ON MARCH 18 the Andover Advertiser published two letters that repeated the Euromyth that it is “faceless, unelected bureaucrats in Brussels” that are deciding our laws.
Another commonly-repeated belief is that it is the Germans that are setting our laws. Both are wrong.
EU laws are proposed by the European Commission which has one commissioner for each EU state. But to become law proposals have to be agreed by both the Council of Ministers (elected ministers from each country) and the European Parliament which is composed of directly- elected MEPs.
The European Parliament can also modify proposals – just as the UK parliament can amend proposed UK legislation.
The process of determining EU law is therefore fully democratic and not dominated by any one country.
That is not to say that there is not room for improvement: it would be good to see just what UK ministers are saying and voting in the Council of Ministers.
Unfortunately opposition to greater transparency has come partly from the UK government.
This lack of openness is a reason for pushing for reform, not quitting the EU.
John Moon, Duck Street, Abbotts Ann
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