Auditing the EU
The House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union, has in so many words, told us all to stop being so nasty about the EU's failure to have its accounts signed off. As the full text of the report isn't available, I've had to make do with the BBC's item on its findings.
A bit of research into the composition of the committee suggests that a cynic could draw certain conclusions about its findings very quickly - five Socialists, three Liberals, five cross bench members of the 'great and good' and four Tories, only one of whom - Lord Blackwell - would appear to be clearly eurosceptic. Lord Bowness is a fellow Croydonian, so clearly must be beyond reproach. There is no information as to whether this report was unanimous, but anything presented by a euro-obsessive like Radice makes me suspicious.
A bit of research into the composition of the committee suggests that a cynic could draw certain conclusions about its findings very quickly - five Socialists, three Liberals, five cross bench members of the 'great and good' and four Tories, only one of whom - Lord Blackwell - would appear to be clearly eurosceptic. Lord Bowness is a fellow Croydonian, so clearly must be beyond reproach. There is no information as to whether this report was unanimous, but anything presented by a euro-obsessive like Radice makes me suspicious.
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Framed as an investigation, all I can see are "you scratch my back" type quotes - what did they "investigate". Helpfully, the BBC piece does remind the informed reader that certain UK gov't departments repeatedly have their accounts qualified (e.g. Tax Credits).
If their intention is to rebuke the media for its interest in EU waste and fraud I feel that their investigation is itself a waste of time and money.
Thi is the whole problem with democracy as imperfectly manifested in the UK . I am happy with adult choices about the least bad in a two party system , I am less happy when the interests of the entire political class are ranged agains the electorate . This is especially bad when it can be hidden .
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the EU
A government, not of laws, but of men.
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