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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » It appears Brexiteers are finding out they can’t have their ca

SystemSystem Posts: 11,698
edited July 2017 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » It appears Brexiteers are finding out they can’t have their cake and eat it

I've been amazed by how pessimistic Brexiteers have now become. Most ardent Leaver I know texted today: "We've (they've) blown it". https://t.co/4ANiqlat1x

Read the full story here


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  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,933
    1st like Leave?
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389
    fpt as we still seem to be on Brexit
    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    Yes it's lose lose. For Brexiters. Because a) DD has already told you that we were always sovereign; and b) the modern world* involves so-called compromises on sovereignty in almost every sphere.

    *I appreciate that the concept of "the modern world" does not sit happily with many Brexiters.
  • Options
    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,711
    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
  • Options
    TypoTypo Posts: 195
    Is it just me or is Sky News just awful these days? It used to be an absolute go-to for breaking news and at the same time authoritative. Now it seems to be rolling click-bait. Whenever I see Beth Rigby on screen I feel like I am watching Buzzfeed.
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited July 2017
    Scott_P said:
    I am looking for a blonde nymphomaniac brewery heiress. They too are proving rather elusive...
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770
    FF43 said:


    And also FPT. Thanks to Casino for explaining what Leavers see as the practical benefits of Brexit

    Control over VAT/local taxation, flexibility on product standards, flexibility on financial services regulation, ability to regulate our own fisheries grounds, ability to design our own agriculture policy, regaining a seat on the WTO to independently push for worldwide services liberalisation, side-stepping regulations like the ports and clinical trials directives, ending rulings on our crime & justice system, and saving on cash contributions, are all practical benefits of Leaving.

    Long-term, it's more about removing constraints and giving us the toolkit to be able to flexibly respond to the challenges of the 21st Century, without political union and with direct democratic accountability in our national parliament, which I think is politically healthy.

    Thanks, I have always wondered what Leavers think the practical benefits of Brexit to be.

    Standardisation of regulation and oversight is a feature, not a bug, of a single market. While you can make certainly make a case against the EU agricultural policy, it's worth pointing out that the UK government is busy reasssuring farmers of continuity of subsidies and quotas and also that all the EFTA countries have even more distorting agricultural policies than the EU. The Common Fisheries Policy is working reasonably well now and much better than the free for all before we joined the EEC, which saw a catastrophic decline in fish stocks. In practice these things may not transpire to a huge degree, whether they count as benefits or not.

    Which leaves crime and justice. Possible benefit if you think the quality of EU judgments is worse than the UK ones. However that is mostly a national competence in the EU and we have opt-outs from other aspects of it.

    I wouldn't say a unilateral "toolkit" is more effective than a multilateral one - less so in my view. But I guess that's a judgment. Accountability is a win for Leave.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,776
    Scott_P said:
    Perhaps he should change his name by deed poll to Sir Thomas Moore.
  • Options
    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    Typo said:

    Is it just me or is Sky News just awful these days? It used to be an absolute go-to for breaking news and at the same time authoritative. Now it seems to be rolling click-bait. Whenever I see Beth Rigby on screen I feel like I am watching Buzzfeed.

    Well, I have to admit I find Sky News to be the most balanced news service these days - as opposed to the BBC which too often in recent years seems too scared to depart from the Conservative spin on the issues of the day (while Channel 4 is a bit too biased to the left even for me).
  • Options
    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,052
    FF43: almost every fisheries policy known to man is a disaster due to the annoying habit of fish of not staying in one place.

    The best solution for Britain should be that it sells on the open market annual fish quotas for its territorial waters. This would allow it to mitigate the worst of over-fishing and maximise revenue for the country. Obviously, anyone from any country should be allowed to bid for the quotas.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770
    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
  • Options
    Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,059
    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770
    rcs1000 said:

    FF43: almost every fisheries policy known to man is a disaster due to the annoying habit of fish of not staying in one place.

    The best solution for Britain should be that it sells on the open market annual fish quotas for its territorial waters. This would allow it to mitigate the worst of over-fishing and maximise revenue for the country. Obviously, anyone from any country should be allowed to bid for the quotas.

    Maybe. Nevertheless there was a catastrophic fall off in fish stocks during our national "management" prior to joining the EU and (eventually after the CFP sorted itself out) a major increase after the CFP.

    I don't think we can claim the fall off and the increase had nothing to do with the respective policies.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    TOPPING said:

    fpt as we still seem to be on Brexit

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    Yes it's lose lose. For Brexiters. Because a) DD has already told you that we were always sovereign; and b) the modern world* involves so-called compromises on sovereignty in almost every sphere.

    *I appreciate that the concept of "the modern world" does not sit happily with many Brexiters.
    Oh that's it then. I'll change my entire worldview on sovereignty because Davis said something.

    Seriously? I expected better. At least some foolish (mis)comparison to NATO....

  • Options
    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,785

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
  • Options
    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,116

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
  • Options
    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    Scott_P said:
    As with at least 9 of 10 (if not more) statements made about what we should do, that ignores the rather inconvenient truth that it's not purely up to us to decide. Would the EU27 be happy with that sort of arrangement? Certainly not if their public statements are to be believed - such as Barnier's today, or the repeated statements in the past that we can't have our cake and eat it.
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?

    The EU aren't demanding a change
  • Options
    GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 20,886

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    The Tory Party would split and be out of power for 30 years...
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    edited July 2017

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    You have to consider the electorate. If Brexit craters, it's more likely that the Conservative members will attribute this to insufficient zeal than to inadequate implementation. The next Conservative leader is likely to be someone whose Leaver credentials are impeccable.

    Depending on how long Theresa May stays in office, Michael Gove might be an interesting one to watch.
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758
    edited July 2017

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770
    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    False dichotomy klaxon! The EU was capitalist the last time I saw and capitalism doesn't imply a greater collaboration than any other form of trade.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
    That's including services isn't it? Given we have a massive trade deficit in goods I suspect the gap is much closer than you think...
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,556
    Great, another third umpire who doesn't know the laws of cricket.
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389
    Mortimer said:

    TOPPING said:

    fpt as we still seem to be on Brexit

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    Yes it's lose lose. For Brexiters. Because a) DD has already told you that we were always sovereign; and b) the modern world* involves so-called compromises on sovereignty in almost every sphere.

    *I appreciate that the concept of "the modern world" does not sit happily with many Brexiters.
    Oh that's it then. I'll change my entire worldview on sovereignty because Davis said something.

    Seriously? I expected better. At least some foolish (mis)comparison to NATO....

    Hey don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger quoting your champion in government. With such acute understanding of all the issues, superior, in your judgement, to those actually conducting the negotiations, I can only think that the country will suffer without your presence at the table.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,776
    In the ongoing debate about what England ought to do about the troublesome No.3 position, a notable stat from Cricinfo...
    "Ballance has scored more (1st class) hundreds this year than Buttler in his career..."
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,115

    You have to consider the electorate. If Brexit craters, it's more likely that the Conservative members will attribute this to insufficient zeal than to inadequate implementation. The next Conservative leader is likely to be someone whose Leaver credentials are impeccable.

    Depending on how long Theresa May stays in office, Michael Gove might be an interesting one to watch.

    Priti Patel is more likely than Gove
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758
    edited July 2017
    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    You could have said the same about Soviet-style communism right up until the point it er... collapsed.

    In any event, capitalism and the EU are hardly mutually exclusive!
  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    False dichotomy klaxon! The EU was capitalist the last time I saw and capitalism doesn't imply a greater collaboration than any other form of trade.
    Corporatist, more like.

    Fancy explaining why we should be part of a system that is so schlerotic it has to legislate against American tech, rather than being able to compete?
  • Options
    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,785

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
    Everyone (including North Korea) has 'access' to the single market - given their £97billion surplus in goods with us, they might be motivated to continue on good terms, and if not then these are the tariffs both the UK and EU would face:

    Average EU tariff by product type (%)
    Animal products 15.0
    Dairy products 33.5
    Fruit, vegetables and plants 10.3
    Coffee, tea 6.0
    Cereals and preparations 12.4
    Oilseeds, fats and oils 6.0
    Sugars and confectionery 20.2
    Beverages and tobacco 19.4
    Cotton 0.0
    Other agricultural products 3.2
    Fish and fish products 12.0
    Minerals and metals 2.0
    Petroleum 2.5
    Chemicals 4.5
    Wood, paper etc 0.9
    Textiles 6.5
    Clothing 11.4
    Leather, footwear etc 4.1
    Non-electrical machinery 1.9
    Electrical machinery 2.8
    Transport equipment 4.3
    Other manufactures 2.6

    Statistics on UK-EU trade - Parliament UK
  • Options
    edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,151

    Scott_P said:
    As with at least 9 of 10 (if not more) statements made about what we should do, that ignores the rather inconvenient truth that it's not purely up to us to decide. Would the EU27 be happy with that sort of arrangement? Certainly not if their public statements are to be believed - such as Barnier's today, or the repeated statements in the past that we can't have our cake and eat it.
    I'm not sure, but Barnier's statement was specifically premised on accepting Theresa May's previously stated red lines, which involved ending free movement etc. If the British were to say oh, actually that's all bullshit, let's leave everything as it is for a few years, I'd imagine they'd get a quid for their pro quo.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    TOPPING said:

    Mortimer said:

    TOPPING said:

    fpt as we still seem to be on Brexit

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    Yes it's lose lose. For Brexiters. Because a) DD has already told you that we were always sovereign; and b) the modern world* involves so-called compromises on sovereignty in almost every sphere.

    *I appreciate that the concept of "the modern world" does not sit happily with many Brexiters.
    Oh that's it then. I'll change my entire worldview on sovereignty because Davis said something.

    Seriously? I expected better. At least some foolish (mis)comparison to NATO....

    Hey don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger quoting your champion in government. With such acute understanding of all the issues, superior, in your judgement, to those actually conducting the negotiations, I can only think that the country will suffer without your presence at the table.
    Glad to see you must have accepted defeat on the article 5 of NATO balls. Who knows - you might admit that Leaving is a good idea soon enough... :)
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,115
    edited July 2017

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We will never join the Euro. We have always been on the margins of the EEC/EU even when we were members. We originally joined EFTA not the EEC and our place has never been in the EU inner core ie France, Germany, Italy, the Benelux nations and the rest of the Eurozone. Even if we rejoined the EU it would only be alongside the non-Eurozone periphery ie Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Poland and the Czechs
  • Options
    rural_voterrural_voter Posts: 2,038

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Pay more, agree on a bit less free movement?

    Fudge it accordingly. Add clauses requiring a job offer from an employer who will put you on the books (PAYE). So it's 'sorry, but no' to the self-employed.

    Restrict freedom of movement of *people*, i.e. to retire and live elsewhere in Europe, to those that take up EU citizenship as offered by Guy Verhofstadt. Presumably this would have a small cost and a full EU passport would be £50 or more.

    It's just an idea ... but clearly no-one in the govt. has any, so PB could probably come up with a coherent and workable policy before this shower do ...
  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    No. This tweet explains why:

    https://twitter.com/HistoryatNmpton/status/881799430445436928
  • Options
    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974

    You could have said the same about Soviet-style communism right up until the point it er... collapsed.

    In any event, capitalism and the EU are hardly mutually exclusive!

    Not really. Soviet style communism was never stable and never provided a better standard of living for the masses. The same certainly cannot be said of Capitalism which has transformed the fortunes of billions for the better. That is not to say it doesn't have its faults nor that they should be ignored. But trying to compare the results of Communism with those of Capitalism is like comparing a dirty puddle with the Pacific Ocean.
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    No. This tweet explains why:

    https://twitter.com/HistoryatNmpton/status/881799430445436928
    Add "country" "sovereignty" "control" and "laws" together - they are all driving at the same point - and you are probably getting to the same level of importance as immigration
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,115

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    Only with free movement controls at least reflecting the transition controls Blair failed to impose in 2004
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389
    Mortimer said:

    TOPPING said:

    Mortimer said:

    TOPPING said:

    fpt as we still seem to be on Brexit

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negoti wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    Yes it's lose lose. For Brexiters. Because a) DD has already told you that we were always sovereign; and b) the modern world* involves so-called compromises on sovereignty in almost every sphere.

    *I appreciate that the concept of "the modern world" does not sit happily with many Brexiters.
    Oh that's it then. I'll change my entire worldview on sovereignty because Davis said something.

    Seriously? I expected better. At least some foolish (mis)comparison to NATO....

    Hey don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger quoting your champion in government. With such acute understanding of all the issues, superior, in your judgement, to those actually conducting the negotiations, I can only think that the country will suffer without your presence at the table.
    Glad to see you must have accepted defeat on the article 5 of NATO balls. Who knows - you might admit that Leaving is a good idea soon enough... :)
    I have done no such thing on NATO. It is a joint-sovereignty approach.

    We are members which involves giving up pooling sovereignty. You are saying that within that framework, there are elements which are not binding on the member countries. So a bit like the EU and the Euro, or Schengen, or the fiscal compact, then.

    Plus do you really think that if the sh*t hits the fan and NATO asks us to join the defence of a fellow member, we will say, er no thanks we prefer not to.

    You bonkers sovereigners really like to cherry-pick which bits of sovereignty you are happy to give up and which bits you want to reclaim.
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
    Everyone (including North Korea) has 'access' to the single market - given their £97billion surplus in goods with us, they might be motivated to continue on good terms, and if not then these are the tariffs both the UK and EU would face:

    Average EU tariff by product type (%)
    Animal products 15.0
    Dairy products 33.5
    Fruit, vegetables and plants 10.3
    Coffee, tea 6.0
    Cereals and preparations 12.4
    Oilseeds, fats and oils 6.0
    Sugars and confectionery 20.2
    Beverages and tobacco 19.4
    Cotton 0.0
    Other agricultural products 3.2
    Fish and fish products 12.0
    Minerals and metals 2.0
    Petroleum 2.5
    Chemicals 4.5
    Wood, paper etc 0.9
    Textiles 6.5
    Clothing 11.4
    Leather, footwear etc 4.1
    Non-electrical machinery 1.9
    Electrical machinery 2.8
    Transport equipment 4.3
    Other manufactures 2.6

    Statistics on UK-EU trade - Parliament UK
    All very interesting Carlotta but your question was: You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?, which I was attempting to answer. My answer was intended to explain that the tariff-free access between the UK and EU is more important to us because a greater proportion of our exports go to the EU than of theirs coming here (but I suspect you realised that :smile:)

    You may disagree but that's my view!
  • Options
    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974
    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.
    Richard
    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    No it doesn't. Our influence in world trade, in setting standards and in opening up new markets is zero right now because all these things are controlled by the EU. They sit at the tables where these decisions are made and laws enforced whilst we have to just accept whatever position they chose to adopt even if it is against our national interests.

    Leaving the EU increases our influence by giving us a voice and a vote again.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    No. This tweet explains why:

    https://twitter.com/HistoryatNmpton/status/881799430445436928
    I think you are underestimating the extent to which people have changed their minds on a subject that was infantilised into a choice between two words. The formal fact of leaving can't be changed without another formal vote, but the settlement is up for grabs.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.
    Richard
    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    No it doesn't. Our influence in world trade, in setting standards and in opening up new markets is zero right now because all these things are controlled by the EU. They sit at the tables where these decisions are made and laws enforced whilst we have to just accept whatever position they chose to adopt even if it is against our national interests.

    Leaving the EU increases our influence by giving us a voice and a vote again.
    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770
    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    False dichotomy klaxon! The EU was capitalist the last time I saw and capitalism doesn't imply a greater collaboration than any other form of trade.
    Corporatist, more like.

    Fancy explaining why we should be part of a system that is so schlerotic it has to legislate against American tech, rather than being able to compete?
    You don't think the Americans do the same?
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758
    edited July 2017

    You could have said the same about Soviet-style communism right up until the point it er... collapsed.

    In any event, capitalism and the EU are hardly mutually exclusive!

    Not really. Soviet style communism was never stable and never provided a better standard of living for the masses. The same certainly cannot be said of Capitalism which has transformed the fortunes of billions for the better. That is not to say it doesn't have its faults nor that they should be ignored. But trying to compare the results of Communism with those of Capitalism is like comparing a dirty puddle with the Pacific Ocean.
    Ok I am certainly no defender of communism and nor do I believe for one moment capitalism is about to collapse.

    My point though was that history can't be used to predict the future. For the first 30 years of my life most people (including me) believed that the only way the Soviet empire would collapse is through a nuclear armageddon that would have been the end of us all... Then in the space of 5 years in the late 80s everything changed. You never know what the future will bring!
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and keep all of its benefits - that is not possible," he said. "I have heard some people in the UK argue that one can leave the single market and build a customs union to achieve 'frictionless trade' - that is not possible." After backing down on the Brexit timetable, the UK will soon have to pay a sizeable divorce bill if it wishes to make further progress. The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.
    Richard
    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    No it doesn't. Our influence in world trade, in setting standards and in opening up new markets is zero right now because all these things are controlled by the EU. They sit at the tables where these decisions are made and laws enforced whilst we have to just accept whatever position they chose to adopt even if it is against our national interests.

    Leaving the EU increases our influence by giving us a voice and a vote again.
    Idiot.

    In, ahem, financial services we have huge influence in the EU. Huge.
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,556

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    I've got a Ken Clarke thread coming up, in which he's mentioned in relation into the new Tory Leader/PM but isn't PM.

    Wedding permitting, I hope to publish that thread by Saturday, if not, next week.

    It will trigger a few people.
  • Options
    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,785

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
    Everyone (including North Korea) has 'access' to the single market - given their £97billion surplus in goods with us, they might be motivated to continue on good terms, and if not then these are the tariffs both the UK and EU would face:

    Average EU tariff by product type (%)
    Animal products 15.0
    Dairy products 33.5
    Fruit, vegetables and plants 10.3
    Coffee, tea 6.0
    Cereals and preparations 12.4
    Oilseeds, fats and oils 6.0
    Sugars and confectionery 20.2
    Beverages and tobacco 19.4
    Cotton 0.0
    Other agricultural products 3.2
    Fish and fish products 12.0
    Minerals and metals 2.0
    Petroleum 2.5
    Chemicals 4.5
    Wood, paper etc 0.9
    Textiles 6.5
    Clothing 11.4
    Leather, footwear etc 4.1
    Non-electrical machinery 1.9
    Electrical machinery 2.8
    Transport equipment 4.3
    Other manufactures 2.6

    Statistics on UK-EU trade - Parliament UK
    All very interesting Carlotta but your question was: You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?, which I was attempting to answer. My answer was intended to explain that the tariff-free access between the UK and EU is more important to us because a greater proportion of our exports go to the EU than of theirs coming here (but I suspect you realised that :smile:)

    You may disagree but that's my view!
    Yes, but except for dairy products the fall in sterling has more than offset any tariff the EU would slap on UK goods - and of course would further increase the cost of EU goods in the UK.....tariffs are not borne by exporters but by importers.....I imagine the Danes are looking nervously at UK animal husbandry requirements too....
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,556
    I suspect in a few years time Mrs May's decision to hold a snap election will be seen in the same context as Eden & Suez and Blair & Iraq
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,776
    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers...The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    False dichotomy klaxon! The EU was capitalist the last time I saw and capitalism doesn't imply a greater collaboration than any other form of trade.
    Corporatist, more like.

    Fancy explaining why we should be part of a system that is so schlerotic it has to legislate against American tech, rather than being able to compete?
    You do realise the US has a long history of anti-trist legislation ?
    Regulating markets is something all governments do.

    Daft rhetorical questions don't really advance the Brexiteer argument.
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    I suspect in a few years time Mrs May's decision to hold a snap election will be seen in the same context as Eden & Suez and Blair & Iraq

    That depends if it ends up saving us from Brexit or not
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,770

    No it doesn't. Our influence in world trade, in setting standards and in opening up new markets is zero right now because all these things are controlled by the EU. They sit at the tables where these decisions are made and laws enforced whilst we have to just accept whatever position they chose to adopt even if it is against our national interests.

    Leaving the EU increases our influence by giving us a voice and a vote again.

    That assumes we won't be fitting into the EU trading system (who needs it? It's only half our trade) And the EU, which makes up all our important neighbours, will still be the only show in town in Europe.

    Whether third countries will be more interested in us separately rather than as an influence within the EU isn't quite straightforward. It's a comparison say between the influence Japan has as a standalone country and the UK has had up to now as a member of the EU.

  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758
    FF43 said:

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    No. This tweet explains why:

    https://twitter.com/HistoryatNmpton/status/881799430445436928
    I think you are underestimating the extent to which people have changed their minds on a subject that was infantilised into a choice between two words. The formal fact of leaving can't be changed without another formal vote, but the settlement is up for grabs.
    I can't really see immigration coming down much post a hard brexit - unless it's as a result of a deep recession post-Brexit recession which the Leaver assure us won't happen! After all half of recent immigration has been non-EU which we could have stopped ourselves at any time.
  • Options
    RoyalBlueRoyalBlue Posts: 3,223
    Mortimer said:

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

    Brits have been prophesying the collapse of the Euro since it was created. The political commitment of the EU to the common currency is absolute; it will not be allowed to fail.

    I'm sorry to say (for I'm sure we agree on many things) but the idea that sterling is anywhere near as important as the Euro is laughable. Just because sterling is still included in the IMF's SDRs does not mean it plays a meaningful international role like the US dollar or Euro.

    Sterling is like the Japanese yen; a national currency which will decline in proportionate usage like its corresponding economy.


  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758

    Scott_P said:
    In other words, 'having your cake and eating it' for Corbyn.
    You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?
    Not as desparately as we need it access to the EU. 44% of our exports go to the EU; only 16% of theirs come here.
    Everyone (including North Korea) has 'access' to the single market - given their £97billion surplus in goods with us, they might be motivated to continue on good terms, and if not then these are the tariffs both the UK and EU would face:

    Average EU tariff by product type (%)
    Animal products 15.0
    Dairy products 33.5
    Fruit, vegetables and plants 10.3
    Coffee, tea 6.0
    Cereals and preparations 12.4
    Oilseeds, fats and oils 6.0
    Sugars and confectionery 20.2
    Beverages and tobacco 19.4
    Cotton 0.0
    Other agricultural products 3.2
    Fish and fish products 12.0
    Minerals and metals 2.0
    Petroleum 2.5
    Chemicals 4.5
    Wood, paper etc 0.9
    Textiles 6.5
    Clothing 11.4
    Leather, footwear etc 4.1
    Non-electrical machinery 1.9
    Electrical machinery 2.8
    Transport equipment 4.3
    Other manufactures 2.6

    Statistics on UK-EU trade - Parliament UK
    All very interesting Carlotta but your question was: You don't think the EU wants tariff free access to the UK market?, which I was attempting to answer. My answer was intended to explain that the tariff-free access between the UK and EU is more important to us because a greater proportion of our exports go to the EU than of theirs coming here (but I suspect you realised that :smile:)

    You may disagree but that's my view!
    Yes, but except for dairy products the fall in sterling has more than offset any tariff the EU would slap on UK goods - and of course would further increase the cost of EU goods in the UK.....tariffs are not borne by exporters but by importers.....I imagine the Danes are looking nervously at UK animal husbandry requirements too....
    Well I suppose the logic of your argument is that the EU will flex and be prepared to allow us tariff-free trade. Time will tell - I hope you are right :smile:
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758
    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    Wasn't he a BeeGee ? :smiley:
  • Options
    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,711

    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    Wasn't he a BeeGee ? :smiley:
    For May it'll be a matter of 'Stayin Alive'..
  • Options
    BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 31,758

    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    Wasn't he a BeeGee ? :smiley:
    For May it'll be a matter of 'Stayin Alive'..
    Nice one!
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    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389
    RoyalBlue said:

    Mortimer said:

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

    Brits have been prophesying the collapse of the Euro since it was created. The political commitment of the EU to the common currency is absolute; it will not be allowed to fail.

    I'm sorry to say (for I'm sure we agree on many things) but the idea that sterling is anywhere near as important as the Euro is laughable. Just because sterling is still included in the IMF's SDRs does not mean it plays a meaningful international role like the US dollar or Euro.

    Sterling is like the Japanese yen; a national currency which will decline in proportionate usage like its corresponding economy.


    And in fact it is a less important currency at our own behest, following the sterling balances contribution to our IMF woes in the '70s.
  • Options
    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,953
    Nigelb said:

    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    FF43 said:

    Mortimer said:

    Sean_F said:

    Scott_P said:

    Two months after May hastily triggered Article 50, it is becoming ever clearer that the imperative of "sovereignty" cannot be reconciled with that of prosperity. In a speech this morning, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier delivered a series of hard truths to the Brexiteers...The promised £350m a week for the NHS will gave way to c.€100bn for the EU.

    Strangely, quite a lot of nations do seem able to reconcile sovereignty with prosperity.
    Indeed. I don't see why Remainers still argue against sovereignty.

    It is inarguable that we're less sovereign within the Eu.
    It is inarguable that sovereignty is different to prosperity.

    AND

    It is inarguable that many of us who value sovereignty think that it will eventually lead to
    More stable and sustainable prosperity...

    It's lose lose arguing about sovereignty....yet people still do.
    The prosperity argument isn't about sovereignty. It's about continuity first and collaboration second. The less continuity we have, the more disruption there will be and the less prosperous we will be in the short and medium terms, which is why the Brexit talks are fundamentally about continuity. How much continuity can we retain while leaving the EU? In the longer term greater prosperity will come with greater collaboration. The EU provides a framework for collaboration, which is why membership is likely to mean more prosperity, although it is not guaranteed.

    There is no equation between sovereignty and prosperity. Leaving the EU results in less UK influence, which means we have less, not more, say over our own affairs.
    Capitalism also provides a framework for collaboration.

    Last I heard, it was a wee bit more successful and long-lasting than the EU...
    False dichotomy klaxon! The EU was capitalist the last time I saw and capitalism doesn't imply a greater collaboration than any other form of trade.
    Corporatist, more like.

    Fancy explaining why we should be part of a system that is so schlerotic it has to legislate against American tech, rather than being able to compete?
    You do realise the US has a long history of anti-trist legislation ?
    Regulating markets is something all governments do.

    Daft rhetorical questions don't really advance the Brexiteer argument.
    Go and look at this case. Very, very different to US anti-trust legislation.
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    Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 60,352
    Typo said:

    Is it just me or is Sky News just awful these days? It used to be an absolute go-to for breaking news and at the same time authoritative. Now it seems to be rolling click-bait. Whenever I see Beth Rigby on screen I feel like I am watching Buzzfeed.

    Sky lost me some time ago. They have turned into a constant moaning and depressing media channel with Islam and Rigby leading the cast. They are both simply awful and to be honest the only one worth listening to now is Sophy Ridge.

    They seem to be the CNN of UK.
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    rawzerrawzer Posts: 189
    Charles said:

    Any continuity Remainers need to ask themselves whether it is fair to the EU for Britain to try to reverse ferret when the mood is so febrile. Can the EU be expected to go through this psychodrama every few years? If not, how is the matter to be settled?

    In short, in the absence of a dramatic shift in public opinion in the not very distant future, Brexit is happening. It's going to be disastrous but the correct response is not to try to avoid it, but to go through it in accordance with the spirit of the vote and seek to pick up the pieces from the car crash after it has happened.

    Sadly, I think you are right; we have to exit. But surely the huge question is what exactly was the spirit of the vote? Do you think a Norway solution would satisfy it?
    No. This tweet explains why:

    https://twitter.com/HistoryatNmpton/status/881799430445436928
    Add "country" "sovereignty" "control" and "laws" together - they are all driving at the same point - and you are probably getting to the same level of importance as immigration
    Word clouds can cut through the guff - I wonder what the source data is?
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    And still there are pb Tories who claim the BBC is staffed entirely by commies and pinkos.
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    RoyalBlue said:

    Mortimer said:

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

    Brits have been prophesying the collapse of the Euro since it was created. The political commitment of the EU to the common currency is absolute; it will not be allowed to fail.

    I'm sorry to say (for I'm sure we agree on many things) but the idea that sterling is anywhere near as important as the Euro is laughable. Just because sterling is still included in the IMF's SDRs does not mean it plays a meaningful international role like the US dollar or Euro.

    Sterling is like the Japanese yen; a national currency which will decline in proportionate usage like its corresponding economy.


    Yes the problem with the Euro is not that it is unimportant but that it stiffs national economies who are not properly synchronised and with no transfer payments. Germany benefits and Greece suffers, but if you want to send me squillions of Euros, please do, because it is proper money.
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    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974
    edited July 2017
    FF43 said:

    No it doesn't. Our influence in world trade, in setting standards and in opening up new markets is zero right now because all these things are controlled by the EU. They sit at the tables where these decisions are made and laws enforced whilst we have to just accept whatever position they chose to adopt even if it is against our national interests.

    Leaving the EU increases our influence by giving us a voice and a vote again.

    That assumes we won't be fitting into the EU trading system (who needs it? It's only half our trade) And the EU, which makes up all our important neighbours, will still be the only show in town in Europe.

    Whether third countries will be more interested in us separately rather than as an influence within the EU isn't quite straightforward. It's a comparison say between the influence Japan has as a standalone country and the UK has had up to now as a member of the EU.

    No it does not. At all.

    I get very tired of having to explain this to people who ought to know better bit if we were to move to EEA membership via EFTA then we would retake our seats at all those international organisations where we are currently unable to speak because of our membership.of the EU. We would retain the four freedoms as part of the Single Market but being outside the Customs Union would also be able to strike our own trade deals.

    It is the bleedingly obvious answer that should appeal to the moderates on both sides.
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    not_on_firenot_on_fire Posts: 4,341
    edited July 2017
    Alistair said:
    Martin Boon's turnout model predicts a landslide win for Churchill
  • Options
    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,291

    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    Wasn't he a BeeGee ? :smiley:
    Maybe they are trying to capture some of that Glastonbury popularity...
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    RoyalBlue said:

    Mortimer said:

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

    Brits have been prophesying the collapse of the Euro since it was created. The political commitment of the EU to the common currency is absolute; it will not be allowed to fail.

    I'm sorry to say (for I'm sure we agree on many things) but the idea that sterling is anywhere near as important as the Euro is laughable. Just because sterling is still included in the IMF's SDRs does not mean it plays a meaningful international role like the US dollar or Euro.

    Sterling is like the Japanese yen; a national currency which will decline in proportionate usage like its corresponding economy.


    Yes the problem with the Euro is not that it is unimportant but that it stiffs national economies who are not properly synchronised and with no transfer payments. Germany benefits and Greece suffers, but if you want to send me squillions of Euros, please do, because it is proper money.
    The Euro is a currency that has survived a number of stresses, and it is successful as a hard currency. Indeed peoples grievance with it is largely that it cannot be devalued in Greece.

    I have a fair amount of my savings in Euros and CHF, because I expect them to retain their value against a falling Sterling.
  • Options
    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974
    TOPPING said:



    Idiot.

    In, ahem, financial services we have huge influence in the EU. Huge.

    The EU is a backwater as far as financial services are concerned. I am far more interested in our influence in the rest if the world which is inhibited by our membership of the EU.
  • Options
    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300

    RoyalBlue said:

    Mortimer said:

    Ken Clarke then.

    Better late then never.

    The man to reverse Brexit and lead us into the Euro! It's 12 years since his 'Boy have you kept me waiting' speech. It really is about time the Tory party listened to him.
    We're not ever going to be part of the Euro. What part of that can you not understand.

    Nobody here wants it
    It is a doomed currency union unlikely to survive the economic failure of a mid-rate EUZ economy
    We have one of the most important currencies in the world.

    Brits have been prophesying the collapse of the Euro since it was created. The political commitment of the EU to the common currency is absolute; it will not be allowed to fail.

    I'm sorry to say (for I'm sure we agree on many things) but the idea that sterling is anywhere near as important as the Euro is laughable. Just because sterling is still included in the IMF's SDRs does not mean it plays a meaningful international role like the US dollar or Euro.

    Sterling is like the Japanese yen; a national currency which will decline in proportionate usage like its corresponding economy.


    Yes the problem with the Euro is not that it is unimportant but that it stiffs national economies who are not properly synchronised and with no transfer payments. Germany benefits and Greece suffers, but if you want to send me squillions of Euros, please do, because it is proper money.
    The Euro is a currency that has survived a number of stresses, and it is successful as a hard currency. Indeed peoples grievance with it is largely that it cannot be devalued in Greece.

    I have a fair amount of my savings in Euros and CHF, because I expect them to retain their value against a falling Sterling.
    I solved that dilemma by failing my medical school interview and being skint ever since.
  • Options
    Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 4,818
    Sovereignty:
    We have either always had it throughout our membership of the EU, or we lost it over the 20th century regardless of membership of the EU.
    Every Treaty we've signed has eroded our freedom to enact legislation and/or actions (Parliament can't pass a law that we will test one nuclear weapon per year from our stockpile to ensure they work, for example, the Test Ban Treaty prohibits that. We can't choose to sell nukes to an ally; the Non-Proliferation Treaty prohibits that. There are tons of things we can't do because they're prohibited by Treaty). Including the Lisbon Treaty.

    "Ah, but we can always choose to break a Treaty; Parliament is sovereign"

    Yes. The same with the Lisbon Treaty. We chose to abide by the rules of the EU, with the knowledge that we could leave whenever Parliament said so. In short - our adherence to EU regulations, laws, the pronouncements of the ECJ were always at the sufferance of the UK Parliament. As demonstrated by the Miller case, Parliament retained the right, at any time, to vote to enact Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and remove the obligations placed by EU membership.

    Combined standards, collective bargaining for trade deals, mutual recognition of regulations, shared regulatory institutions, etc - were all done because we benefited from it, and Parliament judged that the restriction on actions given by doing so was outweighed by the benefits. Now we've chosen to exercise our sovereign right to leave those restrictions and obligations, we're going to find out whether Parliament's judgement there was accurate. Thanks to the complexity and massive number of issues arising from disentangling us from those combined standards, collective bargaining, shared institutions and so on that have become apparent, it does look like that's accurate. So far, anyway.

    But no - the sovereignty argument didn't really hold water for me; it was like arguing we're locked in a cell when the door was unlocked and there were instructions to operate the handle printed on the door. We were in the room because we chose to be in the room; we were never incarcerated.
  • Options
    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,116

    TOPPING said:



    Idiot.

    In, ahem, financial services we have huge influence in the EU. Huge.

    The EU is a backwater as far as financial services are concerned. I am far more interested in our influence in the rest if the world which is inhibited by our membership of the EU.
    You must be living in an alternative reality in which London and the UK are not part of the EU.
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,933
    Much better afternoon session from England, Root and Stokes with a pair of fifties.
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    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974
    edited July 2017
    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389

    TOPPING said:



    Idiot.

    In, ahem, financial services we have huge influence in the EU. Huge.

    The EU is a backwater as far as financial services are concerned. I am far more interested in our influence in the rest if the world which is inhibited by our membership of the EU.
    What a bizarre post. Which of the rest of the world interests you? The US, where the Fed's jurisdiction over market participants makes the CJEU seem like your favourite great-aunt? Asia?

    In exactly which areas of the world other than Europe are you seeing us project our power and influence?
  • Options
    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974

    TOPPING said:



    Idiot.

    In, ahem, financial services we have huge influence in the EU. Huge.

    The EU is a backwater as far as financial services are concerned. I am far more interested in our influence in the rest if the world which is inhibited by our membership of the EU.
    You must be living in an alternative reality in which London and the UK are not part of the EU.
    Just the one where they soon won't be thankfully
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389

    Sovereignty:
    We have either always had it throughout our membership of the EU, or we lost it over the 20th century regardless of membership of the EU.
    Every Treaty we've signed has eroded our freedom to enact legislation and/or actions (Parliament can't pass a law that we will test one nuclear weapon per year from our stockpile to ensure they work, for example, the Test Ban Treaty prohibits that. We can't choose to sell nukes to an ally; the Non-Proliferation Treaty prohibits that. There are tons of things we can't do because they're prohibited by Treaty). Including the Lisbon Treaty.

    "Ah, but we can always choose to break a Treaty; Parliament is sovereign"

    Yes. The same with the Lisbon Treaty. We chose to abide by the rules of the EU, with the knowledge that we could leave whenever Parliament said so. In short - our adherence to EU regulations, laws, the pronouncements of the ECJ were always at the sufferance of the UK Parliament. As demonstrated by the Miller case, Parliament retained the right, at any time, to vote to enact Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and remove the obligations placed by EU membership.

    Combined standards, collective bargaining for trade deals, mutual recognition of regulations, shared regulatory institutions, etc - were all done because we benefited from it, and Parliament judged that the restriction on actions given by doing so was outweighed by the benefits. Now we've chosen to exercise our sovereign right to leave those restrictions and obligations, we're going to find out whether Parliament's judgement there was accurate. Thanks to the complexity and massive number of issues arising from disentangling us from those combined standards, collective bargaining, shared institutions and so on that have become apparent, it does look like that's accurate. So far, anyway.

    But no - the sovereignty argument didn't really hold water for me; it was like arguing we're locked in a cell when the door was unlocked and there were instructions to operate the handle printed on the door. We were in the room because we chose to be in the room; we were never incarcerated.

    you don't for one moment think the mad Brexiters will accept this do you?

    And I like the analogy of the cell.
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,389

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    Oh. I hope all is and turns out well.
  • Options
    stodgestodge Posts: 12,883


    No it does not. At all.

    I get very tired of having to explain this to people who ought to know better bit if we were to move to EEA membership via EFTA then we would retake our seats at all those international organisations where we are currently unable to speak because of our membership.of the EU. We would retain the four freedoms as part of the Single Market but being outside the Customs Union would also be able to strike our own trade deals.

    It's a position I've supported for a while as you will hopefully be aware. I think Britain could do much to re-shape EFTA as a free-market alternative to the EU for those countries hesitant to go further down the road of political and financial union.

    BUT, and it is significant, what cannot be ignored is the role immigration played in the EU Referendum as witnessed by all the surveys before and since.

    It doesn't matter how wonderful it is made to seem - if the A50 Treaty doesn't meet the concerns many people have about migration and immigration it won't get any traction.

    Any proposal which maintains Freedom of Movement is going to hit problems - the truth is for many people the deciding factor toward voting LEAVE was the argument that outside the EU we could control who entered this country and who could reside here.

    That's NOT to say (more capitals, sorry) that beyond a minority there is a strong vein of anti-immigration sentiment (but let's not imagine it doesn't exist). There is, I believe, a strong feeling that the uncontrolled (as it seems) migration of people from EU countries since 2004 has had a deleterious effect on some areas. That's not to say there hasn't been an economic benefit but that isn't obvious to those whose communities have changed beyond all recognition and where public services have failed patently to keep pace with demand (including significantly the provision of housing).

  • Options
    RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 27,291
    As always the acolytes who foam at the mouth always seem surprised when their rhetoric splats against the wall of reality and slides off.

    The Tories advertised that they could get tariff free access to the single market from outside the single market. Our chief civil servants laughed and got the sack for suggesting this was absurd. Now David Dangerman Davis has gone to Bruxelles and been told to swivel, and suddenly the mouth foamers act surprised.

    Meanwhile Labour looked at needing to square the circle of satisfying voters in the most pro-remain and pro-leave seats and decided to cheer on the Tories. "They promised us the moon on a stick and we're going to hold them to it" knowing fully well no moon will be forthcoming.

    We have four options.
    1. Stay in the EU. Would take a significant opinion swing OR exit clearly meaning disaster to make this politically viable
    2. Join EFTA. "people voted to leave the single market" they say to a question that mentioned the EU and only the EU. The nutjob press would have a stroke it would be that worked up
    3. A transitional deal into a CETA style deal in 2025 - because thats how long it will take. I suspect the EU won't offer a lengthy enough transition making that impossible
    4. Hard Brexit. And then food shortages and then riots. All by the end of the first week.

    Surely it won't take many more "negotiations" before its clear that our options are 1 or 2. 4 has been threatened and laughed at. 3 is impossible. Which leaves EFTA and bollocks to the immigration arguments or staying in and bollocks to the whole thing.

    I just want some press person to visit Boston, find a foaming "get them out" leaver and ask "will you replace them picking vegetables"...
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    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974
    TOPPING said:

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    Oh. I hope all is and turns out well.
    Thanks Topping. I will be much happier when someone can tell me what is going on.
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820

    [snip]

    We have four options.
    1. Stay in the EU. Would take a significant opinion swing OR exit clearly meaning disaster to make this politically viable
    2. Join EFTA. "people voted to leave the single market" they say to a question that mentioned the EU and only the EU. The nutjob press would have a stroke it would be that worked up
    3. A transitional deal into a CETA style deal in 2025 - because thats how long it will take. I suspect the EU won't offer a lengthy enough transition making that impossible
    4. Hard Brexit. And then food shortages and then riots. All by the end of the first week.

    Surely it won't take many more "negotiations" before its clear that our options are 1 or 2. 4 has been threatened and laughed at. 3 is impossible. Which leaves EFTA and bollocks to the immigration arguments or staying in and bollocks to the whole thing.
    [snip]

    Why is 3 impossible?
  • Options
    BromptonautBromptonaut Posts: 1,113
    edited July 2017

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    I'm sure once the £350m a week starts to come through they'll be able to sort you out.
  • Options

    Scott_P said:

    @highamnews: Confirmed: BBC's Robbie Gibb to be new Director of Communications at Downing St

    Wasn't he a BeeGee ? :smiley:
    For May it'll be a matter of 'Stayin Alive'..
    Was I alone in thinking "More Than a Woman" a jaw-droppingly sexist song title?
  • Options
    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,116

    [snip]

    We have four options.
    1. Stay in the EU. Would take a significant opinion swing OR exit clearly meaning disaster to make this politically viable
    2. Join EFTA. "people voted to leave the single market" they say to a question that mentioned the EU and only the EU. The nutjob press would have a stroke it would be that worked up
    3. A transitional deal into a CETA style deal in 2025 - because thats how long it will take. I suspect the EU won't offer a lengthy enough transition making that impossible
    4. Hard Brexit. And then food shortages and then riots. All by the end of the first week.

    Surely it won't take many more "negotiations" before its clear that our options are 1 or 2. 4 has been threatened and laughed at. 3 is impossible. Which leaves EFTA and bollocks to the immigration arguments or staying in and bollocks to the whole thing.
    [snip]

    Why is 3 impossible?
    If no other argument convinces you, it's impossible because of the level of competence and the capacity of the UK government.
  • Options
    OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 32,040

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    I'm sure once the £350m a week starts to come through they'll be able to sort you out.
    It's in the saddlebags of a unicorn, though!
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    Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 60,352

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    I'm sure once the £350m a week starts to come through they'll be able to sort you out.
    Not sure that is any comfort to Richard just now. My eldest has had similar problems but he has had treatment and is fine now - but the waiting is stressful - best wishes to you Richard
  • Options
    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820

    [snip]

    We have four options.
    1. Stay in the EU. Would take a significant opinion swing OR exit clearly meaning disaster to make this politically viable
    2. Join EFTA. "people voted to leave the single market" they say to a question that mentioned the EU and only the EU. The nutjob press would have a stroke it would be that worked up
    3. A transitional deal into a CETA style deal in 2025 - because thats how long it will take. I suspect the EU won't offer a lengthy enough transition making that impossible
    4. Hard Brexit. And then food shortages and then riots. All by the end of the first week.

    Surely it won't take many more "negotiations" before its clear that our options are 1 or 2. 4 has been threatened and laughed at. 3 is impossible. Which leaves EFTA and bollocks to the immigration arguments or staying in and bollocks to the whole thing.
    [snip]

    Why is 3 impossible?
    If no other argument convinces you, it's impossible because of the level of competence and the capacity of the UK government.
    At least, in contrast to option 2, it requires us (probably*) to negotiate only with Barnier's team and then get approval by QMV. Options 1 and 2 would (again probably) require the unanimous formal treaty consent of all 27 EU countries and in the case of option 2, of the four EFTA states as well.

    * I say 'probably' because the exact legal position is as clear as mud, and partly depends on what exactly is in the agreement.
  • Options
    RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 27,291

    [snip]

    We have four options.
    1. Stay in the EU. Would take a significant opinion swing OR exit clearly meaning disaster to make this politically viable
    2. Join EFTA. "people voted to leave the single market" they say to a question that mentioned the EU and only the EU. The nutjob press would have a stroke it would be that worked up
    3. A transitional deal into a CETA style deal in 2025 - because thats how long it will take. I suspect the EU won't offer a lengthy enough transition making that impossible
    4. Hard Brexit. And then food shortages and then riots. All by the end of the first week.

    Surely it won't take many more "negotiations" before its clear that our options are 1 or 2. 4 has been threatened and laughed at. 3 is impossible. Which leaves EFTA and bollocks to the immigration arguments or staying in and bollocks to the whole thing.
    [snip]

    Why is 3 impossible?
    Because:
    1. It takes longer than 18 months to negotiate such deals. More like 5 years plus
    2. The EU have no desire or political will to offer a lengthy "out but still in" transition whilst a CETA style deal is negotiated. Which is what our sacked negotiator said to get himself the sack
  • Options
    Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 30,974

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    I'm sure once the £350m a week starts to come through they'll be able to sort you out.
    Nope. The NHS is really not fit for purpose and no amount if money thrown at it will sort it out.
  • Options
    BromptonautBromptonaut Posts: 1,113

    Mortimer said:



    Glad to see your 'Remainers taking rot about sovereignty' spidey-sense was triggered this afternoon.

    A combination of too much work and blood coming from.places it really shouldn't has meant my contributions are necessarily limited and perhaps a little short tempered at the moment. Nor am I currently very reassured by the actions of the NHS right now so apologies to all if I am less than civil of late.
    I'm sure once the £350m a week starts to come through they'll be able to sort you out.
    Not sure that is any comfort to Richard just now. My eldest has had similar problems but he has had treatment and is fine now - but the waiting is stressful - best wishes to you Richard
    I'm sure that "you'll regain sovereignty" won't be any comfort to people who lose their jobs through Brexit either.
  • Options
    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    edited July 2017

    Because:
    1. It takes longer than 18 months to negotiate such deals. More like 5 years plus
    2. The EU have no desire or political will to offer a lengthy "out but still in" transition whilst a CETA style deal is negotiated. Which is what our sacked negotiator said to get himself the sack

    Certainly those are difficulties. On the first point, the Brexiteers may be over-optimistic, but they do have one very powerful point, which is that we start from a position of exact conformance to EU regulations and practice, so a very large chunk of what would normally be required in setting up a CETA-type deal is not necessary.

    On the second point, maybe not, but they do have a very powerful wish to extract dosh from us to cover their humongous budget shortfall, and they also have a powerful interest in not disrupting trade, since any disruption harms them a lot (it may well harm us more, but that's hardly much of a consolation to them).
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