John Baron MP warns of Eurozone tinderbox

MP questions support for EU’s anti-democratic policy and Government trade policies

Today in the House of Commons during Foreign and Commonwealth Questions, John Baron MP pressed the Foreign Secretary on the Government’s support for the anti-democratic stance of Eurozone politicians, and on why the Government wasn’t diverting EU Budget money into furthering trade relationships with the Commonwealth. John is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

John said:

“EU politicians are failing to recognise that the Eurozone is a dead man walking. Given the effective suspension of democracy in at least two countries, and a deepening democratic deficit across the Eurozone as politicians break the rules in order to try to save the Euro and their dream of political union, why is Britain supporting the anti-democratic zeal of these politicians as they make worse this self made crisis?”

The Rt. Hon. William Hague MP responded by pointing out that the majority of people in Greece still want to be part of the Euro.

John said afterwards:

“Support for the austerity packages to save the Euro in these periphery countries is fast dwindling – as our televisions screens testify. Meanwhile, support for the bailouts is deeply unpopular in Germany. Worse still, democracy has been suspended in a number of countries. This makes for a dangerous tinderbox.”

John also quizzed the Foreign Secretary as to why more resources weren’t being diverted to the Commonwealth, and away from the EU Budget.

John asked:

“Will the Government divert some of the extra £ billions we are once again about to throw at an inflated EU Budget into furthering trade relationships with the Commonwealth? Growing markets together with a shared language, legal and accounting systems suggest this is a no-brainer”

The Foreign Secretary said trade with the Commonwealth was increasing but chose not to answer the question.

John said afterwards:

“It is a nonsense that we could be contributing an extra £21 billion over the next seven year period to an already inflated EU Budget, when trade with the Commonwealth could mushroom with such support given that is faster growing, more accountable and transparent.”