I have not been writing much here or anywhere else. Too busy trying to survive and attending the latest Oxford Programme on Negotiation event.

Last night BBC reporter and troubleshooter Lyse Doucet gave a spirited talk to the Programme about international mediation. I of course disagreed with quite a lot of it. One for another day.

But along the way I squeezed out another Commentator piece, describing how over the years the UK has surrendered more and more slices of sovereignty to the European Union.

I presented this in a droll way, namely as a dialogue between a bland Club Secretary and one of the Club members:

80 percent – 60 percent

EU (Friendly and positive tone) "We’ve been thinking about the rules. That majority voting has worked well. A few squeakers here and there, but nothing too serious. It is well worth extending this voting to some more areas.

The great advantage to you as a significant club member is that usually you’ll be able to use your influence in the club to pass rules you really like. In theory you can get outvoted on issues important to you, but according to our calculations that will happen very infrequently. And even if you lose a few votes, you’ll gain much more by getting the things you like passed faster and not blocked. Plus you retain a veto on the great majority of decisions! OK?"

UK Thinks: They don’t give up do they? But maybe they’re right: on balance we’ll do a bit better by getting our requirements pushed through faster. Plus we keep a veto on 60 percent of all decisions – the ones that really matter…

"OK, but I insist – that’s enough fiddling with the rules!"

In successive conversations the Secretary persuades the UK to cede more and more decision-making authority to the Club. Until finally the tone changes:

49 percent – 10 percent

EU (using a very firm voice) "The time has come to make this club really work properly. There is far too much time being wasted on silly arguments and people blocking things for selfish reasons. The club’s overall purposes must be fulfilled and not constantly held back!

Let’s face facts. For most members only a very small handful of issues really matter – some 10 percent at most, i.e. those involving your own money. The rest must be decided by majority voting so that we all benefit and move ahead. You’ve sensibly conceded that 51 percent of issues be decided by majority voting. Accept your responsibility. Keep a veto on only the issues of the utmost importance, such as voting club membership fees. You’ve come so far to make the club a fine success – and the club committee salutes you for that. Take this next bold step too."

UK Thinks: “I am in blood