The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

THE LAST DITCH

A luxurious home for the politically bewildered?

Published by Tom

on

Eurocrats pushing for further integration – Telegraph

EUSSR
If I ever contemplate rejoining the Conservative Party, it's because Daniel Hannan is a member. If he can hold his nose amid the statists, maybe I can too? His article in the Telegraph today makes a simple point and makes it well.

Britain’s net contribution to the EU budget rose by an almost unbelievable 74 per cent in 2010, from £5.3 billion to £9.2 billion. This is more than the government has saved in all its domestic cuts put together, yet has provoked no angry marches through London.

Why is that exactly? Why do the guns of the Left fall silent when the EU has its hands in the nation's pockets? It's nothing to do with it providing a remunerative home for the political failures and incompetents of the member states is it? Or a temporary refuge for the politically-pressed?

10 responses to “A luxurious home for the politically bewildered?”

  1. jameshigham Avatar
    jameshigham

    Because they’re morally and ideologically bankrupt. Easy-peasy.

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  2. Mr_Eugenides Avatar
    Mr_Eugenides

    Bit more meat on those bones:
    http://blogs.ft.com/brusselsblog/2011/05/11826/
    Money quote:
    The [European] Parliament’s special committee on the financial, economic and social crisis, which after sitting for 18 months and sending delegations to countries hit by the said crisis, has issued recommendations to prevent it happening again.
    The answer: member states have to boost their contribution to the EU budget from 1.06 per cent of economic output currently to 5-10 per cent.

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  3. Suboptimal Planet Avatar
    Suboptimal Planet

    “Why do the guns of the Left fall silent when the EU has its hands in the nation’s pockets?”
    Concentrated benefits, distributed costs.
    Those who marched in London were those who personally had a lot to lose (together with some hooligans along for a bit of fun). In contrast, £3.9 billion in additional taxation (or borrowing) doesn’t make much difference to the lifestyle of the average taxpayer.
    There will come a breaking point, but the poor turnout at the Rally Against Debt shows that we’re not there yet.

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  4. Suboptimal Planet Avatar
    Suboptimal Planet

    Also, £3.9 billion is a tiny fraction of the national deficit (never mind the debt). If, despite all appearances, the Coalition is serious about balancing the books, there will need to be significant cuts to the British public sector regardless of what we do with the EU.

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  5. Single Acts of Tyranny Avatar
    Single Acts of Tyranny

    I think it is because the subject isn’t reported widely and is drowned by X-Factor, sport, celebs etc.

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  6. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    I agree absolutely. Basis points of reduction are going to make precious little difference. Personally, I think 25% would be a good beginning.

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  7. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    What’s X-Factor?

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  8. Single Acts of Tyranny Avatar
    Single Acts of Tyranny

    Ha ha ha……
    You need to have teenage daughters to know apparently

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  9. Pogo Avatar
    Pogo

    Dan Hannan is what would be described in Texas as “all hat, no cattle” in that he “talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk”. He’s very entertaining to listen to but appears utterly spineless in making any contribution to tory policy.
    Just another cloned “professional” politician.

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  10. Peter Whale Avatar
    Peter Whale

    Pogo, talking about the problem is a start. That’s what we are doing. Until the problem is talked and becomes news mainstream there will be no action.Dan Hannan is not perfect but he mentions in the MSM the right things. When food and fuel start to be state controlled and rationed then you will see movement and action.

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Your blogger

Tom is a retired international lawyer. He was a partner in a City of London law firm and spent almost twenty years abroad serving clients from all over the world.

Returning to London on retirement in 2011, he was dismayed to discover how much liberty had been lost in the UK while he was away.

He’s a classical liberal (libertarian, if you must) who, like his illustrious namesake, considers that

“…government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”

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