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That's not far from where I am.
Although I appreciate that the harmonisation of regulations for a loose but large free trade area actually requires the harmonisation of law, which includes tax rules, and logically also eventually includes currency.
There is a logical conclusion, and either it's a trading area that is huge with little in the way of trade, or it's not. Once you mentally walk down the various paths and see where they lead one ends up at one of the extremes... there's no middle-way, they all veer eventually.
As I said on the day of the referendum, ultimately it's about the economy, hence I take one of the earlier paths towards a united and functioning Europe even though in some ways I'm a sceptic.
Velocio-
I guess there is a alternative middle way of standing still. Ie we've reached a sensible overall point in the EU life cycle and now we maintain it with minor prods and pulls.
Also on your "clear mandate" point; listening to R4 this morning I now understand what you mean.
Every. Fucking. Sound. Bite.
hugo7
Genuinely curious as to what you think would be a more suitable co-operative pact.
I used to be opposed to essentially anything other than a loose free trade area/free movement area. Over time that has shifted as I have understood more about the importance of harmonisation of regulations.
Both of those require some sort of political / legislative / judicial body(s).
I guess now I'm realising where I end up is an EU without industry subsidies (such as agricultural) and without a centralised monetary policy (although I realise once you accept the Euro then you have to have a single monetary policy).
Edited just to be clear - I don't like the concept of a centralised monetary policy over an area the size of the EU, but struggle to see how you can't have one with a single currency.