Exceptionally, we reproduce Graham Bishop's article published today by the European Movement at http://ymlp.com/zft4k4.
This implies no political affiliation on Mr Bishop's part: simply our own strong - and established - agreement with the points he makes:-
The UK's EU policy: Progressive meltdown epitomised by ECJ rejection of `bankers’ bonus’ case.
by Graham Bishop, EU Political, Financial, Economic and Budgetary policy expert and founder of www.grahambishop.com
The pace of collapse seems to be accelerating – and the commercial consequences for the UK may well intensify correspondingly, especially for the City of London. The timeline of the divergence between the UK's attitude to the EU and mainstream EU opinion stretches back at least a decade.
The enduring characteristic of recent UK policy is a lack of strategic thinking about the longer-run implications. Instead the focus seem to be on the immediate short-run benefits. Key events that have had an effect on the financial services industry included:
1. The Conservatives leave EPP – May 2009 ahead of EP election.
2. Veto a Treaty – December 2011: Subsequently, TSCG was signed on 1 March 2012 and now ratified by 25 EU States
3. Attack on free movement of persons – November 2013 onwards
4. Short–selling - January 2014: action dismissed by ECJ.
5. FTT – April 2014: action dismissed by ECJ
6. Veto Juncker – June 2014 onwards: Juncker is now President of the Commission
7. EU budget surcharge – October 2014: Was it really `halved’?
8. Bankers’ Bonuses - November 2014: action dismissed by ECJ
9. The United Kingdom versus ECB on CCPs – perhaps in May 2015?
For the financial services industry, the real commercial problem is now looming. The Government's habit of resorting to suing the rest of the EU Members in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is counterproductive and gives the impression (wrongly) that the UK's political clout is minimal. There is plenty of scope for compromise in EU decision-making, before taking one's partners to the ECJ. But by abandoning the route of negotiation and compromise the UK is unable promote its position.
So far the UK has failed in every financial services ECJ case – with its arguments almost entirely rejected. Reading the ECJ decisions, even a layman can understand why the flimsy arguments have been rejected.
However, the most significant ECJ case is yet to come. In September, I explained that the ECJ will pronounce judgment on three cases brought by the UK Government against the ECB on the location of CCPs. (European Court of Justice: The United Kingdom versus ECB on CCPs).
British business now faces an excruciating dilemma: should it support its traditional political ally (the Conservative Party), or the Labour Party, do something entirely different, or sit on its hands?
Ahead of the General Election next May, the UK Government is focussing on the 'sunny uplands’ of economic growth, falling unemployment, and low inflation etc. But the Prime Minster needs to look over his shoulder and see some inky-black clouds rolling over the horizon behind him. The logical consequences of his 'EU policy’ may blot out the sun all too soon.
"The views expressed on the euroblog are those of the authors and not necessarily of the European Movement UK. The European Movement UK is pleased to publish articles on a variety of EU policy areas as a contribution to the debate.”
This implies no political affiliation on Mr Bishop's part: simply our own strong - and established - agreement with the points he makes:-
The UK's EU policy: Progressive meltdown epitomised by ECJ rejection of `bankers’ bonus’ case.
by Graham Bishop, EU Political, Financial, Economic and Budgetary policy expert and founder of www.grahambishop.com
The pace of collapse seems to be accelerating – and the commercial consequences for the UK may well intensify correspondingly, especially for the City of London. The timeline of the divergence between the UK's attitude to the EU and mainstream EU opinion stretches back at least a decade.
The enduring characteristic of recent UK policy is a lack of strategic thinking about the longer-run implications. Instead the focus seem to be on the immediate short-run benefits. Key events that have had an effect on the financial services industry included:
1. The Conservatives leave EPP – May 2009 ahead of EP election.
2. Veto a Treaty – December 2011: Subsequently, TSCG was signed on 1 March 2012 and now ratified by 25 EU States
3. Attack on free movement of persons – November 2013 onwards
4. Short–selling - January 2014: action dismissed by ECJ.
5. FTT – April 2014: action dismissed by ECJ
6. Veto Juncker – June 2014 onwards: Juncker is now President of the Commission
7. EU budget surcharge – October 2014: Was it really `halved’?
8. Bankers’ Bonuses - November 2014: action dismissed by ECJ
9. The United Kingdom versus ECB on CCPs – perhaps in May 2015?
For the financial services industry, the real commercial problem is now looming. The Government's habit of resorting to suing the rest of the EU Members in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is counterproductive and gives the impression (wrongly) that the UK's political clout is minimal. There is plenty of scope for compromise in EU decision-making, before taking one's partners to the ECJ. But by abandoning the route of negotiation and compromise the UK is unable promote its position.
So far the UK has failed in every financial services ECJ case – with its arguments almost entirely rejected. Reading the ECJ decisions, even a layman can understand why the flimsy arguments have been rejected.
However, the most significant ECJ case is yet to come. In September, I explained that the ECJ will pronounce judgment on three cases brought by the UK Government against the ECB on the location of CCPs. (European Court of Justice: The United Kingdom versus ECB on CCPs).
British business now faces an excruciating dilemma: should it support its traditional political ally (the Conservative Party), or the Labour Party, do something entirely different, or sit on its hands?
Ahead of the General Election next May, the UK Government is focussing on the 'sunny uplands’ of economic growth, falling unemployment, and low inflation etc. But the Prime Minster needs to look over his shoulder and see some inky-black clouds rolling over the horizon behind him. The logical consequences of his 'EU policy’ may blot out the sun all too soon.
"The views expressed on the euroblog are those of the authors and not necessarily of the European Movement UK. The European Movement UK is pleased to publish articles on a variety of EU policy areas as a contribution to the debate.”
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