What if the test fails? Would its effects be reversible?
By James Slack in the Daily Mail (thanks to all who sent this in):
Jack Straw has argued more than 70m Turkish citizens should be allowed to join the EU to prove the West and Islam can live peacefully side-by-side.
During a visit to Turkey, the Justice Secretary gave strong support to the country’s controversial bid for full membership of the European Union.
Other member states, including France, have reservations against the country – whose 71m population is almost exclusively Muslim – being granted membership amid continuing human rights abuses.
But Mr Straw, who also backed Turkey’s case while Foreign Secretary, said he was “frustrated with the difficulties being placed in the way of Turkey’s accession”.
He added: “Statesmen and women across Europe need to take care with Turkey’s future.”
Full membership would allow Turkish citizens full rights to work and live in the UK, where many have strong family ties, without visas.
In a speech at the Bosphorous University in Istanbul, Mr Straw said: “One of the most significant threats faced today by civilised nations comes from the barbarism of international terrorism, from a violent and misguided ideology that seeks to drive a wedge between Western and Islamic cultures, and to resurrect a bloody past long since buried.
Hmm. What ideology might that be, Jack? Or is it The Ideology That Must Not Be Named?
“A stable, prosperous Turkey anchored in the EU would be a powerful symbol indeed that the true divide lies not between our cultures but between the vast majority of civilised people across the world and the uncivilised few who use terror to destroy the common values and beliefs which bind the rest of us.
“Turkey is a secular nation with a majority Muslim population. By welcoming Turkey into Europe we will prove how two cultures can not only exist together, but thrive together, as partners in the modern world. Accession means a more pluralist, tolerant and inclusive Turkey — and a more pluralist, tolerant and inclusive Europe.”…
What if Turkey adopts Sharia, which seems to be the desire of the Prime Minister and a significant portion of the population?
But Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch UK, said: “We need to be extremely cautious about admitting Turkey to the EU. The population will approach 100m by that time.
“We have already seen the huge impact of Eastern European migration to the West.
“Where dies [sic!] Europe end its land border? Do we really want a border with Syria, Iraq and Iran?”
Good question.