Euro problems and untruths
There's a story in the FT that says that as Britain now has the second largest GDP per capita (for discussions of methodological problems see earlier posts) the famous 'rebate' is going to be reduced, by spreading around other net contributors. (apologies for this style link -- blogger is playing up - http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373563710&p=1012571727085)Britain would pay 0.51% of national income, compared to 0.48% for Germany.
Two points:
1) This is presumably bad news for Blair. Obvoiusly the euro-racists are a lost cause, but those on the margin will probably see it as more proof that Europe is out to steal our money, and we'd be better off out of a uniquely successful union and instead allow Rupert 'Gephard to be Kerry VP candidate' Murdoch controlling the country. There is a counter-argument, which would be the pro-Blair FT has been leaked this story merely so Blair can fight our corner and win the day. Let's hope.
2) Even the FT is ridden with europhobia. The first paragraph says that "Britain would become the biggest net contributor to the EU budget". This is obvious nonsense -- 0.48% of Germany's GDP is larger than 0.51% of the UK's. The FT knows this is nonsense, as it says the correct formulation (largest per capita net contributor) in the next paragraph. So we can only assume malevolent motives.
Of course the whole story is basically nonsense, and won't happen. Nevertheless prepare for frothing-at-the-mouth from the usual suspects (the same ones who once mistook a research paper (for examples, including a wonderfully witty and beautifully written bit from me, see http://hurryupharry.blogspot.com/2003_06_15_hurryupharry_archive.html#95752639) by an Atlantic organisation (the Council of Europe) for 'EU' legislation aimed at 'destroying freedom of speech' on blogs)
posted by Matthew @ 7/07/2004 09:22:00 PM
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