John Baron MP: The Twelve Days of the European Union – 8

8 – 8%: the Percentage of UK votes in the EU Council of Ministers

As we approach the final furlong to the EU referendum, and with the necessary apologies to the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, John Baron MP is sharing his ‘Twelve Days of the European Union’, setting out why we should vote to leave on 23rd June. Further daily instalments to follow.

Under the current arrangements, the UK only has an 8% vote share in the EU’s Council of Ministers – this is down from 17% when Britain first joined in 1973. This means that Britain finds it harder to stop unwanted EU measures. Indeed, since 1996, Britain has strongly opposed over 70 measures in the Council of Ministers. It was outvoted on each occasion, and every one of these measures subsequently became UK law.

John said,

“Only by leaving the EU will we properly regain democratic control of our country. The inability to stop unwanted EU taxes, measures and legislation demonstrates the extent to which the UK has ceded sovereignty to Brussels. The EU’s imposition of the tampon tax is an example. We must use the vote on 23rd June to claim our sovereignty back.”

Quote of the Day:
‘The European Union is a state under construction’
(Elmar Brok MEP, 1980-)