Proposed EU budget hike will wipe out all Britain’s spending cuts
This article, written by a Conservative MEP, explains: “Today, the Commission demanded a 4.9 per cent increase in the EU budget – on top of last year’s increase, which saw Britain’s net contribution rise by an almost unbelievable 74%.
“What does it need the extra money for? Five words: more staff on higher salaries.”
There is a real problem here, whether you support Europe or not – and I still think in this country we have limited and confused perceptions of what our EU membership is about. Its benefits are often based on poor or biased reporting of key issues – the problem is that against the deep public sector cuts (which I would argue are having a disproportionate impact on rural places) the demand for this level of budget increase has a Marie Antoinette style ring to it.
In addition to the impact this article purports it will have on our spending cuts it also threatens to wipe out the engagement and enthusiasm many more positive Euro watchers than this individual have for our membership of the European Union. Or have I got it all wrong?