Irony in German quote
I FOUND it ironic that Andy McWilliam (“Remoaners think they know better than others” (Letters April 11) wrote in his last paragraph “Well, we don’t want to live in Greater Germany, no matter how much we admire them”.
There is indeed a danger that Germany will become the dominant power in Europe and establish Europe as a military power outside of NATO. Our presence in the EU helped to ensure that German domination could not happen.
I think some quotes from Churchill’s speech in Zurich on 19th September 1946 are apposite:
“Yet it is from Europe that have sprung that series of frightful nationalistic quarrels, originated by the Teutonic nations, which we have seen even in this twentieth century and in our own lifetime, wreck the peace and mar the prospects of all mankind.”
“What is this sovereign remedy? It is to re-create the European Family, or as much of it as we can, and provide it with a structure under which it can dwell in peace, in safety and in freedom. We must build a kind of United States of Europe.”
The UK has prospered as a member of the EU and prior to the Brexit vote had one of the highest rates of economic growth in the developed world. I believe the benefits of membership have far outweighed the minimal costs. My statement from HMRC, breaking down how my tax contributed
to public spending in the last tax year, shows that, from every £100 of tax paid, 70p went to the EU budget.
Mr. McWilliam also highlighted the growth of populist nationalism in Europe, best exemplified by Hungary. The Hungarian Prime Minister advocates “Illiberal Democracy” and cites Singapore, Russia, Turkey, and China as successful examples. It would seem that Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy and Franco’s Spain might also meet the criteria.
In the UK our Liberties (rights of the individual and the rule of law) are far older than democracy, which only became fully extant in 1928 when all women got the vote, and protect individuals from unjust treatment by governments, both monarchical and parliamentary. Without the protection of Human Rights the “will of the majority” can easily become the “tyranny of the majority”.
There is an old saying “United we stand, divided we fall”. I therefore continue to campaign to remain in a European Union as I believe it provides the best means of protecting and promoting Liberal Democracy and is our best safeguard against “Illiberal Democracy” throughout Europe.