Britannia Radio

: Better Off Out's news breakdown 19.04.2013

 

EU news 19 April, 2013 Dear Margaret,      The thoughts and prayers of many concentrated on Baroness Thatcher this week as her funeral was held in central London. During the day of the service, The Freedom Association hosted an event that gave a large number of people the opportunity to pay their respects. This included various supporters of the Better Off Out campaign and proved a very fitting tribute. It was also a week when UK commentators from across the political spectrum were united in their condemnation of the EU system. As news broke that the EU's climate change system is near to collapse, writers from the New Statesman to the Daily Telegraph lined up to make their criticisms. There was also significant disproval over plans for the EU to have access to UK police files, which could include the witness statements, DNA samples and fingerprints given by UK nationals.    The week also saw confirmation that Iceland has signed the first European free trade deal with China and that Switzerland has the greatest capacity for innovation in Europe. Both achieved without EU membership and demonstrating that, while countries within the EU are suffering, other nations are free to prosper.       The week in review:   EU climate change policy in crisis after MEPs vote against high CO2 prices    Bruno Waterfield writes in the Daily Telegraph that the EU's climate change policy is on the brink of collapse today after MEPs torpedoed Europe's flagship CO2 emissions trading scheme. EU cap-and-trade system left to die by EU parliament    Alex Hern condems the EU for its carbon trading scheme in The New Statesman and welcomes its near collapse.      EU demands access to police files The EU's crime intelligence agency would be allowed access to private files Iceland signs first European free trade pact with China    Iceland on Monday (15 April) became the first European country to sign a free trade agreement with China after six years of negotiations.   Switzerland: European Innovation Champion    Switzerland once again at the top of the most innovative countries in Europe the Swiss model could play an increasing role as a point of reference for Europe in the years to come. Other developments this week:    EU losing £4 billion of taxpayer cash due to fraud    Cyprus bail-out vote stirs fresh jitters as slump fears grow in Europe:     It is 'never going to be possible' to repatriate EU powers to UK     France threatens US trade veto over culture    You have received this email because you have indicated that you'd like to receive information from the Better Off Out campaign. If you wish to unsubscribe, please emailrory@tfa.net   With kind regards, Rory Broomfield Deputy Director, The Freedom Association Director, Better Off Out