" In the E.U., the initiation of policy comes from the European Commission – not the European parliament, the European Commission, an appointed body; a committee of 27 countries where everything is haggled away. "
- Steve Hilton

The quote discusses how policy-making in the European Union begins with an appointed body called the European Commission rather than the directly elected European Parliament. The Commission consists of representatives from each member state, and policies are often hammered out through negotiations among these representatives.

This statement highlights a crucial aspect of governance within the EU: the role of unelected officials in shaping laws that affect millions of citizens across multiple countries. It suggests that policy decisions may be influenced more by behind-the-scenes bargaining than public opinion or democratic processes. This dynamic raises questions about transparency and accountability in the EU's legislative framework, potentially affecting how member states and their citizens view the legitimacy of EU policies.

Steve Hilton is a British political commentator and former advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron. He has been vocal on issues related to governance and democracy, often critiquing the workings of both national and supranational governing bodies.