I AM finding it very difficult to decide how to vote in the forthcoming EU Referendum and note with interest today’s letters on the matter (April 18).
Of course enjoying tariff-free trading with a market of more than 500 million people is of great value, from which Scotland’s agriculture, fishing, whisky and tourism industries have gained much benefit. Unrestricted travel throughout Europe is also valuable, both for business, educational and recreational purposes. And the ties of mutually-agreed union have put an end to centuries of wars and bitter rivalries between the nations and family aristocracies of Europe.
On the other hand the present European Union falls some way short of being a fully-democratic organisation and has become unhealthily bureaucratic. With its powerful unelected Commission and heavy bureaucracy, and a large parliament of almost 800 members representing a wide range of political parties and ideals, decision-making is a lengthy and cumbersome process. Britain’s one vote within 28 in the Council of Ministers carries little weight, and getting any meaningful change requires protracted negotiations and concessions, and usually achieves much less than was originally sought, as David Cameron has recently found out.
From a purely parochial viewpoint, how would Scotland fare if Brexit won the day? At present as a recognised “region” with the EU, we have a range of legal protections and enjoy substantial financial benefits. But if solely at the mercy of a UK parliament and government (of either major party) with little interest in Scotland, and instead acting increasingly at the behest of the financial interests of the City and catering primarily for the needs of London and the south-east, would Scotland get even less attention and financial support than at present?
So on balance and perhaps sadly, until we finally achieve independent status I am more inclined to trust Europe and Brussels than Westminster and Whitehall to protect Scotland’s interests and give us a fair deal.
Iain AD Mann,
7 Kelvin Court, Glasgow.
MUCH has been said and written about the importance of the European Union and its Parliament to the lives of UK citizens.
There has also been much debate about the perceived remoteness of the European Parliament in approving laws and regulations which affect the UK.
Iain Macwhirter (“EU is democratic abomination and Labour cannot deny that”, The Herald, April 14), has suggested that the European Parliament has little power compared with the highly-paid unelected European Commission which promotes new legislation and regulations, and makes all executive decisions.
Regarding our own UK parliament, I am sure that most UK citizens could name quite a number of MPs.
The European Parliament has 73 MEPs representing a total of 12 regions of the UK – Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and nine English regions.
I suggest that a possibly useful EU referendum litmus test for individual UK citizens is the question “How many UK MEPs can I name?”
Any democratic organisation has to be seen to be highly visible and active to those individuals whom it represents.
Does the litmus test work for your readers?
Ian B Jones,
28 Faulds Wynd, Seamill, Ayrshire.
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