A while ago John , a simply delightful chap , came along to help the troops with the (feeble ) NHS campaign. I asked him if he would write something positive about our continued membership of the EU . As I said at the time , I am scratching my head as to what that might be but I rely on your great sagacity.
He has been as good as his word and I must say that he was a fellow of great charm , humour and reasonableness. He clearly wishes only for the best and criticism of him personally is not acceptable here !!!
Views on the big question ,”Better off out ? Or not …. “Would be welcome.
( John is an OBE by the way . My first thought was crumbs if you were an Earl you would be an Earlobe ….not A list material ? Could be …could be )
"John Bowis MEP writes:
"John Bowis MEP writes:
We have a love-hate relationship with Europe. We love their quaint villages and their food and their pageants and their arts; but we are not sure about their strange languages; and we hate their attempts to abolish our weights and measures. We are after all an Island Race and one that ruled half the world and built our wealth on their raw materials and our genius.
Now we are not so sure what we are, who we are, or why we are. We don't feel "European"; we don't want their Constitution; we certainly want to keep our £. And yet we have a sort of feeling that we are connected in some way with those peoples whose lands we visit on holiday.
So what is the European dimension to our lives - apart from the origins of most of our English language and our affinity with the music and painting and opera and writing of our neighbours? Perhaps it is the things that are central to the new Europe - the Europe of the 25, not the old centralising, harmonising Europe of twenty years ago. New Europe has Competitiveness at the top of its agenda; it has a mission to reduce red tape and bureaucracy; it understands that prerequisites to that agenda of a healthy European economy are healthy people and a healthy environment.
That is why we work together to protect our environment, cutting emissions, reducing global warming, improving the air quality of cities like London, ensuring the food safety of the produce we import from across Europe and making our drinking, ground and bathing waters fit for human use. Some of what we do is by setting good and achievable standards but much is not by legislation at al; it is by sharing experience, identifying good practice and then sharing that too. Europe is at its best when it does not irritate but when it adds value to national debate and policy making."
Thanks John .
I do hope I can tempt local sceptic JT into a few words? We shall see. Perhaps one of the uber-bloggers would pick it up ?Croydonian ...
Now we are not so sure what we are, who we are, or why we are. We don't feel "European"; we don't want their Constitution; we certainly want to keep our £. And yet we have a sort of feeling that we are connected in some way with those peoples whose lands we visit on holiday.
So what is the European dimension to our lives - apart from the origins of most of our English language and our affinity with the music and painting and opera and writing of our neighbours? Perhaps it is the things that are central to the new Europe - the Europe of the 25, not the old centralising, harmonising Europe of twenty years ago. New Europe has Competitiveness at the top of its agenda; it has a mission to reduce red tape and bureaucracy; it understands that prerequisites to that agenda of a healthy European economy are healthy people and a healthy environment.
That is why we work together to protect our environment, cutting emissions, reducing global warming, improving the air quality of cities like London, ensuring the food safety of the produce we import from across Europe and making our drinking, ground and bathing waters fit for human use. Some of what we do is by setting good and achievable standards but much is not by legislation at al; it is by sharing experience, identifying good practice and then sharing that too. Europe is at its best when it does not irritate but when it adds value to national debate and policy making."
Thanks John .
I do hope I can tempt local sceptic JT into a few words? We shall see. Perhaps one of the uber-bloggers would pick it up ?Croydonian ...
21 comments:
John Bowis is a very thoughtful and competent MEP. We are very lucky to have him. A while back, we had Roger Helmer address us in Tottenham. I asked him to say something positive about us being in the EU. He declined to do so. He said we could sign agreements outside of the EU to, for example, cut emissions. But, missing the point, he didn't think we needed a BODY to oversee and enforce the agreements. Amazingly naive. John makes a fair and positive view on the EU. I'm going to put him and Charles Tannock at the top of the list when we are asked to 'rank' our MEP candidates. We need sensible euro-sceptic MEPs - not headbangers like Helmer and Kamall.
I wonder if Euroserf is aware of this post?
This is a well intentioned letter, but nonethless the writing of a wishful and hopeless fantassit. I think most MEP's ar ein this mould.
As much as it seems sensible to regulate certain operations on a Euroepan level, the vacuous decision making process negates practically all the value. This is not some hyper-power organisation able to do justice to all. It is a political cabal with the mission of doing dodgy deals. For example look at the ludicrous CAP and the unbelievable decisiosn re fishing quotas.
No listening to the rational scientis. No sod them, what does the Belgian fisheries minister think he can get away with back home.
It is a ridiculous charade overall, despite its might achievement of stopping the wars of western Europe.
Desperately in need of reform, it continues slowly on the failed path of federalism; somehow collectively thinking this will redeem it non-existent value.
I tend to agree with you young Slicker. Do you have any handy links for the details you mention.
It certainly seems to me that the more you know of the detail the worse it gets .
http://www.politics.co.uk/news/europe/eu-common-policies/common-fisheries-policy/scotland-mugged-on-fishing-quotas-$461679.htm
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21122006/325/eu-ministers-strike-deal-2007-fishing-quotas.html
for the fishing quota's debacle. see Tim Worstall's blog too.
How kind !!!
Happy New Year to Pee and all,
with love from Eliza xxx
I was interested in how Helmer's visit to Tottenham Tories went. Sounds like he did well.
P do you know absolutely everything ? How on earth do you do it ?
Very well, thank you very much. Dr. Caroline Jackson is next...
Really , I would love to get over there . I was frustrated by a prior engagement with the sound of Music which Justin Hinchcliffe thought I was gay about.....
Jaw remains in dropped position
oops that was me
Happy Trans-Atlantic New Years.
I cannot understand why a nation like the United Kingdom would wish any form of permanant union that gaggle of largely incompotent little nations?
The US/UK/Australia/Canada (English speaking nations with a similar form of government and shared values)have had to clean up the global mess-mostly started by people in Germany/France/the Balkans/Russia (Imperial or otherwise).
There's a reason-we really are better. The UK is far too good for Europe!
...It is a political cabal with the mission of doing dodgy deals.
CAP and that audit which lambasts them every year to no avail.
Have a Happy New Year, if possible.
fat cunt on the gravy train defends gravy train!
Who would have thunk it?
Tut tut Peter he was avery nice chap and I don`t think he needs the money.
Still in general you are expressing a common view
You are yourself a uber-blogger. See my site for confirmation.
Happy New Year Eliza
I knew John when he was MP for Battersea - he was alright then - not sure after reading his bloick making letter!
Really ...how interesting..
he seemed a nice chap for what its worth
Did the EU stop conflaguration in Europe ?
Silly me, I thought that was NATO.
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