Letters / A lesson from Switzerland?
The Swiss have quit EU trade talks because Brussels wanted Switzerland to sign control away.
From 2014, the Swiss and the EU have been involved in increasingly fractious discussion. Now, Bern has formally quit the negotiations to convert future relations with the bloc into a single overarching “framework agreement”.
Swiss critics say that Eurocrats would have the ability to meddle in the affairs of a sovereign nation, and the Swiss were, finally, not prepared to put up with that.
Philip Erzinger, head of Kompass Europe, an anti-framework campaign group, suggested that the contract on offer ‘was one sided. It required us [the Swiss] to take on EU law without any mechanism for saying No’.
He further suggested that this ‘would have been a direct interference in our system of direct democracy and cantons in Switzerland.’
Top pollster Lukas Golder, of GFS Bern, said the Swiss people believed their government had made too many concessions in the negotiations with Brussels.
So, the Swiss want to control their own country, not to be controlled by the EU. Is there a lesson here for Scottish parties that want to be independent?
Brian Nugent
Restore Scotland
Hamnavoe
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
