By Richard Wells
I voted “Yes” in 1975 and of course “Remain” in 2016. I helped campaign hard to remain and the last march I was able to do was, I think, with C4E in Exeter after which, but not caused by, pain in walking or standing prevented physical campaign work. Oddly enough for no apparent reason this year has seen much improvement.
Now, should there be another referendum I would undoubtedly vote to join the EU. Mainly for the huge benefits of free trading plus free movement, defence and the sense of belonging to a grouping of our closest neighbours sharing largely similar views and hopes – to which end I devote considerable time, mainly via my keyboard now.
However, over the past few years since Brexit my enthusiasm for the EU has diminished somewhat and here are a few reasons as to why. Let’s take defence, for one: Russia is obviously a threat but in large part because we, the West, pose a threat to it by ever pushing closer with the EU and NATO. I do not condone Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but, if we recall, Kyiv was shelling its own Russian-speaking citizens in the East for wanting greater autonomy and a deal was almost reached but vetoed by the US. The current idea being mooted that Ukraine should be fast-tracked into EU membership, once the war is over, I find appalling, given that it is very right-wing with some neo-Nazi tendencies.
If the EU nations cooperated militarily, they could easily be a strong-enough defence against Russia if necessary. In fact, they should perhaps leave NATO as it has become a tool of the US, which has also become an unreliable ally. And let’s not forget that it only came to Europe’s aid in two world wars when it could see itself losing vast debts and after Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. The staggering sums proposed to be spent on armaments to appease Trump rather than on peaceful investment in the people of the EU are mind-blowing.
Then we come to Poland and Hungary’s oppression of their LGBT communities, ignoring EU rules and values without any meaningful sanctions by the EU. And Hungary, meanwhile, is also buying Russian gas and cosying up to Putin.
Finally, I feel the Commission and Council have too much power and conversely the EU Parliament, i.e. MEPs, too little, with consequently a lack of accountability. I also worry that while various deals with the EU individually may be beneficial, they could make joining again more difficult as I can see the argument being made that “Well, we’ve got all these agreements, so why bother to actually become members?”
Just some random thoughts that I would love hear comments on.
*Please remember that articles in this newsletter reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Cornwall for Europe. We welcome a range of views from contributors.
