A Headache The Size Of Europe

In my case, the finger of blame for a headache can usually be pointed squarely at the previous night and can be righted with an Aspirin and a fry-up. 

But this week, it was neither grape, grain, nor a bang on the brain which knocked me for six, but a five-minute segment of the evening news concentrating on the disadvantages of a British move into Europe. 

I could never claim to have an in-depth knowledge of this subject, as any articles read or information imparted always seems loaded with bias from one political extreme or the other, therefore I take it with a pinch of salt.

But traditionally, I have always been a supporter of the EU as a community in which members can share knowledge and expertise, learn from each others' mistakes and drive towards ambitions by competing to achieve common goals (lower carbon emissions, strong trade links etc)

The basis for this opinion comes partly from my understanding of a single European currency as the opportunity for a number of economies, some stronger and some weaker, to work together, helping each other out when a member runs into trouble.

However, if this was the root of my favourable stance towards the EU, then Thursday's news has hoisted me well and truly back up onto the fence by reminding me that along with a single currency, the objective of the EU is to have common laws for farming, policing and more.

This, to me, indicates a lack of logic bearing in mind just how delicately each different country must have tailored their farming and policing methods to suit their own climate, culture and traditions. 

Surely forcing sunny Spain to adhere to the same farming conventions as snowy Sweden will only result in the meltdown of one or other's crop cycle? And would applying the same policing to both laid-back Latinos and booze-fuelled Britons not result in one side of the coin descending into widespread carnage? 

As previously mentioned, I have never been a leading light on the subject, but thought I knew where my loyalties lay. 

Whilst I stand by the fact that the EU has the potential to bring our continent together both politically and socially, it now seems that a united Europe (essentially a socialist ideal) is becoming evermore nationalist in its outlook. Is it in danger of undercutting the very democratic values for which it originally stood? 

My answer: I don't know... But I do know I need an Aspirin.