What's Germany up to?

[Suff]

Signing off the accounts with an "error rate" of €6.6bn in 2012, alone, is not signing off the accounts. It is rubber stamping them under political pressure.

When auditors sign off accounts, they do so to say that the report is factual and accurate. To sign accounts which they state are neither factual nor accurate, is not signing off accounts; it is providing a signature required by law, not a verification that the accounts are accurate.

This practise continues to this day and will continue until someone calls them to account.

So, the EU are technically correct. The UK press is morally correct.

Take your pick...

[Suff]

So, according to Draghi of the ECB,

On Draghi: UK-EU deal must respect need for further Eurozone integration

He repeats his assertion - first made to MEPs last month - that the "ideal" outcome of the renegotiation talks would be to "anchor" the UK's place in the EU.

What fix us in the harbour whilst the entire EU sets sail on the sea of prosperity?

On UK talks 'opportunity' to further integrate Eurozone

He also says he agrees with Ms Goulard's contention that the renegotiation of the UK's membership presents an "opportunity" to further economic integration in the Eurozone.

So, they see their defence against Cameron's negotiations as binding themselves ever closer politically and monetarily to present themselves as one block which can outvote and defeat the UK at every turn....

Nice, thanks for the heads up...

Almost every question was about how the UK negotiation could not allow the UK to gain any benefit at all vis a vis the other members in the EU. Given that the UK is already operating at a handicap because we won't play their game, this just sets the scent. Anchor us into our disadvantage and take advantage until we are no longer a force to be reckoned with.

Well that's my take anyway.

Nobody, not one single country, asked how they would help the UK to renegotiate the relationship so that the UK could sit more comfortably in the EU. They didn't care. All they cared about was their comfort and that is exactly why I'm saying OUT and OUT NOW.

Even more interesting, not one of them asked what damage the UK leaving the EU would do to them. They see non danger of us leaving, only the UK trying to make some advantage they have not earned. Time to bring their mistake to them. They have as much interest in our politics and political situation as we have in theirs. So why stay?

[Workingman]

Well done Mr Draghi! Bravo!

It is about time somebody introduced Realpolitik and told Sulky Susan to take a long walk.

Without the UK trying to constantly scupper its every move the Eurozone can become more tightly knit, both politically and financially. Everything it does will be done for it and on its behalf without reference to those on the periphery or the outside.

If we do not like the direction it is taking we can go sing, but we will have no voice.

[Suff]

Well, of course, that could take Denmark and Sweden with it. Both of which are out of the Euro and growing, on and off, to a reasonable degree.

We're not the only "sulky Susan". Even Poland has absolutely NO intention of joining the Euro and Hungary and Orban are vitriolic on the subject...

Their biggest fear is that if the UK leaves, others will look to see how it goes. If the UK flourishes, then a rout may ensue. So much better to just keep the UK quiet in the EU and the British people dumb and happy....

Not???