PERHAPS we should think hard about the recent Peace Prize awarded to the EU. EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso (former Maoist) has demanded a federal Europe; something frequently expressed but never so blatantly.

Local political control (grassroots democracy) in EU countries seems highly circumscribed, and without question plans to abandon the nation state (national control). On September 12 at the Strasbourg Parliament, Nigel Farage’s stinging criticism of Barroso was superb; as was his answer to an EU federalist questioner.

Czech Republic Prime Minister, Vaclav Klaus’s book Europe: The Shattering of Illusions is highly revealing, as was his earlier Sunday Telegraph interview. Pessimistic statements on the European crisis emanate from Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer. He says events throughout the EU are becoming very ugly and will require armed police and troops to re-establish control. Switzerland doesn’t want the forces of EU breakdown spilling over its borders. The Swiss nation – with 200,000 trained full-time and auxiliary military personnel – has a reputation for always being prepared and has alerted troops. Some think acute decline of the indigenous EU birth-rate (part of a global phenomenon) could generate a form of European genocide.

For centuries, European philosophy, science, technology and arts led the way; decline could result in a bleak future and not just for Europe. Europe’s dilemma, alongside pointless diversity, is a major setback to democracy and the rule of law, which presents vast challenges to party political organisation.

STEPHEN WARD,

Tudor Close,

Oxford