Author Archives: David Pearce

Britain now closer to being part of European superstate?

By David Pearce | Thu 30th June 2016 - 2:40 pm

So…Farage has won?

Yesterday I watched Nigel Farage facing off against Jean-Claude Juncker in the European parliament. Today the news commented on how they both seemed happy, and indeed embraced.

Indeed why would they not. Nigel Farage explained in his speech why he was having a good day, because he had fought for years to get Britain out of the EU, and finally he had succeeded.

So why was Juncker happy? Perhaps because at least there was a silver lining, he would no longer have to contend with British obstructions to his goal of an ever closer union. Maybe there were troubles ahead in reforming the EU, and more because of the instability caused by Britain leaving, but at least the goal would now be clear. No British veto to worry about. Just so long as those pesky Brits get on with it.

But there is much, much more. Britain has always turned the EU to its own advantage by skilled diplomacy across forty years. Thatcher’s celebrated rebate. Wider rather than deeper. Twin track Europe with Britain outside the Euro. A special place in the EU tailored to our needs and vetoes restricting attempts to change the EU against our will.