Perhaps this gives us all some idea of what it must have been like for the people who had the job of making the United states of America work .

Every country in the EU has its own agenda, its own ideas about how things should work, and its own self-interest which comes before the interests of the EU as a whole. The politicians involved have to try to keep their own electorates happy at home whilst juggling with the intricacies of the politics of Europe as an entity.

It's an impossible task, or so it must seem at times, but in the end it must be done if the EU is to survive.

fourm member

"If you want a clear demonstration of why...etc"

Well that's certainly a clear demonstration of why some of us think that some of the PCA members think that they clearly know best on any subject!

It clearly demonstrates how subjective any opinion can be.

Forum Editor

The discussions at the time of the Ted Heath recommendation were predicated on our ability to trade freely with Europe. There was no mention of total unity or indeed of the many other features since imposed.

As for your lack of optimism in the ability of the UK population to analyse facts, I can only believe you include yourself and all others who have commented in this discussion in your slur. Such a disagreeable statement made by anyone else would have caused you to respond or perhaps delete it.

It is interesting that "The EU" , whoever they are, are seeking "ever closer union", yet many parts of the EU are seeking devolution (Scotland, maybe Wales,Catalonia, The Basques etc) This "Balkanisation" of Europe could rebound on the protagonists, giving more power to Brussels.

I think that is why the "EU" seem to be a bit wobbly on the Scottish devolution issue ie they do not wish to be seen to encourage Catalonia etc to follow suit.

I wish , somehow, that a new "Europe" could emerge along the lines of the USA or Germany with its Lander system where the powers of the central HQ are strictly limited. A truly Federal Europe as envisaged by some is unlikely to succeed in the near future - just look at foreign policy alone - who would have agreed, for example, to the re taking of the Falklands under such a system?

I rather thought that hat fits you quite often fm.

I'm pretty easy going and certainly don't have a professional journalist's background, but when you decide that your clearly right, you do tend to deride some replies pretty roughly.