I am Belgian. Wilma is Swiss. Shadow was born in the UK but has an Austrian mother and a Swiss father. You can probably guess from that what my thoughts on Europe might be. We don’t get chance to vote next week, which is a whole different issue, however, I thought I would bring you what our Mistress wrote on Facebook yesterday.
I do not normally get involved in political discussions on FB but some things are too important to sit back and ignore. I cannot watch the false ‘facts’ from leaflets being put through our doors being relied on by people to make a decision and say nothing.
The European Referendum next week is one of the most important events in my lifetime. The decision we reach will shape the future for all of us.
Money between the UK and EU is NOT one way. The EU spends substantial sums on investment in our country. The weekly sum quoted as ‘payment to the EU’ is therefore misleading. It is the net amount which would be relevant, but that would not tell the same story.
Countries ‘applying’ for EU membership does not mean they will be given membership either now or at any time in the future. There is no right to join, it is not an open club that anyone can sign up to without detailed consideration.
Of course people migrate to the UK from the EU but UK citizens benefit from being able to live and work in the EU on the same basis. We spent two very happy years living in Belgium and many of our friends have worked in other European countries for a period. This is not one way traffic. Many own property in other European countries and benefit in other regards. An open Europe is to everyone’s benefit.
As to VAT – this is set by our Government. Yes, it does raise money to pay our bill for the EU but we decide the rate. We have decided to zero rate essentials such as food and books, other countries do not do that. We have chosen the reduced rates on other areas that are considered too important to tax at the higher rate. If you look outside the EU, other countries have a sales tax as well, this is not something that would simply disappear.
We have no assurance that we will have free trade with other countries in Europe if we withdraw. Yes, we are signed up to the European Economic Area but we are signed up as part of the EU signing, we do not have separately negotiated terms. The EEA is open to those countries within the EU and those who have negotiated separately. We would not be one of them! Joining would not be guaranteed. There is no precedent for what would happen, but the idea that it will continue as now is a myth!
Please, if you do not understand the issues do not listen to those who are trying to manipulate you into their racist and separatist point of view. Either research the facts from reliable sources (not FB, not the media, not misleading leaflets through your door, not politicians with a personal agenda – try research institutes, academic research bodies etc). And if you don’t want to do that please vote to remain and work to change the parts you don’t like from within.
There is one other point I want you to think about too. We are a small breed in the UK we need puppy immigration to widen our gene pool. There is a lobby which seeks to increase the age at which puppies can come to the UK in an attempt to cut down on some of the illegal trafficking. Effectively they want to clamp down on the ones doing it right in an attempt to stop the ones getting round the rules, go figure! Anyway, if we were not in the EU anymore it would be far easier for this argument to hold sway and that would be a disaster for us. Please, if you are voting next week, for the sake of us dogs, if not for common sense vote to stay as part of the EU.
You can find short stories to read at www.alfiedog.com
Alfie’s Diary – the Book as well as our other books are available HERE