“Cameron’s talk about the reformed European Union is where hyperbole tips into dishonesty” Christopher Booker

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time but ….” Abraham Lincoln

Prime Minister David Cameron has concluded negotiations with EU representatives on the new terms that will govern the UK’s continued membership of the European Union. Prior to last year’s General Election, Mr.Cameron promised that a new deal seeking reform, including the transfer of significant executive power back to Westminster from Brussels, would be secured prior to asking the British people to vote on whether to remain in or leave the EU. The referendum will be held on the 23rd June – here’s the deal offered by the European Council, but subject to ratification by the other member states and the EU courts.

• Welfare Benefits for EU immigrants – to be temporarily limited, subject to European Commission approval.
• Discrimination – Britain will not be discriminated against because it is a non-Eurozone country, subject to European Council review if there’s a dispute.
• Working hours – the EU remains in control of working hours regulation.
• EU budgets and waste – no prospect of a change in ways.
• Child Benefit – paid to EU migrants with children living abroad – payments to continue.
• Sham marriages and illegal working – no change
• Unwanted legislation – if 55% proportionately of EU parliaments object to a piece of legislation, the European Council will hold a “comprehensive discussion” on the objections.
• Ever closer union(federal government) – it will be recognised that the future use of the term “ever closer union” shall not apply to the UK.
• Security – deportation of known terrorists; taking suspects past conduct into account could be sufficient grounds to act!
• Monetary union (the euro) – whilst the EU’s main objective is to establish “an economic and monetary union”, it is also stated that “not all member states have the euro as their currency” – at present? 

So there it is, a range of cosmetic, unenforceable platitudes which have zero effect on improving the UK’s ability to govern itself and control its borders. The electorate of the world’s fifth largest economy are not fooled by this charade – it is neither a vote nor a referendum winner.