What the EU Referendum question really is

If the EU continues down its publicly stated path towards a federal Europe, one country, one political entity, one place, (anthem, flag, army, economy) how can the UK continue to be a part of it? Unless we want to be part of this single state?

If we stay 'in' we will have to be part of the process and the end game. There is simply no other reason why we would stay in the EU and, critically, no other possible outcome. Voting for 'in' is not a temporary measure, it is about whether we support the EU's vision for Europe becoming a single state - and if we vote for 'in' that includes the UK.

The question at hand in this coming referendum is not, therefore, 'should we remain in the EU', but 'do we want to be part of a single European state?'

Obviously there are ramifications if we do, losing the pound, our local democracy and representation etc., and some of us might want this to happen.

But the question ought to be clearer in my view. Yes I have blogged that the question as it stands is pretty fair. But on reflection, the question we face is not about retaining the status quo, it is about supporting, paying for, and ultimately joining the EU on its own terms. If we vote for 'in' we will be giving a mandate for the EU to press on with it's federal goals. And agreeing to pay a massive chunk of the costs of that process.

When I don't think we actually agree with it.

Whatever reforms Dave might secure from his 'schmoozathon' will not change the fundamental situation. We might secure some opt outs, some minor repatriation of powers (probably to do with border controls which are not the most pressing issues), but essentially if we vote to stay 'in' we are the EU's puppy now. Because we will have voted, however it's sliced - and it will be - to be in the EU and, therefore to continue to support and pay for its federal project, even if we don't agree with it.

Look beyond the proposed question and you'll understand the reality that we face in this vote. We cannot (via our 'reforms' anyway) stop the EU from becoming a single state. It may not happen ultimately because of the economic problems it has itself created, but we cannot stop its direction of travel.

If we leave it (the EU project) will almost certainly be dead in the water, but this is not the question we face in the here and now. The question we face is whether we want to be part of a single European federal state.

If we want to give up our status as a self-governing nation state. That is the reality.

And no amount of 'reforms' will change that.

It's up to you how you vote of course. But be fully aware of the consequences before you make your choice.

Thanks for reading.