The Malta Independent
The concept of shared sovereignty means the dilution of sovereignty at state level for the enhancement of sovereignty at the supra-national level. EU membership will make us more European but less Maltese.
Much as they hate to admit it, supporters ofMalta
The substantial changes made to the EU treaties were never presented for ratification by the direct decision of the electorate through further referenda.
In many instances where member countries felt it necessary or were constrained to present changes for the direct approval of the electorate, the approval was not given. The latest example is the Irish referendum vote on the Nice treaty held last year. The Irish decided against it in no uncertain terms. Yet 12 months later they are being forced to vote again on the same treaty even though it has not been subjected to any changes. Obviously if they vote yes this time and start regretting it shortly thereafter, they will never have the opportunity to change their mind about it.
So the pooled sovereignty operates to force the national sovereignty to a decision which remains revisable only until it suits the pooled sovereignty interests. At that point the decision freezes no matter what the national sovereignty should think about the consequences.
What in essence those in favour of EU membership are saying in plain and simple language is that our national independence as we have experienced these last 38 years is unsustainable for the long-term.
We are too small to enjoy our statehood and at the present rate we are on self-destruct road under the weight of the dual mountain of debt and debris. We do not have what it takes to govern ourselves with the necessary self-discipline to keep this country economically competitive in a fiercely competitive global world.
To survive in such a competitive environment we need the discipline of a pooled sovereignty arrangement where rules are forced upon us.
As this evening the Prime Minister, the most prominent proponent of the EU membership, gathers his crowds for the customary independence meeting, the real message he delivers is that independence has proved a failed experiment and that a different model is needed to survive, one where we are less Maltese and more Europeans.
I strongly differ. If the experiment failed it is not because the model is defective but because its builders were incompetent or incapable. Indeed this potentially, truly last independence celebrations should serve to prove otherwise. 21 September is our truly national day, provided we still believe in the sustainability of our statehood. Our birth date is what it is and we celebrate it even while cursing the parents who gave birth to this young country among thorns when they could have delivered us at least on straw if not on cotton and velvet.
This could very well be the last Independence Day we celebrate prior to the big decision. By this time next year it is probable that the electorate will have given its verdict about Malta
This year’s independence celebrations gain increased significance.
To my mind, independence and EU membership are mutually exclusive. The very essence of belonging to a bigger organisation with strong political undertones excludes the possibility of sustaining independence of a micro-state at the national level.
To my mind, independence and EU membership are mutually exclusive. The very essence of belonging to a bigger organisation with strong political undertones excludes the possibility of sustaining independence of a micro-state at the national level.
“To my mind, independence and EU membership are mutually exclusive”
|
The concept of shared sovereignty means the dilution of sovereignty at state level for the enhancement of sovereignty at the supra-national level. EU membership will make us more European but less Maltese.
Much as they hate to admit it, supporters of
The substantial changes made to the EU treaties were never presented for ratification by the direct decision of the electorate through further referenda.
In many instances where member countries felt it necessary or were constrained to present changes for the direct approval of the electorate, the approval was not given. The latest example is the Irish referendum vote on the Nice treaty held last year. The Irish decided against it in no uncertain terms. Yet 12 months later they are being forced to vote again on the same treaty even though it has not been subjected to any changes. Obviously if they vote yes this time and start regretting it shortly thereafter, they will never have the opportunity to change their mind about it.
“What in essence those in favour of EU membership are saying in plain and simple language is that our national independence as we have experienced these last 38 years is unsustainable for the long-term.”
|
So the pooled sovereignty operates to force the national sovereignty to a decision which remains revisable only until it suits the pooled sovereignty interests. At that point the decision freezes no matter what the national sovereignty should think about the consequences.
What in essence those in favour of EU membership are saying in plain and simple language is that our national independence as we have experienced these last 38 years is unsustainable for the long-term.
We are too small to enjoy our statehood and at the present rate we are on self-destruct road under the weight of the dual mountain of debt and debris. We do not have what it takes to govern ourselves with the necessary self-discipline to keep this country economically competitive in a fiercely competitive global world.
To survive in such a competitive environment we need the discipline of a pooled sovereignty arrangement where rules are forced upon us.
As this evening the Prime Minister, the most prominent proponent of the EU membership, gathers his crowds for the customary independence meeting, the real message he delivers is that independence has proved a failed experiment and that a different model is needed to survive, one where we are less Maltese and more Europeans.
I strongly differ. If the experiment failed it is not because the model is defective but because its builders were incompetent or incapable. Indeed this potentially, truly last independence celebrations should serve to prove otherwise. 21 September is our truly national day, provided we still believe in the sustainability of our statehood. Our birth date is what it is and we celebrate it even while cursing the parents who gave birth to this young country among thorns when they could have delivered us at least on straw if not on cotton and velvet.
No comments:
Post a Comment