http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/ Incisive and topical campaigns and commentary on today's issues and tomorrow's problems Wed, 23 May 2012 13:35:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1639 Prison Planet Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:10:12 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1639 To live alone one must be a beast or a god, says Aristotle. Leaving out the third case: one must be both--a philosopher.FriedrichWilhelmNietzscheFriedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche To live alone one must be a beast or a god, says Aristotle. Leaving out the third case: one must be both–a philosopher.FriedrichWilhelmNietzscheFriedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

]]> http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1638 Freeborn John Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:20:34 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1638 There are many valid points expressed here. Particularly of note is that the UN Security Council exists for a purpose, namely to act as the sword of justice that the League of Nations lacked. Membership therefore implies both a military capability (which the EU cannot bring to the table without the creation of an EU army) but also responsibility such as not to shirk difficult action when it is truly necessary. It seems to me that the pacifist political culture of many EU member states is such that the EU would tend towards vetoing even necessary military action and in staying the hand of the UNSC sword would reduce the UN to the impotent talking shop that was the League of Nations. The consequences for the future security of the planet would then be grim. There are many valid points expressed here. Particularly of note is that the UN Security Council exists for a purpose, namely to act as the sword of justice that the League of Nations lacked. Membership therefore implies both a military capability (which the EU cannot bring to the table without the creation of an EU army) but also responsibility such as not to shirk difficult action when it is truly necessary. It seems to me that the pacifist political culture of many EU member states is such that the EU would tend towards vetoing even necessary military action and in staying the hand of the UNSC sword would reduce the UN to the impotent talking shop that was the League of Nations. The consequences for the future security of the planet would then be grim.

]]> http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1637 mikestallard Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:46:58 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/21/john-redwood-on-the-foreign-policy-aspects-of-the-lisbon-treaty/#comment-1637 Alleluia! When I turned on the TV to watch the Parliamentary debate, there were 5 Labour members of parliament lounging on the seats while Bill Cash, MP, was speaking. One of them was the foreign secretary who spent most of the time looking at the door. At the end of the speech he disappeared and Patricia Hewitt came in. The conservative benches were much fuller. Meanwhile, sandwiched between America and Russia, Europe has no troops that are allowed to fight, no realistic support for Nato and no government with a popular mandate. It is a push over. I am so glad that just one person can put this into parliamentary language as clearly and firmly as you did. Alleluia!
When I turned on the TV to watch the Parliamentary debate, there were 5 Labour members of parliament lounging on the seats while Bill Cash, MP, was speaking. One of them was the foreign secretary who spent most of the time looking at the door. At the end of the speech he disappeared and Patricia Hewitt came in.
The conservative benches were much fuller.
Meanwhile, sandwiched between America and Russia, Europe has no troops that are allowed to fight, no realistic support for Nato and no government with a popular mandate.
It is a push over.
I am so glad that just one person can put this into parliamentary language as clearly and firmly as you did.

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