Toby on Tuesday

‘Voiceless and diluted’

 

Last Friday Nigel, firmly back in the saddle as UKIP’s leader, launched our campaign for the forthcoming EU referendum. Having pressured the Government into conceding the vote we must now ensure that it is free and fair. No doubt every trick in the book will be used to prevent this but fortunately we have the Electoral Commission on our side. Following their intervention, the actual question has been amended from “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?”, with all the negative connotations of a ‘No’ vote, to “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”, with ‘Remain’ or ‘Leave’ having no such implied connotations. Equally, the so-called ‘Purdah’ rules have been partly reinstated although UKIP will be watching hawk-like for any improper attempt to use public money to support the ‘Remain’ campaign.

And by Nigel’s side on Friday was UKIP Trade Spokesman William Dartmouth MEP, who had just put the final touches to his compelling case for ‘Leave’. Now entitled “Britain and the EU: A Dysfunctional Relationship – why it’s time to call off our relationship with the European Union”, it runs to a simple 20 pages, well illustrated and easily readable. Written in plain, straightforward language its theme is clear, “The best relationships make life better. They’re mutually beneficial, with two individuals working as a team to create something better than the sum of its parts. But not all relationships are positive ones. Some are dependent, dysfunctional and destructive. Britain’s relationship with the EU isn’t healthy.” And using the North American Free Trade Agreement as a precedent, the pamphlet touches on the powerful truth that “NAFTA is a very successful trading bloc – that doesn’t include the free movement of people in any sense. Trade, not travel: NAFTA stimulates trade without borders. Not the movement of people across them. You can maintain a trading relationship – a successful one – without the free movement of people.”

As to the laughable argument about ‘British influence’ William’s paper declares, “There is only one thing more destructive in a relationship than a lack of influence. It’s the illusion of influence where there is none. The UK has tried to block proposals from the EU Commission 55 times. And we have never, ever succeeded. The truth is that we have no meaningful influence. While our presence suggests that we have a voice, every new member state dilutes our influence further. Ultimately, to the point where it is worth nothing at all. Today, Turkey is next in line to ascend. With its population of more than 80 million. And its borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria.”

Simply written and clear research like this, alongside Nigel’s inspired oratory, will be among UKIP’s campaign resources in the coming months. The EU, with its dysfunctional single currency and failed ideology, represents a terminal threat to our country. Through a ‘Leave’ vote in the referendum we can extricate ourselves from this danger, revert to a straightforward trading relationship which we always had as a member of the European Free Trade Association and gradually become again the outward-looking nation we once were. And we must never forget that, without UKIP, none of this would ever have been possible!

Until next Tuesday!
Toby