And He's Backed Down Again.

[Canary42]

No EU changes before the referendum

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33278440

[New Judge]

No surprise to me. Regular readers may know that I suggested some time ago that there was more chance of Greece repaying its national debt than the PM securing ny meaningful changes to this country's relationship with the EU.

"Mr Cameron has instead argued for an "irreversible lock" and "legally binding" guarantees that EU law will be changed at some point in the future"

That's good enough for me and I'll immediately vote to remain in. (NJ's sides split with laughter).

May as well have the referendum now.

[jourdain2]

That's that, then. No way on Earth that I would trust promises from Europe.
I was pro-leaving anyway, but could have been persuaded with the right changes. Not now.

[AliceTickband]

typical.....bleeping typical

[jno]

I can't imagine Cameron agreeing to an irreversible lock on anything in his own polices, so to demand them of others seems a little insincere.

[woofgang]

that's interesting.....its as though he wants an "Out" vote

[Noe-schitt]

I would have thought it was obvious that any changes David Cameron manages to extract would not come into effect overnight
knowing how efficient the EU are no doubt it will be several years down the road and more to the point will it be worth it.

[askyourgran]

I a feeling that something would happen, putting a block on any suggestion of change to the EU's rules. Only the EU wins. Not much he can do if the have decided to make it awkward for us. The Queen's visit was most fortuitous and her speech underlining our close partnership with Germany and Europe made me wonder if HM was wanting us to stay in. Look forward to the referendum then.

[Ric.ror]

Are we the only nation wanting reforms?
If so, why aren't the others?

[New Judge]

Here's a few reasons:

France: principle beneficiaries of the Common Agricultural Policy (one of its its main industries)

Spain: principle beneficiaries of the Common Fishing Policy (big business in Spain)

Germany: Strong economy which wants to flog all its goods and services to the other nations (usually with money borrowed in euros)

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia: enjoy having a joint bank account (the euro) with Germany.

Greece: wants to remain in the euro and the EU because it affords them a standard of living beyond their wildest dreams.

UK: Fishing industry all but destroyed (see "Spain" above). Farming industry under severe stress because of huge subsidies given to foreign farmers (see "France" above). Finance industry (City of London accounts for almost 40% of all finance transations in the EU) under constant pressure from the EU which seems intent on destrying the City's dominance. All financial regulations are now voted on under "Single Market" rules (even though there is not and almost certainly will never be a single financial market in the EU). This means qualified majority voting and the UK (with just 10% of the voting rights) will be forever outvoted on these issues.

I could go on, but someone will simply denounce my ramblings as a load of old cobblers.

[Old_Geezer]

I can understand no one wishing to make changes to accommodate a member State who then ups & leaves; but the agreement as to what would change should be signed, & sealed.

If that is not the case then there is no reason not to start the process for a referendum today. In which case, I'm unsure how long the details take but maybe we can have an early August vote on membership.

[youngmafbog]

This is no more than I expected from him.

Hold the vote now I say.