Interview Lord Paddy Ashdown on Brexit, EU, Angela Merkel, Migration Crises by Subodh Gupta from Journalism News Network
Lord Paddy Ashdown on Brexit, the EU, and the Migration Crisis
In this insightful interview, the late Lord Paddy Ashdown provides a robust defense of the UK’s membership in the European Union, addressing economic fears, the “democratic deficit” in Brussels, and the controversial role of immigration in British society.
1. The Economic Consequences of Brexit
Lord Ashdown argues that leaving the EU would deliver a “terrible shock” to the British economy. He urges the public to look past political figures and instead listen to independent voices.
Expert Consensus: He points out that ten major international bodies are unanimous in their view that leaving would severely damage the UK economy and potentially trigger a recession [00:35].
Trade Realities: Addressing the argument that EU regulations stifle global trade, Ashdown highlights that Germany does three times more trade than Britain under the same rules. Furthermore, he notes that “little Belgium” currently conducts more trade with India than Britain does, suggesting that the issue lies with UK competitiveness rather than Brussels [01:58].
2. Is the EU Democratic?
A central theme of the interview is whether the EU is sufficiently democratic. Lord Ashdown contends that while it can be improved, the EU model is often more democratic than the UK’s own Westminster system.
Lawmaking Myths: He strongly rejects the claim that “unelected bureaucrats” in Brussels make laws. He clarifies that no EU law is passed without the consent of elected ministers sitting in the Council of Ministers [06:02].
Westminster Comparisons: He critiques the UK’s own democratic structures, mentioning the unelected House of Lords and an electoral system where a government can hold a majority with less than 25% of the popular vote [02:43].
The “Gold-Plating” Problem: Ashdown shares an anecdote from the late 1990s regarding small abattoirs. He discovered that a four-page EU directive was expanded into an 87-page document by Whitehall civil servants, illustrating that many burdensome “EU regulations” are actually manufactured in London [03:51].
3. Immigration: A “Mongrel Nation’s” Strength
Lord Ashdown offers a passionate defense of immigration, describing Britain as a “mongrel nation” that draws its strength from its diverse roots.
Economic Necessity: He argues that the UK’s current economic model is unsustainable due to an aging population. Without immigrants to pay taxes and support services, the economy would become dangerously unbalanced [08:02].
Refuting Scares: He dismisses claims that immigrants rob jobs or undercut wages, pointing to the reality of full employment and a lack of evidence for wage suppression [07:39].
Social Impact: He criticizes “dog-whistle politics,” specifically calling out efforts to fan racial prejudice for political gain as “dangerous for our country” [10:52].
4. Angela Merkel and the Refugee Crisis
The interview shifts to the role of the German Chancellor and the broader European response to the migration crisis.
A “Shining Light”: Ashdown describes Angela Merkel as a “shining light” of Europe for her brave and principled stance on refugees [08:43].
Critique of UK Policy: Conversely, he expresses disappointment with the UK’s response, noting that Britain—historically a place of refuge—has at times failed to take in sufficient numbers of those fleeing battlefields [09:31].
5. The Real Obstacles to UK Growth
In his closing remarks, Lord Ashdown identifies the true reasons why Britain may be struggling to compete globally—reasons that have nothing to do with the EU.
Internal Failures: He cites the UK’s low productivity, a tax law that is ten million words long, and “Wi-Fi speeds that are slower than the base camp at Everest” as the genuine barriers to success [11:51], [12:08].
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