EU not willing to offer alternatives

Sir, – There have been some interesting articles and TV news excerpts recently.

President Macron of France has said the EU needs to reform.

The EU Parliament, assembling for its monthly jaunt to Strasbourg, was attended by Jean-Claude Juncker, who had a speech to give.

He complained bitterly that there were only some 46 (out of a possible 700 plus) MEPs present to hear him, and was severely rebuked by the senior MEP present.

This was followed by an argument – in English – about who controlled whom.

A senior EU negotiator has said “not possible” to the UK’s stance on trade, customs rights, migrant issues and other matters, but offers no alternative suggestions outwith current EU law and practices.

The old Soviet “nyet”.

There would have to be a manned border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

We had that since before 1969 – until a few years ago.

Legal and criminal activity used the checkpoints, the IRA (to be inclusive) tended not to.

On this publication’s farming pages, the EU’s obstructive attitudes to vital food production makes dismal reading.

And they are now worrying about the loss of our financial contribution to the Common Agricultural Policy.

The EU has given itself the power to levy fines for various “discrepancies” within member states’ administrative responsibilities.

Ignoring its own

shortcomings, particularly with finance.

And finally, they want to build a new EU Parliament building in Brussels that will cost only a few million euros.

But, surely Strasbourg will require enlargement as well? A sop to Macron? Jobs for French builders?

Do we really need this?