Lies about the Lisbon Treaty

There is a thorough debunking of an anti-EU screed which has been going the rounds on Facebook (and presumably Twitter). The trouble with these things is that they contain just enough plausible content (especially if social media recipients are exposed to the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph) to make the rest easier to swallow.

It would be unnecessary duplication to reproduce the whole of anotherangryvoice's refutation (not a mere rebuttal) but I would like to add a positive note to a couple of items:

7. No trade deals (absurdity)

The threat that the Lisbon Treaty somehow rules out Britain's future ability to make trade deals is absolutely absurd because this isn't some future threat, it's the actual current state of affairs.

The EU Single Market is the single largest trading block on the planet which gives it enormous power to craft trade deals to its own advantage. All of the individual states that decided to join made the decision to give up their ability to make their own trade deals in return for access to the Single Market and the advantage of pooled negotiating power.

Repurposing the actual current state of affairs as a terrifying future threat is an extraordinary tactic, and it just goes to show how gullible people can be that the tens of thousands to have shared this nonsense didn't even notice that they were being directed to fear the introduction of what is actually the norm, and has been for decades.

8. No trade tariffs (absurdity)

This is basically just a reiteration of the previous point to present the current state of affairs as a terrifying future threat. Trade tariffs are decided communally by the EU. If it didn't work like this the Single Market and Customs Union couldn't exist in their current form.

9. No trade quotas (absurdity)

Another reiteration of the same idiotic effort to present the current state of affairs as a terrifying future threat.

The EU has the power to achieve favourable trade deals and to walk away from those which do not meet its standards. For instance, Canada was forced to back down over the relaxation of farming standards and "star chamber" secret courts to resolve commercial disputes which she originally wanted included in her deal with the EU. The USA was obstinate in sticking to its demands over food production in the other transatlantic trade negotiation and the EU told Trump what he could do with them.

Although the European Commission
  has the power to negotiate free trade agreements on behalf of the member states, [...] the final decision is in the hands of the individual governments [including the UK's]. EU free trade agreements are approved by qualified majority, though unanimity is required in cases that include trade in services; direct foreign investments; audiovisual and cultural services; social, educational and health services; and intellectual property. [Full article here.]

The EU is also positive force in  assisting developing nations through trade.