tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435782381398776888.post8222817871140041300..comments2024-03-25T07:14:42.571+00:00Comments on OF INTEREST TO LAWYERS: That'll go down well in Brussels and LuxembourgA Barrister in Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022693708807443338noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435782381398776888.post-53637172319806026152010-11-13T13:15:57.964+00:002010-11-13T13:15:57.964+00:00I do not write as a lawyer - rather an observer of...I do not write as a lawyer - rather an observer of political currents in our society and abroad. In that role, I am struck by the similarities between the discussions over our position/powers in Europe and the position of the pre civil war states of the USA. The immediate causus belli in that case was not slavery but states rights and the right of secession from the Union. The Lisbon treaty allows for an orderly and legal secession from the EU, so the right of secession is preserved. However, the present ratchet of EU powers to Brussels will raise the issue of states rights in an acute form sooner or later. I would not be so sanguine as to think we are in the EU 'for good'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435782381398776888.post-69840863042860022672010-11-12T17:32:57.310+00:002010-11-12T17:32:57.310+00:00I respectfully agree with all you say until you ge...I respectfully agree with all you say until you get to - "The clause only makes sense if there is a realistic possibility of withdrawal ..." Any member state is entitled to withdraw under the terms of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. No new treaty is required in order to withdraw. Instead, a withdrawal agreement is drawn up. They cannot stop a member state from withdrawing if it wishes to do so but, of course, one would lose the advantages of membership.ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.com