* Themes
Today's thought
|
Beyond parody and beyond reform
If you need any confirmation of the arrogance and contempt for the feelings of ordinary people that characterises the European Union, look no further than the recent career of Neil Kinnock.
The failed Labour leader was parachuted into a cushy and lucrative sinecure with the European Commission nine years ago after imperiously assuming the 1992 general election was in the bag before crashing to defeat in spectacular fashion.
In 1999, in an unprecedented move, the entire Commission was sacked in a scandal over nepotism, cronyism and corruption on an eye-watering scale.
But laughably Kinnock was re-hired as ‘sleaze-buster in chief’ with a brief to reform the EU’s chaotic accounting system.
True to form Kinnock did absolutely nothing to stem the tide of corruption - in fact fraud doubled to an estimated £700m in 2002 (estimated because no one knows the real value of the widespread theft) - but he did distinguish himself by doing his utmost to gag the brave officials who tried to blow the whistle on the crooks.
For example when chief accountant Marta Andreasen warned Kinnock and the rest of the Commission that the £63bn EU budget was “an open till waiting to be robbed” she was ignored and told to shut up.
When in desperation she took her complaints to Euro MPs in 2002, Kinnock suspended her for breaching “hierarchy lines”.
Even after an internal audit found Mrs Andreasen’s allegations to be “factually and substantially correct” Kinnock refused to reinstate her.
Last week, in a final act of vindictive bullying before he leaves the Commission, Kinnock sacked Mrs Andreasen - by email - for failing a “duty of loyalty”.
Being sacked by the EU is virtually unknown. Even officials implicated in a £3 million slush fund scandal described as a “vast enterprise of looting” are still on full pay two years later.
But an exception is made for whistleblowers such as Mrs Andreasen. Her real mistake was to believe her “duty of loyalty” was owed to ordinary European taxpayers, and not to those intent on stealing their money.
Not that Kinnock has much reason to worry. He retires next week with £270,000 ‘transitional payments’ for three years before his £63,900 a year pension kicks in.
Mrs Andreasen, meanwhile, was sacked without compensation and won’t receive a bean.
But perhaps Kinnock has carried out at least one service to democracy during his shameful career as a Eurocrat.
By his actions he has shown that the European Union is not only beyond parody, but utterly beyond reform too.
|
|
|
To date 8 Comment(s)
TrackBack-URL
(31.10.04 23:23)
I am sick and tired of seeing that smug Kinnock mug, that two-faced hypocrite, that turn coat. It'll be Mandleson next - telling us what to do, telling us to be good little Europeans now he's got his snout in the trough. Bastards among bastards the pair of them!
|
(2.11.04 08:42)
Yes, and now ‘Lord’ Kinnock says he is launching a campaign from his new power base in the House of Lords to make voting compulsory in order to “combat cynicism about politics”.
Of course people might be less cynical about politics if European Commissioners appointed specifically to tackle rampant fraud and widespread theft actually did something about it, instead of persecuting the brave people who attempted to expose the crooks.
|
Charlie The Tramp
(12.12.04 01:08)
The Uk electorate are in general unaware what really goes on in the EC. I was all for joining for free trade, but not to participate in a gravy train and benefits system for the corrupt politicians. Keep it coming Bill.
|
(17.10.11 06:47)
We are professional supplier committed in replica rolex , cheap watches , cheap watches , mbt shoes , mbt shoes , mbt shoes sale , cheap soccer jerseys , wholesale soccer jerseys , wholesale soccer jerseys , mulberry outlet , mulberry outlet , burberry outlet , bags , moncler outlet , moncler outlet and so on, customer service and support team who are glad to assist you.
|
|
* Home
* About
* Archives
* Guestbook
* Contacts
* Subscribe