tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post3611747259392524505..comments2024-01-16T08:40:53.682+00:00Comments on <a href="http://www.openeurope.org.uk">Open Europe</a>: Cameron needs credibility on Europe – here are two things he can do immediately to get itOEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00556463374230498875noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-69904482712367954692012-08-06T13:01:43.845+01:002012-08-06T13:01:43.845+01:00These are minimal down payments. The EZ, and thus ...These are minimal down payments. The EZ, and thus the EU as a whole, is in such a delicate state that these issues are little more than tinkering at the edges of what is wrong with the whole project. Yes these items need addressing but the situation is much more urgent than this gives credence to.<br /><br />I would argue that a much more robust notice must be given to the EZ that their experiment has failed and that it's restructuring is essential to save it in some form that can work economically, because it has gone beyond the point that it can be saved as a whole and that any unmanaged restructuring will negatively effect it's non EZ neighbours and trading partners.<br /><br />We must be allowed our say, in other words, it is not just a matter for the EZ membership.Ian Campbellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-19753806081424021322012-08-06T12:46:03.963+01:002012-08-06T12:46:03.963+01:00You suggest tinkering at the edges, and kicking th...You suggest tinkering at the edges, and kicking the can further along the road. Yet you know it will not work. The remorseless grind of ever closer domination will continue. There is no forum for renegotiation. Acquis Communautaire can never be rolled back: that was always the point. The only thing we can do is Get Out. Then we can stop wasting our money, we can regain our fisheries; and we can choose to adopt anything useful that we choose coming out of the EU.<br />How big is our trade deficit with the EU? 4 Billion pounds per month!!!!Rollohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18255460090580758354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-28228458342793160292012-08-04T11:40:16.620+01:002012-08-04T11:40:16.620+01:00Fully agree, time is running out on 'Dave'...Fully agree, time is running out on 'Dave' and on 2 fronts.<br /> <br />Local politically, he will have to start preparing for an election. The cabinet looks simply unstable it might make it, on the other hand it might not. Anyway he should start preparing for an election within say 6-12 month or so. As it is a real possibility that the cabinet might fall. As it is a) important and b) pretty likely he should simply be prepared. <br /><br />Allthough the LibDems are probably not that eager at the moment, the situation simply looks unstable. And the bad polls for the LiBDems (now an advanbtage)can turn into a problem for the coalition basically from one day to another.<br />They have to put themselves and their leader (or a new leader) on the map again and you never know when that will happen. Basically the same we see in Germany with the FDP now btw.<br />Preparation means simply doing and saying things the (potential) voters like. Not straight campaigning of course you donot want to burn your ships behind you before there is either a good alternative (like winning an election) or no other option (say the situation would become totally unworkable).<br /><br />On an EU level the situation is extremely stressy. Things could move fast. You simply should be prepared for when it happens. A major event is THE opportunity to reneg (Greek exit, EZ break up, changing the treaty as a rescue operation, whatever it might be).<br /><br />Starting from there he should start to create a neg position that is favourable for him. Get the issue really on the agenda. Make clear that the alternatives for the EU/EZ look dim and are known to them, find friends, find out who your enemies are and who will back them, find out what they really want and really donot want, etc.<br /><br />As such vetoing the budget could be a bit counterproductive. But as said the process should be started. Longer waiting might make this a negative choice.<br />And if you want a controlled not market upsetting process it likely is not the best option to wait till the last moment. <br />Cameron is busy making his turn, but at the same time action in preparing a reneg is needed. The longer you wait the more likely this process becomes unorganised and get a dynamic of its own (and gets an unpredictable outcome). Likely the best chance of successfully keeping the UK in the EU is getting a good reneg result. Your Dave should keep that in mind.<br /><br />Imho not necessary vetoing budget and so. Keep an eye on the ball and the ball is an EU treaty reneg. All actions should keep that in mind. But the process should already have been started.Riknoreply@blogger.com