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 EU TO MAKE CHEQUERS
EVEN WORSE
President Tusk & Michel Barnier, 19 Sep, Salzburg      © EU Council
“UK'S PROPOSALS WILL NEED TO BE REWORKED
"AND FURTHER NEGOTIATED,” SAYS TUSK
Theresa May and Olly Robbins’ “Wet Remain” Chequers proposals were made public on 06 July. A detailed White Paper was produced on 12 July.
Yesterday, on 19 September, EU Council President announced that “the UK's [Chequers] proposals will need to be reworked and further negotiated.” This is over two months after the Chequers documents were released.
BEFORE THE SUMMIT
Yesterday the EU Council President Donald Tusk gave the following statement, ahead of the meeting of the EU28’s leaders at dinner last night:
“The Brexit negotiations are entering their decisive phase. Various scenarios are still possible today, but I would like to stress that some of Prime Minister May's proposals from Chequers indicate a positive evolution in the UK's approach as well as a will to minimise the negative effects of Brexit. By this I mean, among other things, the readiness to cooperate closely in the area of security and foreign policy.
“On other issues, such as the Irish question, or the framework for economic cooperation, the UK's proposals will need to be reworked and further negotiated.
Today there is perhaps more hope, but there is surely less and less time. Therefore, every day that is left, we must use for talks. I would like to finalise them still this autumn. This is why, at tomorrow's meeting of the twenty-seven, I will propose calling an additional summit around mid-November.”
- EU Council President Tusk, Salzburg, 19 Sept 2018
AT THE SUMMIT
Mrs May clearly wanted to sound tough yesterday. Here is part of what she told the EU27 leaders at the dinner. She was given a 10-minute slot.
“We all recognise that time is short, but delaying or extending these negotiations is not an option. I know for many of you, Brexit is not something you want, but it is important to be clear – there will be no second referendum in the UK.
“The public has delivered its verdict and I as Prime Minister will deliver on that.”
OBSERVATIONS
Despite some of the soothing music coming out of the EU recently, played up by some Remain-supporting commentators and journalists, the EU yesterday made one thing very clear.
No matter how appalling Mrs May’s Chequers proposals are
The EU is going to make them even worse
THE EU WILL DILUTE CHEQUERS EVEN FURTHER
The problems are two-fold. Firstly the Chequers proposals are not recognisable as Brexit. It is in our view deeply regrettable that we have a Prime Minister (and her ministers) lying about this every time she talks about Brexit. There really is no other way we can put this. This Prime Minister is blatantly lying to the British public every time she opens her mouth on the subject.
Secondly, even in the absurd scenario where pro-Brexit MPs had reluctantly been persuaded into accepting Chequers, this would have been considered as absolutely the worst outcome possible, with no further movement acceptable. However the EU said yesterday:
“the UK's [Chequers] proposals will need to be reworked and further negotiated.”
And on Northern Ireland, President Tusk told the EU27 in his invitation letter to the summit that:
“we should reconfirm the need for a legally operational backstop on Ireland”
This has also been confirmed by Michel Barnier, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and others.
In other words, even if the EU finally accepts what Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org and others have been saying for more than two years – that there are technical solutions to the Irish border question – they will still insist on a backstop which would divide the UK if implemented. Even Theresa May has said she can’t sign up to that.
EU LIKES SOME PARTS OF CHEQUERS – NOW THERE’S A SURPRISE
The EU is still trying to present Brexit as a disaster that should not happen. The EU Council President said the Chequers proposals showed
“a will to minimise the negative effects of Brexit.”
Crucially, the only good things he cound find to praise were
“the readiness to cooperate closely in the area of security and foreign policy.”
These are three areas where the UK has significant strength and on which the EU would like to continue to rely.
FIRSTLY, the EU wants to continue to benefit from British military capabilities, but without paying for them and without giving the UK a voice in the military decision-making process.
SECONDLY, in the area of terrorism threats, the UK’s intelligence services are second to none, and the UK is the only EU country which is part of the Five Eyes network. Whilst the EU (and some of the Establishment types running the UK’s intelligence services) talk constantly about the UK losing the right to access intelligence, the balance is entirely the other way around.
THIRDLY, the EU wants to tie the UK into its foreign policy decisions. The UK wields considerable power globally and has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. It would be highly advantageous for the EU to have a treaty with the UK which includes an alignment of the UK with the EU’s foreign policy objectives.
Naturally we would oppose this completely. One of the many things Brexit means is the United Kingdom being an independent country, making its own decisions in its own interests.
Doubtless all of this will be spun differently by No.10 today. We believe the public won't be fooled, but it's important to present a more representative version of the current state of Brexit negotiations.
[ Sources: EU Council | UK government ]        05.50am, 20 Sept 2018
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READERS' COMMENTS
Please send us your comments and we will publish them here. You can of course use a pseudonym if you prefer, and it's always nice to know roughly where you're writing from. Please always state the headline of the article you're commenting on.
Name: Chris, Devizes, UK      Date/Time: 20 Sept 2018, 12.04pm
Message: Following on from Norman's comments, it has been suggested that if Chequers gets chucked, then May will call a second referendum, rather than resign. If this happens, then you can be sure that Project Fear will be ramped up to unprecedented levels to ensure a Remain victory. Either that, or they resort to outright electoral fraud to rig the result. Democracy in this country will then be truly dead.
Name: Norman, Taunton, Devon, UK      Date/Time: 20 Sept 2018, 11.13am
Message: I don't expect you to use the below because I have not contributed any money to your worthy site. Sorry as an OAP I just can't spare it, much as I would like to. Believe it or not I still pay income Tax.
Anyway, to the point. Many, mainly remainers and some other EU countries, are saying to have another referendum. OK, two things I don't understand here.
1. What would they do if the people voted again to leave, which I think is strong probability. Would they then support the majority?
2. What if the original referendum had voted to stay in the EU. Would the leavers be complaining and putting out the sort of scare tactics that the remainers have been doing since the vote?
Personally I voted to leave the EU for main reason that I wanted the UK to have its democracy back and not be ruled by an unelected dictatorship. Both my father and grand fathers fought two wars to stop Germany dictating to us and we didn't vote to join the EU under Ted Heath. We were lied to by our leaders who are still lying to us. They should bring back the death penalty for treason.
Thanks for reading this, please keep up you good work.
Reply: Thanks Norman. You don't have to donate to the site to have comments published. We're so short of resources that we aren't always able to publish all comments, that's all. Most of the emails we receive aren't for publication but we read everything, so that we know what readers really care about.

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IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
THE BREXIT BATTLE PACK
© All logos copyright of each organisation
10 PRO-BREXIT GROUPS
WORKING TOGETHER
Helping ordinary voters to deliver Brexit
This public campaign launched by the respected Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org is about doing, not tweeting.
The Brexit Battle Pack helps ordinary voters to ensure the Referendum result is respected, by giving them the tools to communicate their views to MPs and the media. It provides all the information, advice, and tools to do the job.
10 BREXIT GROUPS COORDINATE
For the first time ever, 10 pro-Brexit groups are promoting an initiative to help deliver a full, clean Brexit. Apart from Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org who created the Pack, many big names have agreed to take part and have put their names to it.
Some of the groups with the biggest readerships include [removed], Get Britain Out, Better Off Out, Veterans for Britain, and of course Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org itself.
The list of endorsers also includes some of the oldest-established groups such as the Bruges Group and the Campaign for an Independent Britain, as well as newer organisations like Fishing for Leave, the Time Party, and the Alliance of British Entrepreneurs.
‘THE PEOPLE’S VOICE’
All these groups have come together to support the Brexit Battle Pack & Toolbox. This Pack is designed to give ordinary people some great ideas – AND the practical information needed – to influence the Brexit debate.
There has been much talk of a 'People's Vote'. The Brexit Battle Pack is about the 'People's Voice'.
SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE TOOLS FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE
A spokesman for the originators of the Pack, the Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org team, said:
“The ‘People’s Vote’ was held on 23rd June 2016 in the EU Referendum.
The Brexit Battle Pack gives those people back their voice."
“After more than two years of Remainers dominating the airwaves, finally ordinary people have a way of fighting back. The Pack provides a comprehensive set of tools to ensure that Remainer MPs - and Remainer elements of the media and Establishment - are made aware of feelings across the country.
Our Brexit Battle Pack is a positive move which says:
‘Don’t just get mad, do something!’
DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Don't just take our word for it, here is what some of the supporting Brexit organisations have said:-
“Get Britain Out is fully behind the 'Brexit Battle Pack' created by PRO-BREXIT Facts4eu.Org. All the information and the downloadable tools available will help, influence and reassure thousands of disenfranchised voters - both Leavers and previous Remainers - who want to see a clean and swift exit from the European Union for the United Kingdom.
- Jayne Adye, Director of cross-party grassroots campaign Get Britain Out
“FFL is proud to recommend the absolutely superb toolbox & guide to fight for Brexit by Facts4EU.Org. Everyone bludgeon your MP & local media to respect Brexit. Only one person can make your free and that is yourself.
- Fishing for Leave
“This 'Brexit Battle Pack' from @Facts4euOrg is excellent. We fully support this initiative. Take a look at it and take action!”
- Better Off Out campaign
“The Time Party fully endorses the tactics set out by @Facts4euOrg in its excellent Brexit Battle Pack, designed to inspire thousands of ordinary people – including democracy-respecting Remain voters – to make their voices heard.”
- The Time Party
“We are delighted to endorse your scheme because it avoids technicalities and can be wholeheartedly supported by all who support our country's independence, regardless of whatever approach to Brexit they favour.”
- The Campaign for an Independent Britain
“Congratulations to the team at Facts4EU. This is an invaluable resource for Brexiteers who want their voice to be heard but don’t know where to start.”
- The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs
FULL LIST OF THE ORGANISATIONS ENDORSING FACTS4EU.ORG'S BREXIT BATTLE PACK:
And finally here's just one example of many, many endorsements from a new user of the Pack,
who matter most of all:
“I consider it nothing short of a masterpiece of logic, vital, truthful information and strategy.”
A Branch Membership Secretary of a political party
THE BREXIT BATTLE PACK IS AVAILABLE NOW
Using the Battle Pack, ordinary voters are able to take on MPs and the media, courteously but assertively asking them to respect the EU Referendum vote in full.
It’s a tool for the millions who despair at what they see as anti-democratic forces who are determined to overturn the Brexit vote.
(You can donate something to the cost of producing this, but it's your choice.)
Please use the Pack and start making your democratic voice heard!
       03.35am, 19 Sep 2018
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READERS' COMMENTS
Please send us your comments and we will publish them here. You can of course use a pseudonym if you prefer, and it's always nice to know roughly where you're writing from. Please always state the headline of the article you're commenting on.
Name: Patrick F, Kent, a colony of the EU      Date/Time: 19 Sept 2018, 12.27pm
Message: Apologies for being off topic. A lesson in how to persuade people to join the Liberal Democrats. Vince Cable wants to "attract the people who are finding themselves alienated by the extremes of The Labour Party and The Conservatives (interview on the British Biased Corporation, shortly before the Liberal Anti Democrats Conference).
I wrote on Mr Cable's Facebook page: "Back Brexit and you'd get people joining."
Mr Cable believes in engaging with the electorate by not replying and it was left to Rhianna Chapman to answer on his behalf: "We don't need, or want, these people thanks. But thanks for offering anyway
A clear case of if it's broke, don't fix it.
Name: Suzie Q, Lancs, UK      Date/Time: 19 Sept 2018, 09.57am
Message: This is great news, well done! I'm definitely going to start on this. Is there any reason other big names aren't endorsing it?
Reply: Thanks Suzie. We contacted others but got no reply - despite numerous requests by us in some cases for at least that courtesy. Only one actually declined, claiming not to be a Brexit site but a journalistic venture. Very odd. Still, it's a fabulous group of 10 organisations who are backing the initiative, so let's focus on the positives!

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 BARNIER STILL WANTS A BACKSTOP
EU SET TO BEND, BUT NOT BUCKLE
Yesterday in Brussels the EU’s Chief Negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, addressed a press conference following his meeting with the EU’s General Council.
Below is our translation of what he said.
MICHEL BARNIER'S STATEMENT, BRUSSELS, 18 SEP 2018
EXCERPTS FROM MICHEL BARNIER’S STATEMENT
“We are in the final stretch of this negotiation.
Since the last meeting of the General Affairs Council on 20 July, we have made progress on some issues of separation, of orderly withdrawal, such as Euratom, ongoing judicial cooperation procedures, and the protection of personal data exchanged before the end of the transition.
But we still have to agree on two important chapters:
The governance of the withdrawal agreement, which must be credible for the agreement itself to be solid.
The 3000 geographical indications currently protected in the 28 countries of the Union, from Scotch whiskey to Polish vodka or Greek feta cheese. Brexit can not and should not lead to a loss of the intellectual property rights attached to these geographical indications.
We must also move decisively forward now on the Irish question. Our proposal for the backstop on Ireland and Northern Ireland has been on the table since February.
It is an insurance policy to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, whatever the future relationship will bring.
It reflects our agreement with the UK in December 2017, confirmed by Prime Minister Theresa May in her letter to President Tusk in March.
We are ready to improve this proposal. Work on the EU side is ongoing:
We are clarifying which goods arriving into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK would need to be checked and where, when and by whom these checks could be performed.
We can also clarify that most checks can take place away from the border, at the company premises or in the market.
We need to de-dramatise the checks that are needed and that are caused by the UK's decision to leave the EU, its Single Market and customs union.
What we need in the Withdrawal Agreement is a legally operational backstop, which fully respects the territorial integrity of the UK.
This backstop will only apply unless and until a better solution is found, in the context of our future relationship.
As Gernot has said, the European Council will meet in Salzburg tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and at the invitation of President Tusk and President Juncker, I will give the state of play of the negotiations to the Heads of State and governments of 27.
In this regard, I would like to thank the ministers who spoke today, once again expressing their unwavering solidarity with Ireland, in particular. This solidarity is also shared by all the European institutions, and in particular the European Parliament.
As I have always said, the October European Council will be the moment of truth. This is the moment when we will see if an agreement is within our reach, as I hope and as we are working on it.”
- Michel Barnier, statement, 18 Sept 2018
Readers may be interested to recall Monsieur Barnier's words in his last major Brexit statement, just over two weeks ago. You can read our full report on this here.
BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY
BARNIER’S PREVIOUS STATEMENT ON CHEQUERS,
03 SEP 2018
  • “That's not legal”
  • “the British proposal is not practical”
  • “other third countries could insist that we offer them the same benefits”
  • “The British proposal would be an invitation to fraud”
  • “we must conclude the negotiations by mid-November”
OBSERVATIONS
The key points are the confirmation that the EU is backing down in part from some of its more absurd positions. Barnier has given an indication that they will accept that “most checks” do not need to take place at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
To those of us who have been saying this for over two years, it is of only minimal comfort to hear the EU admit it now.
In articles over the past two years we have published clear evidence from HMRC, from the Irish Customs Agency, and from a detailed report commissioned by the EU itself from a global borders expert. All made it clear that in effect this was a non-issue – certainly in the overall scheme of the UK’s withdrawal. Some details needed to be clarified, and some changes to systems needed to be put in place, that was all.
Last week, the European Research Group led by Jacob Rees-Mogg MP caught up, and produced a very good report saying the same thing.
GOVERNMENT'S NEGOTIATING FAILURES
What a shame that the government hadn’t adopted this clear position from the start and rejected the EU’s attempts to deflect. The government should also have exposed the Irish government’s attempts to use this as a way to unify Ireland, in clear breach of existing arrangements. It should have ridiculed the Irish government and the EU for the nonsense about the border, which has caused enormous delays in the negotiations and which alarmed many citizens both north and south of the border.
In many ways this is a good example of how the UK government’s understanding of negotiating strategy throughout the Brexit process has been woeful.
Nonetheless, it remains to be seen how definitively the EU’s position will change, as their new stance may involve a massive loss of face and credibility.
As a note of caution, readers will have observed that Barnier is still talking of a “legally operational backstop” and that “This backstop will only apply unless and until a better solution is found, in the context of our future relationship.” Mrs May must reject this entirely.
One thing is certain: Whatever happens the Irish government’s behaviour in all of this has been nothing short of shameful. We very much hope that Irish citizens will hold accountable Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney in particular for the damage they have caused to Anglo-Irish relations.
Please help to keep us free for everyone, so that we can bring you the news and important facts and analysis that you don’t read elsewhere. If everyone reading this made a small donation today, the team here could breathe again… and perhaps pay a few bills.
Best regards, the Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org team at 06.20am Wednesday morning.
[ Sources: EU Commission ]        06.20am, 19 Sept 2018
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Name: 4_Brexit, South West UK      Date/Time: 19 Sept 2018, 10.25pm
Message: I read your article on Barnier's statement with interest. I think you give too much credit to the government by suggesting that it has arrived at the present debacle through it's negotiating ineptness. On the contrary, I suspect most people will have weighed up the evidence and concluded that there has been no such failure, rather a deliberate ploy to make heavy weather of it all.
Reply: Like you we believe that the government has not wished to achieve a smooth Brexit and we have said this in many articles. However we also believe that ineptitude in the negotiations has been forever present, making the UK look incompetent.

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 NO FURTHER ARTICLES
We are not able to bring you any additional factual articles on Brexit today due to insufficient funds.
The Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org team, 04.15am, 18 Sept 2018
 BACKING THE SINGLE MARKET?
© EU Commission
REMAINER MPs, THIS WOMAN RUNS THE SINGLE MARKET
CAN YOU NAME HER?
Another exclusive Brexit Facts4EU.Org research team analysis
that you won't see on the BBC
THE SINGLE MARKET - AGAIN
The woman we have pictured above is in charge of the EU's Single Market. She is sitting in Vienna at one of the countless meetings she attends, few of which seem to relate directly to the priorities of her role.
PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY
THE EU’s SINGLE MARKET & ITS COMMISSIONER
  • The woman pictured with her back to us is in charge of it
  • She can put forward legislation about it
  • Remainer MPs can’t, even MEPs can’t
  • She has no experience in industry or commerce
  • But she does have a Masters degree in Iranian Studies from a Polish university
  • And she is paid over £250,000 per year for her expertise
Last year she admitted that the EU’s Single Market:
“DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY”
For 80% of the UK’s economy
TWO QUESTIONS FOR REMAINER MPs
  1. Can you even name this woman?
  2. When have you ever seen her in the UK?
We don't think these are unreasonable questions.
HOW WELL IS THE SINGLE MARKET DOING?
The EU's current Commissioner for the Single Market has had four years to fix it. This is the Single Market which was described by the OECD in their damning 2016 report as being:
“unfinished and stalled”
- OECD 2016 report on the EU's Single Market
In its last report on the Directorate, (named “DG Grow” by the EU), the European Court of Auditors reported that the error rate for the Directorate’s transactions was more than double the threshold set by the Court.
There is, however, no doubt whatsover that the newest members of the EU in particular have benefited enormously from being able to sell their goods into other EU countries – with the UK being a major recipient of these imports.
WHAT DOES THIS WOMAN ACTUALLY DO?
Perhaps we should finally put Remainer MPs out of their misery. The EU Commissioner responsible for the Single Market is Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska, from Poland.
She is unelected, so what did she do to qualify for this job?
How did she get the job?
Ms Bieńkowska was chosen for this role by President Jean-Claude Juncker. He chose her, she has never been elected to an EU position.
Given that she has no direct business experience, can anyone imagine why he chose her as his Commissioner for the Single Market, Industry and SMEs?
HER BACKGROUND:-
  • Education : Masters in Iranian Studies, Dept of Oriental Languages
  • Jobs : Previously only employed in Polish local and national government
  • Job title: EU Commissioner - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
  • Experience: She has no direct experience working in commerce or industry
© EU Commission
Ms Bienkowska’s most recent activity was on Thursday last week, giving a speech in her home capital, Warsaw, entitled:
“How can tourism in Europe and the Urban Jewish Heritage benefit each other?”
We have found it difficult to discover what Ms Bienkowska actually does in respect of fixing the broken Single Market. What we can tell you is that this month almost all of her tweets seem to have been about the EU’s space programme (Galileo), the EU Defence Union, as well as numerous tweets in Polish about her home country of Poland.
In case readers wondered, the photo at the top of this article was taken at a meeting in Vienna a couple of weeks ago, regarding the EU’s Defence Union and the EU Defence Fund – those things which Nick Clegg described as “a dangerous fantasy” during TV debates.
OBSERVATIONS
THE UNELECTED EU COMMISSIONERS WHO DIRECT YOUR LIFE
Paid far more than the Prime Minister, the public have a right to know about the unelected EU Commissioners who hold massive power over us. They affect the daily lives of 508 million people. Would you ever have voted for them?
Let's take the EU's Single Market Commissioner as an example. Don't you find it just a little surprising that you haven't seen her on your TV screens, given all the talk about the Single Market during the Referendum campaign and in the two years since? She's held the job for 4 years. Can you recall a single BBC interview with her?
Secondly, if membership of the Single Market is so important, how come this woman hasn't been visiting the UK on a regular basis, promoting it? After all, the UK is the second-largest economy in the whole of the EU. Furthermore, given that the Single Market has been panned for its performance in the services sector - where the UK excels - how is it that this woman hasn't been trying to put that right? Or if she's been trying, how is it that we don't know about it and how is it that she's failed?
EU Commissioners have immense power. Some readers might question whether Ms Bieńkowska has the necessary experience and knowledge to wield it effectively and wisely.
THE SINGLE MARKET DOESN'T WORK
Early last year Ms Bieńkowska announced that “the Single Market – this jewel that is all too often taken for granted – does not function properly for services”. Given that services represents almost 80% of the UK economy, and that the Single Market has been going for over 25 years, this was an extraordinary admission.
REMAINER MPs MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS
At Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org we are genuinely struggling to find anything that this unelected Commissioner has done to make the Single Market function as it is supposed to. In particular the progress on making the Single Market work for services – on which the UK economy relies – has been truly lamentable.
We have published many detailed articles with facts and figures and simple charts to illustrate the myth that the Single Market benefits the UK. Our facts are incontrovertible as they come from the EU itself.
We once again ask Remainer MPs what – if anything – they really know about the Single Market. And if they can’t quote any facts, why aren’t mainstream journalists asking them “why not?”
If readers are starting to get angry, prepare yourselves. Take a guess who Ms Bienkowska took over from, as Commissioner for the Single Market?
Yes, none other than a certain Monsieur Michel Barnier.
M’lud, we rest our case.
AND FINALLY
And finally on a separate note, readers might be surprised at how long team members of Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org have to spend, trying to confirm one single fact or one single figure that appears in an article like the one above. One of the reasons you don't see the information we produce on a daily basis in other places is because we research and produce original material. We'd like to think it illuminates the Brexit debate and puts Remainer MPs on the spot.
Unfortunately it takes resource to do this - resource that no large organisation or rich benefactor is paying for. We desperately need individuals like you to step up and help us out, if you would like us to continue at this crucial period for Brexit and for our country's future. Please, please donate if you can.
[ Sources: EU Commission on Bienkowska | EU Commission Bienkowska CV | EU Commission Bienkowska other commercial interests | EU Commission salaries guide | European Court of Auditors | OECD | Various news sites in Polish | Civitas study on EU salaries ]

Note: The EU doesn't publish full income for its Commissioners. We calculated Ms Bienkowska's from numerous EU documents and other sources.

       06.35am, 17 Sep 2018
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Name: Brexiteer, Braintree, Essex, UK      Date/Time: 17 Sept 2018, 8.16pm
Message: Is there any market worth the £8 plus billion we pay as a membership fee? We don't pay to access any other market. The single market is great if all you want to do is be inward looking to trade with Europe alone. You are protected by external tariffs that keep you safe and insular from the outside markets, but lack of competition makes you uncompetitive and productivity will fall. Over the years the UK has closed down many industries and restricted production on others, due to EU quotas, to curb over production inside the EU. There has been no incentive for the EU to expand the single market to accommodate the UK service sector. Hence giving the job of expanding the single market to somebody who has never worked in industry or commerce.
Name: Helen, Brighton, UK      Date/Time: 17 Sept 2018, 2.29pm
Message: Hmmmm, maybe I should put my CV in? I have a kindergarden diploma, and I do have several years of experience in working in different types of commerce and industry both for companies and as a sole trade. Never had a government job though, so maybe it's time. I love markets anyway, Single or not. A nice hair re-styling and some (much) more make-up should do me fine and prepare me perfectly for this job, by the look of it. Please let me know if there's a vacancy.
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
RESULTS OF LONG-TERM PROJECT BY FACTS4EU.ORG TEAM REVEAL
FACTS DON'T RESEARCH AND WRITE THEMSELVES
The latest pieces of work from the Brexit Facts4EU.Org team have been met with a variety of reactions from world leaders, ranging from celebration to incredulity to resignation to abuse.
Alas none of us are hedge fund managers... or married to one. The Team (and one member in particular) has donated as much as it can. Can you please help fund our work?
Unlike many Brexit websites, we write our own content and create our own graphs, by researching deeply into official UK and EU official sources. Unfortunately we barely make it from one week to the next and we rely 100% on voluntary contributions - small or big.
We really could use your help in working for a clean and true Brexit.
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 A PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG EXCLUSIVE
BRITISH PRO-BREXIT
BUSINESS BITES BACK
Ed Harden and Tom Bohills, Founders of The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs        © Facts4EU.Org
HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES SET TO
CHALLENGE MAY'S CHEQUERS PLAN
A new group, the Alliance of British Entrepreneurs (ABE), has been formed to speak for Britain’s small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the face of the continued Remoanerism of established business organisations such as the CBI.
PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY
ALLIANCE OF BRITISH ENTREPRENEURS
  • Over 100 businesses have joined in first week
  • Members include supporters of Conservative, Labour & UKIP parties
  • Aim is to force No.10 to abandon discredited Chequers proposal
  • Big media campaign planned ahead of Tory party conference
  • Supporters range from household name company employing tens of thousands.....
  • ...to businesses of 1-3 people
The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs (ABE) has been founded to represent the business owners and wealth creators who believe that Britain can thrive and prosper as a sovereign, independent nation after Brexit.
PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG BACKS ‘ALLIANCE OF BRITISH ENTREPRENEURS’
Following long interviews with the Founders, the Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org team is pleased to announce its support for the new group. We have teamed up with Tom Bohills and Ed Harden to promote their new Alliance and to secure as many supporters as possible ahead of the Tory party conference.
We recommend to all our business readers that they lend their support by emailing the Founders.
IF YOU'RE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR BUSINESS OWNER
ADD YOUR NAME TO THEIR SUPPORTERS NOW
Readers who prefer to do so can ask us to do it for them, or can ask us any questions they might have.
As with all these things, the important issue is numbers. The more entrepreneurs and SMEs who add their support, the more seriously ABE will be taken and the more effective will be their campaign against the Chequers proposals.
Please read on to reassure yourselves that this new group is worthy of your support, and then if you are an entrepreneur or business owner please sign up by email now. To receive priority treatment, please mention that you’re a Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org reader.
GIVING PRO-BREXIT BUSINESSES A VOICE
ABE will be delivering a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May just ahead of the Conservative party conference starting on 30 September. The letter will outline the objections of ABE’s fast-growing membership to the plans drawn up by unelected civil servant Olly Robbins and his ‘Europe Unit’ based in No.10.
Already ABE boasts support from over 100 entrepreneurs from all over the UK – from the owner of a 5 person manufacturing business in the North East to the CEO of a household name company that employs tens of thousands of people. They also have the vocal backing of a number of peers, each of whom have run their own businesses and have traded goods and services all over the world.
OBSERVATIONS
We are pleased to team up with The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs (ABE) in support of their mission to defeat Chequers and to give pro-Brexit business people a voice.
In the article below, we provide more information about ABE, its Founders, and its mission, based on extensive interviews.
IF YOU'RE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR BUSINESS OWNER
ADD YOUR NAME TO THEIR SUPPORTERS NOW
[ Sources: ABE ]        06.55am, 16 Sept 2018
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Please send us your comments and we will publish them here. You can of course use a pseudonym if you prefer, and it's always nice to know roughly where you're writing from. Please always state the headline of the article you're commenting on.
Name: JP, London      Date/Time: 17 Sept 2018, 10.31am
Message: This is what's needed. It looks very good so I'll pass this on to a few people. I'm sure they'll get lots of support. Thanks for promoting this.
A PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG EXCLUSIVE
 PRO-BREXIT
BUSINESS GROUP LAUNCHED
TO STOP CHEQUERS
AND SPEAK UP FOR SMEs
© ABE
INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDERS OF
THE ALLIANCE OF BRITISH ENTREPRENEURS
Two impressive British men in their thirties, both in business, grew tired of the continued Remoanerism of the established British business organisations and decided to do something about it.
The result is the new Alliance of British Entrepreneurs, a pro-Brexit organisation speaking up for all those at the heart of growth generation in the UK who take a positive view of the opportunities presented by a full, clean Brexit.
These two men spoke at length to Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org about their opinions, their plans, and their objectives in launching a pro-Brexit, anti-Chequers, business organisation to stand up for those in business who are not represented by the Establishment types in the CBI, FSB, IOD and the myriad of specialist business lobby organisations.
We are proud to be the first to bring you their story, and equally proud to back them in making their mission a success.
IF YOU'RE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR BUSINESS OWNER
ADD YOUR NAME TO THEIR SUPPORTERS NOW
YOUNG MEN ON A MISSION
Ed Harden and Tom Bohills, Founders of The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs
Tom Bohills and Ed Harden are impressive individuals to speak to. We interview many people in the course of our work and these two are articulate, informed about Brexit, and passionate about business and the opportunities presented by an independent, free trading Britain.
Like Pro-Brexit Facts4EU.Org they have no party-political agenda. Nor do they covet political office or personal glory. They simply want to see Brexit delivered and they want to give a voice to the thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners who form the backbone of the economy.
And very specifically their short-term objective is to defeat the discredited Chequers proposals drawn up by the unelected civil servant Olly Robbins and his colleagues in No.10.
SO WHAT IS ABE AND WHO ARE THESE GUYS?
ABE’s Founding Partners, Tom Bohills and Ed Harden, run and fund the organisation themselves alongside their day jobs. ABE receives no external funding at all. Tom and Ed are both are in their early 30s and met through their wives.
Ed has two businesses of his own and Tom is a lawyer specialising in technology and advising start-ups. Neither of them are what anyone would describe as extremists.
In the opinion of our editor, they are two of the most articulate speakers about Brexit he has interviewed. (And in the opinion of one of the female members of our team, they are two good-looking representatives of the cause!)
WHY IS ABE NEEDED?
Tom Bohills told us:
“The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs (ABE) was born as a counter to the relentless drip feeding of negative stories into the press by powerful vested interest groups and HM Treasury. Large multinationals like Airbus have been highly successful in using their contacts and lobbying power to further their narrow and self-interested agenda. Likewise, the CBI remain captive to their biggest funders and are obliged to promote the narrative they are given.
“Yet, British business does not start and end with Airbus and the CBI. ABE was created to offer UK SMEs and entrepreneurs a platform and a voice. So often overlooked in the media, it is these businesses that form the backbone of the British economy. These are the companies that are invested in Britain and in their local communities – that create wealth, that innovate and that offer the most spectacular growth prospects post Brexit.”
“The issues facing us now go beyond party politics and go to the very heart of our democracy and where we see ourselves as a country on a global stage.
“Do we wish to be a proud, buccaneering, free trading nation with control of our own destiny, in a country where politicians are accountable to the people? Or are we happy to be shackled to a sclerotic, increasingly authoritarian and undemocratic institution that crushes innovation and is slowly regulating the business community out of existence?”
WHAT’S THE MISSION, GENTLEMEN?
As Ed says:
“Entrepreneurs come in various guises but are united by an optimistic outlook, a willingness to take risk and to seize opportunity and a courage in their convictions. If you own or are involved running a small or medium sized business, we want to hear from you. You are the entrepreneurs we are looking for and we will make your views count.
“ABE’s first step, via a national media campaign, is to force Number 10 into abandoning the disastrous Chequers proposal. To this end we’ve a slot secured with a large national broadsheet in late September, immediately before party conference.
“The intention is maximum media exposure and maximum damage to the Chequers plan, emboldening the so called ‘rebels’ and forcing the PM to change tack. To do this we need as many business supporters as possible.”
“CHEQUERS IS DOOMED TO FAIL”
ABE’s objections to Chequers are many but can be summed up neatly by the reference to a 'Common Rulebook'. As Tom says:
“This leaves us half in half out, a vassal state passively receiving our standards and regulations from a body that has no interests in seeing a sovereign United Kingdom succeed. Without a British seat at the table and as a passive rule taker, we have no doubt that British business interests will be targeted, traded away and will suffer.
“However, far more importantly, Chequers is doomed to fail. It is hated by the Conservative party, by its members, by parliament in general and by the British people. It will not be accepted by the EU as stated in no uncertain terms by Macron and Barnier. Indeed, even if it were to be accepted, it does not have the numbers to make it through Parliament.
“The result will be constitutional crisis and Government chaos. What happens after that is anyone’s guess but an extension of Article 50 and a Second Referendum are likely to be put on the table. This is still completely avoidable and cannot be allowed to happen. The uncertainty to businesses of further dithering will be catastrophic and will be a betrayal of the biggest democratic mandate in British history.”
WHAT DOES ABE WANT?
ABE request that the Government, at a minimum, honour Mrs May’s speech at Lancaster House in two ways:
  • All Government departments must immediately expedite preparation for trading on WTO rules. The failure to provide a back up to negotiations and a ‘walk away’ option has been criminal. Trading on WTO rules is not without its challenges but it must remain a viable option if the UK is to exert maximum leverage.
  • There must then be an immediate reset to the negotiations with a pivot towards a comprehensive free trade agreement. This was offered by the EU in March 2018 and was inexplicably rejected by Number 10 (against the wishes of David Davis MP and DexEU). CETA offers a superb framework for this given the inclusion of a services schedule and offers the UK the ability to negotiate free trade agreements with other nations, whilst also retaining the ability to stay globally competitive and nimble.
PROFILES OF THE FOUNDERS
Ed Harden
Ed served in the British Army for 7 years, including a tour as an officer in the Royal Lancers in Afghanistan where he was able to bring all of the troops under his command home safely. After leaving the Army, he joined the food start-up scene, becoming General Manager of Daisy Green Foods in 2013. Having guided the business to maturity, Ed spent 5 years as a Communication Consultant, advising multinational corporates and leading executives on their critical communications. He also co-founded the online business website JustSeats as well as the career transition advisory firm 18-07.
Tom Bohills
Tom trained with White & Case LLP, a top tier American law firm, taking up various seats in London and Paris before qualifying into their IP, IT and Commercial team. Tom became Legal Counsel of Algomi during a huge period of growth which saw it named in the Forbes Fintech 50, attracting funding from Euronext, Euroclear, S&P and Alliance Bernstein. He is now the Head of Legal at London based Fintech, Red Deer, providing disruptive technology to investment managers.
In short, both these men are highly capable individuals and we are happy to back them.
OBSERVATIONS
This new Brexit business organisation can have a real impact. To do so, they need all business readers to sign up today. The bigger the numbers, the more the impact.
We know from our ‘Brexit Battle Pack’ that our readers are taking up the challenge and doing everything they can to get their voices heard by Remainer MPs and the media.
The Alliance of British Entrepreneurs seeks to take up the challenge on the business front.
Here’s Carolyn Fairbairn, boss of the CBI, a week ago:
“If you believed what you read in the papers, you’d assume the Chequers Proposal is as a dodo. I don’t think you should believe everything you read in the papers.”
If you disagree with the Remoaners at the CBI, we recommend that you to sign up to ABE today. British business has completely defied every doom and gloom forecast from HM Treasury, the economy continues to grow, exports are up, and this is all despite the imposed uncertainty as a result of the government’s appalling record on Brexit negotiations. Now we need to complete the job of getting the UK out.
It’s time to fight back. Please consider signing up to ABE. We have. If readers have any questions we are happy to help. Just contact us in the usual way.
IF YOU'RE AN ENTREPRENEUR OR BUSINESS OWNER
ADD YOUR NAME TO THEIR SUPPORTERS NOW
[ Sources: ABE ]        06.55am, 16 Sept 2018
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 OUTSOURCING DEMOCRACY
SATURDAY OP-ED BY PRO-BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG
READER & SUPPORTER, MICHAEL WOOD
Brexit Facts4EU.Org reader, Michael Wood
In an article originally published on the Bruges Group website, Brexit Facts4EU.Org reader and supporter Michael Wood expressed his views on democracy, and how it is threatened. We found it stimulating and we thought you'd like to read it this Saturday.
Interestingly - and despite being an expert on international trade - Michael has chosen to write about democracy.
OUTSOURCING AND THE DEATH OF DEMOCRACY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Wood has 50 years of experience in international trade at a senior level. He has lived and worked in several EU countries, as well as countries as far afield as Nigeria, Ukraine, and Central Asia. Most recently he was CFO and General Manager of a London based manufacturing, warehousing and property company, dealing with imported raw materials from the EU and all over the world.
In 1989, events that led to the fall of the USSR overshadowed one that arguably would have an even greater economic, cultural and political impact. According to Poole College of Management, outsourcing was formally identified as a business strategy that year.
The collapse of Carillion PLC in January 2018, and the loss of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds, focused attention on outsourcing. Its complex Russian doll web of subcontracting made responsibility a charade.
Ministers, the NHS, Councils and Corporations all claimed to have relied on professionals, as did directors of outsourcing firms. Long gone are the days when audit clerks counted coins in cash boxes. Engagement letters, which excuse almost everything by anyone, replace diligence. Complaints procedures shield the incompetent, dividends rather than value motivate shareholders. Victims, taxpayers and consumers have no redress.
The lack of control, security, product and service quality problems and, above all, loss of vital skills were all clear to see beneath the gloss and clever accounting. But, businesses were novices compared to government.
HOW GOVERNMENT BETRAYED THE PEOPLE
A few decades after Britain's finest hour, it was to suffer its biggest betrayal since King John made England a Papal vassal. The 1972 European Communities Act outsourced swathes of parliament's responsibilities and the people's rights to a foreign bureaucracy and nascent state.
The extent of the betrayal became apparent with the release, thirty years after it was written, of the 1971 FCO document 30/1048 'Legal and constitutional implications of UK entry into EEC.' With appalling clarity it sets out the contempt in which politicians and civil servants held the electorate, democracy and the country:
Ministers were advised to: "preserve the illusion that the British government was still sovereign, for this century at least - by which time it would no longer be possible for us to leave."
Politicians and the civil service planned the end of UK sovereignty and democracy: "British interest after accession to encourage the development of the Community toward an effectively harmonised economic, fiscal and monetary system and a fairly closely coordinated and consistent foreign and defence policy. If it came to do so then essential aspects of sovereignty both internal and external would indeed increasingly be transferred to the Community itself."
Contrary to our constitution it was made clear that: "Parliament is binding its successors, our law will be subservient, greater political responsibility of the bureaucracy of the EEC and the lack of effective democratic control." This was a position only changed by the Lisbon Treaty.
CAMERON'S 'THIN GRUEL'
Following EU – UK negotiations, David Cameron put his deal to the people in 2016. The referendum act had been approved overwhelmingly by parliament after Philip Hammond (then Leader of the House) made it clear it was: "to give the British people the final say on our EU membership in an in/out referendum by the end of 2017." That promise was reiterated in the infamous £9 million government leaflet: "This is your decision. The Government will implement what you decide."
The real issue, political union was not discussed; it was avoided like the plague. After all, asking the electorate if they wish to disenfranchise themselves and give away their country is not a vote winner.
PROPAGANDA ON STEROIDS
'Remain' concentrated on the economy. Supported by President Obama, the civil service, much of the media and big business they launched a propaganda offensive. It would have left Goebbels in awe. Economic armageddon, no planes landing, the collapse of the NHS were opening shots, added to daily as project threat and fear reached polling day crescendo. Remain's best-laid schemes went awry, when unbowed by threats, the majority voted leave.
DEMOCRACY, LAW, AND CONSENT
The genius of our democracy and law is that it depends on consent. We consent to be ruled and the rulers promise to respect democracy and exercise power in the interests of the people.
Parliament's pro EU anti democracy faction claim they are protecting parliamentary supremacy; the supremacy and sovereignty they cheerfully outsourced to the EU. Parliament voted to give the final decision on continued EU membership to the people. The losers, ignoring parliament, seek to overturn democracy. With breathtaking insolence, they claim the referendum was not binding, despite voting for it and being elected on manifestos supporting it. During my time in business, there was one aspect of English law my continental colleagues hated above all else: unwritten contracts. Where we shake hands, they go to the notary. It's a fundamental difference that should have rung alarm bells in the late 1960s.
MPs' DUTIES
Anti democrats justify their actions by quoting Edmund Burke's view that the role of an MP "is not as a delegate but to exercise judgement on behalf of the people even if they disagree." Does this allow them to dispose of the people's sovereign right to elect representatives? Burke also wrote: "In the famous law... called the Petition of Right, the parliament says to the king, 'Your subjects have inherited this freedom,' claiming their franchises not on abstract principles 'as the rights of men,' but as the rights of Englishmen, and as a patrimony derived from their forefathers."
It is a travesty that he is used to justify challenging the will of parliament and the people. If MPs are not trustees of our ancient rights and guardians of democracy, they are nothing but self-serving opportunists.
THE EU IS MISSING CONSENT
The concept of consent is alien to the EU. It pretends to be democratic, but what is the reality? The EU has a consistent record of ignoring democracy, shifting goal posts, forcing re-votes and installing Gauleiters to enforce its will. Its supporters claim it is all for the good and that pooling sovereignty makes the whole stronger - but what is the whole and does it serve anyone other than those who run it? Organisations run by managers for the sake of managers become bureaucratic nightmares. Process replaces common sense; the rights of the few take precedence over the rights of the many.
The EU has as its final arbiter a court, not a parliament. The EU Commission issues regulations, directives and decisions that apply without debate or parliamentary scrutiny. ECJ decisions take precedence over our laws, despite according to Joseph H. H. Weiler,"mixing legal and political consideration."
Our parliamentarians have failed 52,741 times to represent us since 1990.That is almost 14 times a day based on average sittings; a staggering case of outsourced responsibilities.According to EUR-Lex 52,741 is the number of laws issued since 1990, excluding decisions. It may be more because they admit that not all are recorded. According to Professor Patrick Minford EU regulations cost us £120 billion a year.
THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE
A United States of Europe is the single goal that drives the EU. In 1996, Ken Clark said, "I look forward to the day when the Westminster Parliament is just a Council Chamber in Europe." Would that other MPs seeking the dissolution of our country were as honest.
Are those seeking to overturn Brexit and stay in the EU too stupid to understand its purpose or too venal to be other than monstrously disingenuous? Certainly, many parliamentarians have enjoyed pay, privileges and pensions for doing little except ignore the democratic rights of the people they are supposed to serve.
Those seeking to overturn democracy have resorted to that last refuge of the political scoundrel, the misuse of words and claims of sensitivity. They disguise their EU loyalty by Humpty Dumpty word play. Those who dare to name the giving away of their country as a "betrayal" are upbraided for using hurtful intemperate language. Thus, the dissemblers seek to obscure an extraordinary crime against democracy and the rights of British citizens.
THE EU'S CONTEMPT FOR DEMOCRACY
The EU has fostered a dangerous contempt for the democratic process. Years ago, I attended a meeting in Bishkek where a British EU official gave a presentation on the benefits of the organisation. There were many questions, including one on democracy: when would the people have a say? He brushed aside the question: "We cannot allow people like cleaners to vote on issues that determine the future of Europe."
British politicians supporting the EU have a Carolingian belief in their divine right to rule, unfettered by the opinions of the people. An attitude that led John Adams, the United States second President, to say, "Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself." Certainly, the assassin's knives have been busy for decades in the UK.
THE BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT'S CONTEMPT FOR DEMOCRACY
The acceptance of election results is the foundation of democratic society. It is denied by many of those elected to preserve it. Happily taking money to sit in parliament they work against the people who elected them. They pretend it's all about trade so they do not need to explain a future without democracy or country. Parliamentarians and civil servants are not the masters of the people, but their servants. Those who refuse to accept a democratic result, threaten not just the stability of this country, but of the wider world too. Those who destroy are often victims of the whirlwind they create; once let loose the forces of non-democratic ignorance are not discerning about whom they attack or whom they hurt.
The EU Withdrawal bill, taking its place alongside Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights, heralds a British democratic renaissance. It should inspire and be welcomed by all who respect democracy, freedom and human rights. By reclaiming democracy we can set a much-needed example to the world.
[ Sources: Michael Wood | Bruges Group ]        06.30am, Saturday 15 Sept 2018
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Name: David Burrows, St Helens, UK      Date/Time: 15 Sept 2018, 10.02am
Message: In principle I wasn't against a United States of Europe but I realised that in the European elections none of the candidates were offering a vision for Europe. It was vote Labour to protest about the Poll Tax no mention about reforms of the CAP or anything European. I thought the reason is that MEPs don't have influence so the democracy is a sham. Was it Churchill who said democracy is a very poor system until you consider the alternatives.
Name: NOT4EU, London, UK      Date/Time: 15 Sept 2018, 09.48am
Message: Excellent article Michael. Not bad considering that you must be a thick, racist xenophobe who obviously didn't know what you were voting for and were persuaded by a bus sign or Russia hacked your pencil.
Whilst the remainiacs like to quote the 'I'm a representative not a delegate' as an excuse for their anti-democratic behaviours, they forget that the referendum was not a General Election where this statement is true. The referendum result 'made' them a delegate on this issue as they were given a direct instruction/mandate. They need to be reminded of this.

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 DEAR REMAINER MP, PLEASE THINK WHAT 'REMAIN' CAN MEAN
THE EU PLANS TO TAKE AWAY
PARLIAMENT’S SOVEREIGNTY
ON DEFENCE & FOREIGN POLICY
© EU Commission
OFFICIAL EU COMMISSION POLICY, FROM JUNCKER’S BIG SPEECH
(You might have missed this, because the BBC didn’t mention it)
The strapline for the ‘State of the Union’ speech made by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was “The Hour of European Sovereignty”.
This phrase appears throughout the official copy of his speech. He devoted an entire section of his speech to the subject, saying:
“The geopolitical situation makes this Europe's hour:
the time for European sovereignty has come.”
“European Sovereignty” – by which he means European Union Sovereignty – is the headline story for the EU Commission in its publicity and reporting on the speech. (See screengrab above.)
EU SET TO TAKE OVER FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICIES
Currently there are still some areas of activity which require unanimity amongst all 28 member states. These include foreign and defence policies, although in practice both these areas have already been usurped by the unelected EU Commission.
Now the EU wants to make its ability to act official, by adopting ‘qualified majority voting’ for defence, foreign policy, and taxes. This means that if the UK remained in the EU, it would lose its power of veto. A majority of member states could decide, for example, to invade Russia, and the UK could be outvoted.
HERE IS THE EVIDENCE
© EU Commission
“We will always be a global payer but it is time we started being a global player too.”
“This is why – despite great resistance at the time – I reignited the idea of a Europe of Defence as early as 2014. And this is why I will continue to work day and night over the next months to see the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation in Defence become fully operational.”
“The geopolitical situation makes this Europe's hour: the time for European sovereignty has come.
“It is time Europe took its destiny into its own hands. It is time Europe developed what I coined “Weltpolitikfähigkeit” – the capacity to play a role, as a Union, in shaping global affairs.
“Europe has to become a more sovereign actor in international relations.”
Jean-Claude Juncker, EU Commission President, State of the Union speech, 12 Sep 2018
WHEN SHARING MEANS GIVING AWAY
In parts of his speech Herr Juncker talks of “sharing sovereignty”. In reality this is another deception, because the very act of ‘sharing’ in this case means turning over more powers to the EU. It is in fact the process of handing over sovereignty.
Sharing implies joint control. This is not what the EU means. It very specifically means taking power away from member states.
WHEN ‘EUROPEAN’ MEANS ‘EUROPEAN UNION’
It is important to be very clear about language. The EU has always used the word European when it should use the term European Union. Examples of this include the Commission, which refers to itself as the European Commission. Regular readers will know that Brexit Facts4EU.Org always calls it the EU Commission.
One example of correct usage came in 2009 with the ECJ, when the Lisbon Treaty gave it the correct title of CJEU or ‘Court of Justice of the European Union’. Virtually everything else in the EU simply puts ‘European’ before the name of the body.
So, when President Juncker refers to ‘European Sovereignty’ he is talking about ‘EU Sovereignty’.
OBSERVATIONS
We have to start with the BBC. The national broadcaster made no mention that we could find – and we tried – about the major theme of Mr Juncker’s ‘State of the Union’ address. It wasn’t mentioned on the news, and we have been unable to find the word sovereignty in its online output covering the speech.
This is despite it being plastered all over the speech, as we have shown in the screengrabs above.
Now this is either crass incompetence, or deliberate obfuscation. In either scenario those in charge of the BBC’s output should consider their positions.
WHAT 'REMAIN' WOULD MEAN
It's important to stress that if the UK exits fully, no further loss of UK sovereignty would ensue. What we're pointing out to Remainer MPs is what 'Remain' would mean. The EU is changing all the time and in our view getting worse. There IS no 'status quo'. Remainer MPs - including all those who claim they're not trying to overturn Brexit - have to be able to defend their position. In this case they will have to say that they condemn the EU Commission's proposals to suborn British democracy on defence and foreign policy.
It's also worth pointing out that Remainers will claim that Juncker's statements are not law, merely proposals. We would respond by saying that all these things have a nasty habit of coming to pass. Furthermore, Juncker's entire speech was branded as "The Hour of European Sovereignty". That means that the Commission's plan must be taken very seriously indeed.
ON DEMOCRACY AND SOVEREIGNTY
There has been a concerted attempt by the unrepresentative Remainer MPs in the UK Parliament to frame the Brexit process in purely commercial terms. Readers only have to think of the continued Project Fear stories which are propagated.
At the same time there has been a continued bleating from Remainer MPs about their democratic need to vote on every single aspect of the Brexit process. In reality of course, all they want to do is overturn the democratic vote of the British people in the Referendum.
WELL HERE’S A QUESTION FOR REMAINER MPS
"While you profess your profound concern for democracy, where are your howls of protest at the EU planning to take away your right to decide on defence and foreign policies?"
We suggest that no Remainer MP can make any claim to credibility unless they stand up now and speak out against the EU’s plans to take away sovereignty from the UK Parliament on such fundamental matters. They can’t excuse themselves by saying that we’re leaving so it won’t affect the UK. Not when they’re doing all they can to prevent any real form of Brexit whatsoever.
We further suggest that they ask their constituents if they are happy to remain in an EU which can dictate the UK’s foreign and defence policies and where any protest from the UK can be overruled.
Remainer MPs might then find out that regaining sovereignty was in fact one of the major aspects of the vote to leave the increasingly totalitarian EU.
Just about the only thing we liked about the official Vote Leave campaign was its slogan: “Take Back Control”. In the case of Juncker’s major speech on Wednesday we’ll paraphrase Bill Clinton: “It’s about sovereignty, stupid.”
[ Sources: EU Commission ]        04.15am, 14 Sept 2018
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Name: BRINO, Braintree, Essex, UK      Date/Time: 14 Sept 2018, 10.00am
Message: We already have given up our sovereignty by being a member of the EU, we have joint sovereignty with 27 other countries. The EU has brought in proportional voting so the UK, seconder highest contributor to EU budget has no more rights than say Latvia. Why would any sane MP want to give away their sovereignty? What is the point of the 650 MPs in the House of Commons? if you have a problem about an EU law and approach your MP or MEP about helping you solve that problem, they are powerless they can do nothing. Power lies with the EU Commission - an unelected,unaccountable body residing in a foreign country. Voters have no redress, MPs have no redress, Governments have no redress and we pay £8 billion a year for this privilege.
Democracy as we know it is dead. Leaving the EU is the only way to obtain the freedom we were bequeathed at birth. No ifs, no buts, no economic arguments just leave and regain our freedom.
Name: Ed, Manchester, UK      Date/Time: 14 Sept 2018, 07.28am
Message: Maybe we should have a people's vote on the sovereignty of the people?? Just a thought. Following the current rhetorical acrobatics of Remainers, this would tie in nicely. (Not a serious suggestion!)
Name: William Pentelow, Midlands, UK      Date/Time: 14 Sept 2018, 07.09am
Message: "We suggest that no Remainer MP can make any claim to credibility unless they stand up now and speak out against the EU's plans to take away sovereignty from the UK Parliament on such fundamental matters. They can't excuse themselves by saying that we're leaving so it won't affect the UK. Not when they're doing all they can to prevent any real form of Brexit whatsoever."
You Facts4EU are making the very big mistake of expecting honesty from remain MPS. They are programmed from their university days to think of self and self only. You will never get an honest answer from any of them, if you get an answer at all. Their attempt to frame the argument in purely commercial terms is falling on deaf ears. This is more about patriotism for leavers, than the remain project fear lot would like to admit.

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 JACOB & FRIENDS DEMOLISH
MAY’S ENTIRE
BREXIT APPROACH
ERG PAPER LAYS BARE NON-ISSUE ISSUE OF IRISH BORDER
Brexit Facts4EU.Org has repeatedly published summary facts and arguments about what we called the ‘non-issue issue’ of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Yesterday, our arguments were supported by Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and his parliamentary colleagues in a major new paper on the subject. In it, they demolish the entire approach of Mrs May and her government since the EU first raised this false prospectus.
WHY MAY MUST GO - IRELAND AND THE ERG PAPER
Yesterday at the Royal United Services Institute in London, leading members of the Conservative ‘European Research Group’ of MPs (ERG) launched their paper on the long outstanding and dominating issue of the Irish border.
This was one of the three key issues which the EU insisted must be agreed before talks on the overall Withdrawal Agreement and future relationship could start. It resulted in a delay throughout 2017, until Mrs May came back from the pre-Christmas summit proclaiming that agreement had been reached.
Following that meeting, when the EU issued a paper describing Mrs May’s capitulation she said that the wording was unacceptable. Since then there has been a stand-off, with Mrs May producing Olly Robbins’ Chequers Proposals in July which have been effectively rejected by the EU.
The UK submitted its Article 50 letter in March 2017. The Irish border has now dominated discussions – and has appeared in countless EU statements and documents – for 18 months.
WHAT DOES THE ERG PAPER SAY ON THIS?
The ERG paper opens with the following observation:-
“The issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been allowed to frame the Brexit negotiations.”
It continues:
“The UK Government failed to challenge the position taken by the EU, so it has been a decisive factor in the Brexit negotiations. The UK Government failed to pursue Donald Tusk’s proposal for a SuperCanada/CETA+++ Free Trade Agreement on the basis that it provided no solution to the border issue.
“The Government has employed the Northern Ireland issue as the principal justification for the Chequers proposals.”
“The Government’s position appears to have been driven by the EU.”
“The border is regarded as the thorniest unresolved item in the negotiations over the Withdrawal Agreement. There is no case for this.”
ONCE AGAIN WE MUST PUT THINGS INTO PERSEPCTIVE
Chart © Brexit Facts4EU.Org 2018
The ERG mention this in their report, but we think a picture paints a thousand words....
WHAT DOES THE ERG PAPER SAY ON THE SOLUTIONS?
In summary, the ERG paper confirms our reporting and analysis since the beginning, and says there is no issue with the Irish border if a trade deal is in place with the EU. And if there isn't, then that isn't an insurmountable problem either.
They detail the various systems which would be used post-Brexit, and point out that most are pre-existing and that added procedures can be kept to a minimum provided both sides act normally.
They also point out that the EU would be in breach of WTO rules if it started acting unreasonably - trying to make political capital and show their members that exiting the EU is impossible without huge problems.
THE ERG’S CONCLUSION
“The EU will be able to maintain the integrity of its internal market without erecting a hard border along its border with Northern Ireland.
“At the same time the United Kingdom will be able to develop a fully independent trade policy rather than remaining a rule-taker. The one element of ‘alignment’ necessary is the maintenance of the current Common Biosecurity Zone covering the island of Ireland, and this is not contentious.
“The necessary procedures described can all be implemented within the existing legal and operational frameworks of the EU and the UK, based on the mutual trust on which regular trade depends. Rational, pragmatic approaches can ensure that the vital trade across the border is maintained.
“At the same time, this allows the United Kingdom to conduct an independent trade policy without threatening the integrity of the EU Single Market.
“These approaches, based upon current technology achievable without any new infrastructure at the border.”
We concur, based on all the work we have undertaken on this subject in the last two years.
The ERG’s paper runs to over 7,000 words and is comprehensive. We have a copy here and we recommend reading it in full if you have the time.
OBSERVATIONS
The table regarding the Northern Ireland economy contained in the ERG’s document is something we researched 6 months ago when those figures were released by NISRA.
We published an article based on those exact same figures.
The ERG document is an excellent analysis of the non-issue of the Northern Ireland border and is comprehensive. It runs to 7,000 words, which the vast majority of the public will never read.
During the past 2 years we have published shorter summaries of the position, which have been read.
We were also the first to publish a video of the testimony of the Head of HMRC to a Commons committee, where he stated that no new border infrastructure was necessary. This testimony is referenced by Jacob Rees-Mogg and his colleagues in their report, but we first covered this nearly a year ago.
We only mention the above because it is deeply frustrating for us that the entire Brexit process has so far taken so long and delivered so little.
We welcome the ERG document yesterday. It’s just a shame that this hadn’t been issued last year. But hey ho, that’s politics, we suppose....
PLEASE support us if you can with a donation so we can spend more time lobbying with all the superb information we have from the last 3 years of research.
[ Sources: ERG | NISRA | Office for National Statistics ]        06.55am, 13 Sept 2018
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Name: GetMeOut, Bath, UK      Date/Time: 13 Sept 2018, 3.28pm
Message: May's blind spots on Brexit really puzzle me - on Chequers, for example. Is it that she just does not get it, or does she think that unscrupulously lying into our faces will fool everyone at the end? Her self-built house of cards in her fantasy world is shaking again, but then it has survived so much already, so who knows?
Name: Chris, Devizes, UK      Date/Time: 13 Sept 2018, 11.32am
Message: This paper is excellent news. Have you been able to extract the key bullet points on how the scheme works? I'm sure that since JRM is involved, it will have been meticulously thought through. No doubt May has instructed Robbins to go through the document to try and discredit it. It will be interesting to see how it is received by the EU. If they are positive, it will leave May in a very difficult position, as Chequers will become pointless and irrelevant.

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 JUNCKER JUNKS CHEQUERS
GAME OVER FOR MRS MAY
FROM 'STATE OF DISUNION' SPEECH
WHAT EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT SAID ABOUT BREXIT
Here we present the key Brexit part of unelected EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's "State of the Union" speech today.
BREXIT SECTION - STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH 2018 OF EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT JUNCKER
"Another issue where I see a strong need for the Union for leadership is Brexit. I will not enter into the details of the negotiations, which are being masterfully handled by my friend Michel Barnier. He works on the basis of a unanimous position confirmed time and again by the 27 Member States. However, allow me to recall three principles which should guide our work on Brexit in the months to come.
"First of all, we respect the British decision to leave our Union, even though we continue to regret it deeply. But we also ask the British government to understand that someone who leaves the Union cannot be in the same privileged position as a Member State.
"If you leave the Union, you are of course no longer part of our single market, and certainly not only in the parts of it you choose.
"Secondly, the European Commission, this Parliament and all other 26 Member States will always show loyalty and solidarity with Ireland when it comes to the Irish border. This is why we want to find a creative solution that prevents a hard border in Northern Ireland. But we will equally be very outspoken should the British government walk away from its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement. It is not the European Union, it is Brexit that risks making the border more visible in Northern Ireland.
"Thirdly, after 29 March 2019, the United Kingdom will never be an ordinary third country for us. The United Kingdom will always be a very close neighbour and partner, in political, economic and security terms.
"In the past months, whenever we needed unity in the Union, Britain was at our side, driven by the same values and principles as all other Europeans. This is why I welcome Prime Minister May's proposal to develop an ambitious new partnership for the future, after Brexit. We agree with the statement made in Chequers that the starting point for such a partnership should be a free trade area between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
"On the basis of these three principles, the Commission’s negotiators stand ready to work day and night to reach a deal. We owe it to our citizens and our businesses to ensure the United Kingdom's withdrawal is orderly and that there is stability afterwards. It will not be the Commission that will stand in the way of this, I can assure you of that."
OBSERVATIONS
The key point, we would suggest, is Herr Juncker's comment that "If you leave the Union, you are of course no longer part of our single market, and certainly not only in the parts of it you choose." In effect this blows Chequers out of the water, because Theresa May's Chequers' proposals involve a segmentation of the Single Market.
We will analyse the speech and report in more detail in a further article.
[ Sources: EU Commission | EU parliament ]        09.15am, 12 Sept 2018
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Name: BRINO, Braintree, Essex, UK      Date/Time: 13 Sept 2018, 2.55pm
Message: This is the part of Juncker's speech we should be most wary of: "Thirdly, after 29 March 2019, the United Kingdom will never be an ordinary third country for us. The United Kingdom will always be a very close neighbour and partner, in political, economic and security terms". Has the UK signed up to the EU geo-political agenda and has the UK signed up to the EU army instead of NATO? I fear yes to both questions, remember Iran Nuclear deal, British army wearing EU insignia in Bosnia.

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 DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL
ORBAN & FARAGE
TAKE ON EU PARLIAMENT
WORRYING TRENDS IN EU PARLIAMENT
Early yesterday morning Brexit Facts4EU.Org reported in advance on the EU Parliament’s attempt, for the first time in its history, to condemn an entire country.
If you haven't already done so, we recommend reading it here.
The debate that followed yesterday was explosive.
If you care about democracy, we suggest that it’s well worth listening to. Here we give links to the speeches of:-
  • Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary
  • Nigel Farage, UKIP MEP and spokesman for the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group
Regrettably we don’t have time for a complete analysis but here are a few choice quotations:
NIGEL FARAGE
“You’re here for a show trial.”
“The Commissar has the audacity to lecture you on democracy. The facts that you got 50% of the vote in your country, and no-one has ever voted for [EU Vice-President] Timmermans or can remove him, seems to have passed him by.”
“They’re just updating the Brezhnev doctrine of limited sovereignty.”
FRANS TIMMERMANS, VICE-PRESIDENT OF EU COMMISSION (Unelected)
“Whether I was elected is neither here nor there”
“That’s the coward’s way out, Mr Orban”
OBSERVATIONS
We really wish we had time to do this piece justice. What happened yesterday in Strasbourg was important and represents a threat to democracy.
Unfortunately we simply don't have the funding to cover everything we would like to cover. If you can help with a donation we would be very grateful.
[ Sources: EU parliament ]        08.25am, 12 Sept 2018
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Name: Go Brexit, Penzance, UK      Date/Time: 13 Sept 2018, 3.34pm
Message: This should book you two places on the EU Naughty Bench, boys! :) (Actually I think they possibly have it in stock already, with your names written all over it.) Well done, and don't let the EU bully you!
Name: Chris, Devizes, UK      Date/Time: 12 Sept 2018, 11.45am
Message: I get a message about a missing plug-in, when trying to watch the clips. I am using the latest version of Firefox for Mac, and no plug-in is suggested.
Reply: Yes Chris, we have the same with Firefox on PC - it's a 'special feature' of the EU Parliament videos. We have to use Internet Explorer to view them.

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 EXPORTS TO NON-EU COUNTRIES
GROW 3 TIMES FASTER
THAN TO THE EU
LATEST ONS FIGURES TELL A STORY
Goods exports to non-EU countries rose over 3 times faster than those to EU countries, in the latest 3-month figures just released by the Office for National Statistics.
In addition, the UK’s trade balance improved to the rest of the world, but worsened to the EU27.
UK GOODS EXPORTS – EU VERSUS NON-EU
BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY – LATEST UK EXPORTS
3-month figures
  • Exports to EU27 countries rose by £1.0 billion
  • However, exports to non-EU countries rose by £3.3 billion
  • Amount of increase was over 3 times higher with the rest of the world
Chart © Brexit Facts4EU.Org 2018
UK TRADE BALANCE (EXPORTS MINUS IMPORTS)
BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY – LATEST UK TRADE BALANCE
3-month figures
  • Trade balance with EU worsened by £0.3 billion
  • Trade balance with non-EU countries improved by almost £1 billion
  • Balance improved with rest of world, but deteriorated with EU
All figures are from the Office for National Statistics latest release, showing the figures for the 3 months ending 31 July 2018.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Even the EU Commission admits that 90% of world growth will come from outside the EU.
“90% of future global growth will happen outside Europe's borders.”
- EU Commission, 14 Sept 2017
OBSERVATIONS
The latest figures above merely demonstrate that far from being ‘Little Englanders’, (or Little Welsh, Scots, or Northern Irish), those who voted to leave the European Union understand the need for the United Kingdom to look outwards to the rest of the world.
UK businesses will of course continue to trade with businesses in the EU27 countries after Brexit, but when it comes to growth potential, it is essential that we are able to embrace the opportunities on offer worldwide.
Furthermore, we must be able to do this competitively, which is something Theresa May's Chequers Plan does not allow. The Prime Minister's proposals would leave us shackled to the EU's rulebook and Chequers is therefore wholly unacceptable.
NOTE TO REMAINER MPs
Have you ever tried to do business in the EU?  No?  Well we have.
Members of the Brexit Facts4EU.Org team have been involved in over 100 countries, including the EU27.
Sadly, in the experience of some members of our team, there are major EU countries which are far more troublesome to deal with than countries on the other side of the globe.
We strongly urge Remainer MPs to recognise that the vast majority of British businesses are NOT represented by the CBI or IOD. The large companies have their own agenda, which includes the exploitation of the workforce of poorer EU countries, whose workers come to the UK because of the high unemployment and low wages in their homelands.
Whilst large businesses are important to the UK economy, so are SMEs, the managers of whom are normally far too busy to be able to lobby you. They’re too busy trying to make money, employing people, and paying their taxes in the UK.
WHADDYA KNOW?
Working in a support profession or in public service is of course valuable to society, but if you're an MP telling people in business what's best for them when you have no experience in business, don't be surprised if we occasionally hit back.
So if you’re a Remainer MP, when it comes to pronouncing on how “essential” it is to stay in the Single Market and Customs Union, please just ask yourself if you know what you’re talking about, or whether perhaps you’re merely repeating claims from pro-Remain globalist lobby groups.
(Or from silver-tongued lawyer MPs who have also never generated wealth for the country.)
Some of us are - albeit small - wealth creators and employers, and we help to pay a disproportionate amount of your salaries and expenses. People like us are at the sharp end, often working 100 hour weeks.
Can you imagine how galling it is to listen to some MPs who have never worked in the commercial world - and we’re not talking about being a lawyer or ‘consultant’ or ‘researcher’ – and having to listen to someone who has no idea about business, telling us how “essential” it is for the UK to stay in the EU’s structures?
Have some humility and do some genuine research, please, and try to represent more than the CBI or big union bosses.
[ Sources: Office for National Statistics ]        04.30am, 12 Sept 2018
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 EU TO SAY ORBAN’S HUNGARY IS UNDEMOCRATIC
AND DOESN'T OBEY THE RULE OF LAW
SO IT WILL DENY HUNGARY’S
LEGAL & VOTING RIGHTS?
(AND YES, THIS IS RELEVANT TO BREXIT
AND REMAINER MPs SHOULD READ THIS)
EU PARLIAMENT TODAY DEBATES ACTION
AGAINST VIKTOR ORBAN’S GOVERNMENT
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will be in Strasbourg today, to hear the EU Parliament attack his country.
In a debate today and tomorrow at the EU Parliament, MEPs will vote for the first time ever in its history on one of its own reports to recommend that action be taken against a member state under Article 7 of the EU Treaty.
The consequence of a successful vote against Hungary will be a process which may ultimately lead to Viktor Orban’s Hungary losing a variety of its rights as a member state, including its voting rights.
This produces a bizarre and ironic effect, upon which we have yet to see any comments from the media:-
Hungary could lose its legal and voting rights in the EU
For alleged infringements of legal and voting rights
THE ACCUSATIONS - SUMMARY
The EU Parliament has made a swathe of accusations against Hungary under Article 7 of the EU Treaty. In summary, Article 7 requires a member state to respect the EU’s values encapsulated in Article 2. These are broadly:
“the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.”
THE ACCUSATIONS - SOME DETAIL
BREXIT FACTS4EU.ORG SUMMARY
EU PARLIAMENT'S ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HUNGARY
Below are the specific concerns of the EU Parliament about Hungary, in their own words.
  1. the functioning of the constitutional and electoral system;
  2. the independence of the judiciary and of other institutions and the rights of judges;
  3. corruption and conflicts of interest;
  4. privacy and data protection;
  5. freedom of expression;
  6. academic freedom;
  7. freedom of religion;
  8. freedom of association;
  9. the right to equal treatment;
  10. the rights of persons belonging to minorities, including Roma and Jews, and protection against hateful statements against such minorities;
  11. the fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees;
  12. economic and social rights.
EU CAN ACT AS SUPRANATIONAL GOVERNMENT, SAYS EU PARLIAMENT
Interestingly, the Comission says that Article 7 refers to more than just infringements of EU Treaty obligations. To quote the EU Parliament’s ‘Rapporteur’ who is leading the attack on Hungary:-
“The scope of Article 7 is not confined to areas covered by Union law. This means that the Union could act not only in the event of a breach of common values in this limited field but also in the event of a breach in an area where the Member States act autonomously.”
It goes on to say:
“Article 7 thus gives the Union a power of action that is very different from its power to ensure that Member States respect fundamental rights when implementing Union law.”
In summary, the EU can attack a member state for alleged infringement of EU laws, and can also attack it for its national laws which aren’t covered by specific EU legislation.
OBSERVATIONS
RELEVANCE TO BREXIT
In our experience, the vast majority of Remainer MPs have absolutely no idea what the EU does each day. They can’t have, in order to come out with some of the nonsense we hear them say on national television.
We urge them to get better informed. They could start by reading our site daily. We summarise issues with bullet-points and simple charts – nothing takes long to read.
They could also read or watch the proceedings of the EU Parliament, the EU Council, and the EU Commission. After all, we do that, and we’re not responsible for making decisions on Brexit and nor are any of us on salaries.
Tomorrow EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will make his “State of the Union” speech – the last of his tenure. In the past these have sometimes been hilarious. How could we forget the one where he rambled for nearly two hours, clearly ‘not on the best form’, as one might say. We really hope that MPs watch him tomorrow.
WHY HUNGARY?
The detail of the EU Parliament’s accusations against Hungary goes on and on. The entire document runs to 25,000 words. To avoid readers losing the will to live, we have therefore had to provide only a rudimentary summary.
Viktor Orban is a bete noire for MEPs. More than any other leader of an EU member state he embodies ‘populism’.
To be accused of being a populist is – for large sections of the EU parliament – far worse than being accused of having transmitted a ‘social’ disease. And according to our sources in Strasbourg and Brussels, there is a great deal of extracurricular ‘social’ activity that goes on there....
THE HYPOCRISY OF THE LONG-DISTANCE EU PROJEKT
Given Mr Orban’s ‘populist’ views, Brexit Facts4EU.Org was therefore not surprised when we observed that the EU Parliament’s detailed report clarifies that it has not looked at Hungary’s alleged transgressions in the context of other member states’ behaviour.
“We will not compare Hungarian laws with laws in other European countries”
- EU Parliament motion against Hungary, 11 Sept 2018
Put simply, if Frau Merkel might be guilty of some of the same behaviours, the EU Parliament has refused to consider this possibility.
Remember Mr Orban’s cruel fences? Three years ago he was pilloried for erecting them. Now even Germany and Austria have followed his lead.
Remember Mr Orban’s suggestion of establishing migrant processing camps in Africa and how he was condemned for that? It is now official EU policy to persuade African governments to accept this.
It is certainly not our place to judge the behaviour of Mr Orban’s government and so we will not analyse every accusation against him and his government. We will merely observe the hypocrisy of the EU in so many of its dealings.
WHATEVER ELSE THEY SAY…
Viktor Orban has won four elections. The latest election was last year, when he once again won a huge mandate from his people, a mandate that other EU leaders can only dream of.
Viktor Orban and his family
There may be some issues that concern us, but that is true of every government across the EU.
For example we consider Mrs May to be lying every time she pretends that Chequers in any way represents Brexit. In our view she is engaged in a deliberate and cynical campaign to mislead the British public on the most important national issue in people’s lifetimes.
We regard Mrs May’s behaviour as an affront to democracy, but she is not condemned by the EU Parliament in the way that Mr Orban is.
Finally, Viktor Orban will be in Strasbourg this afternoon to listen to the debate in the EU Parliament. No doubt his face will be a picture, and we will be watching in anticipation.
[ Sources: EU Parliament | EU Commission ]        06.25am, 11 Sept 2018
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Name: Sirroco777, Devon, UK      Date/Time: 11 Sept 2018, 09.01am
Message: Ah Populism...
"any person, esp. a politician or political leader, who claims to represent the interests, views, or tastes of the common people, particularly as distinct from those of the rich or powerful" (Collins)

Now there is a definition that tells a story! If the EU is so afraid of populism it's because it's afraid of democracy! I cannot believe our politicians want us to stay shackled to this EUSSR project!
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Now that the Referendum has been won, we have 2 main aims:
1.  To provide bullet-pointed and factual summaries of key points, to help people to ensure Brexit is delivered in full.
2.  Crucially, to allow MPs and campaigners to give reliable and consistent facts to the public.
Please don't hesitate to contact the Editors if you can volunteer in some way, and particularly if you can support us financially.
NEUTRALITY:    Facts4eu.org focuses on information which shows that the UK is better off regaining its independence and growing globally. The entire weight of the Establishment is promoting the opposite case, so this site is just one small voice trying to redress the balance.

All material © Facts4eu.org 2018 except where owned by others.
Press and Leave campaigns please contact us for re-use of information.