“Woe’s me, what ruthless fate
Pursues me, that, where’er I go, I thus
Befool men’s senses, so they not respect
Themselves, nor aught that’s worthy!”

Ophelia’s lines from Hamlet (above) seem particularly apposite for our dearly beloved Prime Minister as he seeks to stop the European Union increasing its budget (and thereby British taxpayers’ contributions) by 6%.

Mr. Cameron in an interview in Saturday’s Daily Mail states how he is going to demand that the 6% budget increase that was voted through the European Parliament must be stopped and that the budget must either be frozen or cut.

Mr. Cameron may wish to point out that he has the power to demand such and hold out as any decision has to be unanimous. Whilst this is correct, it is only partially correct. British Gazette readers may well be aware that the Lisbon Treaty extends qualified majority voting (QMV) in many areas. It does so, but from 31st October, 2014 this veto will cease as the budget will become subject to QMV.

What will this mean so far as the “horse trading” Cameron will be involved in is concerned? Other EU leaders will point out to him that any freeze or reductions achieved in the years before 2014 will be made up in the years after 2014. Since Cameron will be going to the country in May 2015 they will point out to him that politically it will be much easier to accommodate a modest increase now and avoid a massive increase just before an election. What they will come up with is a fudge. A fudge that will mean that British taxpayers contribute even more to EU coffers.

For the reader’s information herewith below the areas of EU competence that are currently subject to unanimity and will become subject to QMV from 31st October, 2014.

Competence Area: In the Nice Treaty – In the Lisbon Treaty
Initiatives of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV following unanimous request
Rules concerning the Armaments Agency – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Freedom to establish a business – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon QMV
Self-employment access rights – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Freedom, security and justice, cooperation and evaluation – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Border controls – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Asylum Unanimity – Nice: QMV Lisbon: QMV
Immigration Unanimity – Nice: QMV Lisbon: QMV
Crime prevention incentives – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Eurojust – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Police cooperation – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Europol – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Transport – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
European Central Bank – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Culture – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Structural and Cohension Funds – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Organisation of the Council of the European Union – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
European Court of Justice – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Freedom of movement for workers – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Social security Unanimity – Nice: QMV Lisbon: QMV
Criminal judicial cooperation – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Criminal law – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
President of the European Council election (New) – Lisbon: QMV
Foreign Affairs High Representative election (New) – Lisbon: QMV
Funding the Common Foreign and Security Policy – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Common defence policy – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Withdrawal of a member state (New) – Lisbon: QMV
General economic interest services – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Diplomatic and consular protection – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Citizens initiative regulations – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Intellectual property – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Eurozone external representation – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Sport – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Space – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Energy – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Tourism – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Civil protection – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Administrative cooperation – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Emergency international aid – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Humanitarian aid – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Response to natural disasters and terrorism (New) – Lisbon: QMV
Economic and Social Committee – Nice: QMV Lisbon: QMV
Committee of the Regions – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
Economic and Social Committee – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV
The EU budget – Nice: Unanimity Lisbon: QMV

This appears to be a complete list of government functions! In other words, from Friday, 31st October, 2014 all the functions of national government will be subject to the authority of the European Union! The British Gazette therefore poses a question to its readers: Can you advise on an area of government which will NOT be under the ultimate authority of the EU in 2014?