Dead-End Road for Mr. No: David Cameron's Risky EU Showdown

[sysop]

All eyes are on British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday as European Union leaders gather in Brussels for talks aimed at passing the bloc's next budget. His pre-summit blustering leaves him with little wiggle room, and he could emerge as the debate's biggest loser.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-868653.html

[KhanZubair]

Will be interesting to watch the oratory and practical steps of UK leader. In subcontinental language there is a word, "Bhanmati ka Kunba" ( collection of people in a family with divergent ideologies) This term in fact truly reflects the bunch of current European Union. Every one wants the best for its own country. Probably it will remain a dream to develop USE (United States of Europe) compatible to United States of America.

[Iwantout]

Undoubtedly a NO to any increase to the EU budget would be extremely popular in the UK. I suspect many in the contributory nations feel exactly the same, but it is convenient to stay under cover and let the UK take the criticism.

A bigger budget is needed we are told, why ? So the European Parliament can continue to travel to Strasbourg every month, so the CAP is not reformed, so we can build airports that have never been used, high speed railways with few passengers etc. Save money on the flagrant waste, then you can spend it elsewhere, only then have any expectation that you have a right to ask for an increase in funding.

As a tax payer who will be expected to pay the money the great and the good are demanding I can tell you I can’t turn round to my employer and ask for a higher salary just because I have spent all my income, I have to take my income into account when I spend, so must the EU.

The default to annual budgets would of course require discussions by 27 countries on every single budget heading and then as you say QMV. A recipe for complete chaos and inaction, that is why after all there was the switch to a multi-year process.

If Cameron does give way on this he loses his last chance to have any creditability with the public over the EU and he knows it.

[sylvesterthecat]

It is touching that our European 'friends' are concerned enough about our well-being to make so many dire warnings about what would happen if Cameron failed to agree to supply unlimited cash for the van Rumpys and Barrosos of this world.

The cry of "it'll cost you much more if you don't settle now" seems to be heard quite frequently. Well so be it! If more money is automatically taken from our pockets again, so be it!

Some time soon we, the British will get our referendum and an opportunity to leave the EU. Currently 80% of the electorate want one and some 56% would vote to leave the EU. Over the last year or so, these numbers have steadily increased and soon some 'point of no return will be passed'where the demand for a referendum will be irresistible.

So feel free to give Cameron a good verbal kicking during these negotiations when you can rest assured that whatever you say about him and us British, will translate directly into higher polling numbers to the point where we get our referendum and you get rid of us.

Please co-operate in this matter. We will all benefit!

[venze]

EU has been at best a convenient gathering of nations with diverse visions and multifarious histories. It is amazing that it continues to survive. With relentless economic turbulence and political quibble still bashing Eurozone, EU's days must be numbered.
(btt1943, vzc1943)