Our government cannot alter VAT except within defined EU bands. Now the European Court has ruled that motorists must pay VAT on public as well as private sector toll roads. And after December's Treaty at Nice the European Union will claim overall control over member's energy policies. The European Union is responsibe for harmonised economic strategies, monetary union and immense interference in member's taxation policies. The European Court regularly dispenses judgements on issues of corporate taxation, it has tried hard to introduce a savings witholding tax, and it is soon likely to force tax havens like the ChanneI Islands and Isle of Man to close.
Free trade is an honourable and desirable philosophy.
But the European Union pays lip-service only, in furtherance of its objective to create a European state. Free trade itself, nevertheless, must be regulated with sensitivity and by common agreement. Businesses will take advantage of free trade wherever it arises. But governments, while enabling the business sector to take advantage of such opportunities, must also represent their whole community. When political decisions put the interests of a global community before that of a nation's population, lacking the political representation they expect, it should be no surprise that people begin to represent themselves.