The echoes of the Speech by Lady Thatcher in 1984 could be heard when David Cameron faced European Leaders in Brussels yesterday on the proposed increases in the EU Budgets for the next seven years !!!
The then Margaret Thatcher asked the question "Where is my money (British Money) going ?". She obtained a permanent reduction of Britain's costs towards EU objectives, particularly with respect to subsidies to French Agriculture !
David Cameron yesterday simply said the equivalent of "While I am imposing economies everywhere in Britain, how can you expect me to glibly accept the increased expenditures contained in the 7 year EU Budget Plans ?".
What he was attacking was the "gravy train" expectations of EU employees, the lack of budget cut backs in forecast EU plans. Is there still a "golden rule" concerning EU expenditure ?
Cameron knows that he does not stand alone on any or all of these issues. With respect to the total expenditure there are net receiver countries and net payer countries, but there are also the "pure overhead costs" !!! Every segment of the Budget must now contribute to a reduction of costs where possible !!!
Not for the first time, Britain has introduced some common sense into EU negotiations !!!
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