Brussels in extraordinary bid to tax Britons directly with EU-wide taxes

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.ukip.org/content/latest-news/1818-eu-tax-talk-slammed-by-bloom

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301611/Brussels-extraordinary-bid-tax-Britons-directly-EU-wide-charge.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/7935070/European-Union-pushes-for-right-to-levy-taxes-directly-on-British.html


The European Union is preparing an extraordinary plan to tax Britons directly as part of an EU-wide charge on bank transactions or air travel. With European governments under financial pressure officials in Brussels are looking for alternatives to finance a growing EU budget. But the move is likely to spark a furious backlash in Britain and drive a wedge in the Coalition between the Euro-skeptic Tories and pro-Europe Lib Dems. The vast majority of the current EU budget goes toward subsidising farming and funding structural projects such as road building, while four per cent pays for the EU's civil service in Brussels.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/09/article-1301611-097A0725000005DC-334_468x363.jpg



On Monday, Janusz Lewandowski, the European Union's commissioner in charge of the 140-billion euro (£116 billion) budget, said he would outline in September how a new EU tax might look. 'There are various options that would not affect the finance ministries and have a link to European policy like a financial transaction tax, CO2-emission auctions and an aviation scheme,' Lewandowski told Financial Times Deutschland newspaper. 'A transaction tax can bring in a big amount of money,' he said. 'The others will only contribute a smaller part to the 140 billion euros a year we are spending.' Amid public tensions over spending cuts and tax policy between the Coalition partners, a row over Europe presents another unwanted hurdle for Prime Minister David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

Lib Dem activists are already alarmed by the collapse in the party's poll rating, which has fallen from almost 24 per cent at the election to 12 per cent in the latest survey. Many are also deeply uneasy at the sight of Lib Dem MPs serving as ministers and pushing through a Conservative-dominated agenda of public spending cuts. Within hours of the Euro-wide tax proposals being published, the German government had criticised the idea. 'The demand to introduce an EU tax contravenes the position underlined by the (German) government in its coalition agreement," a spokesman for the country's finance ministry said.'The government's reservations are about the instrument of an EU tax as such,' he said.http://www.ukip.org/content/latest-news/1818-eu-tax-talk-slammed-by-bloom


UKIP's City spokesman Godfrey Bloom MEP today poured scorn on the European Commission for putting forward suggestions that there should be direct EU taxes."EU budget commissioner Janusz Lewandowski seems to misunderstand where money comes from," said Bloom.

"He tells us that, 'If the EU had more of its own revenues, then transfers from national budgets could be reduced. I hear from several capitals, including important ones like Berlin, that they would like to reduce their contribution'."

"Money comes from people. Whether it goes to Brussels directly, or via the EU's membership fee doesn't really matter. People and companies will face higher bills. If as he says there is growing support for direct taxation it is only a PR scam to spare the blushes of national governments and the mountains of cash frittered away by the EU. Not, of course about reducing the burden on taxpayers.

"David Cameron must reject these proposals out of hand. There can be no other option.

"The British people must not be bamboozled out of their money by devious Eurocrats.

"Of course if the intention is to show 'EU TAX' on every transaction, that might be something to look at. Most people have no idea just how much of their money goes to Brussels."Where is our referendum now Mr Cameron?

While its a optional choice at the moment, they often do this where they bring something up, a fuss gets kicked up, it is then left and then is slid in at a later date either by regulations (force via the EU Commission) or national governments go behind the backs of voters and agree to it just as the Tories did with the European Investigation Order earlier this week. I know some Tories on here want to have faith in the party, but time and time again it has proven it is far from eurosceptic - in a way a EU wide tax would be a good thing provided it states 'EU TAX' above the bill you recieve, because once it starts directly and openly hitting peoples pockets maybe then people will wake up and realise what a total farse this is.

At a time when we are being made to cut public services and we are cash-strapped in general, what right do these overpaid lunatics of the asylum have to implement their ever more scheming ways to rob us blind? - answer; none, because none of them are elected. To put it simply, an unelected foreign man and his unelected mostly foreign cronies are demanding that you pay for their lavish organisation and lifestyles even though we are facing deep spending cuts at home.

Thoughts, should Cameron and the coalition respect and honour their pledge on referendums in relation to transfer of powers to Brussels?

[GommeInc]

Is this tax just for Britons or does it effect the entire EU? Sceptically speaking, newspapers usually only focus on Britain in regards to the World and write their articles as if only the country is effected, when the bigger story makes it less (but still) shocking. Either way, this just supports pulling out and letting the EU die with an internal EU war. Bring on the medieval times, that'll seperate Europe again (with an amusing, WWII twist) :D

This is just proof that the EU really cannot support itself. If it could then the EU would be a good idea, but at the moment it's a bin bag with holes inside which is being filled up with water and slowly leaking. Filling it up with more water is just going to make the holes bigger and in time make it break faster.

[alexxxxx]

already rejected by the german and french, so incredibly unlikely anything like this will happen. the eu budget can survive easily on what it's already got and probably can be cut in some areas just like in the national governments..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100810/**_afp/eueconomybudgettaxfrance_20100810120559

will no doubt be rejected by the netherlands and the spanish also.



Is this tax just for Britons or does it effect the entire EU? Sceptically speaking, newspapers usually only focus on Britain in regards to the World and write their articles as if only the country is effected, when the bigger story makes it less (but still) shocking. Either way, this just supports pulling out and letting the EU die with an internal EU war. Bring on the medieval times, that'll seperate Europe again (with an amusing, WWII twist) :D

This is just proof that the EU really cannot support itself. If it could then the EU would be a good idea, but at the moment it's a bin bag with holes inside which is being filled up with water and slowly leaking. Filling it up with more water is just going to make the holes bigger and in time make it break faster.


well it would be proposed to be across the whole of the EU of course. i'm not sure why there would be an internal eu war.

and of course the EU requires funding centrally, how else would it carry out its duties? the same analogy could be used for the UK government - its main way of funding its budget is by taxation.

[dbgtz]

it says a growing eu budget
whats this budget ******* SPENT ON FFS!!!

[MrPinkPanther]

but time and time again it has proven it is far from eurosceptic
The modern Conservative party have never claimed to be eurosceptic, you say it like it's a really great thing to be eurosceptic. The Conservatives have finally realised that by pooling resources with other countries we are able to save money, not lose it. I personally think we should have a referendum on Europe and that the Conservatives should honour that pledge because I can't help but feel that when push comes to shove the British people will vote "yes" to Europe. Sure it's far from perfect but it's come a long way since 1957, the proportionally elected EU parliament was recently given more power under the Lisbon treaty, theres a long way to go but it's a start.


At a time when we are being made to cut public services and we are cash-strapped in general, what right do these overpaid lunatics of the asylum have to implement their ever more scheming ways to rob us blind? - answer; none, because none of them are elected. To put it simply, an unelected foreign man and his unelected mostly foreign cronies are demanding that you pay for their lavish organisation and lifestyles even though we are facing deep spending cuts at home.
Someone doesn't understand the process of unanimity or codescision...

[GommeInc]

well it would be proposed to be across the whole of the EU of course. i'm not sure why there would be an internal eu war.
I want another war with Germany :(


it says a growing eu budget
whats this budget ******* SPENT ON FFS!!!
They build new roads, tell you what to do and build a few buildings and tell you to chuck the EU flag on the side. Something we're perfectly capable of doing. If anything the EU should be run by Brits :P

[alexxxxx]

I want another war with Germany :(


They build new roads, tell you what to do and build a few buildings and tell you to chuck the EU flag on the side. Something we're perfectly capable of doing. If anything the EU should be run by Brits :P

well there is a large number of british people working for the EU and its institutions. :)

[-:Undertaker:-]

it says a growing eu budget
whats this budget ******* SPENT ON FFS!!!

Well it's spent on roads in other countries like Gomme says, oh and its spent on things like the EU President who is on more than both Prime Minister Cameron and President Obama - the greedy Kinnocks and Mandelson have all had a slice in the past with the same old usual 'jobs for the boys'.


The modern Conservative party have never claimed to be eurosceptic, you say it like it's a really great thing to be eurosceptic. The Conservatives have finally realised that by pooling resources with other countries we are able to save money, not lose it. I personally think we should have a referendum on Europe and that the Conservatives should honour that pledge because I can't help but feel that when push comes to shove the British people will vote "yes" to Europe. Sure it's far from perfect but it's come a long way since 1957, the proportionally elected EU parliament was recently given more power under the Lisbon treaty, theres a long way to go but it's a start.


Someone doesn't understand the process of unanimity or codescision...

The Conservative Party does claim to be eurosceptic, for example in the run up to the European Elections 2009 they promised a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty - now claim you cannot have a referendum because its passed which is wrong because we had a referendum on an already passed treaty back in the 1970s. Mr Cameron also moved his party into a more right and eurosceptic group not long ago to please his party and to hopefully keep the thatcherite wing of the party silent on the issue of Europe (afterall Thatcher was finished because of it and Major had big problems with it too).

It is great to be eurosceptic, because if you are happy with a parliament which has a say in 2% of issues that go through the EU (and bare in mind the UK only has a small slice of that, so in reality its 0.something%) then thats all very fine - personally I take the approach that government should be elected by the people and should be for the people. Now see I don't really know what will make people such as yourself see what this is; a federalist project. We have had a Prime Minister, Edward Heath, admit this was about a United States of Europe in his final years along with numerous other quotes which show what this is.

So I guess the question is, do you or do you not want to see a United States of Europe?

If you are one of the small minority who do want a United States of Europe or a European Federation, then I really do not see how you can say here that being eurosceptic aka wanting independence is a bad thing - because the vast majority of the British people certainly do not want a United States of Europe and the same goes for the Germans, the French and all other countries and sovereign states across Europe. The very fact none of us ever get a say on any treaty/appointment to EU posts shows exactly how unpopular this project is for the simple fact that if the people were allowed a say it would be dissolved instantly.

I have numerous quotes from top-notch figures (mostly recent) so if you wish to see them, simply say and i'll post in my next reply.


well there is a large number of british people working for the EU and its institutions. :)

It was shown not long ago in the Telegraph that its actually a very small portion of Britons compared to other countries such as France and Germany working for the EU.

[GommeInc]

well there is a large number of british people working for the EU and its institutions. :)
Half these institutions seem either re-branded or nothing special :/They may create jobs, but jobs would still be there without them. I only agree with open trade and (to an extent) open borders, where anyone in the EU can work and live within the EU. The throwing around of power is unnecessary, and absorbing money is pointless if it doesn't add any major benefits like the EU president. Spending money on doing up roads could and would be done within that country, the UK has done for years as have the Dutch :/ The EU seems to suggests that before its existence, Europe was a mess with broken roads, starvation, diseases and uneducated buffoons. And the EU President is just a pretty poster, having one doesn't benefit the EU. Infact, he could die tomorrow and no one would care :/

[alexxxxx]

Half these institutions seem either re-branded or nothing special :/They may create jobs, but jobs would still be there without them. I only agree with open trade and (to an extent) open borders, where anyone in the EU can work and live within the EU. The throwing around of power is unnecessary, and absorbing money is pointless if it doesn't add any major benefits like the EU president. Spending money on doing up roads could and would be done within that country, the UK has done for years as have the Dutch :/ The EU seems to suggests that before its existence, Europe was a mess with broken roads, starvation, diseases and uneducated buffoons. And the EU President is just a pretty poster, having one doesn't benefit the EU. Infact, he could die tomorrow and no one would care :/

i'm not sure you quite understand what an EU institution is. their aims are not to create jobs but to carry out the functions of the european union, like the commission, the ECJ, the various research facilities, etc etc. The EU does not spend much money on infrastructure in the UK because although not the best, is much better than the east - which requires some heavy investment to improve the economy round there. I don't think the EU has ever really suggested that. And yes, that is the sort of job that he has - the president of the european council which i believe you are talking about (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_European_Council) is meant to be 'the man that overseas heads of state call' but in effect his only official job is to plan and head the european council (only one part of the EU, there are presidents of the commission and parliament)

[GommeInc]

i'm not sure you quite understand what an EU institution is. their aims are not to create jobs but to carry out the functions of the european union, like the commission, the ECJ, the various research facilities, etc etc. The EU does not spend much money on infrastructure in the UK because although not the best, is much better than the east - which requires some heavy investment to improve the economy round there. I don't think the EU has ever really suggested that. And yes, that is the sort of job that he has - the president of the european council which i believe you are talking about (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_European_Council) is meant to be 'the man that overseas heads of state call' but in effect his only official job is to plan and head the european council (only one part of the EU, there are presidents of the commission and parliament)
From what I can tell, the President's duty is unlikely to be undertaken by him :/ So yes, just a pretty poster who could die, be assassinated (waste of time if anyone tried that anyway :P) and little care would be given as he really doesn't do anything. A person in his position of administrating the commission would be undertaken by many people. DO they really need someone to say "yes" or "no" when the result will no doubt be a foregone conclusion? No wonder people see the EU as a mess :S Do these under-privileged countries to the east of Europe have to pay to be in the EU? It looks like they're falling for a dangled carrot - they feel they have to join to gain benefits, but no doubt when they get these benefits they have to start paying for them with more money than they ought to :/

[alexxxxx]

From what I can tell, the President's duty is unlikely to be undertaken by him :/ So yes, just a pretty poster who could die, be assassinated (waste of time if anyone tried that anyway :P) and little care would be given as he really doesn't do anything. A person in his position of administrating the commission would be undertaken by many people. DO they really need someone to say "yes" or "no" when the result will no doubt be a foregone conclusion? No wonder people see the EU as a mess :S Do these under-privileged countries to the east of Europe have to pay to be in the EU? It looks like they're falling for a dangled carrot - they feel they have to join to gain benefits, but no doubt when they get these benefits they have to start paying for them with more money than they ought to :/

He does not administer the european commission. that is a completely different EU institution (each commissioner in the EU commission is from a different EU state). The commission are responsible for proposing legislation and running the EU (ie distributing money, investigating, research etc). The president of the COMMISSION is José Manuel Barroso.

The European Council (ie where the heads of government of the different EU states come together and talk about the EU and drive where it goes and what it does.) The president of this is Herman Van Rompuy, incorrectly called 'the president of the EU' by UK press.

Confusingly there is another institution called The Council Of The European Union which is where the ministers of particular areas meet to vote and discuss on particular issues to do with their area, these areas are for example transport or health and they vote on things passed to them from the commission or parliament. The presidency of this institution rotates regularly to different countries.

The European Parliament is the body which is directly elected by the people of Europe. They have to approve the commission's make-up and sack it. It can change and vote on laws etc and sorts out the budget - but cannot formally propose legislation. The commission president and both council's president come into the parliament to hear what parliament has to say. The parliament has a president called Jerzy Buzek.

The Eastern European countries generally pay in less than they get back in funding at the moment yes and in the future when these areas have sufficiently developed, funding focuses might change elsewhere and they might not get back all they put in.