A plan by the UK Independence Party to force the Government to carry out a cost/benefit analysis of Britain's EU membership has been sent to the Commons.My prediction? If the government fails to back this plan, it's curtains for the Coalition, in which case, there'll be a general election in 2012.
Ukip peer Lord Pearson saw his European Union Membership (Economic Implications) Bill agreed by the House of Lords, meaning it will go to MPs to consider.
Before being picked up in the Commons, an MP will have to sponsor the Bill - but a Ukip spokesman said the party was "very confident" an MP could be found.
Following the third reading vote, Lord Pearson said: "For far too long the Government has simply maintained that the benefits of membership are so overwhelmingly obvious that such an analysis would be a waste of time and money.
"The people of Britain are no longer prepared to accept this. All great debates require knowledge, and there is no greater debate than the future governance of this country.
"It is in the interests of every single one of us that this ongoing debate is conducted from a position of knowledge rather than in a cloud of ignorance, obfuscation and dishonesty.
"My Bill provides for an independent panel, comprising of people from across the spectrum of opinion, to weigh up the evidence.
"We must know what the costs, and what the benefits, really are. This debate is long overdue."
Lord Pearson's Bill is unlikely to become law unless it wins Government support.
Hat tip: UKIP TV
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9 comments:
A cost benefit analysis of being in the EU? Wow, this is the best Christmas present ever.
Indeed, AE. And Cameron won't be able to wriggle out of this one without losing substantial political capital.
Interesting prediction Fausty, but I can't see an election in 2012 - not overr this. Clegg and his party like the'importance' of being in government.
They may well find an MP to propose this bill, but the burning question will be how many signatures he/she can get and, more importantly, whether the business managers allow it to go forward.
If it doesn't 'proceed' then yes, the likes of us can make some noises off. Might be an idea to start a campaign of letter writing to our MPs strongly advising them that they do support this - or they may find a few votes going elsewhere come the next election........
Interesting wv: 'woetable' - unlike Cameron's 'treaty', woe is indeed on the table!
It seems to me that the Lib Dems are fast becoming an irrelevance, Mr W. So I'm not inclined to bet that the coalition's survival depends on what the LibDems want.
By now, MPs must have noticed that: a) the 'rebels' are now heroes; b) 'euroscepticism' is a seat-winner; c) the public is damned cross and feeling mighty vengeful.
It will surely be clear to most people that it is impossible to make a decent decision without being armed with the facts.
Since a cost-benefit analysis is, at base, a fact-finding exercise, I can't see how anyone in the coalition can defend denying it.
Should anyone reject it on cost grounds, there are plenty of examples the public can point to which blows that argument out of the water.
Fausty: comem come!
The LibDems may well be an irrevalence, that is agreed - but it is not what they want, but what Cameron wants and that is to stay in No10, come what may.
'Eurosceptism MPs' - and exactly where have the Tories got one? Exactly?
That the cost/benefit analysis will be denied based on the benefits being obvious is a givem - care for a £1 bet?
Cameron dare not let this proceed, he dare not 'cause if he does he opens yet another 'Pandoras Box'.
The thing is, Mr W, that a caucus of 'rebels' can scupper further parliamentary votes And possibly bring the government to a confidence juncture.
While I certainly agree that there are few true EU realists in the CP, many of them are sufficiently rattled that they will probably become more assertive.
I don't see how the C-B analysis can be denied. Although I'm sure the powers will do their best to do so.
It seems to me that the grassroots conservatives are not just anti-EU - they are terrified of what's coming down the track in the form of the ESM Treaty and financial Armageddon. They will prove to be an unstoppable force, I believe.
"The thing is, Mr W, that a caucus of 'rebels' can scupper further parliamentary votes And possibly bring the government to a confidence juncture.
While I certainly agree that there are few true EU realists in the CP, many of them are sufficiently rattled that they will probably become more assertive."
Fausty,
First I have to say: "CynicisMe"!
I think we are both agreed that the present class of politicians are 'careerists' (Priti Patel to name but one?) so will they 'really' rebel? Whips - if Cameron deploys them with the underlying threat of deselection?
I agree the cost/benefit cannot be denied but I also agree that it will be, on the same lines that our EU membership is denied.
Regarding your last paragraph, you may well be correct, but what do the grassroots matter when Cameron has an iron grip on his party? ('A lists?)
Just saying.............
WV was unflized - trust me, Tory MPs 'flize' are well and truly zipped - like their mouths!
I suspect they will rebel in the same or increasing numbers as last time, Mr W - for numerous reasons.
Some might be unconcerned about whips or keeping the coalition happy if they feel that Cameron's unpopularity hampers their re-election chances. All the more so if credible leadership candidates emerge.
While EU-realism might be a rare thing in the HoC or the CP, I believe that the practicalities have a very good chance of tipping the balance.
Well Fausty, let us hope that your optimism is not misplaced - as I said, we shall see soon enough.
Anyways, a very happy Christmas and New Year to you and yours.
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