Apparently, some German cove by the name of Martin Schulz, described by Mary Ellen Synon at The Coffee House as "the unpleasant German socialist president of the European Parliament", is plotting to take advantage of EU rules which would allow MEPs to vote in secret on a motion to reject Dave's hard won EU budget cuts. All I can say is 'alle Macht Ihnen, Martin, old boy' ('all power to you') and I offer those words of encouragement for two reasons. First, you will confirm my suspicion that European politicians are even more stupid than ours; and second, you will do more to aid the departure of Britain from your rotten edifice than any other single act.
Of course, my readers, being by definition more intelligent than average (yes, I know, flattery will get me anywhere!), will already suspect the existence of personal motivations lying behind Herr Shulz's machinations. As Ms. Synon informs us:
So, as I say, the parliament trying to veto Cameron’s ‘triumph’ is something stronger than a rumor. But if it’s rumor you want, try this: a confrontation with the Council is part of Schulz’s plan to be the next president of the European Commission. He appears to want to present himself as the champion of – typical left-winger – solidarity, which he calls ‘the key value underpinning the European Union’. If he can line himself up as the anti-Cameron, there are enough ‘anti-nationalists’ who would want him to lead the Commission as insurance against any increase of Council powers at the expense of the Commission.
Well, go to it, 'Shultzy', old lad, I'm behind you all the way. The collapse of this budget and its replacement by one that increases in size should guarantee a 2-to-1 vote in favour of withdrawal at our referendum.