Surely, Britain benefits from membership of the European Union?
Wrong. The direct cost of our EU membership, net of the funds we get back from the EU, amounts to around £3 billion a year. But this is only a fraction of the story. The Institute of Directors has recently published a report EU Membership: What's the Bottom Line?. The conclusion of their economists is that when we add in the additional costs of the CAP and regulation, membership is costing between 15 and 25 billion per year. That's roughly £1000 for every family in the country.
The Political Costs:
Will not Britain have more influence in the world if we are further integrated within the EU?
Wrong. The UK is global power. Through membership of international bodies such as the UN Security Council, the G8, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, NATO and the Commonwealth Britain is a major player in world affairs. We do not need to join a European Superstate.
Worryingly, however, under the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy Britain has lost its right to steer its own course in world affairs. Javier Solano the EU High Commissioner, responsible for Foreign Affairs, has responsibility in this area. Britain is also all ready being pushed to give up our permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
As a result of the European Commission setting the trade policy for the whole of the EU, Britain, the fourth largest economy in the world, has no influence over the World Trade Organisation. If we can only negotiate for ourselves Britain can obtain better trade agreements perhaps even become founder members of a global free trade association.
What is more, the EU's influence over Britain's own external relations is set to increase.
The EU and Democracy:
Europe does not threaten our democracy?
Wrong. We increasing have little influence over what happens in our own country. The European Union is an emerging Superstate. The unaccountable and unelected bureaucrats of the European Commission make 62% of our laws. This figure will increase to 79% if we join the EU Constitution. What is more, these laws have supremacy over laws made by our own democratically elected Parliament.
Do not just take my word for it: "This country quite voluntarily surrendered the once seemingly immortal concept of the sovereignty of parliament and legislative freedom by membership of the European Union ... as a once sovereign power, we have said we want to be bound by Community law." - Judge Bruce Morgan, judgement in Sunderland metrication case April 9, 2001
Next will be a European army, harmonised taxation and fiscal policy across the EU. Our legal system will be abolished along with the traditional rights that guarantee our liberty. A single European Superstate will then be established through the EU Constitution and Charter of Fundamental Rights. All this is inevitable with European integration. Read on...
The EU Superstate:
Aren't the arguments that the European Union is leading to a single Superstate just scare stories?
Wrong. It is scary but it is also true. Read on...