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For generations there has been a growing concern within the UK that the nation's sovereignty is being covertly
handed to unelected officials in Europe. In my time
as a Member of the English parliament
this situation became glaringly obvious. Having voted consistently against EU measures (at times dissenting from my own Conservative party), I joined the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and ultimately became a Vice President. Since then, under the dynamic leadership of Nigel Farage,
UKIP has gained greatly
in stature, which reflects
the growing disillusion with the major parties.
In the mid
20th Century, following the devastation
of two world wars only 19 years apart, Britain and Europe understandably wanted to avoid further conflict. Led by Jean Marie
Monnet, leaders proposed a united
Europe, with Germany and France providing
the main axis of power in a European Union (EU) that would itself
be tightly squeezed between the two post war superpowers.
Of necessity
the European superstate required the eradication of
nation states. But as such consolidation threatened national identities,
the EU had to be formed gradually and surreptitiously. Allegedly,
Monnet said, "Europe's
nations should be guided towards the superstate without their people understanding what is happening. This can be accomplished
by successive steps, each
disguised as having an economic purpose, but will eventually and irreversibly lead to federation."
Stealthily, the European Coal and
Steel Community
(EC&SC), evolved into
the European Economic Community (EEC) and eventually into the European Union (EU).
The EU is the world's largest economy and contains more than 500 million
people, but is run by an unelected President and Commissioners who are 'observed' partially by an elected parliament with virtually no effective
power.
For centuries the UK has been involved in Europe but never as
a contingent part of the continent. Today, even while the nation is not technically part of the
Union, some eighty
percent of its legislation
is mandated by the EU. From my perspective, the famed UK Parliament has been reduced to merely a regional council.
Referenda concerning
EU participation were usually
only offered in countries
with net receipts of funding where a positive vote was anticipated. The British,
net creditors, were given no choice. However, in last year's election, all three major UK
parties promised a referendum on further EU integration. None
has yet materialized. Instead Prime Minister Cameron
has "volunteered" some
$15 billion to help salvage the Eurozone! The result is that
most British voters are frustrated and increasingly angry. Almost 60 percent want an 'in-out' referendum.
UKIP is
not anti-European. Rather,
it seeks withdrawal from the EU and, like other countries including Switzerland, wants to negotiate its own treaty
with the EU. Although accused of being a single issue
party, it has policies on
all major issues. In essence it stands for small government, strong defense, a sound currency, small business job creation and
individual freedom. On
the surface its contours roughly
mimic the Tea Party here in the U.S.
Initially, UKIP was ignored by politicians and the
media. However, under the
brilliant and charismatic
leadership of Nigel Farage, it
has become a real force in elected
politics. Polls show it as the third national party with twelve MEP's,
four members of the House of Lords, numerous local councilors and several former ministers and MP's, including me, among its candidates.
As British voters
begin to realize the hidden costs of debilitating alien regulations imposed by the EU, they will turn
to UKIP as the only real opposition.
Today, both the
Conservatives and Socialists are contemplating granting a
referendum or even a direct deal with UKIP on Europe to stop their
voter losses. As a result,
UKIP is wielding greater power and is the party
to watch in Britain.
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