One of the UK’s leading EU law experts criticizes the referendum debate’s “dishonesty on an industrial scale”, as he considers the claims and counter claims from each side.
University of Liverpool Law School’s Professor Michael Dougan has spent his career studying EU law as it relates to the UK; contributing to Parliamentary Select Committees, advising government and now helping media fact check the barrage of assertions emanating from the Remain and Leave camps, in the run up to June 23.
Here, Professor Dougan analyses the substance of each viewpoint and delivers an informed assessment of the UK’s potential future position, both as a member of the EU and in the wake of a vote to leave.
Professor Dougan is an employee of the University of Liverpool. He does not work for, undertake paid consultancy for, or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article.
Award of Jean Monnet Chair – Professor Michael Dougan:
“In 2006, the University of Liverpool was awarded a Jean Monnet Chair – a form of EU grant – consisting of €36,000. Under the terms of the grant, part of the money was spent on a major academic conference, the outputs from which were published by the usual process of international peer review. The remaining funds were spent on general teaching costs. The Jean Monnet award itself has long since been closed. However, for so long as I remain an employee of the University of Liverpool, I am entitled to continue referring to the 2006 award among my own professional distinctions. I am very happy and proud to do so, since such awards carry considerable prestige within my academic discipline.”
To view the video transcript, please visit: https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2016/06/22/transcript-professor-michael-dougan-eu-referendum/.
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Dear Mr. Clark,
I am not sure how you can arrive at the conclusion that “quite a few” governments want to leave the EU. Could you name one, please? If you meant to refer to members of the UK parliament, you would find, arguably, a majority for Remain. We are faced with the consequences not least of a few entitled playground bullies fighting to serve their personal ambitions.
Another bias post. He mentioned a lot about the negatives of the EU but did not actually mention one of them. “…helping media fact check the barrage of assertions emanating from the Remain and Leave camps…”. Whoever wrote this article puts quite a spin on it making it out like he is about to present an unbiased talk. If he advises the government in the same way he presented this, then I’m surprised any of the government want to leave the EU like quite a few do.