The Trouble with Europe

As a Brit, I like to think that I have an "outsiders" view of Europe.  I don't feel we are part of the club, even though we pay into it, obey its laws, and go to all of its summits as an equal (if not big ass) player.

But still, we aren't a part of it.  We don't fly their flag, we are still obsessed with our borders, and those crossing it, even from Europe, and we are most certainly not "pro-€uro!"

The trouble with Europe was, and still is, that there is no plan.  There never was!  Britain signed up to (and by Britain, I mean the people in a referendum) a Trade Agreement.  We signed up to what should be the European Free Trade Area.  So why do we now pay billions for a pan-continental government, parliament, leaders council and various other institutions?

This is what happens when aspirations and big ideas cloud our judgement.  Emerging from the war, and looking over the Atlantic, it is my belief that to prevent another war, and to promote growth, European leaders thought "lets do it like America".

Bringing everyone together under one banner, one governmental system, and one currency.  Sounds great, and in theory it works.  In reality, as with most things, it doesn't.  Surprise, surprise!

Greece should never have been allowed to join the Euro.  Every country should have a get out clause, which can be implemented without affecting any other member state.  It's called planning.  Governments should pay attention to this word, as it does help when doing the kind of work they do.

As ever, my opinions only go as far as my back door, but it is my opinion that the European Union should not have grown up the way it did.  Free Trade, co-operation on defence, security, and some other things? Yes, of course, in fact I would argue those are imperative for each country in Europe to exist, but to have  Pan-continental governance and a single currency? Big mistake.

Some one says that Russia and Turkey should become part of the Union.  I think that someone needs to have a geography lesson.

Shout at me if I'm wrong, but it seems that nobody in Brussels has a clue where this is going, or whats going to happen next.  If they had planned for it, and had an end point to aim for, perhaps we would be in a much better place, than where we are now?