Whose Rules? - a response

RE: Whose Rules? - a response

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:43:25 GMT

"Consensus" used to mean "smoke-filled rooms". Dunno what they're filled with these days.

RE: Whose Rules? - a response

Gerry Henry — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 08:35:37 GMT

Concensus = fixing, dirty deals done behind closed doors, like Heath selling out the fishermen behind our backs but denying it to our faces. I want a robust, visible democracy, not an EU fix.

RE: Whose Rules? - a response

Iain Richards — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 22:02:26 GMT

Except it is not a benevolent dictatorship. The parliament is elected by the people of the EU every 5 years. The EU commision is appointed, by democratically elected governments, but just brings forward the proposed legislation, much like our own civil service.

My understanding is that much is decided by concensus before it gets to the EU parliament, so it looks less democratic, but it is still voted on.

RE: Whose Rules? - a response

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:47:04 GMT

There's more to the need to leave than just these "would our laws be that much different" comparisons.

However, just those closest to my heart right now.

[quote user="Iain Richards"]Fish stock management: I’m inclined to agree Evelyn, this wasn't a great area. However, the EU parliament, after pressure from consumers has now banned this.[/quote]

Sorry, banned what? You mean the throwing overboard of caught, dead, fish which the "EU" had ordered? OK. That's only a tiny part of the problem with fish. Outside the EU we again have control of our own fish and we don't have to let trawlers from, er, country Y and country Z come and take them (sometimes with illegal nets that we can't do anything about...)

[quote user="Iain Richards"]The UK is far less likely to be able to apply a unilateral decision on humane slaughter[/quote]

No? A matter of opinion.

[quote user="Iain Richards"]Decide for ourselves which, if any, industries to subsidise or otherwise assist..... steel, anyone? OK, fair point, but are subsidies the right thing?[/quote]

Mabe they are, maybe they aren't. And we are not only thinking of the old-fashioned permanent subsidy "propping up hopeless industries", we are thinking of temporary support, assisted buy-outs, measures to reduce Chinese dumping of cheap inferior steel, all sorts. The point is, we get to decide what UK industries get UK help, according to UK conditions and circumstances.

[quote user="Iain Richards"]I feel there is a real risk that some of the less tolerant members of the post exit UK government will reduce worker’s rights. [/quote]

Oh come on. If "workers' rights" legislation gets tweaked at all, we get to decide what the tweaking is. You are back to the "I prefer the benevolent dictatorship" attitude.