And This Is The Way Forward?

Melanchthon posts on Conservative Home (Centre Right) on what he believes is the line Cameron should adopt at the EU Summit later this month - 28th to be precise. 13th Spitfire weighs in, on his blog, with the comment that he is pleased to see someone who "grasps the concept of the EU......" - "grasps the concept of the EU"? WTF!

It never ceases to amaze me that there are writers/pundits who believe that renegotiation of the UK's membership of the EU is possible - in which case, perhaps they can set out the process by which this can be accomplished? Likewise, it also never ceases to amaze me that these same writers/pundits continue to believe that a new treaty is possible. What is it that they do not understand about the fact that there will be no new treaty - Lisbon is self-amending, go read the damn thing. What there will be is a treaty change - that is not a new treaty.

Melanchthon calls for the repatriation of 'certain powers' and provides a 'wish-list' yet fails, it seems, to realise that the only way this could be gained would be by leaving the EU. Also, how the hell does Melanchthon hope to achieve an explicit exemption for the UK from "ever closer union" - when that is the avowed aim of the EU - and still remain a member? On the subject of 'ever closer union', witness the fact that there is virtually no area of policy from which the EU is excluded. It has competence in matters of trade, justice & the law, health, education, security & law enforcement, the environment, transport, employment including working hours, defence, foreign affairs, economic and monetary policy as well as areas of taxation. 

It is beyond question that any nation that wishes to be called a democracy must have total, repeat total, control, not only in these areas but in all areas. Anyone who thinks that the UK could repatriate total control of the areas mentioned above and still remain a member of the EU is, to be frank, 'living in cloud cuckoo land'! Melanchthon also calls for "I do think there must be a strong case for pre-committing, prior to the renegotiation, that the deal struck will be brought for ratification to the House of Commons on a free vote." - again, WTF! Leaving aside the fact that membership of the EU should be at the decision of the people of the UK - something to which their agreement has never been specifically sought - any 'new deal', were it possible to obtain one, must again be ratified by the people, not the current puppets that inhabit the House of Commons.

Whilst the likes of Melanchthon put forward arguments such as he has, one can but despair - not just with sympathy for him - but for the people who will ever be told the untarnished truth.