When I voted for Brexit in 2016 I rejected the misleadingly named “single market”. This became a massive legislative power grab extending into everything from transport and agriculture to employment and borders policy. I was the UK’s Single Market Minister when they laughingly said we were “completing” the single market. That taught me this was just cover for a long and continuous transfer of more governing authority from member states to the power mad Commission. As I expected they did not of course complete the market as promised but have gone on making many new laws in its name as they expand it to increase their grip.
Most of these laws made it dearer and more difficult to make and sell. They were anti innovation, anti small business and damaging to the consumer interest. We have to watch as the US and China develop the new ideas and dominate new markets. The EU and the UK still running on too many EU laws itself seek to regulate the results of the US company successes in a way which discourages flourishing wellsprings of innovation at home. EU law means the EU will be a digital colony of the USA. All of the giant companies of the digital age are US or Chinese. Mr Draghi, former head of the European central Bank and keen Europhile, has set this out very clearly in his devastating report on the loss of European competitiveness.
As Minister I saw how the Commission was not that worried over what the initial Directive in an area said or did, as the main aim was to establish “competence” over the topic. They hold to the doctrine of the acquis, the idea that as they legislate in a field so they become the sovereign power over that area of work. The serious over regulation and accompanying charges and taxes then follow with later lengthier more detailed laws. They can get these through as once they have established the area is part of the acquis they can proceed with qualified majority voting rather than needing unanimity.
I tried to stick to the idea of a Common market. Many people I think voted for that in good faith, not realising it was cover for the transfer of so much government to the EU. All we needed to do to enjoy a common market was to say a business could offer its products for sale in any member state based on the regulation and law in the state that was exporting. That was established through the European Court’s Cassis de Dijon judgement. There was no need to harmonise or replace every law that had any bearing on making, growing and selling things. Member states had roughly similar standards, and consumer choice would make the other key decisions about what to buy based on the labels.
The obvious results of dear energy, excessive regulation and the absence of the dynamic fast growing businesses of the new era are to be seen in the lamentable growth numbers for the EU as a whole and for most of its leading members this century. The USA which started richer has been growing at double the pace. Europe is falling further and further behind.
I saw how the EU net zero policies meant the premature death of the UK’s diesel and petrol car industry, with no obvious popular and affordable battery replacements to see off the Chinese challenge. I pointed out how the dear energy prices EU and UK policy were creating would close many of our factories and plants. I had to watch over the last two years as two of the UK’s six oil refineries shut, our steel industry collapsed, a large fibreglass plant was closed, several ceramics works gave up and many other high energy using businesses ended. It was with disbelief I saw the new government opt for imported LNG rather than more gas from our own fields. This boosts world CO 2 as well as doing us out of well paid jobs and denying us plenty of tax revenue from our own production.
I also voted for Brexit for political reasons. My reading of too much European history had told me that war, death, destruction and slavery had in the past come from the continent on all too many occasions in our history. The joys of our island story came from the wider world, from free trade and from pioneering democracy in a sovereign country. The EU plans a different approach to the past, based on consent and negotiation. The history is however haunting.
At its worst past Europe brought slavery. As recently as the 1940s the German occupation of the Channel islands established slave labour on a British Crown territory. The Romans imposed a military occupation on us for 367 years with slavery as an important part of the economic model. Only full Roman citizens enjoyed the more comfortable lifestyle of the few. The Vikings plundered our coasts and took people into slavery from 793, and occupied Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia in later years until defeat in 1066. The Normans stole our lands and occupied the country from 1066, introducing feudal serfdom for many Englishmen and women requiring compulsory work on the stolen lands. The invaders could buy and sell the land with the people’s work obligations attached to the contract. When I hear Rule Britannia sung I understand the suffering and heartache many of our ancestors felt over slavery as the chorus line affirms “Britons never will be slaves”. By 1800 we had the naval power to enforce that, but failed in 1940 in Alderney. The Royal navy had a fine record in leading the attack on the global slave trade in the nineteenth century.
History reminds us that the European continent has been a hotbed of wars, border fights and the centre of bitter disputes over the details and institutions of the Christian faith. It has been prone to manic dictators and aggressive states wishing to dominate it by force and to govern it as a whole contrary to the wishes of the many different countries. Europe is a tapestry of smaller and a few larger states with great cultural and linguistic diversity. To progress the EU needs to respect the differences.
The UK has suffered from too many European invasions, but has often benefitted from its island status in being able to fend off the aggressors. After the big defeats to the Romans, Vikings and Normans the country grew stronger. The English constitution was robust enough to prevent Philip II of Spain, the King of the super power of the age, from annexing England on the death of his wife Queen Mary. Elizabeth I who gained the throne went on to defeat the 1588 Spanish invasion fleet. This finally saw off the big threat Spain posed to our independence. Spain concentrated instead on trying to re conquer the Netherlands which it had carelessly lost.
In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century France was the dominant military power. We were dragged into continental wars or entered them willingly as borders were disputed. Nelson’s stunning victory at Trafalgar and Wellington’s at Waterloo ended the long hard fought attempts of Napoleon to extend and consolidate France’s European empire. In the twentieth century Germany emerged as the strongest military power seeking to unite Europe under its government . By 1939 this was to be based on genocide, slavery and strict enforcement of military rule. Twice the UK joined coalitions to defeat the German armies of occupation whilst seeing off in 1940 the planned Operation Sealion to conquer the UK.
European wars have cost us millions of dead. My two grandfathers spent their late teens in the trenches and my two parents spent theirs in the Navy in the second world war. Their generations made huge sacrifices so the many states of Europe could be free and independent. The UK has flourished on free trade, a free people, a sovereign Parliament and good links with most of the world. The UK is right to belong to NATO and to pledge support for NATO countries in Europe if they are ever threatened by hostile powers.
I wish the EU well in its endeavour to establish friendly co operation between neighbours on a continent congested with many states. The UK’s exit makes that easier as the UK had no wish to join the currency and enter into major budgetary transfers which are clearly needed for a political Union.
The EU does not need an army and does not need to expand its borders by military means. Those member states that also belong to NATO should deal with defence through that crucial alliance, not seeking to establish a European alternative without US support. Duplication of a new European NATO alongside existing NATO wastes energy and resources. The EU would be wise not to seek to maximise its power, tax revenues and controls as that will breed more disappointment and resentment. Its current powers over borders and the movement of people are already causing tensions between member states.
The UK has shown its independence of European political plans, and needs different defence assets to defend our island home rather than the big armies and land fortifications of the continent. The UK’s future lies globally and with the Commonwealth. The EU’s future is easier to arrange without the UK as a dissenting member.
August 27, 2026
A marvelous piece on why we should no be in the EU (formally, or informally), and explanation of its power-grabbing procedure. I only differ in respect to the comments on NATO.
I only differ in respect to the comments on NATO – I see that organisation as another power-grabbing, self-serving entity . It was useful while there was a Soviet Union but has ceased to be helpful in the past decade or so, as it needs the prospect of conflict in order to thrive and expand. It has switched from being a defensive organisation to an offensive one (remember Serbia) and has eagerly sought expansion. It is largely a tool (a very willing one – Mark Rutte recently calling President Trump “Daddy”) of US neocon foreign policy. This has been a disaster in the Middle East and is turning into one here in Europe.
Remember the famous assurance by Germany that NATO would not move “an inch” eastwards if Russia didn’t oppose German reunification, and subsequent similar assurances from the US about expansion were duplicitous from the Russian point of view (which may be correct on this point). Yes, the countries east of Germany were free to apply to join NATO – but NATO didn’t have to accept them, and when Russia made overtures about joining, it was rejected.
With this trajectory we’ve ended up with a far less stable European security situation than we had before and almost worst than during the Cold War. Russia considers its vital security interests are threatened, Europeans are talking about a direct war with Russia within 4 years, a proxy war has being going on for 4 years already and Britain has taken a leading role in pushing for escalation. NATO is largely the forum for this push to war and has eased out the supranational institutions that might instead work on diplomacy to create a stable security framework for Europe. Meanwhile, a full kinetic war with Russia would probably kill us all, including the Russians: when “gamed”, a conflict quickly ends up being nuclear.
Hence I’m not a supporter of NATO and would like to see it go, or at the very least, Britain leave it.
August 27, 2026
@Wanderer – if you position your self as not being able to defend yourself why, Oh why, would you think other that may be under the same attack want to help you. NATO as you say was right for the time it has since been abused, by our lazy politicians that think bribing people with their own money is the same a keeping them safe.
The UK as it was as an International Trading Nation needed to protect its supply routes World Wide, in that alone thanks to the UK Parliament is not possible. NATO at its best can’t fill that gap, it is down to the UK Parliament to keep us safe
August 27, 2026
Have you spoken to any members of the uniparty because they don’t share your (or my) views.
Brexit is failing because the great and good don’t believe in sovereignty, they believe we are a nasty nation and should atone for our past behaviour.
The fact that the industrial revolution brought untold advanced in living standards and health care means nothing.
Our leaders want us shackled to the rotting corpse of the EU because they see it as being for our own good.
In a generation it will be a mute point as Europe will be part of the Caliphate and a doss house like the rest of it.
Population replacement will ensure we continue our decline into third world status.
August 27, 2026
@Ian Wragg – once they achieved BRINO and the EU team announced the the UK was their colony now, the ran out of the energy to then manage and govern the Country. They got so lazy and sloppy that they embraced EU Laws instead of debating and or ditching denying the country a future and a possibility to take charge and move on .
Never forget the Majority of Parliament then as now don’t want to leave the EU, don’t want to manage or govern this Country. They are a best lazy freeloader that will stick to sitting on their hands and hope the are still there at the next election
August 27, 2026
We got the Common Market because politicians in Europe convinced politicians at home that it would only ever be a trade arrangement, and would never be a European State, they lied and in turn our own politicians lied to us the people, even when they could see the truth forming before their eyes as over the years more and more control was taken from member States.
Perhaps it should have been called the Con Man Market.
Decades ago most people did not take too much interest in politics, they just got on with their own lives.
Now more people realise that politicians are actually making it more difficult to run your own life the way you would like, because of the huge number of new rules, regulations, and taxes which impose more government control and interference, than we have ever seen before in our lifetime.
The population are at last starting to wake up to how much government control is messing up our lives and finances.
August 27, 2026
Reading the comments on ‘Conservative Home’ it is as bad as ever.
It’s full of Remain types who did so much to prevent a clean break from the EU.
August 27, 2026
Indeed.
I love Europe in the main, but hate what the EU is doing and has done to it – surely this is the rational position?
August 27, 2026
‘I love Europe in the main, but hate what the EU is doing and has done to it – surely this is the rational position?’ – great comment.
In terms of relationships, one’s own country – the UK – should be like one’s spouse. But Europe (not the EU) should be like one’s best friend. And just as one’s best friend is a great person, so Europe (not the EU) is a great place.
August 27, 2026
Indeed though my spouse is (genetically) Italian, though mainly brought up in Scotland & England.
I rather despair for the UK (and indeed Europe given the EU). Starkey puts the odd of the UK tanker being turned round at 4:1 against (20%) in the recent video. Given the electoral position and all the many forces and vested interests against it. The BBC, the Times, Channel 4 & 5, sky, the blob, the DEI industry, the Quangos, the courts, the state sector workers and hangers on, the immigration industries, HR lawyers, the EU, the net zero religion and industries, the WHO and other int. organisations, most charities… I think Starkey is perhaps rather too optimistic.
August 27, 2026
‘ Conservatives Home’ still features articles by David Gauke.
So does ‘New Statesman’. Gauke is the classic uniparty politician.
I did like one response from a disgruntled reader :-
“ TO THE EDITORS OF CONSERVATIVE HOME: the reason Conservative Home has become irrelevant is partly because you platform non_Conservatives who you are holding up to be Conservatives. David Gauke is not a Conservative.”
August 27, 2026
Many of the politicians knew full well it was not only a common market as did many voters. Even in 1975 this was explained fully to them by Peter Shaw, Tony Benn, Enoch Powell… however ex. Tory Prime Minister Ted Heath repeatedly assured the British public that joining the European Economic Community (EEC) would not erode national sovereignty. He surely knew this was a lie even in the 70s.
Reply No, Mr Heath did admit there would be some loss of sovereignty. The Labour government in its 1975 referendum argued there would be no loss. In one of my first votes I voted to leave in that referendum as any reading of the Treaty of Rome showed that was a lie.
August 27, 2026
If only MPs and voters has taken your wise advice on this and much else. I was too young to vote in 75 but would certainly have voted to leave. It seemed to me that leave supporters used rational arguments while remainers were all about irrational emotion. Rather like climate realists now and the CO2 devil gas religion supporters. Alas so often logic loses out to raw emotion as we also see with socialism and the politics of bitter envy. Good sales people know this – even I have fallen for clever sales patter very occasionally – though never for socialism or religion.
“You anre are saving the planet for your children and grandchildren” this and all the BBC’s extreme weather porn is rather powerful when used against people with little understanding of science and climate realities.
August 27, 2026
Similar again on the Covid “vaccines” and lockdowns. The logical realists were the Barrington declaration type the majority went for the irrational, emotion and fear agenda and took the net harm vaccines (these even given/coerced into to the young, children, pregnant and those who had had Covid already. Thus doing far more harm than good and costing £600bn+
August 27, 2026
Reply to reply
“There are some in this country who fear that in going into Europe we shall in some way sacrifice independence and sovereignty, even that we shall begin to lose our national identity. These fears, I need hardly say, are completely unjustified and exaggerated. We shall, of course, be accepting the common procedures of Community life, just as we accept those of other organizations which we have joined. But within the framework of a developing Community the identity of national states will be maintained.”
Speech in Wilton Park, Sussex (21 June 1971), quoted in The Times (22 June 1971), p. 5
Reply Heath always accepted it was much more than the common market it was called. He published a clear statement saying”The Community we are joining is far more than a common market…..we are committing ourselves not only to a series of policies or institutions but to a close partnership with our western European neighbours in which we will all work together rather than separately” which was why I opposed this move.
August 27, 2026
‘A close partnership’. But he never said, as you claim, that it would involve any loss of our sovereignty, because he knew people would never stand for that.
There is also the question of the secret document FCO30/1048, locked away under the Official Secrets Act for five decades, which proves Heath knew full well we would lose sovereignty, currency, legal precedence of common law and much else, because the Civil Service made that quite clear to him; he chose deliberately to hide that knowledge from the public.
Reply His comment as quoted says we will lose sovereignty over a wide range of areas. So did the Treaty of Rome which the UK signed. It was very clear to me as a young voter what was intended which is why I voted to leave.
August 27, 2026
How curious that on the day that OFGEM announce an unwelcome 4% rise in the energy price cap, the right wing media all carry articles blaming it all on net zero. Without publishing anything new, other than previously debunked theories about non-existent cfd “subsidies”, wind farm curtailment, “blackouts” etc.
For months, if not years, I have pointed out that onshore solar electricity is providing extremely cheap juice for British bill payers. All summer if you were on the right tariff you could be doing the washing, running the dishwasher, charging the EV, charging the home battery etc – all for free on Sundays. Indeed, some energy suppliers were paying folk to take electricity from them during these periods
Let me put the record straight. The reason for the price increase is solely due to the high global price of gas imposed by the fossil fuel cartel because of Trump’s war on the Ayatollahs and their closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Reply More nonsense. Even the Minister agreed there is a huge cost to expand the grid to handle so much occasional renewable power.
August 27, 2026
“Let me put the record straight. The reason for the price increase is solely due to the high global price of gas imposed by the fossil fuel cartel because of Trump’s war on the Ayatollahs and their closure of the Strait of Hormuz”
Total drivel, the net zero religion is the main cause or rip off energy and “renewables” are not on demand and not cheap. If we switch further to “renewables”, more back up, batteries, heat pumps, EVs the grid alone will need to be about 180 times more complex, higher capacity and far more expensive. This as he now has to move from a power station to users hub to a complex net connecting up all the many renewable sources and back up systems.
If we drilled more and fracked we could in the UK have on demand electricity at about 1/3 of current prices. Importing young coal (wood) to burn at Drax is insane too, even in CO2 terms it make no sense!
August 27, 2026
SG. If gas is the culprit why doesn’t it affect other countries. CCGT plants are deliberately run on low liad or hot standby as government policy to reduce CO2 emissions. Of course the price will be high because fixed costs have to be covered. Also the government through a system of levies increases the cost of gas generation by 100%. Thus is deliberate so all renewable generators get the inflated price otherwise they would go bust.
Why do you think Milibrain was offering up to £107 per mwh for wind and a colossal £247 per mwh for floating offshore wind if it’s cheaper.
Gas generation is circa £60 per mwh before the government distorts the market.
Solar with a capacity factor of 11% on average, 4% in winter is an even more stupid idea.
August 27, 2026
+1
August 27, 2026
And gas or coal (cheaper still) generation is on demand electricity so it is worth far more than intermittent generation from wind or solar. How much would you pay for a pizza delivered at some random time next week or perhaps the week after.
August 27, 2026
There is no global price for gas, which is why in the US electricity is about 1/4 the cost of the UK’s.
August 27, 2026
Exactly
August 27, 2026
O/T: It appears that the end of August is the time when Thames Water sends everybody in the Thames Valley their statement about their consumption of fresh water, how much waste water is produced by the household and how much people have to pay. Interestingly once one connects to their account on the TW website they can see their detailed invoices over the last seven years.
I would encourage people to check thoroughly these invoices and see how the standing charges, the price per m^3 of fresh and waste water have evolved, check whether their consumption has changed and how the changes in all those individual prices and charges can be explained.
I would think it is a very interesting exercise so one could finally decide for themselves whether and how much they are being ripped off.
My one-person household consumption per six months over these six years has fluctuated between 14 and 17 cubic metres and my bill around £200/year from 2020 to 2024 is now £300 in 2026.
And the leaks on Lower Earley Way and Beech Lane are still going nicely … thank you for asking.
August 27, 2026
Where do you think water companies will get the money they need to invest in their infrastructures hefner ?
Under previous years of nationalisation they were starved of funds.
August 27, 2026
The website CfD Hub shows that the weighted average CfD price for “green” renewables is currently £152.21/MWhr against the average market reference price (gas generation) of £85.10. And the Low Carbon Contracts Company website shows that apart from 3 quarters in 2021/2 when Russia invaded Ukraine “cheap” renewables have had to be subsidised. The £85.10/MWhr for gas generation includes around £20/MWhr carbon taxes and the £85.10/MWhr for renewables does not include all the additional costs caused by renewables chaotic intermittency such as massive grid upgrades, stability measures and backup storage. Even DESNZ in its appraisal of Sizewell C admits that its price of £133+/MWhr is cheaper than adding further renewables because of all these wider costs of renewable generation.
https://www.cfd-hub.com/
https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/resources/scheme-dashboards/cfd-historical-data-dashboard/
August 27, 2026
PS : I meant to write of course:
The £85.10/MWhr for gas generation includes around £20/MWhr carbon taxes and the £152.21 /MWhr for renewables does not include all the additional costs caused by renewables chaotic intermittency such as massive grid upgrades, stability measures and backup storage
August 28, 2026
Have a look at any interviews or presentations by Scott Tinker, a geologist and energy specialist, on YT, and he explains why “renewables” are a myth, and why the world will need fossil fuels for quite a while yet to avoid poverty just about everywhere.
August 27, 2026
Alas no overall control of Labour winning a full majority are most likely outcomes at the next election over an 84% chance of one or the other.
August 27, 2026
The continent of Europe is united – there is the EU, and there are states with very close Treaty-based relations with the EU (Norway, Switzerland) and states desperate to join the EU (Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine). Then there is the UK, left isolated. Well done Brexiters, you have achieved what centuries of astute British leaders have strived to avoid – a UK facing a united Europe. Add in an America which is a wholly unreliable mess and a Canada and an Australia eager for close links with the EU and indifferent to the UK, and you truly must be proud of how low you have sunk our country. There is only one winner from Brexit – Mr Putin
Reply The UK is a leading force in NATO, a member of 5 Eyes and has a close relationship with the US and Australia through AUKUS
August 27, 2026
Yes Europe is united, if your definition includes subjugation.
August 27, 2026
Hard to make any sense of that remark, Dave. Every member of the EU is a member only because it has freely chosen to become a member – and, as the UK shows, all are free to stop being a member. “Subjugation” is perhaps a word you do not understand the meaning of: it applies to the Soviet union and modern Russia, and to Nazi Germany but it has no relevance at all the EU
August 27, 2026
@JinK. Countries aren’t free to leave the EU. Look at the massive interference in the political process across the EU nations: punishment for errant governments that dare challenge Brussels, lawfare against ordinary citizens and politicians, re-running of elections until the desired result is achieved, outright interference in elections.
August 27, 2026
When did you last vote for an EU President or Commissioner John?
The ones with real power.
August 27, 2026
I think we need to be very, very clear. When we support British SOVEREIGNTY and as a beautiful and wonderful thing we are NOT looking down our noses at Europe (for Europe does NOT equal the EU). There are some ignorant people who don’t like Europe (not just the EU). And/or who act superior (this is how the Nazis behaved). Acting superior is nationalism and is NOT British or Conservative or good form. But being PATRIOTIC – loving your country is a GREAT thing. And you always put your country first (including having to die to defend it). But we need to be clear it is NOT about being nationalistic or being a little Englander looking down on others. It is just a healthy love of one’s country without losing sight of what is great about other countries (but our great nation is number 1 – to the point we’re willing to die defending it and with a smile on our faces whilst doing so!)
August 27, 2026
Trump has seriously damaged the relationship between the USA and UK. So many Tories I know things he’s just awful (as a politician) and really damaged what it means to be American and the relationship between the USA and the UK.
August 27, 2026
@John in Kent. Being part of the World community is not isolation. Ring fenceing yourself against the World and hoping it will go away is
August 27, 2026
Thank you, a Great Article that even today needs repeating over and over as some don’t ‘get it’ or more correctly those that have appointed themselves the new Norman Baronial Lords , don’t want to hear it.
This is the crowd that will fight the surfs for their personal right to rule. This is the crowd that has demonstrates a personal the hate and prejudice of the people when to them uppermost it is about ‘self’ – they have riddled this Country and the EU. The platitudes of a workers party, that means in truth Marxism, with its doctrine of sacrifice of the workers for the benefit of the few(yes I turned that around as it fits the ego of those in the UK Parliament) What is never allowed is true Democracy, the right of ‘government by the people for the people’. It has to be interpretative to fit a personal narrative. Everything including the idea of being able to vote is twisted to create and manipulate for the benefit of the same few and their ‘ego’s’.
In the UK’s own Establishment we have those fighting to maintain their overlord grip on the population by diktats not consensus or democracy. They have a rarefied attitude that keeps demonstrating it is about them, only them and everyone else as their personal slaves – will be ‘made’ to pay. Its the ‘mirror’ of EU rule that has infested the Nation. We have a Parliament that is a bunch of Numpty egotists that will fight against not work with the Nation and its People.
Its not about the peoples of Europe or the UK they are to be deprived of identity, difference and future. Moulded into a new Socialist State so the overlords get to feel good about themselves, and everyone else pays.
August 27, 2026
The Almighty made us all different. ‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken,’ – Oscar Wilde quipped. Same for countries. The UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Greece – all wonderfully unique (but things in common too just – same for human beings). Dickens was great at creating personalities (salty, idiosyncratic, humorous and fun) – The Artful Dodger, Sam Weller, Wilkins Micawber etc. It is these personalities who are all unique and charming that can make literature so great. Same for personalities in real life. And the same for each country having its own personality too. But our great nation – the UK – always first in love of the personality of a country. (And boring WOKE / socialism / bureaucracy can kill this wonderful thing called personality – including the personality of a nation – what makes it unique and salty and charming etc).
August 27, 2026
@Ed M – release people, release difference, you then releasee potential. Socialist Dogma is about the few ruling the many every-time. There is no ‘workers party’ it is part of the big con, part of the socialist rulers deception.
August 27, 2026
Socialism is also po-faced. Healthy capitalism is based on the spirit of working hard, with a sense of humour, to bring home money (and pay taxes for our civilisation and culture). Healthy capitalism is healthy competition like boys wanting to beat each other at cricket. But with good humour. Socialism isn’t just po-faced but also wet and a bit nasty too.
Btw, I bumped into an amusing Irish guy recently in a hotel who turned out to be a multi-millionaire (my sister told me) based on London for over 50 years. The guy was so ‘ordinary.’ When we were chatting he told me he grew up dirt poor in Ireland. And he also said he was very fortunate to have been very happy with a woman who died recently. He also said money didn’t mean much to him. For him he enjoyed working (work ethic). That’s why he is now a multi millionaire. He also said he didn’t mind paying taxes as long as his money wasn’t wasted (which it is of course – big time). Interesting talking to people like him.
August 27, 2026
One of the reasons why we have the EU is because of Nazi Germany. It’s a reaction to Nazi Germany. That the EU grew up out of the shambles of post WW2 Europe and that we never want to experience something like this again. This is why those who support sovereignty in this country (like me – and strongly so) need to make the following clear points.
1) We hate nationalism. Because it’s about being arrogant like the Nazis looking down on others. And more about pride and hatred of others than actually loving your country. It’s FAKE love of country. If the Nazis really loved Germany, they would never have risked a war that would end up destroying their country and so many of its people. It was all about POWER, PRIDE and HATRED.
2) We love PATRIOTISM. Which is about loving one’s country – to the point of dying for it with a smile on one’s face. Not because we think we’re better than others. Or hate others. Or look down on others. But because we just love our country and believe we have a duty to do what we can to support and defend it. And love of sovereignty comes under love of country.
So it’s the extreme right (like the Nazis and tribalistic/nationalistic politics) that is just as dangerous (and ugly) and harmful to our great nation as socialism / WOKE / bureaucracy / not loving one’s sovereignty and people etc).
For God, family, kind and country
August 27, 2026
John,
At least there has been public debate about all of that, leading politicians have made their views known, its been in the press, we can all see the current government are ignoring the will of the people.
A far bigger problem is the massive issues that have had no public debate, which the leading politicians and press have refused to discuss, and where the will of the people is not even listened to. And the difference between the UK and the US where similar issues are discussed in the mainstream, and where policies and government action are changing.
Things like the massive import of (foreign ed) workforces, using intra company transfer visas, and other work visas, allowing many to end up staying here forever, getting British passports simply for working here a while, or being the family member of someone that did. Given massive tax perks like 5 years free of any employers or employees National Insurance, and allowed to book lots of things as tax free expenses that Brits working away from home within the UK cannot, so they can massively undercut the local workforce, so much so that most grad level jobs are now given to Indian imports and locals cannot find jobs.
John you yourself did a few articles on intra company transfer visas, were starting to see the issues, but went quiet, presumably shut down by your wider party scared of being called racist or whatever.
Like a lot else in this country this is going to blow up, and there will end up being a civil war if we do not fix things.
Democracy is a sham, and the ruling class seem to hate us.
Reply No I was not shut up. I pursue a large number of issues and tend to concentrate on those that are live and or where there is most likelihood of change.
August 27, 2026
unemployment amongst the native population is a live issue, its the real reasons for it which are not being discussed
August 27, 2026
I’m afraid it’s no good invoking our history, JR, in arguing about Britain and the EU. The fact is that for many of the people governing us, our history is not theirs. They don’t care about it, except where it gives them a grievance to hold against us.
August 27, 2026
John bit of a rant here. Going back in EU is bad news. I voted for brexit due to one thing they were looking at majority vote instead of all being in agreement.
August 27, 2026
An example of how it seems we haven’t really left: the reason why we can no longer buy small, cheap petrol cars is because of EU emissions and driver assistance regulations – rules that we’re still following, of course. See Suzuki for an example, they’re still selling small cars (Ignis, Jimmy etc) successfully in Japan and elsewhere. But not worth their while over here.
August 27, 2026
EU emissions regulations is one of the few things I give them credit for. Thanks to these, I can cycle uphill on a cold morning without being gassed by carbon monoxide and unburnt petrol.
August 27, 2026
I assume you use terms like ‘we’ and ‘us’ to mean those people who live or lived (legally) in the UK and its predecessor states at the time? Probably all of us (now) are descended from some combination of invaders or immigrants. I know I am. Important the right doesn’t descend into Restore’s absurd and muddled ethno-nationalism. We, the right, are about liberty, the rule of law, democracy and free markets.
August 27, 2026
Why hasn’t the labour party learnt any of these lessons?
Even now with treachery in mind they seek to surrender more of our capabilities to the commission. This all speaks of no confidence in their own capabilities – they desperately need to be told how to act, what path they should take in creating legislation to keep the masses in line.
The EU and those worshipping it fail due to their inability to know the difference between ideology and common sense. Socialists always fall back on ideology.
The evils of socialism have brought our country to it’s knees – also practised by the last Tory government we have been overwhelmed by irrational concepts. One thing Blair was right about, Education is vitally important, unfortunately his reforms helped to turn generations into aspiring woke socialists – Joined close to the EU will only make all of this a great deal worse.
Our only remedy is to get as far away from EU values as we can and to strip all forms of socialism from our institutions, schools and civil service!
August 27, 2026
Sovereignty is a great thing. But we can also celebrate our neighbours, too (but NOT the EU – Europe does not equal the EU). But always our great nation first. So here are some great things about Europe: 1. Tintin 2. the Greek islands 3. Burgundy wine, 4. Bach 5. Mozart and Salzburg 6. Handel 7. the Norwegian fjords 8. Monet and his home at Giverny 9. Venice. 10. Rome 11. The Italian Renaissance 12. Matterhorn 14. Notre Dame 15. Pasternak’s Dr Zhivago 16. Notre Dame 17. Les Miserables 18. St Francis of Assisi 19. Don Quixote 20. Eating garlic prawns in Spain
August 29, 2026
Do they celebrate us?
You speak as though the U.K. is seeking something unusual in being Sovereign.
All the members of the UN are Sovereign – it’s defined in their constitution.
August 27, 2026
I am in complete agreement with your view, and so I suspect are most Conservative Party members, but I do not think that any Conservative leader since Lord Salisbury, and precious few cabinet Ministers, would have supported it unequivocally.
August 27, 2026
The EU is like a heavy wet blanket that needs to be shaken off.
August 27, 2026
Excellent article, if only our Government and MPs would listen to it. I voted out in 1975, and to leave in 2016. What a disgrace that so many in the Establishment/ MPs/ HoLs have deliberately blocked a democratic decision.
Until we leave properly, with a government committed to putting the UK first, we are going nowhere.
Like the push to reduce CO2, concern about Global Warming and Climate Change, the desire to be part of the EU is driven by emotion, not facts.
It seems clear that our new PM is in that emotional, happy-clappy crowd that does not want to be confused by the facts. But reality is going to hit this government hard in the near future. The current interest rates on Government Gilts are the soft whisper of hard times ahead. Next will come a sudden financial crash, a complete surprise to this Labour Government and its MPs. Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29.18
August 27, 2026
The EU should be replaced by a looser relaionship between sovereign states, perhaps like EFTA or ASEAN. Its present structure means it will always seek more power, suppress democracy – which cannot be extended beyond nation states – and always seek to expand its territory.
August 29, 2026
Thin end of wedges and all that.
Iceland being dragged in by that tactic as we speak.
August 27, 2026
Many interesting inputs.Alas who’s not listening?Labour,LibDems,Greens and quite a few Conservatives.
EdM;an interesting list of places to visit,music to be entertained by whilst wining and dining in michelin-
guide restaurants.I am sure a reputable tour operator will gladly take you on board!
August 27, 2026
Thank goodness for the European Court’s Cassis de Dijon judgement for when we were in the EU. My aperitif of choice might have been non-existent.
August 27, 2026
Exactly – It’s very clear the EU’s working has been much easier to manage witnout the UK as a dissenting member – also I have no idea why you’re all back again talking about the EU – we in the EU have long since moved on.
August 28, 2026
F: Very pleased for you. Some of us never stopped talking, that’s probably a good thing as nothing stands still or remains the same and needs discussion, consideration and opinion to raise awareness. This is a platform which offers the opportunity for this. Better now perhaps to concentrate with fellow members on reducing the MMF. I gather joint borrowing and joint debt discussion, consideration & awareness is on topic at the moment.
August 29, 2026
Yes I saw that you run a Billion Euro deficit to China PER DAY!
Onward and downward. Soon you will be the 4th World looking up at Zimbabwe.
August 27, 2026
I don’t think the UK would have voted for Brexit if it were not for the EU’s insatiable desire for expansion into Eastern Europe and beyond as evidenced by the meddling in Ukraine affairs and PM Cameron making a speech in Kazakhstan in 2013 declaring that the EU should extend further into the former USSR and reach from the Atlantic to the Urals.
August 27, 2026
I have little faith in NATO being there if we needed it instead we will probably have to look to a coalition of the willing for defence matters I also think we can forget about the US – have you heard ‘Trump has just changed Lake Ontario to Lake America by executive order’ – we wouldn’t want to be looking for help from that quarter in an emergency.
August 28, 2026
Excellent, as always – and have forwarded to many.
August 28, 2026
You make good sense of the long run of the history of UK as part of Europe. But in the shorter term I am confused by the views expressed about the economic impact of Brexit. The well renowned Economist newspaper and the apparently authoritative newspaper Financial Times both frequently state without equivocation that Brexit has caused UK GDP to shrink by 6 -8% due to Brexit. I know you do not agree. Can you provide evidence that this is correct or incorrect? Surely the data is available and reasonably conclusive by now?
Reply Yes the official data shows there was mo such Brexit fall as I and others have pointed out.,These were long range forecasts of less growth,not forecasts of an actual fall on Brexit. As my figures showed our growth in the EU was half the growth rate in the 20 years before we joined.
August 30, 2026
Yes i agree. Whatever mess we are in i don’t think rejoining the EU is needed.
As you also say the EU and UK can each do better separately and can help each other with mutual respect