EUROPEAN IDENTITY

I have been listening to a number of politicians and pundits talking about Europe. The question of whether or not the British Government should put a referendum before the voters of the United Kingdom. The principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection has never been properly adopted by the United Kingdom. It has traditionally and constitutionally relied on representative government. The first referendum was held in 1973 in relation to Northern Ireland sovereignty. That means 900 years of British history without a referendum being held; nearly 800 years since Magna Carta, and 250 years since the office of Prime Minister was established. The matter of belonging to the European Common Market was established by Parliament in 1973 and only put to a referendum two years after the fact in 1975, by which time the majority of those who bothered to vote, voted for remaining in the EEC.

Despite the obvious advantages of membership, political parties still seem to wrangle over the matter and push and pull in different directions on the basis of what is in the best interests of Britain. Is it not about time that small minds should be thinking of what is in the best interests of people? I realize that people like to identify with nations and that the British people’s interest is seen as being different from any other people’s interest, e.g. French people, German people, Spanish people etc.; but, have we not moved on? Should we not be thinking of what is in the best interests of peoples of the world, and could it not start with the people of Europe. Do we not accept by now that most European countries have a form of National Health Service, which is every bit as good as the British NHS, if not better in some European countries. Most have a minimum wage scheme, an unemployment scheme and a benefits scheme, just as hard pressed as the British people’s schemes. Does it not make sense to try and improve these systems, rather than wrangle over which is most sought after. As I understand it the German economy is in better shape that that of the United Kingdom. Have they not had to deal with the same problems and EEC regulations that the British people have? How is it that the German people seem to make it work better.  No one country is any more advantaged or disadvantaged by the regulations, all have to comply. Is the problem that the British people are so small minded that they cannot compete or deal with the regulations as the other peoples seem able to do. Granted there are severe problems in Spain and Greece, but they are not seeking to dissociate themselves from Europe, rather they want to make it stronger as they know they would become stronger. A healthy body is only achieved if all its parts are functioning to capacity, so why not do the exercise? What is so frightening about a European identity? As for popular culture, an aspect of cultural identity, the number of European peoples who watch there own version of Big Brother, Talent shows, game shows, cooking shows, speak your mind reality shows, and Australian soaps (Neighbours, Les Voisin, Vecinos, Vicini, Nachbarn) is legion. What is so different? We all seem to respond to the same stuff, so what is the problem? The cultural identity is practically identical already. Why is it so difficult to grasp. Our problems are the same, what is wrong with getting a bigger perspective on trying to solve them. Exchanging ideas cannot be a bad thing. Is it not about time to get a grip and join in to try and make things better, rather than only wanting to play one way.  Our lives are so much alike anyway, what is wrong with identifying with that?