Well its now becoming slightly clearer as the "Fresh Start Group" have four main demands for what they want:



• A complete repatriation of social and employment laws such as the working time directive which imposes a 48-hour working week. Britain has an opt-out from that aspect of the directive.



• A opt-out from all criminal justice measures.



• An "emergency brake" that would give Britain an effective veto over new financial services regulations which are currently decided by qualified majority voting (QMV).



• An end to the monthly plenary sessions of the European parliament held in Strasbourg.



The question has to be asked [iwhy[/i do they want the powers repatriated? The obvious answer is so they can repeal the legislation and for most people in this country that would be a bad thing.



If they framed a referendum question along the lines of "Do you support the abolition of the working time directive and other employment laws so your employer can work you to death then sack you at the drop of a hat?" I think the answer would be a resounding "no". However that is what this country could well be walking into as people vote "yes" because they prefer bent bananas.

Or, to be more accurate: because large numbers of people believe the myths about 'bent bananas'.

Myths? My banana definitely bends - to the left.

I was almost certain it would bend to the right.

That reads very much like a "we only want the bits we like" manifesto with no room for a compromise to get something. Why do they think the UK would get a veto when they basically want the UK to say stuff the EU? Nonsense.

Yes, they seem to want to be able to veto elements of the fiscal union whilst remaining outside of it.

I' m thinking this is because they are worried about the City (outside the fiscal union) losing trade to Frankfurt (inside the fiscal union)... but refusing to compromise will only accelerate that loss of trade.

Cameron is putting all of his faith into one belief - that the voters of the UK are stupid.



He's hoping that dangling the carrot of a future referendum on Europe will be sufficient to return the tories with a clear majority, it's a high risk strategy and one that gives an insight into the arrogance of the man and the party he leads.



It's extremely doubtful that we'll be allowed to cherry-pick the bits of the EU we want and leave the rest. In the remote chance that we were able to do that, what happens when the rest of the 27 decide that they'd like something similar?



Meanwhile, the uncertainty created will only harm investment in the UK or the expansion of UK companies into Europe. Why would any non-EU company choose to invest in the UK if they aren't certain that we'll still be a part of the EU in 10 years time? Similarly, why would any UK company invest in European expansion for the same reasons?



One thing is certain: any powers that may possibly be repatriated will only lead to a weakening of the rights and protections of UK citizens to the advantage of the privileged few

Actually it's more that he's confident that our hugely anti-EU media will do the job for him. You only have to look at this morning's pathetic coverage on BBC Breakfast - asking the head of Timpson's for his opinion FFS!

Unfortunately he's going to promise the "people" what they have been convinced they want, the vast majority that would vote "out" in a referendum on Europe are closed minded little Englanders that would do it just to give "johnny foreigner" a bloody nose. It explains why Cameron doesn't want Farage involved in TV debates, he doesn't want to split his own votes.



I'm increasingly convinced that none of them, Conservative,Lib Dem or Labour are actually any better than each other, which means in the next election I can probably not vote, unless we get a Brewsters Millions "none of the above" option (and assuming whichever civil servant that orders the printing doesn't list them first!)

if only there was some way of protesting against this to make sure the 'privileged few' don't get their own way. what we need is every 4/5 years a, oh what shall we call it, an election or something where the oppressed masses can finally free themselves of the shackles that hold them. a chance for every adult to decide the fate of the country. i know, it's a crazy idea, but we have to dream.

Just the sort of smart-a[ir[/ise comment I'd expect from someone with little comprehension of how these things work. The problem is, once something has been broken up, sold for scrap and the money spent, there's little that can be done to repair it again. As Labour will discover when they try to repair the damage to the NHS, or as has already been discovered with the selling off of utilities, rail & bus transport, North Sea oil & gas, council house building etc...