The Dangerous Jesters of Europe

The EU has gone through many changes since the idea was first born, from the idea of a Common Market whose aim it was to build a strong Europe, to the idealogical idea of a quasi United States of Europe.  But now it seems to have become a complete joke to some of the leaders of countries we in the UK have shackled ourselves to.

Firstly, the ignorant actions of Greece’s Prime Minister to suddenly decided to call a referendum.  This goes against the core idea of the EU which is to work together and create mutual benefit.  Mr Papandreou’s selfish actions could bring down the entire Eurozone which will have disastrous knock-on effects for the world economy.

Second up is Italy, whose government is becoming more and more a caricature of its ridiculous self.  Last week an Italian Minster claimed to Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight that the current crisis wasn’t Italy’s fault, a fist fight broke out in its Parliament between MPs, and more recently the ongoing saga with Berlusconi hit a new low when he was named in an American report as being linked to human trafficking.  And now today Mr Berlusconi, who leads a country at the heart of the Eurozone crisis finally took his first step in responding to the escalating problem… by delaying the release of his new album as he felt it a little inappropriate at the present time.

It writes itself…

EU’ve Gone Too Far!

It’s very hard at the moment not to be Eurosceptic, and is it any wonder, in simple terms the EU is a mess.  There is no need to spend time talking of its woes and the problems it is causing for itself and also for us in the UK, these are acknowledged.  In light of this there is a part of me, along with much of the country that would like to metaphorically stick two fingers up at the EU establishment and leave with a parting shot of, “we told you so.”

In reality we must, for our own good, refrain from taking such drastic steps.  The EU is undoubtedly eroding the UK’s sovereignty, but leaving would remove any influence we as a country have in what is a global player.  The worry the whole world has at the EU going under shows what a massive player in the global arena it is.

However, I talk of staying in, in the very loosest terms.  Staying in the EU in the same capacity of which the British people voted for back in 1975, and no more than that.  What the British people voted for back in 1975 was beneficial to Britain and beneficial to our European neighbours.  What has been implemented since then has nothing to do with benefits, it is purely ideological.

David Cameron is right when he when he says now is not a good time and he believes we are better off in Europe.  The problem is that the EU has pushed Britain to the limit and the people have had enough of it.  They have gone past the point of listening to Politicians saying we will renegotiate and get powers back, as far as they are concerned all they are seeing is the EU dictating to them even more, and therefore in retaliation they see their only option of stopping this has leaving altogether.

David Cameron needs to understand this.  He and the Conservatives must be seen to be taking a no nonsense straight talking hard line with the EU.  In effect, if it benefits us then we are interested, if it doesn’t then it is a ‘no’ and there is no negotiation on that.  Fundamentally we must be in the EU fighting to shape this influential institute to suit us, for us being outside and it wielding such global power of which we have no say in its direction is dangerous.

Had our relationship with the EU been carefully managed since 1975 then this would not have boiled over into a major problem.

The EU’s Impending Immigration Crisis?

The consequences of the Greek mess are huge, not just to the EU and its beloved single currency, but to the world as a whole.

However, there is one issue that I don’t believe has been touched upon, and that is of Greek migration.

Currently immigration in the UK, and in many countries across Europe is top on the political agenda and for good reason, controlled immigration is good for all parties involved, uncontrolled immigration on the other hand is detrimental to all involved.

Being in the EU allows free movement of labour from one country to another, in other words, uncontrolled immigration.  It would be quite understandable therefore if large amounts of  the Greek labour force due to no jobs and the dire economic situation left in their droves.

For the EU countries, this means there is potential for mass migration from Greece to countries such as, Germany and France, as well as the UK.  There are jobs in these countries, but whether there are enough to sustain a large uncontrolled influx is another question.  The other more delicate issue is the perception amongst the population in countries such as Germany and France of this influx.  Germany for example, has given a lot of its tax payers’ money to Greece to prop it up, if, or more precisely when they default this will be lost.  Having given the Greeks money which they will never see again, and then having competition from Greeks in the already tough job market could potentially cause friction.  You can imagine the headlines in some publications in Germany, “They took our money and lost it, now they’re coming to take our jobs!”

For Greece, if this did happen, the migration would mainly be those of working age.  The obvious problem here is it would leave Greece with a work force deficit, and therefore unable to rebuild and grow its economy.

This is not anti-immigration, scaremongering, or in anyway stigmatising Greeks.  Ignored however, those would be the least of one’s worries – Just look at the recent argument between Italy and France over migration due to the Arab Spring.