Sometimes events turn on the strangest of things. In particular I refer to the fact that one of the reasons our GDP has increased, and a result of which we will be expected to cough up an additional 拢1.7 billion to the EU is because of almost 拢10 billion extra being included to account for the sex and drugs trade estimated to be worth some 拢5.3 billion and 拢4.4 billion respectively.
So, it seems, David Cameron is now left in a position by which he will have to resist paying the additional money demanded by the EU under the rules by which contributions from member states are calculated or risk the wrath of his own party and, indeed, an electorate who seem increasingly exasperated by the fact that whilst most of us are still suffering from the effects of austerity we have to pay more to what is seen by many as a faceless bureaucracy that imposes ridiculous rules on us and has created increased immigration.
Immigration is now clearly a major issue that is exercising the minds of all the parties. This was borne out by the statement from defence secretary Michael Fallon that because certain towns feel 鈥渦nder siege鈥 from immigrants who take jobs away from British workers and come here simply to avail of the benefits.
Fallon鈥檚 argument that reform of the free movement of people within the EU will strike a chord with voters; as will change in the amount we contribute.
Though there are many who see definite advantage to remaining part of the EU 鈥 not least the CBI who believe that membership is worth between 拢62-78 billion 鈥 their voices are being drowned out in a frenzied chorus of disapproval by those on the right wing who advocate withdrawal.
Reports over the weekend suggesting that nearly a third of voters are willing to vote for 海角视频IP show that the established party leaders have little room for manoeuvre.
Ed Milliband has his own problems dealing with the fallout resulting from Friday鈥檚 resignation of Scottish Labour party leader Johann Lamont. Any schadenfreude he might have been tempted to engaged in as a result of David Cameron鈥檚 situation will undoubtedly be tempered by the view that the SNP is poised to make north of the border big gains in next May鈥檚 General election.
And is it just my imagination in that Nick Clegg seems to be simply keeping his head down?
I expect Nick probably feels that the Lib Dems are going to get enough of a kicking without adding to the party鈥檚 woes by being an advocate of the EU.
So, it seems, the general election will be fought over how committed we are to the EU and its continued value to us economically.
In the year in which we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the second-world war which heralded a new dawn in relationships between European nations this is somewhat depressing.
In difficult times people can easily be seduced by simplistic arguments; that is what happened in Germany under the Nazis.
And whilst there can be no direct comparison between what is happening in the country and Germany in the aftermath of the first-world war there is an apparent appetite for change; most especially from the five million workers in low paid jobs.
As the Resolution Foundation has reported, the number of workers experiencing low pay 鈥 defined as earning less than two thirds of median hourly pay (拢7.69 an hour) 鈥 has risen by a quarter of a million to reach 5.2m in the last year.
It鈥檚 probable that such workers will believe that leaving the EU will stop the flow of immigrants from the EU who they believe are nicking their jobs and depressing the real rate of pay.
The trouble is, the high value jobs that these workers aspire to are found in the major multi-national employers who, in the event of a referendum vote to leave the EU would probably be tempted to leave the 海角视频 are relocate to a state still within the EU.
And the fact that the election result is now less certain than ever and that an immediate withdrawal might be the price of 海角视频IP going into coalition with the Conservatives will make markets even more nervous than they are.
The EU is far from perfect.
However, what is needed at present are some 鈥榟eavy hitters鈥 such as Ken Clarke and the likes of Lord Heseltine and Mandelson to do what the major party leaders did during the run-up to the Scottish referendum.
Our exit from the EU is far too be important to be decided on the half-truths and manipulation of data that is currently occurring.
We deserve better from our political leaders who are appear to be simply responding to events rather than setting the agenda.
It will be something of an irony if including the nefarious trades of sex and drugs in our GDP figures either directly or indirectly causes our withdrawal from the EU which, in a world of increasing uncertainties offers better protection than the belief we can go it alone.
