What does the EU do for you?
As money gets tighter in the UK and more and more of the population continue to suffer from a rising cost of living some people are starting to ask whether the UK's contributions to the European Union are working - are they making a difference to your life?
The fundamental problem with the EU and the EU parliament is the fact that many of those working there are unelected and seem to have a free hand at becoming involved in each and every aspect of each and every state - not a good basis for an understanding electorate!
However, if you look behind the crazy headlines and some of the more bizarre laws which have been passed the EU does have its uses. It has assisted in creating a free European market (while some aspects of this are good some are not so good) and it does allow Europe to collectively bargain with powerhouses such as the US and ensure that EU members are protected on a trade basis. Cross boarder regulation, cross border policies and a general bring together of EU members has strengthen the bargaining power of the EU on a world wide basis. But is this enough?
Like so many other 'governments' around the world they are often seen to be very slow to react to situations such as the energy crisis, but what can they really do?
The EU is a very strong group of countries and while it does not help itself on the PR front, it does have its uses.
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