BM,

You bring up a good point, and one which leads to confusion amongst many (that EEC/EU laws and directives and the trading arrangements are separate entities, and that the EEC was ‘just for trade’), including yourself.

Whilst that maybe the spin and belief of many, from day one, it’s aim was to be a political union.

That’s what it was, and still is.

(That is a fact).

As we know though, if you want all the ‘benefits’ of full membership, such as a being a member of the customs union, access to the single market, freedom of movement etc. – then you are under EU jurisdiction, simple as that!

(Even with the so called Norwegian model (EEA), you are still under the ECJ).

But the problem is that the sovereignty issue has always been pushed to the bottom of the pile when it comes to us being a member of the EU, when it should be at the top.

Ted Heath knew this, because in 1960, he wrote a letter to the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Kilmuir, asking his opinions on the constitutional implications if the UK was to sign the Treaty of Rome. Sadly no copy of Heath’s letter to Kilmuir seemed to have surfaced, but Kilmuir’s reply did, and it is clear that there would be conflicts with our constitution (a loss of sovereignty) if the UK were to sign the treaty. It also shows that they would be willing to find ways around this, even when there were no ways of doing it constitutionally!

(Or to put it another way, democratically).

So roll the clock forward to the Autumn of 1971 and the beginning of 1972, Heath and those from all political parties who support him, have handed over the UK government’s right to govern to the EEC, not through a referendum as promised, but by subversive and underhand tactics – a gross abuse of their powers.

And that is why our loss of sovereignty is such a big issue, and why many have claimed Heath committed an act of treason – the reason being, our constitution allows no surrender of any part of it to a foreign power beyond the control of the Queen in parliament, as evidenced by the convention which says:

Parliament may do many things but what it may not do is surrender any of its rights to govern unless we have been defeated in war.

(And contrary to the belief of the likes of Nick Clegg, sovereignty cannot be shared, split-up, pooled, or dished out in anyway or form – that again, is a fact).

So, to all those who say the issue of leaving the EU is a complex one, and too hard for the average person to understand, it is quite clear it is actually quite simple one.

Who do you want to be governed by?

Cheers

Paul

Control and Compromise

There was an interesting editorial in the Times a few weeks ago under the the title ‘Control and Compromise’.

Towards the end were these two sentences, that sums up the a misguided position that is sadly supported by the ‘it will harm business and the economy’ types, who are pro EU for only these selfish reasons.

“Isolation is not a price worth paying over Britain’s laws”.

“Absolute legal sovereignty is neither possible or desirable in the interconnected world in which Britain wants to be a trading powerhouse”.

I must say, I find these two sentences alarming.

And with respect to the last sentence, one has to ask the question why?

To give away your nation’s right to govern itself (in our case, not through a democratic vote, but by so called ‘Henry the VIII’ powers – er, how ironic!), just because belonging to something that is, and always was a federal political union, brings so called benefits, due to the fact that is has a ‘one size fits all’ trade policy in place for its member states.

The EU is not (despite many claiming it to be) a trading organisation like the World Trade Organization, where members are sovereign states, and only need abide by their rules for trading.

(That of course cannot be said for the EU).

I think it’s fair to say that ‘Brexiteers’ (myself included) would have no problems with a European trading organisation that works the same way as the WTO, i.e sovereign states who only have to abide by the rules of trading, and not at the expense of a country’s sovereignty, as is the case when a member of the EU.

But we are told ad nauseam by the ‘smart people’ that it is better to waive your country’s right to govern itself, purely because it’s better for businesses and the economy.

Cheers

Paul

Lovely stuff!

Cheers

Paul

She does look very nice indeed!

M12,

I too would love to see the correct cannon shrouds fitted at some stage, as it makes things authentic (especially now a Rotol prop has been fitted), and it looks ‘right’ for a MKV of that period.

Fingers crossed eh!

Cheers

Paul

That is good news indeed!

Well done to all involved.

Cheers

Paul

Cheers

Paul

BBMF Spit PS915 departing Dunsfold and heading to Overton for Carfest about 20 minutes ago.

Cheers

Paul