Le Monde reports (well quotes AFP but at least the agency is credited) that opposition to Norway's EU membership is growing in the country. According to the latest opinion poll, 66.9 per cent are against, 24.6 per cent are in favour and 9.1 per cent don't know or can't be bothered to reply. Norwegians, let us not forget, voted No to membership twice before and, despite all apocalyptic predictions, have been flourishing outside the EU.
You won't find a more enthusiastic eurosceptic than me but Norway flourishing may not only be a function on non membership of the EU. Perhaps sitting atop a massive oil lake has something to do with it. You may have noticed that Saudi Arabia manage pretty well too.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think Saudi Arabia manages quite as well as Norway as far as the population at large is concerned. It so happens that Britain has some natural resources, too, not least fish, which is something the Norwegians do not want to give up. So, not being in the EU might have a teensy-weensy bit to do with it. Hmmmm?
ReplyDeleteBarter with Brussels, not bitched by Brussels.
ReplyDeleteLike Hague could understand that...
With their special relationship status Norway gets all the benefits of EU membership but without any of the downsides of joining. (Like not paying anything in or being bound by EU directives).
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth would they change that?