Thread by @hhesterm

A fundamental lack of understanding of the EU runs through part of UK thought. Rather than tell us anything about @MichelBarnier ’s candidacy or France, this tweet illustrates the problem (thread)

https://twitter.com/GuidoFawkes/status/1431345920558444549

The EU is a multilevel system of governance, a federal system - if you adopt a very broad definition of such a system.

The UK also is a multilevel system, but of a fundamentally different nature. Here’s the key difference…

In the UK system, the centre retains all the power. In federal systems, power is distributed and each level has legally limited powers - enforced through legal processes.

In the UK there are no such limits. Yes, devolution means Wales, Scotland and NI have areas they are in charge of. But the centre can act if it wants to.

In the past, federal systems all had fights about whether they are theoretically possible. Don’t we need an all powerful sovereign?

In federal system reality has passed that question by to some extent. They work. In the UK, though, the idea that they cannot work has a much stronger appeal.

If that is where you are coming from, the idea that if you are pro-strong France you must be anti-EU appeals to you. But that’s not the federal idea. Under that idea you can be both.

Which is precisely @MichelBarnier ’s concept.

To be fair it’s not an unusual idea in European conservative parties. I seem to remember things like a strong Germany in a strong Europe etc.

And of course, a pro European can also criticise overcentralisation. Or EU legislation. Much like a UK patriot can favour more effective devolution.

I am, of course, aware of Guido’s work. But the mere fact that he thinks this is a nice gotcha moment - and indubitably will find people who agree - shows the fundamentally different mindset more than anything else.

Is there a book you can buy on this? Why, of course, this teeny tiny 500-page opus. You won’t be able to put it down… (it weighs too much) mohrsiebeck.com/buch/eigenstae…