The end of week quote

''If, over the last couple of days, you have been watching media coverage of Euro-land, you have a right to be confused. On the one hand, sundry politicians, British Conservatives among them, have hailed the successful passage of an "historic act of European liberalisation" through the European Parliament, in the form of the services directive. This EU framework law, its boosters say, will slash away decades of protectionist red tape, and bring a true single market a step closer ''
.
David Rennie in the Telegraph today.

.

He is, of course, referring to the recent passage through the EU parliament of the Services Directive and the climbdown by MEPs, which has led to conflicting claims as to the importance of a measure that has largely been eviscerated.