Holland Says No To The Eu.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/658953/Dutch-referendum-Brexit-fans-rejoice-vote-humiliates-European-Union-Ukraine

Holland has rejected a Brussels plot to work with the Ukraine, could this be a boost for the ‘leave’ campaign?

/// The treaty, which would see a major shift in political, trade and defence co-operation between the EU and Ukraine has been automatically accepted in 27 member states, including Britain. ///

/// The Netherlands is the only country to oppose the plan creating a major stumbling block in what many considered would be the first step in Ukraine becoming a member of the EU. ///

[anotheoldgit]

EDDIE51

I am aware what Holland has said, and the fact is they 'HAVE' said 'NO' to the EU.

'NO'! to a EU trade deal, and not has you accused me of 'EXIT FROM THE EU'. that was of course only the way you read it.

[New Judge]

“I don't think the result is binding. It was more of a consultation, and the Dutch Government can easily ignore it.”

The Dutch government has said it will not ignore the result. However, they face a little difficulty. They ratified (i.e. told their EU “partners” they agreed to it without troubling either their Parliament or their voters) in July 2015 and it came into force on January 1st. Quite why the government held a referendum on something they had already put a signature to is a little unclear. I think it's something to do with collecting so many signatures on a petition which triggers e referendum. Still seems a bit daft for something that has already been done but I suppose few people in Holland kneew about it until after it was signed.

Of course as with all things EU this “trading agreement” is a complete misnomer. As well as trade, it also (among a number of other things) provides for a swift move for visa-free travel for Ukrainians to visit the EU and is obviously a precursor to Ukraine becoming a candidate for full EU membership. But when did a little thing like revealing the true purpose of such agreements ever trouble the Euromaniacs?

I wish the Dutch luck in getting out of the hole they have dug for themselves. There are already talks of an” opt out” for the Dutch (which, if agreed, will be temporary and quietly ditched after a couple of years). But then it’s only the voters who didn’t want it so it doesn’t really matter.

(Cue the Europhiles to come in with “Ah but only 32% of the electorate bothered to turn out." Quite true but the Dutch government set a 30% level necessary before they would recognise the result. And if those who favoured the deal were so keen on it they should have got off their backsides and voted for it).