30TH JANUARY 2009 THE REALITY BEHIND EUROPE FORTNIGHTLY £1.50 It’s time to be rude about the EU - everyone else is! Many now recognise that the aspirations of the EU vastly exceed its competence and also grasp - though they have been slow to do so - that the appointment of a permanent presidency will not solve the problem n numerous occasions in the past which does not look like being anytime country with a population of only five Oeurofacts has pointed to the sheer soon. million and the one most adversely uselessness of the European Union in a “Many Israeli leaders believe that affected by the Russian decision to cut crisis. The interesting thing is that the the EU does not have much to offer off gas supplies, should have decided rest of the world, including many past their security and therefore pay little that it could not rely on the EU to admirers of the European project, is attention to the EU in times of crisis,” protect its interests during the crisis. It now coming to the same conclusion. it said. signalled its lack of confidence in the A front-page article in the In the case of the energy crisis in Commission by sending its own International Herald Tr i b u n e f r o m Eastern Europe Brussels put its mission to Moscow. Associated Press - which can normally credibility conspicuously on the line In Central Europe it was long argued be relied upon to reflect majority by launching a high-profile diplomatic that small countries would have greater opinion on foreign policy issues - initiative to get the gas flowing. influence in the world as part of a declared on 17th January: President Barroso is reported to have larger entity, and that EU membership “Who listens to the EU these days? talked to Prime Minister Putin at least would provide protection against Not Russia and Ukraine, who ignore four times and also talked to his Russian bullying and intimidation. Europe’s pleas to resume gas deliveries Ukrainian counterpart, Yu l i a Eastern and Central Europeans know to Western Europe. Nor Israel, whose Tymosehnko. Mirek Topolanek, the different and this is bound to colour relentless assault on the Gaza strip prime minister of the Czech Republic, their attitudes towards the wider continued amid EU demands for which now holds the rotating EU European project. They sought EU moderation.” presidency, visited Moscow and Kiev. membership on the basis of a fatal It seems that those busy not listening But after eight days of negotiating it misconception: they now know that even include European member states. became clear that Moscow, like Israel when the going gets tough you are on At the height of EU attempts to and China (which abruptly cancelled your own, and the EU can even get in negotiate a peace settlement in Gaza the China-EU summit scheduled for your way. both Nicolas Sarkozy and German 2008 because it saw little value in the foreign minister Frank Steinmeier meeting) has a clear preference for Large Bloc launched their own missions drawing dealing with nation states. accusations of grand-standing from Andrew Wilson, a senior fellow at the The argument that the national one another as well as from Brussels European Council on Foreign interest is best enhanced by officials. Relations complained to the membership of a large bloc has echoes International Herald Tr i b u n e: of those which have figured Security Role “Moscow was very rude to EU officials prominently in the ongoing debate and has been very sceptical of the between British eurosceptics and their During the same week the pro-EU Czechs. They may be waiting for big opponents. It is still routinely London-based Centre for European EU members to step in.” advanced by officials at the FO, and it Reform produced a report which is this belief which stands in the way of acknowledged that the EU would have Adversely Affected the robust assertion of national little clout in the Middle East until it interest, although no other EU member could “play a relevant security role” - It was also striking that Slovakia, a Continued on p.2

INSIDE: EU fight against corruption p.2 - Ken Clarke: what kind of Big Beast? p.2 - Ireland teeters on the break of a financial catastrophe p.3 - As the recession takes hold Brussels continues to build its empire p.4 - Working Time Directive to cost Britain billions p.4 - British MEPs to receive huge pay increase p.4 - Review of “After Tamerlane The Rise & Fall of Global Empires 1400-2000 p.5 - Dave talks tough on Europe p.6 VOL 14 NO 8 EU fight against corruption ‘makes no difference’ ach year the EU spends millions to and justice. (EUBAM) which was set up in Ehelp fight corruption, human Asylum and migration projects were September 2005 to help the two t r a fficking and smuggling in the the least satisfactory, with projects countries manage their 1,200 km long Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus - all facing huge delays, especially in the common border was successful “from aspiring members of the EU - but Ukraine. a technical point of view”. But, not according to a report from the Mr Uczkiewicz singled out two being a peace keeping mission, it could European Court of Auditors the money former military sites which the not solve the problem of the frozen is having little impact.* authorities were supposed to refurbish conflict in Moldova’s separatist region Often the projects launched by the and equip as migrant accommodation of Transnistria, say the auditors. EU seemed to be used more for self- centres for 1,260 persons, with an EU EUBAM found that Transnistria was publicity by local politicians and contribution of €3.8 million. By the a safe haven for smugglers, human officials than for the public good, Jacek end of 2006, several months after the traffickers and tax evasion. The report Uczkiewicz, a member of the Court of scheduled completion date, the project also noted that due to the level of Auditors said at a press conference had still not even started. corruption in the prosecutors’ offices 15th January: The only clear improvement observed smugglers were frequently released “The visibility of the projects seemed was found in the management of and were immediately able to return to to be designed for the prestige of the borders, although the goal of achieving their trade. officials, not for the citizens,” said Mr standards “approximating to European Uczkiewicz. good practice” was still a long way *Special Report No 9/2008: The The report covers the expenditure of from being achieved. effectiveness of EU support in the area €166 million during the period 2000- The European Border A s s i s t a n c e of freedom, security and justice and 2005 in the area of freedom, security Mission to Moldova and Ukraine Ukraine. Ken Clarke: what kind of Big Beast? ill Kenneth Clarke turn out to be Cameron’s attitude to party discipline wishes to be seen as modern, even Wa loyal, trustworthy and which is bound to jar with eurosceptic “post-modern” and “cool”. His new industrious member of the Tory front sensibilities. Those who have signed shadow Business Secretary is none of bench? All things are possible in up to the Better Off Out Campaign - these things. He stands for the same politics, and so eurofacts, whose views and they include at least one obvious beliefs as when he entered politics as a on this matter readers will not find contender for a front-bench post - young Bow Grouper 40 years ago. He difficult to discern, stands ready to eat continue to be told that their careers are believes in big government, the its hat. For Mr Cameron it would seem doomed until such time as they recant. welfare state - and ‘Europe’. No to be enough that Clarke is deemed to In contrast, the Great Ken, a man who matter that two of these have been be “a Big Beast”. wants Britain to join the euro, and who tested almost to destruction and the Of course eurosceptics are bound to once said he looked forward to the time third is in decline even before its be irritated by Clarke’s return to front- when Parliament had no more powers completion date. bench politics, but Mr Cameron’s allies than a county council and who marked It may not be the kind of ‘Big Beast’ are quick to point to his promotion of his return to the centre stage by saying the political correspondents are talking eurosceptics such as Eric Pickles and that he hadn’t changed his views one about but we suspect that the Great Mark Francois as proof of their iota, has been given a starring role. Ken will come to resemble a large and leader’s eurosceptic-ish leanings. There is one other oddity about his ageing sea creature left stranded on the H o w e v e r, there is one aspect of appointment. Mr Cameron apparently beach after the retreat of the tide.

Continued from p.1 Time to be rude about the EU appears inhibited in this way. that neither the replacement of the complained that the British political On our letters page (p.6) one of our rotating presidency with a permanent class, having lost sight of the national readers complains that the British have presidency nor other forms of interest long ago, blindly rush off to been discouraged from robustly institutional tinkering - will overcome please their EU masters when a robust defending their interests as the result of the problems arising from competing “ * * * o f f” message would serve us “a paralysis of courtesy”. The time for national interests. They consequently better. such inhibitions, if ever there was one, come to treat the European Union with Now that so many others are saying has passed. Others now recognise that scant respect. precisely that to the EU, it is surely the aspirations of the EU now vastly Richard North in his excellent time Britain joined in. This is the kind exceed its competence and also grasp - Referendum blog recently made very of European solidarity we are prepared though they have been slow to do so - much the same point when he to support.

PAGE 2 eurofacts 30TH JANUARY2009 Ireland teeters on the brink of a financial and economic catastrophe Anthony Scholefield shows how membership of the euro has weakened Ireland’s capacity to deal with the credit crunch ome europhiles have exploited the sector, increases the tax burden and the imposed on all government workers. Seconomic crisis to call for the UK proportionate weight of debt vis-à-vis Citing the imbalances above and the to join the euro on the grounds that, at GDP - even without government action fact that government employees earn least temporarily, the single currency is to increase public spending. 20 per cent more than private sector holding its international value better The rise in debt to GDP ratio is quite employees, it says, “Cutting public than sterling. It is fortunate, therefore, astonishing. With a government deficit sector numbers through redundancy or that it is possible to analyse the of ten per cent of GDP in 2009, the natural wastage takes too long. Wage situation in the other English-speaking combination of rising debt and falling cuts get on top of the situation much EU country, Ireland, which opted for GDP means the debt will reach 47.5 quicker and that is what we need”. It the euro in 1999, in order to examine per cent GDP in 2009, up from 25 per points out that these are quick, fair and how its fortunes have fared. cent in 2007, and is likely to be over 60 keep necessary public services in being Contrary to the prognostications of per cent GDP by 2012, according to the while pushing some of the financial the euro-enthusiasts, the situation is far employers’ body, the IBEC. Such a pain off the private sector. Irish worse in Ireland than in the UK, debt would quadruple the share of tax politicians have also agreed to take pay despite the fact that prior to the credit revenues required to pay interest on the cuts. Brian Lenihan, Finance Minister, crunch the Irish record on controlling debt to 20 per cent. announced a ten per cent cut for public spending was superior to that of In the wider economy, bank shares ministers in October and others, such the UK. It is currently verging on the are down 90 per cent, housing stocks as Mary McAleese the President, John catastrophic. In December, the Central down 50 per cent, all of which makes it Hurley the governor of the Central Statistical Office in Dublin (CSO) clear that the housing and immigration Bank and Pat Neary of the Irish FSA, published new data up to 30th bubble based on artificially low have followed suit. Whether the September showing GNP fell by 4.9 interest rates imported from Frankfurt politicians have the will to follow per cent in the quarter (comparably 0.6 has well and truly burst. The ESRI through with pay cuts for government per cent in the UK). Economists, such expect net emigration will be 50,000 employees is doubtful. However, the as Austin Hughes of the Irish Bank, next year (comparable figures for the measures taken so far show that have suggested that these figures UK would be 750,000) with politicians are taking matters seriously. underestimate the extreme seriousness One of the europhiles’ h i s t o r i c of the situation. “We are likely to see immigration down by 70 per cent. arguments has concerned the presumed even worse figures before things get Easy Money benefits of the low interest rates better and it will be the end of next year before interest rate cuts and other imported from Frankfurt. But low Of course, not all the damage can be stimulus packages begin to have an interest rates are not necessarily better effect,” he said. laid at the door of the artificially low than high. The correct interest rate is The recent quarterly report by the interest rates imposed by euro that which clears the market without Irish Economic and Social Research membership. The Irish government government distortion. The theory of Institute (ESRI) has published more was running a budget deficit like the the benefit of low interest rates for no detailed forecasts. These indicate that British government at the top of the reason has been tested to destruction in GNP is likely to fall 4.6 per cent in boom - this was not mandated by Ireland (and Spain and Portugal), 2009, bringing the total decline in GNP Frankfurt but was certainly made economies with different trade patterns over the two years 2008/9 to more than easier by lax monetary conditions as to the core EU members and which, for seven per cent. With a rising were the inadequate capital ratios of that reason, should never have joined population the fall in GDP per head is the banks. The Irish government could the euro. over nine per cent (Irish Independent, have tightened budgetary policy and Perhaps the last word should concern 19th December, 2008). The ESRI capital ratios but the flood of easy another of the europhiles’ f a v o u r i t e expects unemployment to be over ten money made it harder to take the a rguments, namely that a single per cent by December 2009 which necessary actions. currency provides the means to means there will be 117,000 more The dreadful situation that now exists compare prices simply and quickly. unemployed (equivalent to an extra 1.8 in Ireland has at least caused an Here they are on strong ground. It is million in the UK). injection of reality into public debate, undeniable that the single currency A fall of national income of this something which would be welcome in enables the cappuccino drinkers of magnitude has serious add-on effects the UK. The ESRI has called for all Dublin to compare simply and quickly since it swells the government sector pay increases in government to be the price of their cup to that of a similar relative to the wealth-creating private stopped and for a pay cut to be cup in Frankfurt. Some consolation! eurofacts 30TH JANUARY 2009 PAGE 3 As the recession takes hold Brussels continues to build its empire

urther evidence of the EU’s ability EUobserver one possible site for new on behind the scenes,” Ms Grassle Fto insulate itself from economic EU offices is Heysel three miles from said. reality can be found in a leaked the city centre area, the area The main criteria for selecting a new document which shows that while surrounding the Atomium, the atom- location, according to the throughout Europe the private sector shaped structure seen on every C o m m i s s i o n ’s policy, were good battens down the hatches the Brussels postcard. public transport connections with the Commission plans to acquire huge “By establishing itself in Heysel, the European quarter, good architectural amounts of additional office space. EU would affirm its imprint on the and technical qualities in the buildings, Currently, the EU executive occupies capital city and would extend its zone good integration in the urban 61 buildings in Brussels, or a total of of influence outside the Leopold environment, a retail presence and 865,000 square metres. Some of the quarter,” the draft paper argues. good value for money. buildings are owned by the Commission spokeswoman Va l e r i e According to the draft, the Heysel Commission, while others are rented. Rampi has confirmed that the area lies on a direct subway line The Commission spent €207.49 European Union executive was connecting it to the European quarter million on buildings in 2007. considering several proposals for a and is to host a new branch of the According to the Commission’s new location. The Commission would European school, where EU officials building policy, which dates back to not relocate its headquarters, but educate their children in their native 2007, the accession of 10 new member needed additional office space of at states in 2004 and of Romania and least 100,000 square metres from 2014 tongues at the taxpayers’ expense. Bulgaria in 2007 meant that a total of onwards, she said. The existing parking facilities - the 3,350 additional officials required German MEP Ingeborg Grassle has biggest in Belgium - were also home and office accommodation in criticised the secrecy surrounding presented as a plus, as well as the Brussels, as well as nursery and the Commission’s decision-making planned new residential area and the childcare facilities. process and called for transparency proximity of parks and leisure The additional office requirements concerning the various offers and the facilities. between 2007 and 2010 were estimated final decision. How reassuring to know that, unlike to be 35,000 square metres. “I am opposed to the Commission the rest of us, our masters in Brussels The Commission, however, is sweeping everything under the carpet. will not face parking problems and, currently seeking an additional They can say anything. Of course the thanks to the close proximity of leisure 100,000 square metres. decision has not been taken yet, but the facilities will not have to travel far to According a document leaked to the citizens deserve to know what is going relieve the stress of empire building. Working Time Directive to cost Britain billions Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask enables workers to opt-out of the The Government remain committed Her Majesty’s Government what is the maximum 48 hour working week, to fight for the continuation of this estimated annual cost to the British should they wish to do so. T h i s important flexibility and will be calling economy of ending the opt-out from flexibility is used by over 3 million on the European Council to reject the the European Union Working Ti m e employees in the UK who choose to damaging amendments on the Working Directive. [HL444] work longer hours. Loss of this opt-out Time Common Position adopted by the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary would therefore cost the UK billions European Parliament. of State, Department for Business, both in costs to industry and lost Enterprise and Regulatory Reform & earnings. As a result, it could also only Source: House of Lords Hansard, 9th Cabinet Office (Baroness Vadera): The have a negative impact on overall January 2009. UK is one of 14 member states that employment levels. British MEPs to receive huge pay increase f the pound/euro exchange rate stays that was intended to end the disparities more than MPs reflects the fact that Iwhere it is now British MEPs will in salaries of MEPs from diff e r e n t from the summer all MEPs will be paid see their pay rise by almost £20,000 to countries. The increase, which will in euros. £82,000 in July, as a result of a deal mean that they will earn considerably

PAGE 4 eurofacts 30TH JANUARY 2009 BOOK REVIEW How Empires rise and fall By Ian Milne “The death of Tamerlane in 1405 was increased threefold in the eighteenth a turning point in world history. After Tamerlane century; the country was a Tamerlane was the last of the series of The Rise & Fall of sophisticated mercantile economy; and ‘world-conquerors’ in the tradition of Global Empires though its part in international Attila and Genghis Khan, who strove to 1400 - 2000 commerce may have been small, its bring the whole of Eurasia - the internal trade may have been as large, ‘world-island’ - under the rule of a if not larger, than that of contemporary single vast empire. Within fifty years of By John Darwin Europe. his death, the maritime states of the The population of Japan increased Eurasian Far West, with Portugal in Penguin Books Pbk 576 pp 2008 from 12 million in 1600 to some 31 the van, were exploring the sea routes million by 1721 - a figure half as large that became the nerves and arteries of Available from The June Press again as that of France, We s t e r n the great maritime empires. Price £10.99 + p&p E u r o p e ’s demographic giant. T h e It seems a familiar tale, until we look (see back cover) population of Edo (present-day Tokyo) closer. The rise of the West to global was about 1 million (perhaps double supremacy by the path of empire and economic pre-eminence is one of ISBN 978 0 1410 1022 9 that of London at the time); that of the keystones of our historical Kyoto 350,000 and of Osaka 360,000 - knowledge.... It was the high road of Ottoman Turks. Russia had the all major cities by world standards. For history: all the alternatives were by- wherewithal to dominate Europe, and a long time, deliberate Japanese roads or dead ends. When Europe’s nearly did so in the latter part of the protectionism and isolation “worked”. empires dissolved, they were replaced Napoleonic era. That the nineteenth- In central Eurasia, Ottoman by new post-colonial states, just as century British Empire tended to expansionism posed a real threat to Europe itself became a part of the eclipse its Eurasian rivals for a Western Europe for centuries; while ‘ We s t ’ - a world-spanning league relatively short period was Iranian (Persian) power might well under American leadership. The aim of happenstance. In the present century have kept or thrown out the British this book is partly to show that the the prospect of survival of the from India. passage from Tamerlane’s times to our American world imperium is hotly In our own period, Darwin argues that own has been far more contested, debated, not least by the Americans America is an empire, behaves as such, confused and chance-ridden than this themselves. and is likely to remain so for a long legend suggests - an obvious enough The land-based expansion of Russia time to come. Though its military point. But it tries to do this by placing in the seventeenth and eighteenth power is overwhelming (more than 700 Europe (and the West) in a much larger centuries was on an astonishing scale: bases - and 234 military golf courses - context: amid the empire - state, - and its land surface increased from 2.1 in 130 countries!) Darwin notes that culture-building projects of other parts million square miles in 1600 to some the American empire (like the British of Eurasia. Only thus, it is argued, can 5.9 million a century later. The British, before it) is not the preserve of rightly or wrongly, playing the “great the course, nature, scale and limits of governments and policymakers. Much game” in the nineteenth century, feared E u ro p e ’s expansion be pro p e r l y of the energy that fuels A m e r i c a n being driven out of India by the grasped, and the jumbled origins of expansionism is unofficial and private. our contemporary world become a Russians. (We are now witnessing What about “Europe” in all this? It little bit clearer.” Putin’s bid to revive Russia’s great- will come as no surprise to eurofacts The paragraphs above, from the power status). While seventeenth- readers that Darwin does not even book’s preface, set the scene. The rise century Russia was driving eastwards, of European maritime empires from both China and Japan, far from being mention the EU, despite its own the 1500s onwards was matched by the economic backwaters became fast- pretensions, as a contemporary empire, rise of other Eurasian empires, growing, prosperous and powerful let alone as a would-be rival or amongst which figure the Russian, the empires themselves. The Manchu counterweight to the American one. Ottoman, the Iranian, the Chinese and dynasty in China and the Tokugawa This is a magnificent monumental the Japanese. Though the triumph of shogunate in Japan “created polities work of history, a masterpiece - no the West might seem inevitable now, that lasted some 250 years. Both mere review can do it justice. Britain nothing was pre-ordained. Islam was p resided over a period of rapid may no longer have an empire, but its well on the way to conquering Europe population growth, extensive existing generation of first-rank before William the Conqueror invaded agricultural colonization, widening historians, now joined by John Darwin, England and half a millennium later internal commerce and rising demand are world-beaters. Curiously enough, came close to doing so under the for books”. Chinese population almost all of them are eurosceptics. eurofacts 30TH JANUARY 2009 PAGE 5 LETTERS Tel: 08456 12 12 65 Fax: 08456 12 12 75 email: [email protected]

Euroscepticism: the eurosceptic movement since it was Paralysed by Courtesy Time for founded in the mid-1990s. Time now a New Phase to advance into the next phase. Dear Sir, RALPH MADDERN I write in the hope of getting answers Dear Sir, Warwickshire to the following questions: Your lead article “Dark days for (1) Why are we paralysed by e u ro s c e p t i c s ” refers to a vital [We are giving serious thought to Mr “courtesy and frankness” (Scholefield challenge, though I believe you are Maddern’s suggestion and would very on Giscard 3rd October 2008) in mistaken in seeking a solution via “a much welcome the suggestions of other somebody who has calculated to the major political figure who has made readers about how e u r o f a c t s m i g h t last whimper the moral cowardice that Britain’s withdrawal his or her central play a new or different role in the next has brought the United Kingdom to objective”. phase of the battle to achieve Britain’s this pass, and who holds all the aces? And you are mistaken, too, in looking withdrawal from the EU.-Ed.] Have these wittering peers and for a figure outside the political class compromised journalists forgotten, or appearing to offer salvation. So we will could it be that they remember with a have to get used to the idea that we Cameron's sneaking pleasure, the snubs, the shall have to rely entirely on ourselves. Pledge ostracism, the back-stabbing and We have had about 15 years of derision heaped at European Council speeches, articles, reviews, meetings, Dear Sir, meetings on the only person who has conferences, pamphlets, books etc. All Like Frederick Forsyth, I too felt that ever defended our interests in the jolly very useful. We have a mountain of the article “Dark days for old club? I hardly need rehearse with material as back-up, thanks to eurosceptics” was inordinately gloomy you what the (then) Mrs T h a t c h e r eurofacts. and an encouragement to throw in the endured; it is all so unforg e t t a b l y In 2009, eurofacts should establish a towel. described in Booker’s “G re a t secure e-mail loop in which readers However, in listing his five “feasible D e c e p t i o n ” , pages 221-319. No with ideas on how to move forward can ifs” it is the second - which concerns gentlemanly restraint there, I think. participate. The discussion should be David Cameron’s pledge to quit the “Fear of losing a place at the top about how to establish a broadly-based European People’s Party (EPP) - which table”, in the face of widespread political movement that can take our looms large and uncertain for me. Can mounting euroscepticism, doesn’t country forward. A useful handle might Cameron be trusted to fulfil this explain it. be: Middle Britain Facility - classless pledge? This was a promise he made (2) So what are the ‘frighteners’ and with no allegiance to any vested when campaigning for the leadership; how are they applied? Perhaps some of interest whatever. it is a matter of record that he reneged your distinguished insiders could give The long-term interest of Britain on this; he now has form. an educated guess? would be the sole objective. JOSE H O'WARE MRS JUDITH PARISH eurofacts has given sterling service to Middlesex Shropshire Dave talks tough on Europe n an interview with the Financial have been three general elections in forthcoming election to the European ITimes on 13th January, Conservative late spring (1970, 1983, and 1987) Parliament rather than on a referendum Party leader David Cameron said that since that time. But at the risk of giving on Lisbon. if his party were to win a summer hostage to fortune there is no prospect A recent opinion survey has shown general election, “we could have a of a spring election this year since this that around seven per cent of Tory referendum in October” on the Lisbon would mean that the campaign would voters are likely to defect to United Treaty. coincide with that for the European Kingdom Independence Party in the Presumably eurosceptics are meant to election - the last thing Mr Brown E P election. Cynics are likely to get excited about such a prospect and wants. And recent opinion poll conclude that when Dave can’t bring cease to doubt the Conservative findings are not likely to have changed himself to be bold or tough he fakes it. leader’s eurosceptic credentials. his mind. This stratagem may have a recognised In fact, as Mr Cameron would be One therefore concludes that Mr place in the repertoire of political aware British general elections almost Cameron raised the possibility of a ploys, but such is the level of cynicism never take place in summer. The last summer general election precisely and suspicion among eurosceptics that summer election took place in 1945 in because he knows there isn’t going to its use on this occasion is more likely the aftermath of World War II. There be one, and that his mind was on the to give offence than to win votes.

PAGE 6 eurofacts 30TH JANUARY 2009 MEETINGS

Witney Constituency Association Gresham College British Weights and 07702 275544 020 7831 0575 Measures Association 020 8922 0089 Friday 30th January, 7.30 pm Tuesday 24th February, 6.00 pm Saturday 9th May, 10.00 am “The Financial Crisis: Why we are “The American Presidency: Georg e lucky to be outside the Eurozone” H.W. Bush” Further details including Speakers to be announced shortly P ro f e s s o r Tim Congdon CBE, P ro f e s s o r Vernon Bogdanor, CBE Economist FBA, Emeritus Gresham Professor of ANNUAL CONFERENCE Law Victory Services Club, 63 Seymour PUBLIC MEETING Street, London W2 2HF The Corn Exchange, Witney, Oxford PUBLIC MEETING Admission Free Admission Free Barnard’s Inn Hall, Holborn, London EC1N 2HH SELECT COMMITTEES Admission Free Freedom in the City House of Lords 07979 695611 UK Independence Party 020-7219 3000 (Salisbury Constituency Branch) Wednesday 11th February, 1.00 pm Tuesday 3rd February, 10.35 am 01722 790839 Evidence will be heard on the Inquiry into Simon Heffer, Journalist EU Financial Regulation from Professor Monday 2nd March, 7.30 pm Charles Goodhart, Professor Emeritus of PUBLIC MEETING Banking and Finance, London School of The Counting House, 50 Cornhill, “UK can’t afford EU” Economics. London EC3V 3PD Admission Free Trevor Coleman MEP Tuesday 3rd February, 4.30 pm Nigel Farage MEP and Dr Julia Reid Evidence will be heard on the December E u ropean Council from the Rt Hon Campaign for an PUBLIC MEETING Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Europe. Independent Britain The Guildhall, Salisbury 0116 2874 622 Admission Free Wednesday 4th February, 11.00 am Wednesday 18th February, 7.00 pm The Freedom Association Evidence will be heard on the Inquiry on the Revision of the Less Favoured Areas (Wiltshire and Bath Branch) Scheme from Dr Mark Avery and Ms. “Defence and EU related matters” 01225 705260 Mandy Gloyer, Royal Society for the Sir Nicholas Bonsor Protection of Birds and Birdlife Friday 6th March, 7.30 pm International. SOCIAL EVENING Guest Speaker Tuesday 3rd Febrary, 3.35 pm The Gun Room of Naval Club, 38 Hill The Rev’d Dr. Peter Mullen Evidence will be heard on E c o n o m i c Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5NS Affairs from the Rt Hon Alistair Darling (Green Park tube station 10 minutes) ANNUAL DINNER MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Admission Free The Bath and County Club, Queen’s (Space is limited so admission is by Parade, Bath, Somerset BA1 Note:Committee Meetings can advance reservations by phone or Email: Admission £25 change from Public to Private [email protected]) (After 13th February £27.50) without warning

Marlborough Group UK Independence Party DIARY OF EVENTS 01672 511385 01626 831340 2009 Sunday 22nd February, 2.00 pm Saturday 18th April, 10.00 am European Parliamentary 4th June “Conservatives versus Constitution!” Nigel Farage MEP Elections Further details including Speakers to Dr Sean Gabb be announced shortly Sweden takes over 1st July Chairman, Harry Beckhough EU presidency SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE 2010 PUBLIC MEETING The Great Hall, Exeter University, The Bear, Marlborough, Wiltshire Exeter, Devon Spain takes over 1st January Admission Free Admission Free EU presidency

eurofacts 30TH JANUARY 2009 PAGE 7 j THE JUNE PRESS - BOOKS

How much does the The Return of History & Lost Illusions: European Union cost Britain? the End of Dreams British Foreign Policy by Gerard Batten MEP. £3.00 by Robert Kagan Hdbk. £12.99 by Ian Milne. £4.00 This shows amongst other costs that the A new configuration of power is shaping Is it time to make British self-reliance the accumulated trade deficit since joining the international order. Nationalism, and guiding principle of foreign policy. the EU in 1973 is £383.7 billion. the nation itself, has now returned in Europe the EU model is now in decline. Warning: Germany’s Fourth Reich Immigration Can by Harry Beckhough. £5.00 A Tribute to Ralph Harris 1924-2006 Seriously Damage Your Wealth Beckhough a former code-breaker and by CRCE. £9.95 by Anthony Scholefield. £6.00 intelligence officer, shows how the EU is Lord Harris of High Cross was one of Scholefield argues that while being formed by the needs of Germany. the leading figures in the fight against immigration increases a nation’s GDP it the EU and injustice everywhere. must inevitably reduce per capita income. The End Of The English The European Superstate Squandered The Principles of by David Brown. £6.99 How Gordon Brown is wasting over British Foreign Policy As an apology to all grandchildren, it one trillion pounds of our money by Philip Vander Elst. £4.00 analyses how the EU plans for control of by David Craig. £8.99 Should BFP reflect political principles or the UK have destroyed democracy. An exposé of the huge levels of financial should it merely be shaped by current Required reading for all those worried in waste by government on Quangos and conceptions of national self-interest? any way about the EU’s power over us. Advisers, which are self serving at the tax-payers expense. Send payment to The Plan Twelve Months to Renew Britain The Costs Of Regulation THE JUNE PRESS LTD by Douglas Carswell and And How the EU Makes them worse PO BOX 119 Daniel Hannan. £10.00 by William Mason. £4.00 TOTNES, DEVON TQ9 7WA Britain is heading in the wrong direction. How by imposing EU regulations power This book shows how to put our country is taken from national Governments. Tel: 08456 120 175 on the right track to self-governance. Email: [email protected] A Life of Mayhem, Money After Tamerlane The Rise & Fall of and Unintentional Treason WEB SALES www.junepress.com Global Empires 1400 - 2000 by J Brian Heywood. £9.99 by John Darwin. £10.99 This novel clearly shows how easy it is PLEASE ADD 10% P&P (UK ONLY) This history book explains the rise of for good intentions to be used by anyone 20% for Europe 30% Rest of World empires but does not rate the EU. with ambitions for a world government. FULL BOOKLIST AVAILABLE

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