[Me & X] Brexit, the EU and Elon
X : What do you think of Elon's suggestion that the EU should break up for reasons of sovereignty?
Me : I think we let the US go first.
X : But you were in favour of Brexit?
Me : Yes. Still am. My preferred solution was always EEA docked to EFTA as proposed by Professor George Yarrow. Unfortunately, that was messed up by some pretty daft "red lines" such as getting rid of freedom of movement and the legal consensus that formed that the UK was no longer an EEA contracting party.
X : But your argument was about sovereignty?
Me : Still is. I have no issue with the European Parliament but I don't agree with how the European Commission operates. There's another topic to explore which will lead you to the DiEM (Democracy in Europe Movement). The EC is problematic in how it controls the legal schedule and horse trades with this. I'm not keen on technocratic control.
X : So, you'd like to see the EU dissolved?
Me : No. I'd like to see the EC become a civil service, the MEPs to control the legislative schedule (as per DiEM) and I'd like to have seen the UK in the EEA docked to EFTA. With 'brexit fatigue', the question of EEA/EFTA (or what was called Norway+) could not be opened easily. So, I'd settle for strong relationships with EU and ideally more freedom of movement for people. Labour is doing a decent job here.
X : What about migration?
Me : UK has a proud history on this topic, it is what made us great. I don't see a problem with it as patriotic sovereignty doesn't mean xenophobia.
X : Do you think EEA/Docked to EFTA would have ever been possible?
Me : With Corbyn? Possibly. Water under the bridge. We got what we voted for which was 'self interest for the few' rather than the many. Labour isn't doing too bad though.
X : What do you think to Elon's statement?
Me : The US meddling in other peoples' business and telling them what to do is fairly normal behaviour.
Originally published on LinkedIn.