Lord Dykes, Member of the House of Lords, and regular JVG reader
Does Britain belong to the European community?
Being a very keen European myself I can only say: Yes, definitely. That is a very positive thing that comes with our present coalition government that our membership in the EU is regarded as essential. I would anticipate that if there is a referendum in the future – and of course there is still a question mark about this – that this would be the result. I think we are a natural European country.
Ten years from now: will the United Kingdom still be the U.K. – or will Scotland have become independent?
That is a matter for the people of Scotland to decide. And it would be wrong to interfere in a decision that is coming in a referendum. My own guess, however, is that since the polls show that there is a positive yes vote for staying in the UK that would probably be the result.
Does the Jewish community play an important role in British society and politics?
Indeed it does. To use that phrase: it punches much above its weight. We estimate that the Jewish community is around 300,000 plus and it certainly does have a very great influence in all spheres of British life which is a very big asset for Britain. The contribution of the Jewish community made over the years has been magnificent.
The nuclear deal with Iran – a step towards peace or a re-issue of the Munich Agreement’s appeasement policy?
I am aware of the fears of some people who think that way, especially of some people in Israel. But I think it is very important for the international community to first reduce the isolation of Iran and secondly to reach the agreement they did which I think is an excellent first step – subject of course to close monitoring. In the future the agreement will produce great benefits to the entire world community. It is wrong, I think, to isolate countries just because of particular policies.
Is Germany about to assume a dominant role in Europe?
Germany will play its usual leading role and it is a role we welcome very much. People in Britain very much respect and admire the post-war development of Germany and its great economic success. We wish them well. There are some things I wish we would emulate and copy – for instance, the good relations with trade unions which are a prerequisite for economic prosperity.