There is a lot more to the situation than Merkel's political longevity. In the overall scheme of things individual politicians are only a means to an end, as in useful idiots – not the end itself. Heath, Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown; they all played their part until they had come to the end of their usefulness. The same applies to foreign politicians. Even Hitler played his part in bringing the current political situation about - Heath and Healey both claimed their wartime experiences were behind their enthusiasm for a united Europe.

I see your point but if there is a greater power at work here they need the co-operation of the Germans in the short term. If they cannot get this the Euro will not see the end of the summer let alone being the currency of a united continent!!

The Guardian presents interesting news. It does appear that somebody is orchestrating things from behind the scenes. Are we on the threshold of a new European dictatorship?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/ju ... urope-plan
The Hegelian solution is unveiled:

The deadline for the draft plan is directed by the unelected:

Very strong language here:

Seems all those who do not have to answer to the electorate want to follow a specific and defined course. Sums up the EU in one sentence....

Lets hope Angela Merkel is made of the same sort of stuff Thatcher was!! End of the day she represents the views of the majority of Germans no one else.

For an ex German Minister to suggest that a Eurozone collapse will be of a magnitude of harm to Germany as experienced in 1918 and 1945 is treason of the highest order. Germany will do very well whether it has the Euro or the New D Mark.....

Of all of them Germany has the least to fear from the Euro going down the toilet. Yes it will incur investment losses but no more so than us.... The rest of them simply want access to German money underwriting their lifestyle!!

Are we on the threshold of the unthinkable – a new Reich?
It appears that the UK, US, and the G7 may be quite keen on the idea of a new German Empire http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... l?ITO=1490
Cameron and Osborne have long been arguing for it: And now even Merkel is positioning herself to comply: Isn't amazing how “NO” morphs into “MAYBE” and possibly “YES”? We could almost believe that fiscal and political union was the reason for the economic crisis all along.

Primary legislation already on statute decrees a referendum must be held before any more power is ceded.

This of course would also involve joining the single currency Union...

How do you think that would go?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2155760/Former-Foreign-Secretary-calls-snap-EU-referendum-Britain-faces-joining-single-country-called-Europe-fails-break-shackles-imposed-Brussels.html



Merkel is playing good guy bad guy. It is her and her Government alone which will decide the next steps, she plays for time diplomatically as she doesn't want to go down in history as being the leader which single handedly broke up the Eurozone!!

As I have said before the German people aspire to National Identity almost as much as we do. It will certainly not be an easy task to sell it to them, particularly as they will in the main be the ones expected to pick up the bill.

That should be interesting too.

Will the legislation actually be put in place? I'm not convinced.
How will it be written; and how would it be interpreted if ever the time came to apply it? It will possibly with sufficient obfuscation to ensure the Europhile political elite have their way whatever transpires.

Assuming there was a referendum, then we can be certain there will be no end of scare tactics from within the UK, and the EU, to encourage the electorate to vote to stay in. And if we did vote to leave, then there would be endless refereda until the correct answer was obtained.

What would be the question on a ballot paper; a straight IN/OUT? I doubt it. Probably more obfuscation and confusion.

Judging from past experiences, the political elite haven't exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to listening to and obeying the electorate.

I suspect that Britain will remain within the EU, possibly as a 'reluctant member'. Reluctant as far as the electorate is concerned; but with full enthusiasm of the political elite. These people have invested too much time, effort, and deviousness over several decades to watch their grand project go belly-up now.

will a referendum be offered ? don't forget the last time we should have had one, Tony Blair just went ahead with the smug statement, "this is far to important for the people to decide" and just went ahead and here we are on the outside looking in, with out feet tied together. thank goodness he wont have any influence this time around, as we have returned to some sort of democracy,

_________________
Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

Which is why the Eurosceptic part of the Tory party insisted on the (primary legislation) referendum!! Remember CMD promised a referendum on the Lisbon treaty but as Brown signed it before the Tories came to power. It would have been too complicated and put us in breach of existing treaty to have had one after the fact.

This was a key plank of the coalition agreement. The Lib Dems had to support it otherwise there would have been no coalition.
I know it is easy to say well they promise this but do that but the stark fact exists that no colour government can transfer any further powers without the referendum. To do so breaks the same laws they are in the big house to debate and make!!


http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jun/07/eurozone-crisis-spain-auction-bailout-rescue#block-38



Spain is a notch or two above junk status.....They will be cap in hand to the IMF within a week or two at most.

Question is will the touch austerity measures the Troika placed on Greece happen here?

so can we buy a bank or two from Spain , at a heavy discount now