Comments on: Opinion: The next steps for the EU http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-the-next-steps-for-the-eu-2901.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:46:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Evans http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-the-next-steps-for-the-eu-2901.html#comment-53663 David Evans Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:06:07 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=2901#comment-53663 I am afraid the article strikes like so much of what the EU supporters in our party say, overly optimistic and naïve. The EU is simply illiberal and undemocratic, largely populated by a mass of self serving bureaucrats and politicians. Why people think it can be reformed remains beyond comprehension. Endemic corruption, coupled with an absolute instinct to cover up when exposed (even by its own auditors), a total belief in its own infallibility, and a gravy train for failed national politicians and their wives and families. It may be all that’s there, but it is beyond redemption. How can it be when Nick on the one hand can say “this is no excuse for carrying on regardless”, but then our House of Lords team were part of the group which “approved the Lisbon Treaty”. Carry on regardless – don’t make me laugh! I am afraid the article strikes like so much of what the EU supporters in our party say, overly optimistic and naïve. The EU is simply illiberal and undemocratic, largely populated by a mass of self serving bureaucrats and politicians. Why people think it can be reformed remains beyond comprehension. Endemic corruption, coupled with an absolute instinct to cover up when exposed (even by its own auditors), a total belief in its own infallibility, and a gravy train for failed national politicians and their wives and families. It may be all that’s there, but it is beyond redemption. How can it be when Nick on the one hand can say “this is no excuse for carrying on regardless”, but then our House of Lords team were part of the group which “approved the Lisbon Treaty”. Carry on regardless – don’t make me laugh!

]]> By: wit and wisdom http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-the-next-steps-for-the-eu-2901.html#comment-53631 wit and wisdom Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:03:17 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=2901#comment-53631 I agree entirely with the analysis in the article but I am not 100% in agreement over the ideas for institutions. And therein lies the fundamental problem with Europe - we all have slightly varying views. What we need therefore is an underlying set of pirnciples on which to build a new European edifice, which would be akin to the US constitution. It would need to be brief, flexible - within reason - and it would need to reflect the many variations on political systems which exist in Europe. Philosophically, Europe emerged as a Napoleonic (Roman) French system of formal commissioners, 'cabinets', councils and such like whereas the new, enlarged Europe needs a more anglo-saxon model which allows for differences to co-exist within a system. A radical suggestion therefore might be to get someone in from outside Europe to draft the new document, say, an American?! The many discussions on this subject are fascinating as most seem to be coming down to the simple view that a radical reinvention of Europe is needed, one I wholeheartedly subscribe to. I agree entirely with the analysis in the article but I am not 100% in agreement over the ideas for institutions. And therein lies the fundamental problem with Europe – we all have slightly varying views.

What we need therefore is an underlying set of pirnciples on which to build a new European edifice, which would be akin to the US constitution. It would need to be brief, flexible – within reason – and it would need to reflect the many variations on political systems which exist in Europe.

Philosophically, Europe emerged as a Napoleonic (Roman) French system of formal commissioners, ‘cabinets’, councils and such like whereas the new, enlarged Europe needs a more anglo-saxon model which allows for differences to co-exist within a system.

A radical suggestion therefore might be to get someone in from outside Europe to draft the new document, say, an American?!

The many discussions on this subject are fascinating as most seem to be coming down to the simple view that a radical reinvention of Europe is needed, one I wholeheartedly subscribe to.

]]> By: Anax http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-the-next-steps-for-the-eu-2901.html#comment-53539 Anax Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:28:33 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=2901#comment-53539 I think they should consider dropping all the defence-related ideas for the EU. Yes, this means having a wild collection of disparate armed forces and a weak global military reach. But my impression is that lack of easy accessible military strength actually improves the EU's ability to project soft power. I think they should consider dropping all the defence-related ideas for the EU. Yes, this means having a wild collection of disparate armed forces and a weak global military reach. But my impression is that lack of easy accessible military strength actually improves the EU’s ability to project soft power.

]]> By: David Heigham http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-the-next-steps-for-the-eu-2901.html#comment-53497 David Heigham Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:33:01 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=2901#comment-53497 I would be very interested in Thomas Hemsley's reaction to the European Constitution thread in the members forum. There is an idea there which would create a possibly useful home for surplus Commissioners and potential Commissioners I would be very interested in Thomas Hemsley’s reaction to the European Constitution thread in the members forum. There is an idea there which would create a possibly useful home for surplus Commissioners and potential Commissioners

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