A Straw man of an argument
12:05pmDavid Davis's op-ed in the Telegraph today on immigration makes an absolutely crucial point about the Learco Chindamo case. As Davis writes,
“On the Today programme yesterday, Jack Straw blamed EU law. But the relevant 2004 EU directive was negotiated on his watch as foreign secretary.”
Politicians have a habit of doing this. They sign onto something from Brussels and then when faced with the consequences of their actions announce “don’t blame us, Europe made us do it.” If this government is going to push through the new EU treaty without the referendum that they promised the public, then they should be made to carry the can for every decision that is taken under the powers that they have signed away without a democratic mandate.
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Tiberius
August 22nd, 2007 12:53pm Report this commentI'm not sure New Labour has ever carried the can for anything it has been responsible for. It has made an art form of greased piggery (with acknowledgements to Boris), but I await eagerly the first calling to account.
Perry
August 22nd, 2007 12:53pm Report this commentEver the cry of the bully – ‘wasn’t my fault - x made me do it’ – and now yet another member of this pathetic Government repeats the nonsense. Oh to be rid of the lot of them.
Perry
August 22nd, 2007 2:48pm Report this commentApologies for reposting. My original should have read thus : Ever the wail of the bully or incompetent (person or organisation) – ‘wasn’t my fault - x made me do it’ – and now yet another member of this pathetic Government repeats the nonsense. Oh to be rid of the lot of them.
Ted
August 22nd, 2007 11:24pm Report this commentThe phrase Straw used was "I was misled" - but he commended the relevant legislation to Parliament so presumably he didn't read what it said but followed advice from his officials. Now he's in charge again of Justice and the EU are proposing more EU regulations in Justice and Policing in the Reform Treaty. Will he be misled again?
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