Thumbs down to the EU

Support for the European Union (EU) is falling throughout its 25 member states, according to the largest poll undertaken on the subject the details of which are published in this week-ends excellent newspaper, The Business.

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The European Commission’s Eurobarometer has found that fewer than half EU citizens describe membership of the union as “a good thing”. The figure has slumped from 55% to 49% in 18 months. (Do we hear three cheers for that ?)

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The one-off Eurobarometer survey spoke to 24,700 people and found deep-rooted scepticism and even hostility (really) not just for the idea of political integration but towards membership of the EU itself.

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Only about 33% in Britain say they regard the EU as a good thing. Britain is the third most Eurosceptic country, eclipsed only by Austria (31%) and Latvia, where 29% approve of its May 2004 decision to join the EU.

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With the exception of Ireland, only former Soviet bloc countries agree “things are going in the right direction”. Across Europe, 49% consider that the EU can be described as technocratic and 43% as inefficient.

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Support for a EU constitution is low. When asked whether having such a constitution would be the most helpful for Europe, only 36% of Belgians (at the heart of Europe) agreed. This is 25% for the EU in general, and a tiny 17% in the UK; no wonder Mr Blair is not keen on holding a referendum on the EU !

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This sets a grim backdrop for talks stating today in sunny Vienna. Foreign ministers are due to start discussions with a 12.30pm aperitif at Klosterneuburg Abbey, followed by talks on a “reflection period” after the referendum defeats.
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While the political elite do their naval gazing, sorry reflecting, others of us may wish to read the link from today's copy of The Business in which Britians defence procurment is revealed as the continuation of European intergration by other means.

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Lest we forget that the great deception continues.