In my pocket lies my life
It is small, shiny and squar
It contains all the people, conversations and memories
That make it so dear.
I am a child of today
Meant to be free and wild
But never before have our lives
Been so filed and compartmentalised
Yet despite this organisation
I know my life is special
While they are all made the same
But through experience become unique.
I would die if my life were lost.
I'm told I should "Diversify my risk"
But life shouldn't be hunted and piecemeal
It should be wholly at your fingertips.
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Sunday, 7 July 2013
What should the European Union do to keep Britain in?
In Britain, there is growing discontent
about the European Union. UKIP, the vehemently Eurosceptic party, are growing
in members and influence, achieving second place in the Eastleigh
by-election. Meanwhile, the growing momentum behind the movement for an in/out
referendum resulted in the promise of one. According to a YouGov
poll[1],
42% of British voters would vote to leave the EU, while 36% would vote to stay.
If the European Union wishes to keep Britain as a member, it will need to
persuade the British public to vote otherwise.
One strategy is to preemptively open negotiations
about returning powers to the United Kingdom’s parliament, ahead of the
referendum, and before Cameron asks for talks. If sufficiently publicized, this
show of good faith and initiative would appeal to British voters, most of whom
see the European Union as detached and bureaucratic. Another YouGov
survey[2]
revealed 48% of Britons believe Britain should renegotiate our relationship
with Europe, and then hold a referendum. Only 22% of Britons on the other hand,
want a referendum without renegotiation. There is a clear demand for
renegotiation. If the European Commission were seen to supply it, rather than
David Cameron, the British public may find the EU more palatable. If this
negotiation were generous, it could also split the “No” vote.
The European Union initiating talks, rather
than Cameron, would allow the EU to begin negotiations on their terms. This
strengthened bargaining would allow the European Union to concede just a few
powers, for large potential gain. Some select powers returned could greatly
reduce British qualms about the European Union, especially if in areas such as
the Common Agricultural Policy or immigration.
However, these two areas seem the least
likely to be reformed. Pressure is actually mounting for Britain to lose it’s
rebate for the CAP as more agricultural states such as Bulgaria and Romania
join. The reasoning is that these countries are poorer, and so should be
prioritized over Britain.
Immigration reform is also unlikely.
Britain being allowed limit EU immigration could greatly harm the single
market, which stipulates the free movement of labour. If the free movement of
people is restricted for this country, it would be to Britain’s sole advantage.
This is why the other powerful members in
the European Union are unlikely to indulge Britain and give it special
privileges. There is already animosity towards Britain in Europe. As the French
finance minister, Laurent Fabius, has made clear, “You can't do Europe a la
carte." The European Commission cannot be seen to take too soft a stance
when dealing with Britain’s referendum, which many Europeans see as a childish
tantrum. The European Union has to finely balance the carrot and the stick, or
face revolt on the continent.
If re-negotiation is the carrot, Britain
leaving the single market could be the stick. The British press and politicians
often state free movement of goods as the EU’s main advantage, and for good
reason. The EU is Britain’s main trading
partner and a rise in tariffs and protectionist policies between the EU and
Britain would leave Britain the worst off. The EU would find it easier to
recoup it’s smaller loss trade than a solitary and uncertain Britain would. The
European Union should publicize this harsh consequence were Britain to leave
the EU, and maybe voters will vote “Yes” to Europe.
Many Eurosceptics argue if Britain did
leave the EU, it could sign up to a similar model as Norway and retain free
trade. By entering the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade
Association (EFTA), Norway remains in the single market and is exempt from the
Common Agricultural Policy. However, Norway also has to contribute to the EU
budget, adopt most legislation and has no say in any negotiations. Between 2004
and 2009, it will have paid 1.3 billion euros for the privilege.[3]
To those demanding a return of sovereignty, this would clearly be unacceptable.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 74% of
Britons believe the economy is one of the most important issues facing Britain[4]. At a time of non-existent growth, downgrading
and austerity, changing the single market would be disastrous for the British
economy. If the European Union made this
threat a well-known possibility, it would be a signal British voters could not
ignore.
If it wants to keep Britain as a member, the
EU needs to convince the British people that the EU is a gain. The European
Union should sweeten the current deal but also remind Britain of the stark consequences
an exit could bring. Most importantly, it needs to ensure the British public
understands this message, so they can vote accordingly.
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