[Wynonie Harris]

Although I agree that Maastricht was (in my view) yet another disastrous move towards a European superstate, I don't see how it affected our rebate which has still remained intact until now. The Government originally said that the rebate was not up for renegotiation...which has proved to be a lie. Then that the rebate would only be cut in return for cuts in CAP...which turned out to be another lie and was always going to prove difficult anyway, as Blair had already agreed to the CAP budget until 2013 three years ago. However, he should have grasped the nettle and told Chirac and the rest of them that if they didn't agree to reopen CAP talks, he'd simply pack his bags and come home. But of course, all he's bothered about is his "legacy" as a good European, then of course, there might be that cushy EU job in the future just like his mates, Mandy and Kinnock.

As for corruption, yes, it exists in any bureaucratic organisation, but not on the same breathtakingly grand scale as it does in the EU. But, of course, that'll be cut by "the new security measures coming into place next April." Just in time to see a phalanx of pigs floating over the European parliament.

And, quite frankly, I don't want to live in some kind of federal state based on the US model. I'm reasonably happy with our present arrangement, despite its many faults. I would, however, like to see a government that shows just a little bit of mettle by starting to reclaim some of the many powers that the EU have taken away from us.

I do agree with you, though, that there has been a conspicuous absence of political party members contributing to this thread...I wonder why?