| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:MPs expenses | |
| Posted by: | James Dixon | |
| Date/Time: | 21/05/09 13:56:00 |
| I am going to put my hands up and declare that I simply do not have enough time to study all these matters in great detail. I especially liked the one about 10/15 years ago which forced the UK Government to do something about our then filthy beaches, which now are in a much better condition. After that, I am going to back out from the detail of this discussion, knowing that I am going to be out-classed on grounds of lack of grasp of detail. On a broad front, however, I would much rather be part of a much larger political unit in the world, albeit having to be an awkward squad from time to time, and having an opportunity to chip into the debate from time to time, rather than being totally excluded. Don't forget, the majority of our exports go to the EU, and even if we were not part of the EU, we would still have to comply with EU laws on certain aspects of our trade - look at the enormous fines imposed by the EU on the American giants Microsoft and Intel for example, as a result of non-compliance. And Norwegian businesses, for example, find themselves subject to intense inspection to ensure that they comply with EU rules before they can export to the EU. Being a member of the EU inevitably involves compromises. I believe that the balance of advantage, standing back, lies with continued and active membership; this necessitates our sending strong and able MEPs to Strasbourg / Brussels [yes, that is jolly silly, having two bases], and paying them their necessary [carefully defined and documented] expenses in so doing. It's no fun being away from home for prolonged periods of time, but on the other hand they won't have enough time to build duck-islands in their Brussels ponds if they are doing their jobs properly. And back to theory. Just because being a member of a large club brings with it some untasteful consequences, does not mean that we should withdraw from the club. The good people of a hunting county might not like the hunting legislation, but we have not heard any suggestions of rural shires seeking to declare independence from Westminster. |