Why do we need a Super-state?

However, it seems that he understood the point I was trying to get across that deep down in the German psyche there exists an urge to dominate and bully (dare I mention sunbeds?).

I, for one, view the German approach to a Federal Europe with a deal of suspicion.
For many years I enjoyed - and I suspect a good number of other DB readers enjoyed The Fleming-Kernahan exchange of letters. It was a sad day when they declared a truce.

At the time I would have bet a pound to a pinch of camel dung that these two gentlemen would never agree on anything. I would have lost my bet.
It appears that Mr Fleming and Mr Kernahan are federalists.
They agree that ”it is a political and not an economic question” as to whether Britain joins the Euro, that Britain should join the Euro and that when we do, further integration and eventually a federal Europe will inevitably follow.

They may well be right.
But I would like someone to explain to me in simple non-journalistic English what exactly is the purpose of creating a super state or superpower, as Blair prefers to call it.

To vie with the United States of America? To vie with China?
For my money an almost certain recipe for a future intercontinental conflict.
And what would a Federal Parliament do?
In solemn session debate the shape and size of bananas and cucumbers, as they do in Strasbourg?
Restrict participants in the debate to speeches of not more than 90 seconds, as they do in Strasbourg?
Ensure that draft laws can only be changed with an absolute majority so that if only 300 of a 650-member parliament turn up and all vote against the draft law, it still becomes law, as happens in Strasbourg?

Should a Federal Parliament ever become a fait accompli, there are two things of which one can be certain.
One, that a gravy train of incredible length will start to roll for the benefit of the hordes of politicians and civil servants involved, all at the poor taxpayers expense, as has happened in Strasbourg. And two, the parliament itself will be located centrally, and conveniently, in Germany where the Germans, all 80 plus millions of them with all their industrial muscle, will have a major influence over the way the parliament performs.

We have saved Europe from itself on a number of occasions and could well do so again, so long as we remain in Europe and not run by Europe.
After federation (excluding GB), we will still be joined to Europe, geographically, historically, and economically via the Common Market.
It is sad that Mr Kernahan sees fit to mention the Union Jack and Land of Hope and Glory in a rather deprecatory manner. Every day I thank my lucky stars that I was born an Englishman of English parents. The Union Jack, Land of Hope and Glory are all part of my heritage and I'll throw in a couple of verses of Jerusalem for good measure. Mr Kernahan should remember that the only club we voted to join was the Common Market club.

And as for cherry-picking the benefits of the club, perhaps he could tell me what we get in return for the three billion pounds we send to Brussels each year.

I accept that Messrs Fleming and Kernahan will label me a Little Englander. Perhaps they should reflect for a moment on what LITTLE England has achieved over the recent centuries.

I trust that neither gentleman will think it necessary to reply to this letter for I have no intention of replying to replies.

Yours sincerely,
Peter Thompson
Mahon, Menorca

PS Perhaps Messrs Fleming and Kernahan (and others) should read what Mr Alan Greenspan thinks of the Euro. He forecasts a 70 cent Euro early next year, (50 cents in 2004) and dramatic inflation in Germany caused by the soaring prices of imported goods and raw materials.