Sir – In John Blundell’s article (
Cameron’s deafening EU silence [2]
, 16/17 April) he quite rightly says that the Tories in Westminster don’t wish to discuss the EU. He asks why we do not know their opinion on the proposed enlargement of the EU’s already cumbersome structure. The answers lie in Brussels. The vast majority of Tory MEPs are vociferous in their wish for more EU legislation and for continued membership of the union. This can be seen every month in the voting sessions that are held in Strasbourg. On the question of the accession of Bulgaria, Romania and even Turkey to the EU, their position is crystal clear. Their foreign affairs spokesman, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP, recently said “I welcome the opening of negotiations with Turkey” and was the Parliamentary co-ordinator for the accession of Bulgaria to the union. In addition, no Tory MEP voted against the inclusion of the new countries.
In 2004, 10 new countries joined the EU. The result has been uncontrolled migration to the UK, an increased UK contribution to the union’s budget and a totally unworkable single trade policy, which has seen British consumers once again paying higher prices. No wonder Mr Cameron keeps his MEPs under wraps in Brussels.
Nigel Farage MEP
European Parliament, Brussels
Sir – What a truly excellent article by John Blundell (Cameron’s deafening EU Silence, 16/17 April). At first glance the issue may not seem fashionable or of any great importance. Further scrutiny reveals the stealth by which most of the powers once held at Westminster have been handed over, lock, stock and barrel to unidentifiable bureaucrats in Brussels.
Worse, we cannot oust these people who tie us up in red tape and demand ever increasing amounts of our money – currently £1.3m per hour for the privilege.
When will a mainstream party take up this issue of national importance and spell it out to the electorate as it really is?
Of course none of the nonsense is necessary in order to trade with EU – just as it isn’t to trade with the rest of the world. But the politically blind and carrot-incentivised incumbents of Westminster will not recognise this. Oh for a truly conservative party which acknowledged its well-intentioned previous mistakes and advocated an amicable withdrawal before it is too late.
Delphine Gray-Fisk
Farnham Common
Bucks
Read other articles by John Blundell on Europe:
Conspiracy at the heart of the European Union [3] or
Washington still blind to true nature of the EU [4]
.
John Blundell [5] is Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs.