The depths of hypocrisy within politics never ceases to amaze me. At my age I should be past surprises but .... then there's the Lib Dems.
This is the most pro of pro-Europe and EU parties. To the art of 'bending over backwards and kow-towing' , they have brought such artistry as to make the Cirque Du Soleil seem like amateurs or at best bungling novices.
And yet, their chosen 'line in the sand' , their Yellow (?) line seems to be drawn not on the long overdue reform of the EU and all of its un and anti-democratic institutions but instead on the so called reform of the House of Lords.
Ask yourself or your family or friends - Of these two which body is most in need of 'reform' the European project or the House of Lords.
Given that the House of Lords is composed of British members who only vote measures affecting Britain and the British, I am more comfortable leaving them as they are. Democratically elected, no. Appointed - yes. Hereditary - yes. The appearance of democracy is not there at the first glance but for all that, they do represent strands of British society.
Contrast that with any of the European organisations - European Parliament? A toothless, talking shop that can't even decide on a permanent home. European Commission - not just undemocratic but now increasingly anti-democratic whose blind devotion to the 'project' is enslaving many Europeans, particularly in Spain, Italy and Greece to severe hardship simply so that they can push the belief that the Euro and the whole project of European integration is needed to avert the wars that have historically ravaged Europe and it's people.
Consider also the President of Europe - Herman van Rompuy - think back to when you were given the chance to vote for this non-entity. OK, stop racking your brains, you weren't asked. His appointment (because that is how things are done in Euro-lalaLand) is the typical product of the power process. Couldn't be a German - think about the headlines! - Couldn't be a Brit - seen as on the edge and not always fully committed to the 'project' (though this fails to appreciate how quickly Brits 'go native') . Couldn't be French - they basically run (or is that mis-run) the administration anyway plus, they're French! Couldn't be Italian - come on, it just couldn't. So we then trawl around the small countries and end up with Herman!
So think about the forgoing and ask yourself why is this not the burning issue for the Lib Dems. The one that causes them to nail their colours to the mast and tell the Conservatives 'either we have root and branch reform of the EU or we bring down the coalition'.
My view? The Lib Dems are anti-British (look at the' out of proportion' support they get from the BBC) and are quite happy for the Euro shambles to continue because like the unattractive people at a party, they think that at the 'Euro party' they will get picked up and someone will admire them, whereas, at a 'UK party', they are seen for what they are. In the UK people just leave the party rather than go home with an ugly Lib Dem. Hopefully you get my drift!?
So as they face political oblivion, the Lib Dems, instead of trying to address issues that affect the people of Britain (those by the way, who currently still have the power to elect MPs), proceed to prattle on about democracy and the democratic deficit while all the time being the most ardent supporters of the most undemocratic of all the institutions.
It would be as laughable as Labour's claim to economic competency and probity or the supposed savagery of the austerity measures, if it wasn't so sad.
Oh! By the way, their unquestioned support of the EU is in spite of the fact that this organisation has been unable to produce a set of audited accounts for more than 15 years.
This is the most pro of pro-Europe and EU parties. To the art of 'bending over backwards and kow-towing' , they have brought such artistry as to make the Cirque Du Soleil seem like amateurs or at best bungling novices.
And yet, their chosen 'line in the sand' , their Yellow (?) line seems to be drawn not on the long overdue reform of the EU and all of its un and anti-democratic institutions but instead on the so called reform of the House of Lords.
Ask yourself or your family or friends - Of these two which body is most in need of 'reform' the European project or the House of Lords.
Given that the House of Lords is composed of British members who only vote measures affecting Britain and the British, I am more comfortable leaving them as they are. Democratically elected, no. Appointed - yes. Hereditary - yes. The appearance of democracy is not there at the first glance but for all that, they do represent strands of British society.
Contrast that with any of the European organisations - European Parliament? A toothless, talking shop that can't even decide on a permanent home. European Commission - not just undemocratic but now increasingly anti-democratic whose blind devotion to the 'project' is enslaving many Europeans, particularly in Spain, Italy and Greece to severe hardship simply so that they can push the belief that the Euro and the whole project of European integration is needed to avert the wars that have historically ravaged Europe and it's people.
Consider also the President of Europe - Herman van Rompuy - think back to when you were given the chance to vote for this non-entity. OK, stop racking your brains, you weren't asked. His appointment (because that is how things are done in Euro-lalaLand) is the typical product of the power process. Couldn't be a German - think about the headlines! - Couldn't be a Brit - seen as on the edge and not always fully committed to the 'project' (though this fails to appreciate how quickly Brits 'go native') . Couldn't be French - they basically run (or is that mis-run) the administration anyway plus, they're French! Couldn't be Italian - come on, it just couldn't. So we then trawl around the small countries and end up with Herman!
So think about the forgoing and ask yourself why is this not the burning issue for the Lib Dems. The one that causes them to nail their colours to the mast and tell the Conservatives 'either we have root and branch reform of the EU or we bring down the coalition'.
My view? The Lib Dems are anti-British (look at the' out of proportion' support they get from the BBC) and are quite happy for the Euro shambles to continue because like the unattractive people at a party, they think that at the 'Euro party' they will get picked up and someone will admire them, whereas, at a 'UK party', they are seen for what they are. In the UK people just leave the party rather than go home with an ugly Lib Dem. Hopefully you get my drift!?
So as they face political oblivion, the Lib Dems, instead of trying to address issues that affect the people of Britain (those by the way, who currently still have the power to elect MPs), proceed to prattle on about democracy and the democratic deficit while all the time being the most ardent supporters of the most undemocratic of all the institutions.
It would be as laughable as Labour's claim to economic competency and probity or the supposed savagery of the austerity measures, if it wasn't so sad.
Oh! By the way, their unquestioned support of the EU is in spite of the fact that this organisation has been unable to produce a set of audited accounts for more than 15 years.
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