Students of modern European history will know that in 1940 - just before the Battle of Britain - there was a proposal that the UK and France should merge into one state. So, today's reports in the media that 'France is drawing up plans to create a breakaway organisation of eurozone countries with its own treaty, parliament and headquarters - a move that could significantly undermine the existing European Union' causes some wry smiles. The 'union within a union' is foreseen as an effective merger between France and Germany. The current financial turmoil is having a real effect on companies' plans for the future and that includes plans for their marketing and PR efforts. Barroso warns that a eurozone crash would wipe off £10 trillion from the European economy. Yet, should the 'union within a union' take place, will Brussels return to the quiet backwater that it used to be? Will lobbyists now be brushing up on their French and German? Certainly, no-one would deny that these are interesting, challenging and deeply worrying times. PS.Interesting to read that the European Court of Auditors has now refused to sign off EU spending for the 17th year.
