Sue Pertwee-Tyr
Accuphase all the way down
Big has been good in terms of global influence. The EU's GDPR, for example, has led a drive towards better privacy legislation globally, either in order to align with the EU for better data flows, or in strengthening the local drive for better data protection legislation, eg in California. There are, I'm quite sure, many similar examples where EU standards are becoming a defacto global standard.To your first paragraph I would ask you where, beyond the realm of technical regulations, has the EU proved that its size really holds serious sway? Where, in regard of the EU, has big been good?
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You trimmed my quote to remove the second half. I'm interested to know your thoughts?
Big is also a bulwark against external aggression and pressure. Economic and political leverage is helpful on the global stage.
As to my thoughts on the second half, it's a bit hypothetical but I rather disagree. I think the UK, as the leading 'awkward' member state, was quite capable of opting out if it decided to. Over the years we'd negotiated and defended many opt outs that worked for us. This doesn't paint us as the meek, compliant, infantilised member state you posit.