In what will be a series of pieces today, we will first look at Booker's report on Cameron's attempt to duck the issue on Norway and the EEA. Mind you, perhaps we shouldn't bother. Elsewhere, Myrtle is telling us that "no British Eurosceptic is proposing that we copy Norway".

But how typical that is that Myrtle should put himself at the centre of the known universe. Anyone who doesn't think the same as himself simply doesn't exist. In Hannan's putrid little world, only the views of a relatively small number of like-minded politicians matter.

In an alternative reality, however, when David Cameron is not busy with his plans to allow one woman bishop to marry another woman bishop, he tells us – with the aid of a rather tasteless joke about tantric sex – that he is going to make a very important speech in the new year about Britain's relationship with "Europe".

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I must stop looking at Hannan's blog. The red mist stops me reading it properly.

The little I remember from my school history lessons was the importance of this country holding "the balance of power in Europe". Maybe leaving the EU and joining Norway and whoever in a free trade agreement would go some way towards regaining some of that importance? Interesting times ahead!

Good point ... with the UK as a member, it need not necessarily be a static organisation. Furthermore, it would make sense for others to join - most certainly Ireland. Perhaps Denmark might join, with some of the Baltics. Sweden might also be a candidate.

Yes ... essentially, though, I was talking about the EEA, which stems from 1992. However, it would make sense, over term, to ditch the EEA and roll the agreement into EFTA (should we be able to bring Switzerland on board), then expanding the members and negotiating a new agreement with the EU. I'm not saying that that is the best or only option, but it is an option.

Yes Dr. N [um sorry] and indeed you (and Booker) make good points.

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This appeals to me and no doubt most "outers" would approve as well. We must try and get Dave to realise that this is the best way for the UK to go.


Sorry about that, I got muddled with the quotes.

Edited by user 16 December 2012 12:19:28(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

The effect of Hannan's general position is to encourage people in the belief that the Tories can be reformed from within and are therefore, generally, eurosceptics should vote for them. That's the Judas goat aspect, helping bait the honey trap for eurosceptics the Tories present. He isn't alone in this.

In this case, his article helps demolish the Norway fax democracy nonsense, so I can't see what's particularly wrong with it.

Too analytical, far too analytical. Even for politicians and decision makers much of the argument takes place in a very superficial level.

Cameron's produced this terrible ogre, leaving the EU, being part of the single market and having no say in what's inflicted upon us; being reduced to the fax democracy of Norway or a greater Switzerland.

Immediately, most people can't see much wrong with Norway or Switzerland, so he's arguing uphill.

You've pointed out that the fax democracy stuff is bollocks, because most of the important directives are produced by international bodies and the EU passes them down. Norway has a voice at these bodies.

WfW has pointed out the Norway can and has rejected directives it can't stomach.

Hannan has pointed out that they read the faxes, chuck most of them in the bin and the ones they do implement are largely things about labelling products which probably make sense and they may as well go along with.

Altogether, Cameron's monster becomes a Wizard of Oz creation, lose the fear and there's a genial old bloke you can deal with reasonably.

Hannan's pointing out that Norway and Switzerland are particular cases which may be illustrative in dealing with the EU, but the UK isn't Norway or Switzerland and we have our own strengths to play to and weaknesses to guard.

Bilateral agreements and so on are worth thinking about but a bit theoretical at this point.

Take the article as another torpedo into the sinking Yamato of Dave's view of 'Europe'.