David Cameron’s Virtual Renegotiation

Have you seen Dave’s EU “renegotiation” demands?

Why didn’t someone tell him that good negotiators start high and concede little? Not start low and go virtual.

Let’s look at the four main demands he has sent by letter to the European Union:

Protection of the single market for Britain and other non-euro countries

Does he really think it makes sense to be in a club where the other members discriminate against us. Of course they’ll agree to this or be accused of discrimination. Or is he saying they are discriminating now? Smoke and mirrors.

Boosting competitiveness by setting a target for the reduction of the “burden” of red tape

They’ve already committed to this very vague aspiration so there is no need for renegotiation. In fact it’s rather dishonest of Cameron to pretend he has won a negotiating point when Brussels had already decided to blitz red tape. “Move along, nothing to see here”.

Exempting Britain from “ever-closer union” and bolstering national parliaments

Except that the government can still opt in to regulations piecemeal. Which means that we will continue to vehemently implement every regulation that fits their agenda whether or not it is good for the British people (remember us Dave?).

Restricting EU migrants’ access to in-work benefits such as tax credits

But continuing to pay out of work benefits. So immigrants are incentivised to stay at home watching Sky TV rather than get a job. And this is what he wants to negotiate? No thanks!

We really do need to vote OUT, if and when we get a referendum.
(Big IF, I’ll believe it when I see it).