We have a lot of problems in the UK, and the 'Alf Garnett mentality' offers us no solutions. It is unrealistic to suggest that the UK can be totally independent. For instance, we have to borrow money, and our ability to pay it back has to be judged internationally. Our failure to manage our economy properly is now likely to result in our credit rating being lowered from the AAA standard.

We are dependent upon imports, having unwisely de-industrialised in the 1980s. We are dependent, for instance, on Russian gas supplies and we import some nuclear power from France. We are generally bound by NATO and UN rulings for any military interventions, and we are very unwise if we disregard such rulings.

Just returning to EU Technological directives for one moment (covered in the last post), if you look at the EU Software Patents bill, there were obviously a lot of pros and cons surrounding Patenting. For instance, a lot of people felt that such a bill would disadvantage small independent contractors. However, doesn't the defeat in 2005 of the directive, disprove the notion that the EU Parliament can only 'rubber stamp' EU legislation? The vote to scrap the bill was passed by a margin of 648 votes to 14, with 18 abstentions.

Anyway, let's look at the single market for employment in Europe. One solution to our problems is language education. There may not be sufficient jobs in the UK in the future and it makes sense to have as an option the possibility of working in Europe. However, due to our lack of ability at languages, many of us lack the confidence to work in Europe, and that is part of the reason for our widespread hostility to the European project. It is obviously different for Europeans who think nothing of commuting into another country to work. Borders with many European countries are not as significant (and have, of course, been breached many times historically). Europeans are brought up in multi-lingual environments and are very often multi-lingual. We are an island race, and most of us grew up isolated from other languages. One thing the Government could do to improve this is to have a substantial initiative to improve foreign language competency. No more introductory classes for a few weeks, this time it needs to be a substantial 4-year evening course. Each year you would pay the fees (e.g. £150), but upon successful completion, the Government would pay you back the 4 years fees plus a £150 bonus. That would be £750.

One language people could consider learning, particularly in the business community, is German. The German speaking world is the largest linguistic community in the EU. Of course, the favourite Cliché is that everyone in Europe speaks English, so we needn't bother. That may apply when you are on holiday, but if you want to work for a substantial period of time in Europe, you do need to get some basic language skills. You will never understand much about what is happening around you unless you learn the native language.

How good are English skills in the UK?

Language competency is a sensitive issue in the UK. Many people in the UK are not very competent at their own language. If we continue to refuse to engage with Europe, there is a danger of England becoming a country with an uncommunicative underclass. Take, for example, Italy. They once spoke Latin, and that has formed the basis for languages throughout the world. In Roman times you would have had an advantage if you spoke Latin and you could have travelled confidently to almost anywhere in the Roman Empire and be understood. The Latin language was rapidly accepted by others, and evolved into different, newer languages such as Spanish. What may happen, if we are not careful, is that although we were the ones who originally spoke English, many of the heavier accents within the UK may be come indecipherable outside this country and become a major barrier to employment in Europe and even in the UK. That will add to the frustration of some UK residents when they perhaps try and work in Europe, but are told that no-one can understand them and they are being sent home. Certainly, the 'perfect' European English spoken by citizens in countries such as the Netherlands, is highly impressive and has a sharpness and clarity that puts some of our lazy 'Vicky Pollard' accents to shame. Let's put language skills, particularly English, at the top of the agenda in schools.

As far as IT contract working in Europe is concerned, it is usually necessary to work through umbrella companies. The freelance working model does not seem to be as big in Europe, but then the Recruitment Agency malaise of the UK is not as big either. For instance, in Luxembourg, until fairly recently, the government employment service, ADEM ( Administration de l'Emploi), was the only legally authorised recruitment agency. The growth in this sector is probably a sad reflection on the values we have in the UK in relation to work.We are all being made unnecessarily more expensive to employ by the margins that Agents take. Can we look at some legislation to deal with that? The easier we can make working in the EU the better, through the harmonising of healthcare and taxation and the recognition of qualifications.

The Government has destroyed our jobs, so let's start looking for jobs abroad, many of which you will notice have a specification in a foreign language. If you're the last person to leave, please turn out the lights.

Say what you like about the EU. There are no Lords in the EU Parliament. There are just ordinary people. There's no farcically dressed Speaker's entourages, no 'Black Rod', no 19th century Gentlemen's club rules. The EU parliament has never sent anyone to their deaths to fight in an illegal conflict. It has its faults, but it is a modern parliament, which is looking forward. Co-operation is not surrender.