ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Balleh** · 19-11-2011, 17:56

Originally Posted by BigRonW

But, you seem to have overlooked a fairly major point; namely that "attitudes to the law" are part and parcel of what you describe as a "mythos". The UK has a reputation within the EU for being a "troublemaker"- before accepting an EU regulaton, we want to know what it MEANS. Other member nations are quite happy to sign ANYTHING that's printed on paper that carries the EU logo. But on the other hand, when you look at the various member states' recod of implementing and enforcing EU regulations... we're pretty near the topof the list for compliance. We "take the law seriously". unlike-say - France, which regards the passing of a law as little more than "a declaration of vague solidarity with the underlying concept". Periodically, ststistics are published which show the French to be amongst the worst (and most inebriated) drivers in Eurrope. The French government tells the cops to enforce the law. Traffic grinds to a halt for a week... the temporary enforcement is withdrawn, and things go back to normal. Paris isn't London. And what the French mean by "The Law" is quite different to what an Englishman (or a German) means.

I think it was Bill Deedes who said the fundamental difference between the UK and our friends on the continent is that, on the whole, we respect the law and our institutions very much more than they do theirs.

Not surprising really as the continentals have spent hundreds of years beating seven types of sh1t out of each other and generally trashing the place. The last time we did it was over 300 years ago and we learnt the lesson.

**Balleh** · 19-11-2011, 17:58

Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad

You mean the Archduke Franz Ferdinand question?

That iteration meant the popcorn ran out very quickly. In fact, the lights went out all over Europe.

Snap!

**nanotm** · 19-11-2011, 17:59

to be honest the whole EU project will evolve inot a police state, already there legistaltive grounds for the european parliment to establish there own rapid reaction force, and furthermore to crate there own version of the stasi to maintain democratic order wihtin member states. as well as providing a secret service style protection team for each and every mep/eurocrat.

its completly deluded to think that there not about to kick start those programs whilst expelling disenters from the parliment (i'm surprised nige wasnt clapped in irons and escorted ot the headsmans block for his outburst, after all its against the constitution to speak out about the organisation even if your right on the money !

**alib** · 19-11-2011, 18:45

Originally Posted by Balleh

I think it was Bill Deedes who said the fundamental difference between the UK and our friends on the continent is that, on the whole, we respect the law and our institutions very much more than they do theirs.
....

Their's are mostly rather newer and often not at all trustworthy. I mean what Italian in their right mind would respect the parliament Berlusconi has squatted over for a couple of decades? One thing that's good about the UK is a government can get in and actually govern, implement radical policies that a lot of people may not like and see if they work. Fundamentally that's a reason to bet on the UK, even if the detail is often wrong its capable of fixing itself. Something lacking in much of Europe and sadly also the US at the moment, though the Septics have a history of waking up rather suddenly and re-imagining themselves.

Mind, that mature culture of respect does have its downside. Just two countries are responsible for the lion's share of EU legislation, the Germans and the Brits. And in practice when it comes to applying them the Brits are even more officious than the Krauts, who will duck and dive like sensible people if things are getting daft. John Bull these days waves a clipboard and is fixated on health & safety and animal welfare.

The mountains of paper Anglo corporations attempt to cover their arses with also beggars belief when seen with continental eyes. I've seen several rather agile Trench and German companies simply swamped when they attempt to merge into lumbering Brit corporations that appear to be run by Vogons.

**dhobidust** · 19-11-2011, 18:48

Vogons write beautiful poetry though

**BONNACON** · 19-11-2011, 18:56

Originally Posted by dhobidust

Vogons write beautiful poetry though

And it does counterpoint the underlying surrealism of the metapor.

**Balleh** · 19-11-2011, 19:01

Originally Posted by alib

Their's are mostly rather newer and often not at all trustworthy. I mean what Italian in their right mind would respect the parliament Berlusconi has squatted over for a couple of decades? One thing that's good about the UK is a government can get in and actually govern, implement radical policies that a lot of people may not like and see if they work. Fundamentally that's a reason to bet on the UK, even if the detail is often wrong its capable of fixing itself. Something lacking in much of Europe and sadly also the US at the moment, though the Septics have a history of waking up rather suddenly and re-imagining themselves.

Mind, that mature culture of respect does have its downside. Just two countries are responsible for the lion's share of EU legislation, the Germans and the Brits. And in practice when it comes to applying them the Brits are even more officious than the Krauts, who will duck and dive like sensible people if things are getting daft. John Bull these days waves a clipboard and is fixated on health & safety and animal welfare.

The mountains of paper Anglo corporations attempt to cover their arses with also beggars belief when seen with continental eyes. I've seen several rather agile Trench and German companies simply swamped when they attempt to merge into lumbering Brit corporations that appear to be run by Vogons.

I think that was Deedes' point.

Because we respect our own institutions, we give similar respect to EU ones and then, because we are slightly detached from EU proper, we gold plate regulations to demonstrate we are really are good Europeans.

The French and Germans et al see what we do and are non-plussed by our actions.

**dhobidust** · 19-11-2011, 19:04

Originally Posted by Balleh

I think that was Deedes' point.

Because we respect our own institutions, we give similar respect to EU ones and then, because we are slightly detached from EU proper, we gold plate regulations to demonstrate we are really are good Europeans.

The French and Germans et al see what we do and they are non-plussed by our actions.

As in they totally ignore the legislations they don't like?