Mikeypm

Its a token amount really just so they can benefit from free trade within the EU

Cape Blue

Norway has a population less than 5M, whereas the UK is 62.5M - 12.5 times more, the only sensible way to look at the net contributions is on a per capita basis.

Norway 2013 net - E290M/4.952M = E59/head

UK2012 net - E9,000M/62.641M = E144/head

The UK pays around 2.4 times per head more than Norway, or put it another way, Norway pays 41% of the UK rate - but has no vote or input to the EU rules that it has to follow.

Novocastrian

Quite: Excuse the caps, but that's the way the Grauniad did it,

MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT CAUSED BY "BWUSSELS" BUT BY CHRONIC BRITISH SHORT-TERMISM, INADEQUATE MANAGEMENT, SLOTH, LOW SKILLS, A CULTURE OF EASY GRATIFICATION AND UNDER-INVESTMENT IN HUMAN AND PHYSICAL CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

I don't often (never have before) agree with Boris.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/b...ichael-gove-eu

Shard

Are you changing the goalposts now? You point was that Norway was a significant net contributor to the EU budget not that the per capita contributions was significant. Even if the latter was your point, it is only one third of the UK, so again wrong. Not sure why you wish to compare it to the UK anyway, Sweden, a Nordic country closer is size would have made a better comparator.

Shard

Although not entirely incorrect, Boris is playing to the gallery. It is only the hard skeptics and misguided that pin blame on Brussels for Britain's economic problems. Nevertheless, it does not follow that Federal Europe is in the best interests of the country or what the people of country want.

Jingsamichty

Boris Johnson said that?!?!?!?

The man has no shortage of front, I'll give him that.

Shard

I think he might be taking a page out of George Galloway's book and going for the diversity vote. He has it in London, so why not all across the land. He is a schemer extraordinaire!

Novocastrian

Yes, in general he's an annoying prat. But he can hit the point now and again when it's to his advantage. BTW I'm not sure what you mean by the diversity vote?

Shard

Boris loves to bang on about London being a great city of immigrants, which it is and largely has been, but when he starts knocking Britain (which is not typical of him or his party) one suspects ulterior motives. Like Galloway, he seems to be seeking wide support from newcomers, but unlike George his motivations seem more political than passionate. Chronic short termism is probably a valid charge, but the rest are dubious and portray Britain and Brits negatively.

Novocastrian

I really don't see what you're getting at. The quote wasn't "knocking Britain", it was just being frank about Britain.

I've no idea who can vote in London Mayoral elections, but I'd be gobsmacked to learn that "newcomers" have a vote in Parliamentary elections or in referenda.

Shard

There are many that have that frank view about Britain, but if past speeches are anything to go by, Boris is not one of them. That's why I am suspicious of his motives.

Novocastrian

His motives are completely transparent. He want's to be the boss of the pathetically miserable Conservative Party and he's choosing sides against the lunatics.

Shard

Indeed. Although in the pathetically miserable stakes, you would surely agree that Ed & Ed provide very stiff competition.

Novocastrian

Who are they?

Shard

Ed Milliband, Ed Balls (Leader, Shadow Chancellor).