under the Common External Tariff.
8. The countries with the highest GDP per capita in Europe are Norway and Switzerland. Both export more, proportionately, to the EU, than Britain does.
9. Outside the EU, Britain could be a deregulated, competitive, offshore haven.
10. Oh, and we’d be a democracy again.
By Daniel Hannan
Join the Crusade.
http://
mushroom25
/// just looking through your list SP, "black box for cars". this was back in the news this week. ///
You are quite correct, here is the link, yes it is a Daily Mail one, but it didn't hurt to provide it, honest. :0)
http://
/// just looking through your list SP, "black box for cars". this was back in the news this week. ///
You are quite correct, here is the link, yes it is a Daily Mail one, but it didn't hurt to provide it, honest. :0)
http://
And for some balance, ten reasons to remain the EU:
1. Free trade
As part of the single market, the EU has free trade between all its member states. This is great for UK businesses, who don’t have to worry about quotas or import taxes. As such, almost 50% of our exports go to the EU. (The EU also has an iron tariff wall against non-members, which we don’t want to be on the wrong side of.)
2. The EU encourages investment in Britain
The EU has attracted millions of pounds in foreign investment. Large manufacturers and commercial service providers invest in the UK because it is a bridge to the single market. If the UK walked away, it would become a bridge to nowhere. If you’re a multinational company, with a choice between building a factory in cast-adrift Britain or single-market France, the right business decision is obvious.
3. Police coordination
How did we get the Spanish police to capture Andrew Moran, the escaped armed robber? Through the European Arrest Warrant. Thanks to the EU, the Costa del Crime is no longer a hiding place for UK criminals, and nor is anywhere else in the EU.
4. EU Structural Funds
Structural Funds are the large pot of money that gets distributed among the most deprived areas in the EU. For many years they have contributed to investment and infrastructure across the UK: especially in Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Cornwall. Over the next five years, England alone will receive over £6 billion in Structural Funds, Wales £2 billion, Scotland £795 million, and Northern Ireland £457 million.
5. Influence within Europe
If we want the EU to work in Britain’s interests, then we need to be involved in EU decision-making. France and Germany will have no incentive to listen to Britain if we’re not playing on the same team. If Britain leaves the EU, there will be no one to stand up for British interests when decisions are made that affect us, such as changes to trade or investment laws.
1. Free trade
As part of the single market, the EU has free trade between all its member states. This is great for UK businesses, who don’t have to worry about quotas or import taxes. As such, almost 50% of our exports go to the EU. (The EU also has an iron tariff wall against non-members, which we don’t want to be on the wrong side of.)
2. The EU encourages investment in Britain
The EU has attracted millions of pounds in foreign investment. Large manufacturers and commercial service providers invest in the UK because it is a bridge to the single market. If the UK walked away, it would become a bridge to nowhere. If you’re a multinational company, with a choice between building a factory in cast-adrift Britain or single-market France, the right business decision is obvious.
3. Police coordination
How did we get the Spanish police to capture Andrew Moran, the escaped armed robber? Through the European Arrest Warrant. Thanks to the EU, the Costa del Crime is no longer a hiding place for UK criminals, and nor is anywhere else in the EU.
4. EU Structural Funds
Structural Funds are the large pot of money that gets distributed among the most deprived areas in the EU. For many years they have contributed to investment and infrastructure across the UK: especially in Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Cornwall. Over the next five years, England alone will receive over £6 billion in Structural Funds, Wales £2 billion, Scotland £795 million, and Northern Ireland £457 million.
5. Influence within Europe
If we want the EU to work in Britain’s interests, then we need to be involved in EU decision-making. France and Germany will have no incentive to listen to Britain if we’re not playing on the same team. If Britain leaves the EU, there will be no one to stand up for British interests when decisions are made that affect us, such as changes to trade or investment laws.
6. Influence outside Europe
Strength in numbers is more than just a saying. At the global negotiating table, the UK could be an insignificant little country with an insignificant loner economy. Or, it could be the leading partner in the biggest combined economy in the world (with a GDP of just under €13 trillion). Which is the more influential position to be in? If the UK is competing in the ‘global race’, as David Cameron claims, then we’re better off on the relay team.
7. Immigration- good for Britain
Immigration, when unchecked, can obviously have a lot of downsides. But immigration generally has been very good for Britain, and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it. The EU’s immigration policy makes it easier for tourists to come and spend money, and it makes it easier to attract highly skilled workers like doctors or engineers when we suffer from skill shortages.
8. Emigration- good for the British
The other side of the immigration coin is emigration: British people are free to live, work and go on holiday wherever they want in the EU, without having to get an expensive visa or go through time-consuming bureaucracy. The Conservatives should love this, really: instead of getting on your bike, now you can get on a ferry!
9. Market fairness.
This one is a bit more technical: through its extensive competition law, the EU ensures that capitalism actually works. For example, when a government department contracts out a service, it has to ‘put it to tender’ i.e. ensure that several companies bid competitively for the contract. The contract can’t simply be handed over to the company that took the Minister out for a nice dinner; and that’s because of EU competition law.
10. The EU safeguards workers’ rights.
This might just be the most important reason to stay in the EU. Four weeks paid holiday a year, the 48 hour working week, anti-discrimination law, guaranteed rights for agency workers, guaranteed worker consultation- all of these protections exist because of the EU. If we took away the steel shield of EU employment law, workers’ rights would be at the mercy of a Tory government. Anyone who thinks they would in safe hands is, quite frankly, having a laugh.
Strength in numbers is more than just a saying. At the global negotiating table, the UK could be an insignificant little country with an insignificant loner economy. Or, it could be the leading partner in the biggest combined economy in the world (with a GDP of just under €13 trillion). Which is the more influential position to be in? If the UK is competing in the ‘global race’, as David Cameron claims, then we’re better off on the relay team.
7. Immigration- good for Britain
Immigration, when unchecked, can obviously have a lot of downsides. But immigration generally has been very good for Britain, and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it. The EU’s immigration policy makes it easier for tourists to come and spend money, and it makes it easier to attract highly skilled workers like doctors or engineers when we suffer from skill shortages.
8. Emigration- good for the British
The other side of the immigration coin is emigration: British people are free to live, work and go on holiday wherever they want in the EU, without having to get an expensive visa or go through time-consuming bureaucracy. The Conservatives should love this, really: instead of getting on your bike, now you can get on a ferry!
9. Market fairness.
This one is a bit more technical: through its extensive competition law, the EU ensures that capitalism actually works. For example, when a government department contracts out a service, it has to ‘put it to tender’ i.e. ensure that several companies bid competitively for the contract. The contract can’t simply be handed over to the company that took the Minister out for a nice dinner; and that’s because of EU competition law.
10. The EU safeguards workers’ rights.
This might just be the most important reason to stay in the EU. Four weeks paid holiday a year, the 48 hour working week, anti-discrimination law, guaranteed rights for agency workers, guaranteed worker consultation- all of these protections exist because of the EU. If we took away the steel shield of EU employment law, workers’ rights would be at the mercy of a Tory government. Anyone who thinks they would in safe hands is, quite frankly, having a laugh.
But for clarity, that list was taken from a Labour website:
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http://
Leaving aside any political allegiances, do you think the response to tweets jokingly criticising UKIP was a little overboard?
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Also (and much less importantly) - why is it, that so many people seemingly don't understand how Twitter works?
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Also (and much less importantly) - why is it, that so many people seemingly don't understand how Twitter works?
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