The New European must continue after Brexit is rejected to provide news about the EU neglected by our mainstream media and, also, to campaign to reform our archaic parliament and voting system.
Take the processes established by our parliament pre-referendum to scrutinise EU legislation. They were subject to only minor reforms despite the various changes made to the EU since we joined in 1973.
Denmark’s parliament, by contrast, established a European Affairs Committee that its government must submit for approval the policy proposals and negotiating position it aims to take at forthcoming EU summits. The proposals are also analysed by the appropriate parliamentary committees responsible for the policy areas affected.
This high level of open scrutiny both before and after summits ensures the government is held fully to account in its dealings with the EU. The proceedings are televised and broadcast over the internet.
The result is that Danish MPs and the public are better informed about the EU and what’s been done in their interest. Reflected in EC Eurobarometer opinion polls showing in 2016 that 63% of Danes considered their voice counted in the EU (now 80%) against only 35% of Brits.
If UK voters had been similarly informed about the importance of the EU, as is now happening, it is likely they would have voted to reject Brexit – saving the country from a great deal of trouble and expense.
Roger Hinds
Coulsdon
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