Courtesy of Mish.
As we head into the final stages of the Brexit debate, it would be wise to revisit prime minister David Cameron’s pledges with UK citizens regarding EU rules and what he actually delivered .
David Cameron February 18, 2016: “I will be battling for Britain. If we can get a good deal I will take that deal but I will not take a deal that does not meet what we need.”
Now let’s consider the Telegraph article EU deal: What David Cameron Asked For… and What He Actually Got
What follows are comments from Telegraph writer Peter Foster interspersed with my own thoughts.
Cameron’s Pledge on Tax Credits, Benefits, Brake: “We will insist that EU migrants who want to claim tax credits and child benefit must live here and contribute to our country for a minimum of four years.” – Conservative Party Manifesto 2015
What Cameron Delivered: A mechanism to “limit the access of union workers newly entering its labour market to in-work benefits for a total period of up to four years from the commencement of employment” if the UK, or any other member state, can show that EU migrants are “putting an excessive pressure on the proper functioning of its public services”.
No details are provided on what “excessive pressure” means. Control of the brake is firmly in the hands of the Commission. Moreover, though deal only fully denies in-work benefits for one year, not four and the benefits changes may leave the UK vulnerable to a challenge in the European Courts.
Mish Score: F.
