2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Treason at Maastricht??, 7 Mar 2010
I was lent this book by a UKIP member and enthusiatic Eurosceptic. She is particularly concerned about loss of UK sovereignty because of UK's membership of the EU and the cost to UK taxtapayers because of it. I do not wish to make any comment on the relative merits of arguments for or against the EU but to comment solely on this book.
In my opinion it would never sway anyone who is either in favour of the EU or is (like me) relatively agnostic on the subject. I also think that many Eurosceptics might be a little perturbed at the states of mind of the writers.
The book's main point is that the UK government committed treason in signing up to the Treaty at Maastricht in 1992 which created the European Union. In support of this assertion, the writers Norris McWhirter and Rodney Atkinson presented a petition to Hexham Magistrate's Court setting out their charges. It was a forlorn hope, given that only governments themselves can present such charges (as far as I understand). There must have been an official response because it was referred to in the book but we do not actually see the response. This confirms my view that the book is highly one-sided and does not wish to engage in any reasonable argument that might weaken its case.
What I find slighly more disturbing is the attempt to link the EU with Adolf Hitler's vision of Europe and the suggestion that modern Germany is intent on continuing the work of the Nazis within the EU framework. I have to tread carefully here. Nearly everyone knows that Hitler and the Nazis are subject to eternal vilification because of their aggressive invasions of their neighbours and the serious mistreatment and mass murder of Jews and others in their obsession with promoting the idea and the position of an Aryan master race. The (questionable) link between the EU and the Nazis is made objectionable because of the association of an evil regime. However, it does not in itself invalidate the idea of European Union. I think it is intellectually lazy to make such links. It also ignores the fact that the European Union was initially founded to strengthen democracy and maintain peace in Europe and never to repeat the experiences of World War 2. We have after all enjoyed a relatively peaceful time in the last 65 years, which for me is one of the most compelling arguments in favour of the EU.
There must be books that state the Eurosceptic view effectively but this book is not one of them.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Treason at Maastricht, 1 Sep 2011
If you are interested in true freedom and are an intelligent, loyal subject of the Queen you should know what has happened to our country.
I met Mr. McWhirter and he impressed me as a real gentleman who was truly appalled at the treasonous destruction of British culture and the placing of our country under the control of a foreign power. This is neither a nationalistic tirade nor a silly conspiracy theory with no basis in fact but a sensible exposé of what has happened to decent people in this country perpetrated by politicians who should have known better and who have not served anyone properly and honourably.
This book exposes the unpleasant origins and purposes of the EU and was written by two decent and intelligent men. If more people were to read it they might not be so keen on the way the UK has been steered, sleep-walking, into becoming a slave state of the EU.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No