Brussels plans EU power grab - as Eurosceptic rebellion even hits Belgium
Several EU figures are demanding further powers for bloc despite Euroscepticism growing even in Belgium.
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The European Union that the UK left isn't the EU of 2024.
As Leavers predicted the bloc's direction is all about expansion, centralisation of power and ambitions like an EU Army, whether voters across Europe actually want any of that or not.
Those in Brussels now openly speak about an enlargement of the EU, with more countries joining, by 2030.
There are, as ever, calls to expand the budget. The EU Commission recently requested a mere €66 BILLION top-up.
That clearly isn't enough for some though. Belgian Prime Minister Alexandra De Croo has called for an even more radical approach moving forward.
He wants to see the European Union raise more money for itself via EU-wide taxes.
Amidst this apparently push for EU taxes, De Croo told Politico: "Democratic legitimacy is tied with your own funding. That is inseparable.
"Today, the European funding is indirect and hangs together in a precarious way.
"We all have our methods of consulting the national parliaments, but if Europe continues in the direction it is going - and that push is there - you have to have something that is more direct.
"You have to have a piece of funding you are accountable for."
This intervention was welcomed by MEP Guy Verhofstadt, who responded by saying: "Indeed, need to finance EU totally differently: new own resources democratically decided instead of contributions by MS & veto’s!
"Belgian presidency and EU election campaign the moment to finally start debate on such a reform… through a Convention.
"Put your money where your mouth is!"
These sort of declarations seem increasingly at odds with the political reality right across Europe however.
A pro-Nexit Geert Wilders recently won in the Netherlands. Marine Le Pen is the current favourite to become next French President. Increasingly dominating the right-wing of politics in their country, Sweden Democrats talk of a possible future Swexit.
Giorgia Meloni is now Italian Prime Minister. And I could go on!
Even in De Croo and Verhofstadt's backyard of Belgium, Eurosceptic forces are on the rise.
Currently leading in the Belgian polls are Vlaams Belang, clearly a Eurosceptic party who have risen to 25 per cent in the polls.
In second place on 22 per cent are another opposition party, the New Flemish Alliance who also oppose further centralisation of power to the European Union.
This could all lead to the break-up of Belgium itself, as both want to see an independent Flanders.
It all demonstrates once again that pretty much everywhere you look at the moment across Europe, there is a backlash against the push for a federal EU superstate. Even in Belgium!
Perhaps instead of obsessing about a further centralisation of power, those in Brussels should pay attention to the message voters are sending in their own country.