Anyone under the age of 30 has grown up believing we are already in Europe ? after all, Ted Heath got us into the then Common Market in 1973. And the big banks now feel the same. As long ago as 1997 business customers could open euro accounts, so they could trade more easily with customers and suppliers on the continent. And the banks themselves were quick to start dealing in euros, because they were afraid that London, as a major financial centre, would lose out to somewhere like Frankfurt (that could still happen, by the way).
In other words, whether the diehards like it or not, we are going to join the EU, single currency and all, sooner rather than later. And I believe that various aspects of our culture are being manipulated to facilitate the process.
One problem was, until recently, the British (Government?s) attitude to porn. Imagine what would have happened if they had maintained their previous stance. One fine day the Government judges that the time is right, the referrendum is done and dusted, we?re on the verge of signing the paper? and then some Eurocrat stands up and says, ?You naughty Brits, your attitude to porn doesn?t match the rest of Europe ? so lighten up or we won?t let you in.?
And then someone in power in Britain would have to commit political suicide by coming right out in public in favour of? aargh? porn! Of course it would never happen ? and it has been arranged so that there is now no need for it to happen.
Whether he was tipped the wink or they just chose someone they knew would have a more sensible attitude, Andreas Whitam-Smith has done that job for them. And the cunning thing is, they haven?t had to change the law! Our laws are still the same, and decisions are still made in the courts by a judge and jury. But by changing our censorship guidelines on R18? hey presto, we are very nearly in line with the rest of Europe ? and no political heads have rolled.
So unless there is a major tabloid scandal in the near future with some gruesome pervert claiming ?It woz porn wot made me do it? ? which will demand instant, knee-jerk reactions from all political parties ? I think the Government will be quite happy to leave the question of porn where it is. Conveniently brushed under the carpet and forgotten.
Now you can all shoot me down in flames
