David Cameron's latest stance on our ongoing EU membership and funding appears capable of being compounded by the controversial "reduction of state benefits/ letting of spare bedrooms" issue. The appropriate vehicle for this issue is obviously Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights ( Right to private and family life.. the home... and correspondence")
Clearly the government will attempt to rely on non -compliance with Article 8 on (i.e) margin of appreciation or social necessity, but the point remains that a major pillar of the EU is in danger of "rocking". It seems likely that our continuing membership of the EU is by no means a certainty ( particularly under the present regime) and that a basic fundamental ECHR issue such as the "spare bedroom" issue may be all that is required to light the touch paper of our EU departure and exit with a bang! The UK has fell foul of ECHR and EU rulings in the past ( Factortame) for example so nothing is certain about the ECHR's backing of the UK stance.
Gerry Whitwham LL.B. (Hons)