I had an interesting conversation with Benny a couple of weeks ago. We were talking about the Brits and Europe. He was candid in admitting that the Brits recognize the might of the United States whilst are also confused by the complexity of the European Union.
If the US is a White Shark the Brits perceive themselves as its little pilot fish. To be the guide of the shark was the aspiration of Tony Blair. Gordon Brown looks more like a suckerfish. What will happen if China replaces the US? Wouldn’t you rather be a dolphin? I go for the dolphin – free and collaborative – therefore I choose Europe!
This reminded me the question of Jeremy Rifkin in the introduction for the UK of his book The European Dream: “Does the UK want to be a leader in Europe or a poodle of the US?”
I sent this as my question for Question Time last week. It was on the European election and I was in the audience. I’m still angry about it and now I can explain why. The debate was poor and stupid. The speakers were blatant liars or ignorant . They misled the audience. Was it done expressly or not? You can’t work in politics ignoring that:
1) The European Parliament doesn’t count for anything. It is the weakest body amongst the European institutions
2) The legislative process is led by the European Commission and the Council
3) The Brits are everywhere in Brussels: government is in the Councils, officials are at the EC and lobbyists pop out at every corner
Actually the Brits are one of the most influential groups. Why didn’t the politicians tell citizens? Why do they blame Brussels when they are Brussels? Moreover, representatives of the 3 parties lie together, protecting each other’s monopoly of information. Is this cast self-perpetuating its power for the sake of it?
I failed last week because I wasn’t able to change the tone of the debate and turn it into an opportunity to inform citizens. But I won’t fail on Thursday: I will go to vote and vote for an independent candidate who has successfully worked in civil society for years, knows the Brussels community very well and can reconnect Brussels to citizens. I will vote for Haroon Saad. I know him personally and trust him.
