ChatterBank1 min ago
The Eu Gravy Train...
i had no idea they were paid so much money, and unelected..now i see why so many want jobs in brussels parliamment.
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OG, you seem to have changed your tune. Back in ‘16 you wrote:
‘.....our MEPs merely vote on whether they wish to accept or reject the ones [laws] passed to them, and even then they can be outvoted by the other cultures'/nations' MEPs and (which I assume was supposed to be ‘are’) forced on us anyway.
‘.....our MEPs merely vote on whether they wish to accept or reject the ones [laws] passed to them, and even then they can be outvoted by the other cultures'/nations' MEPs and (which I assume was supposed to be ‘are’) forced on us anyway.
"unelected" and "parliament" in the same sentence? That simply doesn't make sense. All Members of the European Parliament are elected.
The European Commission is made up of members appointed by member states (who are therefore unelected) but the Commission functions in a way which is roughly analogous to that of the British Civil Service. (i.e. it considers issues and drafts legislation). Are you perhaps suggesting that all senior civil servants should be elected?
The Express's report seems to show equal confusion about the roles of the Parliament and of the Commission and fails to recognise that it's usual for the most senior administrators to earn more than their political masters. For example, here in the UK, the Cabinet Secretary earns over £100,000 per year more than the Prime Minister does.
The European Commission is made up of members appointed by member states (who are therefore unelected) but the Commission functions in a way which is roughly analogous to that of the British Civil Service. (i.e. it considers issues and drafts legislation). Are you perhaps suggesting that all senior civil servants should be elected?
The Express's report seems to show equal confusion about the roles of the Parliament and of the Commission and fails to recognise that it's usual for the most senior administrators to earn more than their political masters. For example, here in the UK, the Cabinet Secretary earns over £100,000 per year more than the Prime Minister does.
" Being on the Fiddle" would be very hard to prove and on the balance of probability they aren't.What Juncker,Tusk,Barnier et al are more concerned about is keeping the EU together and thus not giving us much of a deal thus disuading any other nations registering Article 50.If they can do that they will continue to keep their salaries going and then enjoy pensions you or I can only dream about.
Hardly changed, even though you'd hope so, Zacs.
Our MEPs do merely vote on whether they wish to accept or reject the ones [laws] passed to them, and even then they can be outvoted by the other cultures'/nations' MEPs and (which I assume was supposed to be ‘are’) forced on us anyway. No change there then.
But some, while they're there, speak out about how awful the EU is as well, so are actually worth the remuneration.
Not sure why you are so keen on proving my consistency. Is there a reason for it ?
Our MEPs do merely vote on whether they wish to accept or reject the ones [laws] passed to them, and even then they can be outvoted by the other cultures'/nations' MEPs and (which I assume was supposed to be ‘are’) forced on us anyway. No change there then.
But some, while they're there, speak out about how awful the EU is as well, so are actually worth the remuneration.
Not sure why you are so keen on proving my consistency. Is there a reason for it ?
"....but the Commission functions in a way which is roughly analogous to that of the British Civil Service. (i.e. it considers issues and drafts legislation)"
Er...I don't think that's quite right, Chris. The European Commission formulates policy (in fact they form the only body in the EU that can). This country's civil service does not do that. Here's the EU's own "job description" for the Commission:
"[The Commission] Promotes the general interest of the EU by proposing and enforcing legislation as well as by implementing policies and the EU budget."
The first part of that description (up to "as well as") cannot describe the function of the Civil Service by any stretch.
Er...I don't think that's quite right, Chris. The European Commission formulates policy (in fact they form the only body in the EU that can). This country's civil service does not do that. Here's the EU's own "job description" for the Commission:
"[The Commission] Promotes the general interest of the EU by proposing and enforcing legislation as well as by implementing policies and the EU budget."
The first part of that description (up to "as well as") cannot describe the function of the Civil Service by any stretch.
Precisely. Control of what legislation is put forward is with the Commission, who seem to be there by patronage since none of us voted them in. In Westminster that role is mainly held by the government, plus private members bills. And these are the MPs that are supposed to be reflected in the EU by the MEPs, but clearly aren't.
There are two things that do not sit well with me. One is that the reason why the UK never deserved more than every other country is the "lesson" intended for those who know what is not an option. The other is the hint of unrealistic envy in the us-and-them construct whereby "we" deserve what "they" have.
EU Commissioners are not 'office staff'. The EU Commission is the Executive branch (analogous to a Government) with the EU Parliament & Council of the European Union* acting as Legislative branch (analogous to MPs & Lords).
*Not to be confused with the European Council (heads of state or government of EU countries)
*Not to be confused with the European Council (heads of state or government of EU countries)
//Commission functions in a way which is roughly analogous to that of the British Civil Service. (i.e. it considers issues and drafts legislation)//
As two posters have pointed out the Commission is the Executive (with its own civil servants to do the donkey work) and decides future EU policy. Its deliberations are held in secret and not published.
The EU Parliament can approve or reject the proposed legislation, but, once approved, can never repeal it. So the Parliament and its EMPs are not "masters" of anything.
As two posters have pointed out the Commission is the Executive (with its own civil servants to do the donkey work) and decides future EU policy. Its deliberations are held in secret and not published.
The EU Parliament can approve or reject the proposed legislation, but, once approved, can never repeal it. So the Parliament and its EMPs are not "masters" of anything.
//Why should office staff to be elected?
MEPs, yes - but diplomats, bureaucrats, support staff?
That would like expecting to vote for every single person who works in Westminster or for you local council.//
EU Commissioners are not "office staff". Nor are they diplomats or support staff. They could loosely be described as "bureaucrats" but essentially they are the people - the only people - who can propose, amend and repeal EU legislation. And with such power (over 500m people) they should be elected. The EU's model of democracy is fatally flawed.
MEPs, yes - but diplomats, bureaucrats, support staff?
That would like expecting to vote for every single person who works in Westminster or for you local council.//
EU Commissioners are not "office staff". Nor are they diplomats or support staff. They could loosely be described as "bureaucrats" but essentially they are the people - the only people - who can propose, amend and repeal EU legislation. And with such power (over 500m people) they should be elected. The EU's model of democracy is fatally flawed.
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