Britannist

The Times online are asking people for their views on the French-backed plot to ambush and strip the UK of its annual rebate from the EU. As expected, the French intend that while the British (who helped save them in the Second World War) lose over £3 billion a year, they (the French) don’t pay end up paying in any more money to the EU themselves :evil: :x :shock: .

In fact, although the devious and shallow French political 'elite' falsely claim they want the British rebate money to go to the 8 new eastern european EU states instead – they’ll actually be angling for a modest cut of the money stolen from the UK for themselves if they can get away with it :evil: .

Below are some of the opinions posted onto the Times online earlier (maximum 250 words for each entry):


Should Britain give up its EU rebate?
Britain has said that it is prepared to sacrifice its 4.6 billion euro rebate, but only if France is ready to scale back farming subsidies, which account for 40 per cent of the EU budget. Other countries, including France, have warned Britain that it must not move away from the draft budget outlined in June. Margaret Thatcher secured the rebate in 1984 as compensation for France receiving a quarter of the agricultural funds. Is it right for Britain to insist that France's subsidies are cut before it gives up the rebate? Send us your views using the form below. Your replies will be posted here (on the Times Online website).


Quite right. For too long we have subsidised the French agricultural theme park. Why not simply say to Brussels that our net EU contribution per capita will be exactly the same as France's and forget the rebate? If the French want ongoing huge subsidies for ailing unproductive agriculture they can raise their own taxes. Colin King, Shrewsbury

Britain and France being the older members of the European Union should set an example to the younger ones. On what grounds can France and Britain continue to have unfair subsidies. If there have to be any subsidies then the newer countries with lower per capita incomes than France and Britain, deserve them more. However, we should be getting away from any subsidies. Britain should give up its EU rebate only if France and others give up their subsidies. Vinay Mehra, Purley

If the Common Agricultural Policy was reformed, there would be no need to give up the rebate as all member countries could make smaller contributions. Unfortunately France still seems to think that the EC is run for their benefit, so will not give up their massive farming subsidy. If there is to be give and take, the French have to bear some of the pain, not just the British tax payer. David Leslie, Crieff

No. The rebate was honestly and fairly negotiated to reflect a severe imbalance in our contributions at a time when the CAP unduly favoured other major members of the Union. Nothing has changed in that the CAP still provides huge sums to a few large and wealthy members for no better reason than it suits the internal politics of those countries. We should use the rebate as a weapon to negotiate a new basis of farm and countryside subsidies reflecting our major current objectives of supporting conservation, good practice, high quality, diversity, hedges, headlands, wild flora and fauna and woodland regeneration and not barley barons, tobacco, sugar beat and poor quality grapes and wine. Frank Macdonald Wood, Torridon, Wester Ross

Why should we give up the rebate? We have the second largest economy and we make the second largest contribution to the EU's budget. I see no reason why we should contribute more. Given that EU agricultural tariffs impoverish third world countries and force poor people within the UK to pay more for their food I can see reason for change there. Tom Archer, Lanark

Not only should Britain maintain the link between its euro rebate and the question of French farming subsidies but Tony Blair should make it absolutely clear that the matter is non-negotiable! The original agreement reached in 1984 linked the two issues and nothing has changed. Keith Downer, London

Our rebate from the EU is simply recognition of the fact that we pay well over our share for membership. If anything the EU should be increasing the rebate to encourage us to stay in. I'd just as soon keep the whole lot, and go our own way. We're not getting our money's worth out of the arrangement, even with the rebate. Dominic Graham de Montrose, London
The majority of the French farm receipts from Europe go to multinational agribusinesses and wealthy individuals. This seems totally unnecessary. It is pathetic that Europe, and in particular Germany, allows this to happen. David Smart, Mayfield

Of course it is right for Tony Blair to tie the subject of our rebate to that of reforming the CAP. Unfortunately he will probably do no such thing and capitulate as usual. Ken Webb, London