Verhofstadt paving way for ‘totalitarian’ superstate, claims Brexiteer

Arch-Europhile MEP Guy Verhofstadt has been accused of trying to turn the EU into a ‘totalitarian supra-national authority’ with a package of proposals including one which would see member states stripped of their vetoes. Mr Verhofstadt’s ideas are set out in a 116-page draft document which, in the unlikely event that they are eventually adopted, would introduce qualified majority voting in dozens of areas including defence, taxation and foreign policy. The proposals contained in the dossier – obtained by the Politico website – would dramatically enlarge the powers of the European Parliament , and – crucially – prevent members of the EU27 from blocking legislation. Ben Habib who as a former Brexit Party MEP, who campaigned to take Britain out of the bloc after the 2016 referendum, ex-Belgian PM Mr Verhofstadt’s suggestions come as vindication. He told Express.co.uk: ‘Guy Verhofstadt, the arch EU imperialist, wants Brussels to take another giant step towards ever closer union. Guy Verhofstadt addressing the 2019 Liberal Democrat conference (Image: Getty) ‘He wants Brussels to take full control of environmental and climate related issues.’ The damage already inflicted by what property developer Mr Habib called ‘the relentless arbitrary drive towards Net Zero by 2050’ were ‘vast’, he insisted. He continued: ‘If the EU takes full control it will get immeasurably worse. The EU cares not for the welfare of European people. It merely deals in its own empowerment and their control. ‘He also wants to strip member states of their right of veto. All new laws are proposed to go through the EU’s fig leaf of a democracy: its useless Parliament, where there is no proper debate and decisions are sewn up behind closed doors.” Former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib (Image: PA) Mr Habib warned: ‘Democratically elected member state governments would cease to govern their own countries. ‘And to reflect its elevation the EU Commission would be renamed the EU Executive – sounds 1984 because it is 1984.” Mr Habib added: ‘If this man and his fellow EU fanatics have their way the EU will become a totalitarian supra-national authority. ‘Remainers beware, rejoining the EU would be giving up what little is left of our democracy. Maybe that is what you want?’ Brexit in Express front pages (Image: Express) Mr Verhofstadt appeared to hint at plans in a tweet on X earlier this week, in which he commented on plans to expand the bloc. He posted: ‘Being ready for accession means dropping unanimity, strengthening our sovereignty, taking rule of law serious, a Convention to debate Treaty change…’ In remarks addressed at European Council President Charles Michel, he added: ‘It means #EUCO should start doing the job it has significantly and willingly failed to do for years!’ Despite the UK quitting the bloc on January 31, 2020, Brussels continues to exert an influence on domestic affairs. The implementation of post- Brexit border checks on food products coming from the EU has been delayed for a fifth time, the Government earlier this week. European Council President Charles Michel (Image: Getty) The first stage of the UK’s new border model, originally set for October, is now delayed to January 2024, with physical checks and other requirements coming in throughout the next year. The extension was confirmed as the Cabinet Office published its new “border target operating model”, which delineates the UK’s upcoming approach to safety and security controls on all imports, with a particular emphasis on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for goods like live animals, plants, and animal products. The Cabinet Office said: “Having listened to the views of industry, the Government has agreed to a delay of three months for the introduction of remaining sanitary and phytosanitary controls, as well as full customs controls for non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods, which will now be introduced from January 2024. “To give stakeholders additional time to prepare for the new checks, further controls have a revised timetable. ‘These include checks on medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU, implemented in April 2024, and safety and security declarations for EU imports, implemented in October 2024.”