BREXIT and beyond ....: Guy Verhofstadt

Showing posts with label Guy Verhofstadt. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 March 2021

Britain Should Stop Brexit ‘Divorce’ Money if ‘Brutish’ EU Blocks Vaccines, Says Farage

Nigel Farage has suggested the United Kingdom cut off Brexit “divorce” payments ...

23 Mar 2021163

3:09

Nigel Farage has suggested the United Kingdom cut off Brexit “divorce” payments to the European Union should it follow through with threats to ban vaccine exports to Britain.

The Brexit champion said that the EU has shown its “true colours”, accusing Brussels of acting like a communist regime through “seizing the means of production” at vaccine factories across Europe.

Over the weekend, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen threatened to block the export of up to 19 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to Britain, saying: “We have the possibility to forbid planned exports.”

The British government in turn has signalled that it will have “no choice” but to halt exports of the raw materials required to produce the vaccine to the continent.

Mr Farage said that the British government should take a tougher line with the bloc, suggesting that the country withhold payments pledged to the EU under the terms of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

“We’re still paying vast sums of money to an organization that threatened to put a border back in Ireland, to an organization that is taking a series of legal actions against us, to an organization that has made exporting goods into the EU unnecessarily difficult — totally contrary to the spirit of the agreement,” Mr Farage said.

Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the British taxpayer will pay the EU 11 billion pounds this year, with an additional £8.7 billion projected for next year.

“From the referendum vote to us finally getting out of these financial obligations, we’ll have paid them nearly 80 billion pounds. I now cannot see why we should pay 10 billion pounds this year to an organization that is acting in bad faith, an organization that is threatening to block legally acquired vaccines,” Mr Farage said.

“I honestly think that the government should stop playing softly-softly with the European Union. They are being absolutely brutish and nasty to us, we just seem to lie down and take it every time… let’s now threaten them with this money,” he demanded.

“They’re in breach of what we signed up and agreed to and if they continue in this manner we will stop giving them billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money,” Farage said.

“I urge the government in their negotiations to tell the EU, which is struggling for cash anyway, start playing with a straight bat or we are not going to send you any more money,” he concluded.

As of March 22nd, 44.6 people per 100 have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the United Kingdom, compared to just 13.25 per 100 on average throughout the entirety of the EU, according to Our World in Data.

In February, Peter Tiede of the German newspaper Bild said that the EU’s vaccine fiasco has been the “biggest confidence-destroying programme in its history”.

This followed a similar pronouncement from Die Zeit, which declared in an opinion piece in January that the ordeal has been “the best advertisement for Brexit”.

Follow Kurt Zindulka on Twitter here @KurtZindulka

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2021/03/23/britain-should-withhold-brexit-divorce-money-if-the-eu-blocks-vaccines-says-nigel-farage/

Sunday, 2 February 2020

Boris must be wary of EU military-imperial ambitions

While economic relations form the biggest single item in our transition negotiations with the EU, defence is the second biggest. We should welcome military and intelligence cooperation with European nations, but through NATO not the EU. Brussels has openly stated imperial ambitions. We must be careful not to get sucked into them

EU army nein danke...

Joshua Mackenzie-Lawrie

On 2 February 2020 11:14

Boris Johnson’s Withdrawal Agreement, while a drastic improvement on Theresa May’s Deal, is not perfect and still leaves a lot to be desired. There are some important issues which must be resolved during the Transition Period this year.

One specific area which is so often ignored, owing to its complexity, is the integration between UK and EU defence and intelligence communities. While January 31st 2020 was worthy of celebration as we formally left the EU, by no means did it mark the end of threats to UK defence decision-making autonomy.

Thankfully, many commitments on defence were moved from the Withdrawal Agreement into the non-legally binding Political Declaration. However, the text of these commitments remain the same. In the next stage of negotiations the EU has already made it clear they intend to implement the Political Declaration exactly as it is.

The fundamental question to ask is: Why does our exiting from an economic union require vast collaboration and commitments to cooperate on matters of defence, especially if, as we have been told time and again, the EU has no intention of creating an army, nor of taking sovereignty away from individual countries?

In total, sections on defence make up the second largest section of the Political Declaration, after the economic cooperation section. To us at Get Britain Out, this looks a lot like the EU was trying to create an army by stealth all along.

While, on the whole, cooperation with EU member states over security should be welcomed in order to ensure the safety of this country, the United Kingdom must be careful. The European Union structures on defence and intelligence are a spider’s web of different bodies entangled with each other. It is impossible to take part in one without submitting to the rules and regulations of others. As the EU is so often a fan of telling us there can be no cherry picking, it is all or nothing. This is their mentality on the Single Market, and it is the same on defence.

The Political Declaration as it stands states the UK should take part in various EU defence missions and projects to the extent possible under EU Law. However, many of these projects -- such as the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) -- require participants to be regulated by EU Laws and ‘third party’ troops be placed under the command of EU officers.

The EU is painting these issues as non-threatening and as ‘opt-ins’ to increase interoperability. However, they are relying on the fact most MPs do not understand the defence frameworks, hiding the deeper, sinister nature of attempting to tie British troops, technology and money into the EU’s defence structures.

We do not need to be part of these structures and they should play no part in the negotiations of a Free Trade Deal with the EU. There is already plenty of scope for cooperation between the UK and other countries in Europe based around the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

The EU’s obsession with creating its own military strength is rooted in a distrust of America, alongside a deep set ambition within federalists like Guy Verhofstadt, to establish, as he says, a “European Empire”. These are both ideologies to which Britain is diametrically opposed and should continue to be so for years to come.

Lower level deals on military cooperation may seem appealing as goodwill messages to the EU in exchange for more leverage in trade negotiations, but Boris Johnson must hold firm.

Worryingly, the recent confirmation Huawei will be allowed to be involved in the creation of Britain’s 5G network brings one to the conclusion the Prime Minister is placing political strategy ahead of true consideration surrounding our security. While Huawei creates dents in our intelligence reputation, especially among our 5 EYES allies (Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand), to allow undue and intrusive cooperation with EU intelligence forces would, in a sense, be far worse.

Huawei’s role is to be limited and heavily regulated. The EU’s intelligence-sharing protocols, on the other hand, are far more loosely defined, with scope for British intelligence agencies to be forced into sharing sensitive information with organisations we do not fully trust.

Boris Johnson won a victory when he had the defence elements of the legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement taken out, but the war is not yet won. Notions of partial cooperation with the EU on matters of defence should be put to rest in favour of cooperation through the traditional channels of NATO, structures which, unlike the EU’s, are understood, and respect national sovereignty.

While it may be politically useful to accept closer ties on security in exchange for a better trade deal with the EU, this is a path which Boris Johnson must not follow.

It would be false to claim we had completed Brexit only for UK defence and intelligence agencies to be indefinitely tied into the EU.

If we are to truly Get Britain Out of the EU and achieve a good deal in the process, the sovereignty and independence of the British Armed Forces and our intelligence agencies must be protected from EU interference.

Joshua Mackenzie-Lawrie is a Senior Research Executive at the cross-party grassroots campaign Get Britain Out

http://www.thecommentator.com/article/7580/boris_must_be_wary_of_eu_military_imperial_ambitions

Friday, 31 January 2020

Macron: Brexit a ‘Historic Wake-up Call’… for MORE EU, Not Less

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Brexit is a “shock” and a “historic wake-up call” for the whole of the EU.

VICTORIA FRIEDMAN

31 Jan 2020

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the "Prix Decouvertes" (Discovery award) ceremony as part of the 47th Angouleme International Comics Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinee d'Angouleme) on January 30, 2020, in Angouleme, western France. (Photo by Ludovic Marin / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty …

The French president, who is an avid supporter of the globalist-progressive European Project, made the remarks during a pre-recorded television address to the people of France, aired hours before the UK officially leaves the European Union.

“This departure is a shock,” Mr Macron said in comments reported by Ouest-France. “It is a historic wake-up call which must be heard in each of our countries, be heard by the whole of Europe, and make us think.”

However, rather than Brexit being a time for reflection and of considering returning sovereignty to the people of Europe, Mr Macron maintains that the continent needs more EU, more super-state bureaucracy, not less.

Also blaming “lies” told by Leave campaigners, the progressive French president said: “We must remember at all times what lies can lead to in our democracies.

“This Brexit is possible, has been possible, and comes into force in a few hours, because we have too often made Europe a scapegoat for our own difficulties and also because we have not changed our Europe enough. More than ever, we need Europe.”

President Macron said to those backing a Frexit (a French exit): “I would be lying to you to say this evening that the future of our country could be built on less Europe.”

The head of state insisted on the need to “rebuild a clearer European Project where the desire to leave Europe will no longer be the answer to difficulties”.

“It is a sad day, we do not hide it. But it is a day which must lead us to proceed differently, to build with even more determination a powerful and effective European Union,” he added.

If European sovereigntists and political commentators expected that Brexit would inspire EU leaders to reassess its commitment to Ever Close Union of the United States of Europe, they are sure to be mistaken.

Before the European Parliament ratified the Brexit deal on Wednesday, its chief Brexit coordinator and senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt, like Emmanuel Macron, expressed his belief that the lesson learnt is more Europe, not less.

Addressing the Brussels chamber, Mr Verhofstadt said: “This lesson, dear colleagues, is not to undo the union, as some are arguing. The lesson is to deeply reform the union. To make a real union in the coming years.

“That means a union without opt-ins, opt-outs, rebates, exceptions, and above all without unanimity rules and veto rights.”

Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Finnish Eurosceptic: Brexit Is a Victory of the Common People over the Elite

A Finnish Eurosceptic MEP has said that the UK will “triumph” outside of the EU and said the next decade will see the revival of national sovereignty in Europe.

Speaking ahead of the vote on the Brexit deal in the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, Laura Huhtasaari of the Eurosceptic Finns Party said: “It’s the final countdown. Friday will be a glorious day for the United Kingdom!

VICTORIA FRIEDMAN

29 Jan 2020

Presidential candidate of the Finns Party, Laura Huhtasaari, is pictured during an election reception in Helsinki, Finland, on January 28, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Lehtikuva / Martti Kainulainen / Finland OUT (Photo credit should read MARTTI KAINULAINEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Presidential candidate of the Finns Party, Laura Huhtasaari, is pictured during an election reception in Helsinki, Finland, on January 28, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Lehtikuva / Martti Kainulainen / Finland OUT (Photo credit should read MARTTI KAINULAINEN/AFP via Getty Images)

“Brexit is the victory of the common British people against multinational corporations, special interests, and other elites.”

The former Finnish parliamentary MP and 2018 presidential candidate continued: “The 2020s is the decade when the national state makes the ultimate comeback in Europe. The supranational, unaccountable bureaucracy will be rolled back in favour of real democracy at national level.

“Britain will triumph outside of the EU. The island nation began a shining movement that cannot be stopped.”

Ms Huhtasaari’s predictions go against the received wisdom from senior figures in the European Union. Earlier during the parliamentary session, leading MEP and ardent federalist Guy Verhofstadt claimed that the lesson the EU has to learn from Brexit is not less Europe, but more Europe, including taking away even more autonomy from member-states.

The Belgian had said: “This lesson, dear colleagues, is not to undo the union, as some are arguing. The lesson is to deeply reform the union. To make a real union in the coming years.

“That means a union without opt-ins, opt-outs, rebates, exceptions, and above all without unanimity rules and veto rights.”

Ms Huhtasaari paid tribute to her Eurosceptic colleagues, addressing Nigel Farage’s party and saying in her closing remarks: “Farewell to the Brexit Party. I love you guys!”

Earlier, fellow Eurosceptic MEP Jaak Madison, from Estonia’s Conservative People’s Party, remarked on Britain’s economic future outside of the EU, saying: “Last week, the IMF [International Monetary Fund] was proposing that the UK economy will grow in the next two years after Brexit faster than the Eurozone’s economy.

“So that means that all those Remainers were lying that the UK’s economy would crash. They were lying.”

Mr Madison continued: “If the UK is growing faster than the EU, it means that the EU is doing something very wrong. If we are so successful, why are we so slow and they are so fast?”

The European Parliament passed the Brexit deal 621 to 49 ( 13 abstentions).

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/29/finnish-eurosceptic-brexit-victory-common-people-elite/

Thursday, 16 January 2020

Finally! EU chief Guy Verhofstadt leaves Brexit role after three years of interfering

GUY VERHOFSTADT, who has played a critical role in the Brexit debate, is set to be replaced in his role as Chair of the EU’s Brexit Steering Group and Brexit Coordinator for the European Parliament.

By DARREN HUNT

PUBLISHED: 13:25, Thu, Jan 16, 2020 | UPDATED: 15:02, Thu, Jan 16, 2020

Guy Verhofstadt, Belgium MEP, who was Chair of the EU’s Brexit Steering Group, is set to be replaced in his role. German MEP David McAllister, who is chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is expected to replace the former Belgium Prime Minister. Mr Verhofstadt also served as the European Parliament's Brexit Coordinator in his position.

The EU chief is expected to get a big role in the new 'Conference on the Future of Europe'.

The new position is expected to encourage further engagement within the bloc.

The proposed 'Conference on the Future of Europe' plans to address a range of issues as the bloc seeks to rebuild following Britain’s EU exit.

Both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the blueprint over the future of the Brussels club.

Guy Verhofstadt will leave his role as Chair of the EU's Brexit Steering Group (Image: NC)

Guy Verhofstadt is expected to be placed in a new role (Image: GETTY)

The plans have already been given the seal of approval by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The conference is expected to be headed up by someone who would play a key role between the Commission, Council and Parliament.

“The Conference should commit itself already in the inter-institutional mandate to produce tangible and concrete results," it says.

The plan adds: "The final document with recommendations should be presented to the European Council for debate and implementation."

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron have discussed the future of EU (Image: GETTY)

The proposed plan will see initial talks focus on “EU democratic functioning” and how future leaders are selected.

The plan also pledged a “bottom-up process” which will give EU taxpayers the chance to help shape the future of the Brussels project.

The Franco-German non-paper says: “As proposed by the new European Commission, the process should follow two phases, on the basis of on inter-institutional mandate to be agreed in January 2020.

“The mandate / institutional setting could be simplified for phase 1, to ensure an early start.

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“Phase one would start as early as February 2020, until the summer of 2020, and focus on issues related to EU democratic functioning.”

The conference is expected to be tasked with drafting new EU laws and changes to EU treaties.

Mr Verhofstadt, who is also part of the Renew Europe group, in the European Parliament, has played a key role throughout the Brexit debate.

The EU chief became a frustrating figure among Brexiteers and in documentaries about Britain’s departure from the bloc appeared to play a prominent role behind the scenes.

Ursula von der Leyen's European Commision (Image: NC)

Mr Verhofstadt has been particularly vocal about the rights of EU citizens living in the UK when faced with the threat of Brexit.

In the lead up to the December General Election, Mr Verhofstadt also campaigned alongside the Liberal Democrats, who were fighting to halt Brexit.

But, despite his efforts, Britain overwhelmingly backed Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson who vowed to “get Brexit done”.

Boris Johnson has vowed to deliver Brexit (Image: GETTY)

Mr Johnson secured a thumping majority of 80 in the House of Commons, as the election proved to be the Labour Party’s worst result since the Second World War.

Britain is currently scheduled to officially leave the European Union on January 31 - paving the way for critical trade negotiations to begin.

The UK will then enter a transition period until the end of 2020 - where Prime Minister Johnson aims to secure an agreement with the bloc.

Brexit News European Union https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1229247/Brexit-news-EU-Guy-Verhofstadt-European-Union-Brexit-Steering-Group

BREXIT and beyond ....