British EU rebate at risk?

[nel]

Today France, Germany and Poland, led by Chirac of course, are insisting that the British rebate on EU contributions is put on the agenda for debate at the next EU budget meeting, clearly with the intention of trying to kibosh it.

Now, if the figures that I've read are to be believed, because of the UK's low benefits via that abomination the CAP, each brit currently contributes 3 times more than a frenchman and this would rise to 14 times if the rebate is scotched.

In counterpoint, while the rebate was justified all those years ago when Maggie swung her handbag, the British wealth relative to the rest of the EU has now improved dramatically (a tad artificially I'd contend) and it may therefore be harder to justify.

For me, any question of re-negotiating this rebate HAS to be tied inextricably to rapid reform of the CAP. This was also the government's line before the elections - what are the bets that they capitulate now and let us get shafted by the Brussels gravy train?

[JagLover]

nel said:

For me, any question of re-negotiating this rebate HAS to be tied inextricably to rapid reform of the CAP. This was also the government's line before the elections - what are the bets that they capitulate now and let us get shafted by the Brussels gravy train?

Most definitly, the rebate is non negotiable until there is massive reform of the EU budget, in particular the CAP.

[Dr Strangelove]

The bottom line is we are paying for these political parasites to build an empire with our own money, in order that they can legislate our freedom's and way of life, out of existence. It's almost an obscene joke, but not quite..., for sadly it is real life. All of this in the name of 'Democracy'.

Question: When have these bastards ever actually asked us how we would like to govern ourselves?,

Answer: NEVER.

[nel]

One thing's for sure, and Phoney Tony will be aware of it. If our contributions to the EU go shooting up, the likelihood of a 'no' result for the UK at the consitutional referendum will also go shooting up.

Maybe this is part of Chirac's plan - the french are concerned that the EU is going to far towards the anglo-saxon liberal market model and resent the gradual move of Britain towards having a controlling hand in EU affairs. With this declaration today on renegotiating the UK payments to the EU, he reassures his voters just prior to the french referendum and also increases the possibility that the British vote 'no' and maybe even leave the EU, something that could only be good for french influence within the 25. Bastard.

[nel]

The story of today's meeting has now hit the Beeb:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4562633.stm

[BliarOut]

Seems like Chirac is trying to boost the flagging French yes vote.

I think the French vote could make Europe's plans for world domination a bit more tricky to achieve if it goes down the "non" route as expected.

Bloody hurrah I say. It looks like the people of Europe are finally wising up to the fact that a bunch of unelected beaurocrats running the show is not the way forward for democracy.

[JagLover]

But the French are rejecting it for the wrong reasons.

They are objecting to the reasonable aspects of the constitution such as the free movement of goods, and limiting of state subsidies

[BliarOut]

JagLover said:

But the French are rejecting it for the wrong reasons. They are objecting to the reasonable aspects of the constitution such as the free movement of goods, and limiting of state subsidies

Does it matter why? A no is a no as far as I'm concerned. I don't object to Europe in principle, but it's just too much of a gravy train at the mo.

[simpo two]

'Mr Blair, we'll let you have a shot at EU President if you cave in on the rebate'.

'Righto, where do I sign?'

[c c]

Any bets which way the Frogs are going to leap on the constitution referendum.

[nel]

The froggy polls are wibbling along a bit like a sine wave, yes, no, yes, no. For the last week the 'nos' are winning with 52% of the votes, but it'll go down to the wire. I actually believe that the 'yes' will ultimately win in France, just because the politicians are playing the fear card, "if you vote no, we'll lose all power and become a nothing in Europe", but I'd be delighted to be proved wrong.

And then the Dutch - they might also say no, because they contribute more per capita than any other country and are VERY hyped up on immigration since that islamic fundamentalist topped poor old Van Gogh the film maker.

[vetteheadracer]

Never understood why we need 2 governments.

IF we have Brussels we don't need Westminster and Vice versa.

Now we have 4 governments. Local and Devolved Scots and Welsh.

In my eye we are paying for the Scottish and Welsh assemblies but their MPs both represent us in Europe and also at Westminster.

Why?