UKIP's Pack of Lies

Posted on September 21, 2009 at 04:11 PM

Labour Youth protesting at a UKIP press conference

Every family in Ireland is to receive a glossy leaflet through their letterboxes from a group called "Freedom & Democracy", but which is, in fact, the UK Independence Party.

This leaflet contains some of the most barefaced lies about the Lisbon treaty, surpassing even those of COIR.

First, it claims that the Laval and Ruffert judgments mean that foreign workers can be employed in Ireland at lower wages. NOT TRUE at all - and the pamphlet does not even try to substantiate these assertions! EU law (and even these judgments) say that foreign workers cannot be paid less than the rates laid down in national law.

Second, it claims that the EU would gain exclusive power over foreign direct investment. NO - the treaty refers only to the EU commercial policy (i:e: trade agreements) being able to cover such matters - but trade agreements need approval by EU member states anyway and the Lisbon Treaty gives Ireland a veto on all trade agreements on foreign direct investment which cover tax matters.

Third, it tries to make people think that Lisbon means Turkey would join the EU. Yet, as they well know, Turkey (or any other country) could only ever join the EU if each and every current member, including Ireland, agrees and is satisfied with the terms and conditions. We are years away from having to make such a judgment, which will remain in our hands.

Fourth, it insinuates that Ireland will lose control over immigration policy. Yet there is an opt-out for Ireland over all EU immigration legislation! They don't, of course, even mention it in their pamphlet.

Fifth, it claims that Ireland's net contributions to the EU budget will increase. This is not covered by the Lisbon Treaty at all. Whether that happens will depend on Ireland's prosperity - like all Members, your share is bigger if you get richer and smaller if you become poorer.

Sixth, it yet again claims that there is a threat to Ireland's tax rates, despite the fact that taxation matters would continue to be subject to unanimity under Lisbon and that this is re-affirmed in the extra legal guarantees secured by Ireland. It refers specifically to a proposal for a common corporate tax base (CCCTB), but this is not a 'standardised corporation tax' (which their wording implies). Even if a CCCTB were adopted, it would have no effect on Ireland's right to set its corporate tax rate at whatever level it wants. What is more, the proposal could be made or adopted regardless of whether Lisbon is ratified or not; and crucially Ireland or any other Member State would have a VETO, regardless of whether Lisbon is ratified or not.

Seventh, it says that the EU would become a State and Ireland therefore a province. Oh, sure, Britain, France, Sweden and so on have all agreed to become "provinces"? Pull the other one! The fact that the European Council's President would chair meetings for 30 months instead of 6 months does not turn the EU into a state! There is to be no "EU Foreign Minister" (an old idea that was dropped) and EU citizenship has existed since 1993 and would not be significantly be altered by Lisbon - it is expressly stated (as now) that EU citizenship complements national citizenship, it does not replace it.

Eighth, it repeats the incorrect claim that Ireland's voting strength is reduced. It isn't. Majority decisions in the Council will require the support of 55% of the states (one vote each, as now) and 65% of the population (weighted vote by population, as now). The level of support needed to approve a decision is raised (currently 50% and 62% respectively), but everyone's voting strength under both criteria remains the same.

Ninth, it says that the Charter of Rights means "harmonisation of civil laws". It doesn't. As Article 6 of the Treaty points out, the Charter does not expand EU competences, so the division of competence between Member States and the EU on ethical issues will not be affected by Lisbon. The Charter is binding on the EU institutions to make sure they cannot violate rights that are already common to Member States.

Tenth, it says we should not be voting again. Why not? Last time, No campaigners said we should go for a better deal. We got that. Why shouldn't we vote on it? EU treaties are about getting agreement among 27 democratic countries. Adjustments to take care of a country's concerns are a normal part of the process.

Eleventh, it claims that the rest of Europe would "rejoice" if Ireland voted No. In fact, every other country has approved the treaty through their elected parliaments by very large majorities. The only people who might rejoice are those on the extremes of politics, and those who wish the European Union to come to a grinding halt - the expressed wish of the authors of the pamphlet!
Twelfth, it says the treaty means more "red tape" for farmers. There is no link whatever between ratifying Lisbon and the amount of regulation which affects rural Ireland. This is a matter for current legislation (some of which is from Dublin, not Brussels) already in force, which is anyway under review.

Thirteenth, it spreads innuendo about harmonising inheritance laws. Any proposal on inheritance rights (which could be made regardless of the vote on Lisbon) would only apply to cross-border matters (e.g. if a French person owns an Irish farm, or an Irish person owns a farm in France) and again, crucially, it will be a civil law proposal, so Ireland can anyway opt out of it.

Fourteenth, it says that Ireland's legal guarantees are worthless. Since the guarantees take the form of a decision of Member States' leaders meeting within the European Council, which is legally binding, as the summit conclusions of June 2009 expressly confirm, they are not 'worthless' and the Ireland achieved its objective of getting legally binding guarantees.

Every single claim in this glossy leaflet is misleading or totally unfounded.

Tagged with Foreign & European Affairs • labourforeurope