Europe, a diversion?

Yesterday nominations closed for the Elections on May 3rd.

The two seats at Babergh for Waldingfield Ward will, we now know, be contested by four candidates, Colin Spence and myself for the Conservatives, a Liberal Democrat and a representative of the UK Independence Party

Although not having a particularly well thought through manifesto, UKIP has some policies which at first sight may appeal to natural Conservative supporters, (although it is hard to see what most of them have to do with Babergh District Council!) Of particular attraction is their pledge to withdraw from the EU. But a euro-sceptic vote for UKIP on May 3rd may have unintended consequences. One less vote for the Conservatives could allow the Liberal Democrats, an overtly pro European party, into power!

Like many Conservatives I’m not particularly keen on the European Community. It is undemocratic, bureaucratic and almost certainly corrupt. However, I do not believe that total withdrawal from the Union is really feasible, despite the fact that I would like to see the UK freed from some of its diktats.

In my view the best way to fight loopy loo rules emanating from the Brussels bureaucrats is to struggle from within, as many Conservative MEP's are currently doing. The same goes for the trend towards Federalism. Enlargement of the EU in recent years means that there are several countries, such as Poland and the Czech Republic that are taking the same approach.

Whether we like it or not in the UK we are becoming more and more affected by events taking place in other parts of the world. Global warming is one example and the recently resolved hostage crisis in Iran is another. There is little doubt that pressure from other EU members, notably Angela Merkel in Germany, was to some degree instrumental in bringing about a settlement. Total independence for the UK would, in my view, make us very vulnerable in today’s world.