That exemplary purveyor of selfless and unbiased advice and "assistance" to the world, the USA, has through its emissary Philip Gordon pronounced that it would be better for Britain, its influence in the world and importance to the USA ,if it helpfully remained in the EU.
His utterances in London were immediately seized upon by Danny Alexander, Labour's shadow minister for deeper integration with loss of sovereignty as living proof that questioning deeper integration and ultimately a democracy-choking federal state with a disastrous single currency is in some way a sign of dementia. Mr Alexander also seized upon an open letters from sundry British businessmen and the CBI urging the government not to risk changing its relationship with the Union. They warn that the business sky would fall in. They, along with the friendly man from America should be disregarded as vested interests saying what one would expect them to say as is their right. The UK though is a major market for the EU regardless of whether it is in or out of the Union or an assosciate member. Why would Europe risk losing that business by putting up barriers to British exports? The reality is that Britain has hugely under exploited its exporting potential worldwide for decades. There is plenty more to go for around the world even if Europe did go through a tetchy spell. Even in the colonial days of Hong Kong the UK was usually totally outsold in almost every sector by other European, American, Australian and Asian companies. Its businesses just didn't make the right and consistent efforts. Similar reports come in from all over the world.
All the toothsucking and head nodding by various pundits including courtesy of the Europhile and Toryphobe BBC over the past 24 hours along the lines of the UK must not risk not being at the centre of Europe (it isn't in it anyway) or losing its influence (it has none,- all the important discussions and decisions are taken when it's out of the room) is predicable politicised nonsense.
Four things re key in the "debate" or whinging and handwringing of the past 24 hours.
Firstly America finds it difficult to genuinely get along with anyone else in Europe. They don't speak the same language in any respect. There is mutually little trust. That's why they need the UK in there as someone they can talk to, who can tell them what's going on and bat for them. From their point of view that's fair enough.
Secondly, Socialists and therefore the Labour Party will always love Europe warts and all .The continent is fundamentally socialist with a culture of welfare dependency which favours socialist voting at elections.
Thirdly, Europe is deeply suspicious of the perfidious British always being driven by their own interests rather than the warm, fuzzy, democracy stifling illusion of "solidarity".
Fourthly the real agenda of the "European Project" has always been a united federal state with individual countries, the maverick UK in particular, rendered virtually powerless. That has never been an agenda accepted by the British people and probably never will be. The UK has always wanted a trading, not a political union. That is the real difference between British and European views and is what politicians have always been afraid to say/admit.
It would be much healthier for all if the elephant were honestly indentified and new agreements and treaties put in place to recognise the truth, stop agonising over it and get on with trading and creating wealth ( screams from the left,- they don't like wealth or prosperity especially for everyone. What appeal would they have if there wasn't enough misery about?). Britain should courteously but determinedly steer its own political course and the core of the EU do the same while both remain open to free trade between the two. Happiness and lack of aggro all round. All too simple?
His utterances in London were immediately seized upon by Danny Alexander, Labour's shadow minister for deeper integration with loss of sovereignty as living proof that questioning deeper integration and ultimately a democracy-choking federal state with a disastrous single currency is in some way a sign of dementia. Mr Alexander also seized upon an open letters from sundry British businessmen and the CBI urging the government not to risk changing its relationship with the Union. They warn that the business sky would fall in. They, along with the friendly man from America should be disregarded as vested interests saying what one would expect them to say as is their right. The UK though is a major market for the EU regardless of whether it is in or out of the Union or an assosciate member. Why would Europe risk losing that business by putting up barriers to British exports? The reality is that Britain has hugely under exploited its exporting potential worldwide for decades. There is plenty more to go for around the world even if Europe did go through a tetchy spell. Even in the colonial days of Hong Kong the UK was usually totally outsold in almost every sector by other European, American, Australian and Asian companies. Its businesses just didn't make the right and consistent efforts. Similar reports come in from all over the world.
All the toothsucking and head nodding by various pundits including courtesy of the Europhile and Toryphobe BBC over the past 24 hours along the lines of the UK must not risk not being at the centre of Europe (it isn't in it anyway) or losing its influence (it has none,- all the important discussions and decisions are taken when it's out of the room) is predicable politicised nonsense.
Four things re key in the "debate" or whinging and handwringing of the past 24 hours.
Firstly America finds it difficult to genuinely get along with anyone else in Europe. They don't speak the same language in any respect. There is mutually little trust. That's why they need the UK in there as someone they can talk to, who can tell them what's going on and bat for them. From their point of view that's fair enough.
Secondly, Socialists and therefore the Labour Party will always love Europe warts and all .The continent is fundamentally socialist with a culture of welfare dependency which favours socialist voting at elections.
Thirdly, Europe is deeply suspicious of the perfidious British always being driven by their own interests rather than the warm, fuzzy, democracy stifling illusion of "solidarity".
Fourthly the real agenda of the "European Project" has always been a united federal state with individual countries, the maverick UK in particular, rendered virtually powerless. That has never been an agenda accepted by the British people and probably never will be. The UK has always wanted a trading, not a political union. That is the real difference between British and European views and is what politicians have always been afraid to say/admit.
It would be much healthier for all if the elephant were honestly indentified and new agreements and treaties put in place to recognise the truth, stop agonising over it and get on with trading and creating wealth ( screams from the left,- they don't like wealth or prosperity especially for everyone. What appeal would they have if there wasn't enough misery about?). Britain should courteously but determinedly steer its own political course and the core of the EU do the same while both remain open to free trade between the two. Happiness and lack of aggro all round. All too simple?
