The_Right_Honourable_Brit
High Tory
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 41,700
Man Nigel schooled them. His showmanship was superb.
I do wish he had ended it like Jeremy Clarkson though.
"and on that bombshell, its time to say goodnight."
A year ago, the political authority argument would not have made sense to me. Now it makes complete sense.
What's the argument?
What's the argument?
1. Can MEPs initiate EU legislation?
2. Can you vote out the EU Commission?
You can find the seeds of discontent in the answers to the above.
Many of the bodies of the EU are not accountable to the public that they control.
you wouldn't, there is absolutely no need for a political union among European countries, periodHow else would you do it?
It isn't really different to the UK government. Although in reality the UK parliament isn't truly accountable to the public.And how is it different to the UK Government which is also unaccountable to the public? They're accountable to the UK Parliament, which is in turn accountable to the public. That's the whole point of representative democracy.
So they're basically arguing that they want direct democracy in the EU, but not in the UK itself...
The past elections has shown the UK probably has one of the most accountable parliaments in the world. People can directly elect MPs to represent them.It isn't really different to the UK government. Although in reality the UK parliament isn't truly accountable to the public.
Of course they don't want it in the UK. If it existed in the UK they'd never have been able push Brexit through. It's pretty clear it lost popular support.
Said without a hint of irony about the House of Lords and the Monarchy, presumably?
Anyway:
1. They can request legislation, but it's mainly done by the EU Commission, with the commissioners nominated by the member states themselves and approved by the EU Parliament, the directly elected body. Although more than 80% isn't initiated by the Commission (i.e. by Parliament).
The EU Parliament and EU Council can also amend or veto legislation.
And let's not pretend the UK system isn't a joke, where the vast majority of bills not submitted by government don't even get a first reading, if they're allowed to be introduced at all.
2. Can you vote out the UK or US Cabinet?
Which ones? They're accountable to their own country's electorates (in the case of EU bodies that are made up of their own representatives like the EU Commission and Council of the EU) or to the EU Parliament, which is directly elected. How else would you do it?
And how is it different to the UK Government which is also unaccountable to the public? They're accountable to the UK Parliament, which is in turn accountable to the public. That's the whole point of representative democracy.
So they're basically arguing that they want direct democracy in the EU, but not in the UK itself...
Rule Britannia!What's the argument?
Engaging in whataboutism.
Chris_the_Brit said:No the UK government is not unaccountable to the UK public. The government is mostly composed of MPs who are elected every 5 years. Remind me: can you vote out EU commissioners?
Chris_the_Brit said:Do you the current EU president wasn't even on the ballot? She was the outcome of a behind the doors horse trading.
I've always had the sense that Brexiteers are also Trump Supporters.
Probably because I'm against both, but is this a thing ?
I think they both track to the swing to populist politics, amplified by social media.
Any Brexiteers here who don't support Trump. or visa versa ?