indeed, the UK's net contribution to the EU budget is still rising over the next seven years, just not as much as it would have done without this deal. That said the President of the EU Parliament (a disgusting creature called Martin Schulz) has said he will use the powers granted to him by the Lisbon Treaty and refuse to sign off on any reduction in the proposed budget, essentially scuppering the will of the 27 member state governments. Could be an interesting situaion if he doesn't back down.
You make it sound quite personal.
I do dislike him yes, but calling Shulz a "disgusting creature" is a) entirely accurate imo, and quite mild given the language used to describe domestic politicians on here!
What else would you call a man who is now proposing that the MEP's be given a secret ballot so they can vote down the budget without their national governments or indeed, their constituents knowing how they voted? After all with a gutful of austerity at home we wouldn't want poor MEP's being accountable to their potentially enraged elctorates, would we? What's more, if 1/5 of MEP's ask Shulz (in secret) for a secret ballot, then they'll get it....but there are no problems with the EU and democratic accountability, move along please..
You're right Peter, so we have a situation where the EU Parliament could refuse to acknowledge the will of the national governments that constitute the EU, but may insist on making that refusal in secret...
Roll on the referendum.