Time for him to start answering questions and
provide Facts not bland statements
Leaving the EU will be the biggest 'gamble' in
my lifetime.
UKIP is rather effective at
using scaremongering tactics, pointing out the problems within the European
Union (EU) and merely exploiting peoples’ unhappiness with the current state of
British politics. But when challenged as to what life would be like for Wales,
its people, industries and communities outside the EU they have no answer.
So we must constantly
challenge UKIP and the Tory euro-sceptics to tell the Welsh people what is their
future outside the EU going to be when it comes to investment, economic growth,
the future for businesses such as agriculture, the rural economy and so on all not
just give us platitudes and vague generalities.
With so much uncertainty why
take such a leap in the dark? Why risk and place in jeapordy what we know and have now? Come
the day after the Referendum if the vote will be a Yes to stay in the EU then we know where we are. Life goes on and some changes to our
relationship might have been secured through negotiations. But should the vote
be No and thereby leave the EU what then? There will be no going back. Not like leaving a golf club, a political
party or a relationship.
For sure it would be a messy and
protracted exit. The Lisbon Treaty allows some 2 years or so for such an
eventuality but the EU is not noted for arriving at quick decisions. Certainly
in this situation and with 28 members states involved and a very wide range of
agreements, protocols, trade agreements and other international relationships
to sort out the exit negotiations between Britain and the EU are likely to go
on for longer than that.
Consider the uncertainty and impact on
investment, the financial markets, the value of sterling, business and
commerce, the outflows of capital and labour and much more.
So what do we know?
The UK is part of a market
of 500 million people and we have Free Trade Agreements with 50 other
countries. Half of what we sell some £226bn goes to the EU and 3 million jobs
are linked to the trade with the 28 countries. In return over £26bn per year is
invested in the UK by the EU countries.
In Wales between 2007 and
2013 the EU Structural Fund has had a tangible effect on our quality of life.
There has been an investment of over £1.9bn covering some 290 projects,
representing £3.7bn of total project investment. This investment has helped to
deliver important benefits for people, businesses, the environment, and
communities. This investment has assisted over 190,000 people to gain
qualifications and over 62,800 into work. In addition around 30,000 jobs have
been created and over 10,400 enterprises supported. Already a further £2bn
package of support has been agreed for the period up to 2020.
So how much money and investment does Mr Farage envisage can be afforded by a British Government to spend in Wales on all these projects after we have left the EU?
A recent study by Agra
Europe outlined a worrying future for agriculture and the rural economy should
Britain leave the EU. Currently the farming industry receives between £3.5bn
and £4bn in financial support. In this report it is envisaged that according to
the UK Government’s own figures outside the EU the level of support would fall
to just over £1bn. On that basis the future for the rural economy in Wales will
be bleak outside the European Union.
So how much many does Mr Farage envisage will be spent on supporting Welsh agriculture and the rural economy after Britain leaves the EU
These set of questions have been compiled by Peter Sain Ley Berry and there are many, many more to come later Mr Farage!
Can UKIP give some examples of the laws 'contrived and enforced from
Brussels' that you think would be rescinded if Britain left the EU?
Equal pay laws for example, should those be scrapped?
Laws on pesticides or chemicals?
Laws on animal movement and animal welfare?
Laws on clean beaches?
Would UKIP want to see these laws scrapped? And if so what would replace them? How would that be an improvement?
What is the basis by which UKIP assume that
access to the Single Market will be free of cost to Britain after we have left?
Why is it that eurosceptics can't grasp that the trade question is not
about whether we can buy German cars? The trade question is about the terms on
which we can sell them our financial services (and everything else).
Why does Norway (outside the EU) pay more per head to the EU then Britain?
The EU (which includes us of course) lays down standards. These form
the bulk of the 'laws' supposedly originating in the EU. If Britain don't adhere
to these standards we shan't be able to sell our goods not just in the EU but
to many other countries that use European standards. If we pull out we shall
have no influence on these standards. Reality is like Norway, Switzerland and
others Britain will just have to accept what is handed down to us - so much for
being ‘free’ and 'independent!.
If leaving the EU is such a good idea, why is Germany not wishing to leave
the EU? On the arguments put forward by UKIP and the ‘Vote Leave’ campaign they would have even more to gain than we would.
If Leaving the EU is such a good idea why is it that the only world
leader wanting us to leave is President Putin? While President Obama, Indian
Prime Minister and the Chinese President have implored Britain many times to
remain in the EU.
How will leaving the EU improve the position of British and Wales in relation to scientific and technological research
Leaving the EU will destabilise Europe. Is this what Britain wants - a
destabilised Continent on our doorstep at a time when we face great pressures
from migration, international terrorism and climate change?