It is interesting that Dennis picks up on metrication. Many things have been 'blamed' on the EEC / EU over the years and it is a failing of British politicians to correct such misconceptions that has led to some of the negativity towards the institution. Blue passports is a great example (an EU directive suggested a common burgundy design, but it was not mandatory - for example, Croatia still issues blue passports. Lets not get into the argument about whether the blue was actually nearer black). The term euromyth is used to refer to exaggerated or invented stories about the European Union and the activities of its institutions, such as purportedly nonsensical EU legislation.Sinned wrote:Moon, trainspotter has pretty much said what I would have. To us Europe has interfered too much in little ways. To take an example, Europe wanted, and fought hard to impose, the SI system upon us and ditch the Imperial measures. There was a famous court case when a small trader was brought before court for not offering his goods in kilogrammes. As a result we now have the ludicrous? situation where traders have to display in both kg and lbs/ozs if they want to display Imperial units. To me anyway it was an unnecessary attempt by the European Parliament to impose what wasn't wanted. But then that's the arrogance of the European entity. I accept that Imperial units will die out but should be allowed to as a consequence of the older generation vanishing. This is just one small example of many thousands. And European dictates take priority over the wishes of any sovereign state. Our problem is that we take each edict seriously and implement them irrespective of their logic or need, whereas the French, Italians and Spanish in particular ignore what doesn't suit them.
Bercow has often overstepped the bounds of good Parliamentary protocol and this is just another example. He was expected to step down in 2020 but it is now being said that if he is denied his Peerage he may stay on for the full length of this Parliament. Which may be anything from weeks to 2022. One example of a man exercising power over influence due to an overlarge sense of self importance. For a Tory he does very well supporting Labour ( the opposition ) at times.
Although metrication was ultimately brought to a head by EU regulations, there had been a move away from these antiquated numbering systems for many years before the UK became part of the EEC. Why anyone would prefer imperial numbering / measuring systems is totally beyond me - due of course to the fact that the (largely) metric system has been in place in the UK since I've been on the planet. More info here.
Although the metric system may not have been wanted by some people, it was for the good of the country. Around the same time (at a time that I was growing up as a kid) there was a lot of other legislation around that was unpopular but was ultimately for the good of the country - drink-driving legislation, mandatory seatbelts, changes to union law, the London financial market 'Big Bang', right to buy, deregulation of the mortgage market, the Human Rights Act? There is a legitimate question about sovereignty, but I take the view that the UK got its own way in the vast majority of cases (the vast majority of regulations 'imposed' upon us by Europe actually make a lot of sense and would probably have been the sort of rules we would have had anyhow) and I'd happily trade what to me anyhow (as a fairly ardent European) is a moot point in light of the benefits that the EU brings.
John Bercow is a self centred, pompous ass. He is a Remainer who has allowed his views to drive his decisions. He will find his place in history for this (something which is probably more important to him than a seat in the Lords).