tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post8527649043515264172..comments2024-01-16T08:40:53.682+00:00Comments on <a href="http://www.openeurope.org.uk">Open Europe</a>: A popular Europe, or a politician's Europe?OEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00556463374230498875noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-71425273718924421052009-10-15T20:20:09.346+01:002009-10-15T20:20:09.346+01:00I count myself squarely among those who ant to see...I count myself squarely among those who ant to see the EU become more democratic and less centralised. But I am disturbed by your assertion that "you have the support" of such people. The fact that I agree with you does not mean I support you.<br /><br />My point, which you have illustrated quite well with your response, is that you seem to believe that a business-sponsored lobby group speaks for the people and is democratically more legitimate than elected politicians. I am really disappointed with the way OE has campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty in particular. And by this I do not mean the fact that you campaigned against it, but rather the tabloid tactics you have deployed. I had high hopes for you as an effective and serious eurosceptic voice, but am concerned that you are becoming just another shrill, hyperbolic, and hysterical voice that will be all the easier to ignore.<br /><br />You are of course correct that Commissioners are not elected. But MEPs and national politicians in the Council are, and between them they put the power of the Commission firmly in the shade.<br /><br />On the issue of turnout at the European elections, I encourage you to read my post on the subject, which I believe will answer your question about my views: http://brusselscomment.blogspot.com/2009/07/turnout.htmlInsideurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277432389990738223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-678762327528454672009-10-14T19:32:31.541+01:002009-10-14T19:32:31.541+01:00Insideur, we have the support of tens of thousands...Insideur, we have the support of tens of thousands of people who share our views that the EU needs to be made more democratic and less centralised. As just one example, check out the campaign we ran for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty - www.iwantareferendum.com which attracted more than 40,000 signatures in the first week of its creation. We have consistently stood up for more direct democracy in the EU - in sharp contrast with many of the people in EU office. <br /><br />In any case, the most important politicians running the show in Brussels are not elected - e.g. the Commission. Unless you are trying to suggest that these are not politicians - if so, then why do they behave like politicians, rather than civil servants?<br /><br />And we don't think even you will pretend that the turnout in the last European elections is a ringing endorsement of those EU politicians who are elected.Open Europe blog teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264607701574814301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-35162560683566913072009-10-14T19:22:13.667+01:002009-10-14T19:22:13.667+01:00I'm curious to know how it is that Open Europe...I'm curious to know how it is that Open Europe, as a business-sponsored think tank, sees its role as a champion of a "popular Europe" instead of a politicians' Europe. <br /><br />It occurs to me that politicians, elected by the people, are considerably more "popular" than business.Insideurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00277432389990738223noreply@blogger.com