TO ALL those who are concerned about the scaremongering about the UK trading with the world, from the likes of the Prime Minister, Michael Heseltine and Kenneth Clarke, once we come out of the political prison known as the EU, the comparison with Norway is one that is very attractive.
Norway is happy, rich and free with no government debt and a very large sovereign fund so apart from being demeaned by Mr Cameron, the Norwegians have a lot to teach him.
Norway is able to negotiate its own trade deals and sits at the table with all international discussions on the environment, solidarity and peace – it is free to make its own democratic decisions and, by a massive majority, its people express a regular desire to stay out of the EU. Other countries within the EU (that includes the UK) are told what to do, and when, whilst also costing us £55m per day, being sent from Westminster to Brussels.
Norway sits at the table of the World Trade Organisation – our seat stands empty, because the EU sits in our place, and we have to abide by its rulings.
It makes its own provision for agriculture and fishing.
We could provide our farmers with the same amount of financial support (£3bn pa) at half the cost, because we have to transfer £6bn to the EU in order to ensure that our farmers will get half that amount.
We would return our 200-mile coastal fishing waters to our own fishing fleets, and re-vitalise that important industry, keeping our waters free of continental raiders.
Norway is free to set its own tax rates and is not burdened by EU demands for hikes in VAT and Corporation Tax, like ourselves. Neither is Norway burdened by EU regulations, having only adopted 9 per cent of the 52,000 plus directives, this last few years.
On top of that, Norway has control over its own resources. North Sea Oil has to be sold on the European Market to the highest bidder, which means we are paying over the odds for our own oil, and don’t think that any shale gas will be directly owned by the UK, the EU is already drawing up plans for us to share it out across the EU, which again means we will be paying the price of the highest bidder for our own resources.
Norway controls its own justice system and is not beholden to foreign judges deciding upon votes for prisoners, for example, and most of all Norway is in control of its own borders.
Most people would agree that Norway has got it right, and we would do well to embrace its policies, and get out of the EU.
Chris Watkin Chairman Ukip – Cheshire West
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