From: David Carter (UK) - PM
Date: 29 Sep 17 - 03:22 PM

The trouble is Iains, that you are wedded to the concept of the nation state. Much more sensible is a system of autonomous regions which manage their own affairs. But some things, for instance defence, and trade relations, need to be negotiated at a higher level, which is where the EU comes in. The EU does not grab power, it is entities like the UK and Spain which do that.

The UK does not 'grab power' in relation to defence. It aims to retain what power it has. The UK is happy to allow a supranational defence power. But is also happy to continue with that being NATO, rather than pass it to a relatively new entity, the EU.