Jim Murphy

Mr Murphy, brbrI see that the government and the mainstream British politicians, particularly of the two major parties, continue to see the EU mainly in economic terms. Isn't it time to move on? After all, the EU changed its name from EEC to EU over a decade ago, if my memory is correct. Don’t see how the rather one-sided EU debate in this country is going to evolve if the EU is almost always portrayed in economic terms.brbrWith regards to the EU playing a 'truly global role', two things: 1. To the extent that it is possible, I think it already does. 2. In any case, not sure how this global role could be enhanced in any shape or form if any EU decisions on any global issue have to be made by unanimity of 27 countries, something which, of course, constitutes one of the key UK's red lines, i.e. no QMV on EU Foreign Policy. So, Mr. Murphy, it's either one or the other, but I'm afraid, you i.e. the British government cannot have it both ways.brbrFinally, I find your comment about 'commitment to free trade and openness' quite mystifying, to say the least. I still have to hear or read any reaction from the British government to such a key EU milestone as the Schengen expansion to the east in December 2007 to become a borderless area of 24 countries. I have looked through these FCO blogs, but nope, 'no comment', a wall of silence. If the UK cannot open itself to Schengen, it seems to me that a ‘commitment to openness' sounds like empty 'econometric' rethoric. As the British mainstream political parties continue to see the EU largely in 'econometric terms', perhaps, in relation to the UK's opt-out from Schengen let's not forget, the only EU country out of 27 EU members to voluntarily opt-out from this key EU pillar it is worth reminding ourselves and the pro-free market UK what elements are required for a free and single market to fully exist within the EU or anywhere:brbr1. Labour - Hence freedom of movement of workers within the EUbr2. Goods - Hence freedom of movement of goods inside the EUbr3. Capital - Hence freedom of movement of capital br4. And finally, the most important one: PEOPLE, i.e. consumers of goods and services. Hence, TRUE freedom of movement of people = SCHENGEN Please don't tell me that there is true freedom of movement of people if you have to queue to show your passport for 40 minutes at midnight as it happened to me last summer OR you have to apply for a visa to travel to another EU country if you are a non-EU national but legally resident and taxpayer in an EU country brbrPerhaps the UK doesn't truly believe in FREE markets after all?. I can only bring here an old proverb that I learnt in my youth: ‘Tell me what you boast of and I’ll tell you what you are lacking’

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