I don’t know just how badly the Hungarian government is violating the EU “rules”. There are certainly things we would not accept here in the UK. On the other hand, Orban’s government has repeatedly been re-elected. We cannot just dismiss an elected government we do not like as “undemocratic”.
But what I do know is that the EU itself is quite incapable of following the standards it purports to enforce regarding democracy (unelected commission), accountability and corruption (agricultural subsidy fraud, unaudited accounts). The EU needs to set a better example before trying to set itself up as any authority in these areas.
It’s not just the EU bureaucracy, but us too.
Some years ago I was once interviewed for a senior job with a government agency to manage the EU subsidies that go to landowners in the U.K. I was invited to look round the office and talk to a few people. It was classic civil service, and quite depressing. I’d done my research too, and discovered how awful they were at calculating and distributing these subsidies – the NAO produced scathing reports about them.
So I deliberately failed the interview. As I left, at 5pm, the massive queues to leave the building by 5pm meant I had to wait a while – reflecting positively on my decision.
Last edited 1 year ago by Ian Stewart
Laura Creighton
1 year ago
Anybody else reading this as the EU has a very hard time understanding that there are things people want more than money?
Last edited 1 year ago by Laura Creighton
R Wright
1 year ago
The Commission has no right to lecture anyone about democracy.
Ian Barton
1 year ago
If the EU break their rules it’s “unofficial flexibility” – when others do it, they call it “corruption”.
Dermot O'Sullivan
1 year ago
The article’s last question doesn’t need to be answered – we have a fair idea why!
Martin Brumby
1 year ago
Having pondered the EU (and particularly the EC,)’s workings for many years, I think that their only practical use is (like the Green Party), a handy guide to correct policy.
As in, anything they say, propose, support; is almost always tendentious, eggregious, nonsensical, corrupt rubbish.
Head off at 180° and you’ll very likely be correct.
I don’t know just how badly the Hungarian government is violating the EU “rules”. There are certainly things we would not accept here in the UK. On the other hand, Orban’s government has repeatedly been re-elected. We cannot just dismiss an elected government we do not like as “undemocratic”.
But what I do know is that the EU itself is quite incapable of following the standards it purports to enforce regarding democracy (unelected commission), accountability and corruption (agricultural subsidy fraud, unaudited accounts). The EU needs to set a better example before trying to set itself up as any authority in these areas.
It’s not just the EU bureaucracy, but us too.
Some years ago I was once interviewed for a senior job with a government agency to manage the EU subsidies that go to landowners in the U.K. I was invited to look round the office and talk to a few people. It was classic civil service, and quite depressing. I’d done my research too, and discovered how awful they were at calculating and distributing these subsidies – the NAO produced scathing reports about them.
So I deliberately failed the interview. As I left, at 5pm, the massive queues to leave the building by 5pm meant I had to wait a while – reflecting positively on my decision.
Anybody else reading this as the EU has a very hard time understanding that there are things people want more than money?
The Commission has no right to lecture anyone about democracy.
If the EU break their rules it’s “unofficial flexibility” – when others do it, they call it “corruption”.
The article’s last question doesn’t need to be answered – we have a fair idea why!
Having pondered the EU (and particularly the EC,)’s workings for many years, I think that their only practical use is (like the Green Party), a handy guide to correct policy.
As in, anything they say, propose, support; is almost always tendentious, eggregious, nonsensical, corrupt rubbish.
Head off at 180° and you’ll very likely be correct.