I’m tickled by the Sun’s exposè of M Drunker’s rallying call yesterday, particularly his ideas on tax and Shengen – two real beauties!
All I can say is, let Brexit commence!
EU life in the Sun
I’m tickled by the Sun’s exposè of M Drunker’s rallying call yesterday, particularly his ideas on tax and Shengen – two real beauties!
All I can say is, let Brexit commence!
Boadicea's Chariot 
None of this is especially new. With the exception of Denmark, all EU states are technically required to join the euro at some point once requirements are met. Sweden found a technical opt out by refusing to join ERM-II without public approval. All EU member states with the exception of the Republic of Ireland are expected to join Schengen once they meet requirements. Romania and Bulgaria have thus far not gone as far as they should, hence the delay. Cyprus needs to sort out its internal border issues before it can join. The EU has been discussing military coordination for years. The British, in one of their many doomed efforts at trying to save Europeans from themselves, blocked it but with Britain in the process of liberation, they’re unable to stop it. What’s delaying it now is France expecting Germany to do its share and Germany expecting France to send its sons to die in its wars in exchange for a bit of extra dosh. With the British leaving, there is only one military power of any significance left and it cannot be expected to carry the entire continent’s defence. That said, it’s all lunacy and proof that the EU cares less about consequences and reality than it cares about dogma and theory.
But, but…..Shengen these days is honoured more in the breach (etc) and I don’t see many states consigning their tax policies to death in Brussels.
Tax policies would be harmonised in the same manner as VAT. This will put Ireland, etc, at a distinct disadvantage as they rely on their friendly tax structure to attract businesses. Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Poland have learnt the hard way that the EU simply doesn’t care what they want. It will get rammed down their throats by qualified majority voting. You see things through sensible, sane British eyes. We’re dealing with Continentals. They’ll tear themselves apart before they’ll grasp that empiricism is rather a good thing on balance.
Talking of which…………….
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/france-and-germany-demand-right-to-suspend-schengen-zone-over-terror-and-migration-fears-3v6v3vnqf
France never did adhere much to Schengen, moving its border controls about ten kilometres inland instead. Of course it’s all a bit late since many of the muslim thugs are already in Europe and were even invited there by guess who.
Janus: Drunky Junky is merely desperate at this point. If Donald Tusk portends anything, it’s a more pragmatic and realistic approach to the European project. Drunky Junky is one of the last great eurofederalists. Merkel has no real ideology and waters any concession down to the point of meaninglessness. Macron has his hands full with France and shares his ideological purity with Merkel. The UK will leave, but Central and Eastern states are growing more assertive and are far more firm in their stands than British governments have ever been. Drunky Junky is trying to make one final move before his career goes bunk, to make a name for himself.
Sheona: I take it you mean that lovely Lutheran preacher’s daughter from East Germany? Quite. Her little invitation has led to Germany becoming even more hated than it was — and that’s saying something! In just over a week that great Hunnish populace will have to go to the polls to pick their poison for the next four years. Let’s see what the results are.
I’m pleased to see that the Brit gubmint is finally going on the offensive. The PM to speak next week in Frlorence, Our Boris already spelling out the positives. It’s not a leadership challenge, it’s a PLAN – at alst.
As usual, the meeja have already reported the speech – before it happens – so now Drunker himself will no doubt pour scorn on Ms May’s proposals as inadequate and fanciful. And as usual the Grauniad celebrates the Eurozone’s business performance, conveniently forgetting that it akshully depends on trade with Britain!
Surprise, the Europrats seem to think Ms May is on track towards a solution! You can ignore the Farage contingent – they have never had to negotiate anything. Very interesting!
Janus: EU negotiations are always like a poor man’s kabuki show. There is hyperbolic posturing, the pre-planned stalls, absurd demands from all sides and, ultimately, the last-minute fudge. The important thing is that the PMs of Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, etc. are sounding cautious notes of approval. Once most countries are satisfied the EU will have to bow. We’ll have more clarity yet after the morrow. A party campaigning on a platform of pulling the Federal Republic out of the EU might even come in second and will have a very big platform at the Bundestag. EU fanatics might not have enough clout to force much through.
PS: The Farage contingent speak like those who will never have to worry about governing.They can recklessly demand 110pc knowing that they’ll never be in the position of having to deliver anything except a platform of protest.
The AfD in Germany can make waves with 94 seats! Or will they create more heat than light?
Speaking, I suppose, for the Farage contingent, all we want is our sovereignty back with no interference from Brussels as to how we govern our own country.
Not much to ask !?
Jazz, agreed! But the German branch seems much more dangerous.
Janus: They will make Merkel’s life a living hell. She’s fatally weakened. She will have to lead an unwieldy coalition of three parties with the two junior occupying diametrically opposed positions. Let’s not forget that the CDU’s Bavarian sister party suffered greatly because of her policies and cannot be seen to go soft on her. Any meaningful reform will be difficult to achieve. The AfD sense that. Opposition parties can make life very difficult for the government at Bundestag. They can demand investigation after investigation, demand revision after revision, demand reading after reading. Even if that might, ultimately, only slow down the gears of government it is the last thing that a vulnerable party leader wants especially as that would deepen divisions within a bastardised coalition.
Re: AfD. Germany is an inherently dangerous country. So long as it has a very liberal and open government it’s okay. It’s not great, but okay. The second any fanaticism creeps in it’s doomed. Germany doesn’t grasp the concept of muddles. One must be perfectly conformist or drop out of society entirely, one must be obsequious or an outright rebel. The AfD are bringing back some of the squalor of the 20th century. This doesn’t bode well. By leading the official opposition, Schulz is at least minimising the damage they can do.