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Post by bathstoke on Apr 28, 2020 8:51:28 GMT
Suns over the yardarm I see... Oh mate It's the 27th of April and the EU are flying in face masks to Italy. And they've made a video of it. With EU boxes with EU stickers on them. If Hancock had told a camera crew to go to a military airbase and film face masks being 'unloaded' on the 27th April you would have been calling for his head. Or sadder still using f*%4i#g non letters to spell out cunt or bastard or some such. Got right into that daft noggin of yours... I can see you👀
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Post by thisisouryear on Apr 28, 2020 10:26:07 GMT
I don't see how Brexit can be negotiated over the phone or internet. It has to be delayed again surely whilst we all concentrate on containing this virus.
I can see another phone tapping scandal coming. Tory donors will be listening into conversations no doubt and profiting from them.
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Post by mrcoke on Apr 28, 2020 10:56:40 GMT
I don't see how Brexit can be negotiated over the phone or internet. It has to be delayed again surely whilst we all concentrate on containing this virus. I can see another phone tapping scandal coming. Tory donors will be listening into conversations no doubt and profiting from them. images.app.goo.gl/66gRYbG94QwSXqsy6I was chairing meetings around the world (UK, Netherlands, India, Indosia) 10 years ago. There are full scale life-like facilities, where it is just like being in the same room. The only negatives are the satellite delay in speech transfer and you do not have eye contact. We were able to hold intercontinental quarterly meetings without travelling.
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Post by thisisouryear on Apr 28, 2020 11:10:14 GMT
I don't see how Brexit can be negotiated over the phone or internet. It has to be delayed again surely whilst we all concentrate on containing this virus. I can see another phone tapping scandal coming. Tory donors will be listening into conversations no doubt and profiting from them. images.app.goo.gl/66gRYbG94QwSXqsy6I was chairing meetings around the world (UK, Netherlands, India, Indosia) 10 years ago. There are full scale life-like facilities, where it is just like being in the same room. The only negatives are the satellite delay in speech transfer and you do not have eye contact. We were able to hold intercontinental quarterly meetings without travelling. I don't doubt that it is possible to do the meetings, I just don't think it will be done without some form of corruption.
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Post by followyoudown on Apr 28, 2020 11:55:42 GMT
I don't see how Brexit can be negotiated over the phone or internet. It has to be delayed again surely whilst we all concentrate on containing this virus. I can see another phone tapping scandal coming. Tory donors will be listening into conversations no doubt and profiting from them. Wibble wibble
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Post by AlliG on Apr 28, 2020 15:06:35 GMT
images.app.goo.gl/66gRYbG94QwSXqsy6I was chairing meetings around the world (UK, Netherlands, India, Indosia) 10 years ago. There are full scale life-like facilities, where it is just like being in the same room. The only negatives are the satellite delay in speech transfer and you do not have eye contact. We were able to hold intercontinental quarterly meetings without travelling. I don't doubt that it is possible to do the meetings, I just don't think it will be done without some form of corruption. Well it will certainly make the handing over of brown envelopes a bit more difficult.
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Post by partickpotter on Apr 29, 2020 10:46:06 GMT
An interesting article this morning in the Spectator, Now who’s cherry picking, Michel Barnier?It concerns the (in)famous Barnier Staircase he used to humiliate Theresa May (not the toughest task it must be said). Anyway, 2 years on it looks like it may be back in use but not this time to M. Barnier’s advantage.
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Post by mrcoke on Apr 29, 2020 12:50:14 GMT
An interesting article this morning in the Spectator, Now who’s cherry picking, Michel Barnier?It concerns the (in)famous Barnier Staircase he used to humiliate Theresa May (not the toughest task it must be said). Anyway, 2 years on it looks like it may be back in use but not this time to M. Barnier’s advantage. Interesting article. What goes around, comes around. Can't help feeling though that at some point our leaders will weaken over the UK's fishing rights.
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Post by The Drunken Communist on Apr 30, 2020 9:55:36 GMT
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Post by Kilo on Apr 30, 2020 10:22:49 GMT
No mention of it on the BBC website, whatsoever!
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Post by wagsastokie on Apr 30, 2020 19:18:46 GMT
No mention of it on the BBC website, whatsoever! Touch pissed off was expecting channel four to lead the seven o'clock news with it Hope banks takes all the fuckers for every penny
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Post by The Drunken Communist on May 7, 2020 12:23:26 GMT
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Post by bigjohnritchie on May 7, 2020 16:17:21 GMT
Guy is saying that Hungary and Poland are no longer democracies......a condition of being a member state of the EU......what now? expel them? Agitate for change? /
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Post by The Drunken Communist on May 10, 2020 15:43:03 GMT
Not long left untill we're out.
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Post by thevoid on May 10, 2020 16:16:01 GMT
I’ll tell you what now for Brexit. It’s as £@#&ed up as it’s always been. It’s an iconoclastic dream, like a child throwing its toys out the pram👁 Says the Toy Thrower General.
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Post by bigjohnritchie on May 10, 2020 16:37:50 GMT
Not long left untill we're out. DC Now that the UK has left, the EU are much more bold on asserting the supremacy of the EU court over national courts and the primacy of EU law over over national law......clearly during the Brexit process they tried to hide or play this down.....as we know this is the real issue....that Communique says it all.
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Post by bathstoke on May 10, 2020 18:51:23 GMT
I’ll tell you what now for Brexit. It’s as £@#&ed up as it’s always been. It’s an iconoclastic dream, like a child throwing its toys out the pram👁 Says the Toy Thrower General. 🎖🎖🎖
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Post by wagsastokie on May 12, 2020 11:55:56 GMT
It appears that the independent isn't happy with Starmer for refusing to back a call for a extension to the transition period
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Post by maxplonk on May 14, 2020 9:08:04 GMT
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Post by Clayton Wood on May 15, 2020 13:28:04 GMT
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Post by The Drunken Communist on May 19, 2020 7:29:08 GMT
A range of household appliances and foods will be cheaper and consumers offered more choice, ministers say, under a new trade regime set to begin in January. Britain will scrap all levies on £30bn of imports when formally leaving EU rules at the end of the year, it was announced this morning. Products such as fridge-freezers, dishwashers and other household goods which are currently marked up by up to 3% will have no tariffs at all. ----- Ms Truss said today: "For the first time in 50 years we are able to set our own tariff regime that is tailored to the UK economy. "Our new Global Tariff will benefit UK consumers and households by cutting red tape and reducing the cost of thousands of everyday products. "With this straightforward approach, we are backing UK industry and helping businesses overcome the unprecedented economic challenges posed by coronavirus."Link. Amazing what you can do when you're a free country.
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Post by yeokel on May 20, 2020 14:40:17 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts?
I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances.
But................
I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly.
The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job.
I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he?
All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans.
Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please?
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Post by followyoudown on May 20, 2020 15:18:08 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts? I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances. But................ I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly. The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job. I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he? All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans. Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please? No delighted we are leaving come what may by 31/12/20 or we would be on the hook for the next EU budget. Effectively all the politicians will decide is the price list / delivery terms in regards of tariffs, standards compliance etc etc after that business will make it work, some like Nissan are looking to move production to the UK, some may go the other way but I think this covid crisis actually spells the end for cross border supply chains in many industries there will be a push to become more self sufficient in key industries.
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Post by mrcoke on May 20, 2020 15:35:59 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts? I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances. But................ I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly. The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job. I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he? All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans. Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please? I suspect your post is a wind up, but if it isn't here goes: 1. If we were to rejoin the EU the terms would be worse than before, I.e. no rebate, and all new members have to commit to the Euro. 2. We would end up with a basket case economy like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc. 3. Having just celebrated VE day and commemorated all the sacrifices previous generations paid to prevent domination of Europe by Germany, are you seriously asking for the German Chancellor to sort out the UK. We are actually in the process of outsourcing to China aren't we? I agree our leadership is dire, but there is a view a country gets the government it deserves, not that I particularly subscribe to that. Personally I have a lot of faith in the talent of the British people, which has been enriched by the high levels of immigration. The immigration has boosted our economy pre-pendamic, with the highest level of employment ever, and lowest unemployment for 40 years. Regrettably it has put huge strain on our public services of health and education, not helped by the economic constraints post 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless I believe our ingenuity and industry of our people will see us recover post pandemic and Brexit. Surely recent weeks have taught us that operating an economy with a £60 billion pa trade deficit with the EU is crazy and we need to cut our dependency on them and boost our positive trade balance with the ROW despite our politicians. There, I bit the bait.
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Post by bigjohnritchie on May 20, 2020 16:02:05 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts? I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances. But................ I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly. The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job. I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he? All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans. Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please? In essence the EU is an administration system/ administrative organisation....it isn't there to discuss policy....the employees are there to implement the commission, the mission of " ever closer union". That is beyond debate and challenge in the EU, hence little politics, particularly grass roots politics, has taken place.( it is worth bearing in mind that Euroscepticism isn't confined to the UK).You are right in recent years our politicians have been complicit in this, and have largely ceased to be first class , up front leaders...they have been administrators. That's why the impetus for change has had to come from outside of mainstream politics...Farage, UKIP, the Brexit party and the citizens via the referendum. Brexit has been the main important political decision for many years. As much as those that can't accept it will deny it ( the resistance to accept the democratic decision and the struggle to get Brexit shows what a political power struggle it has been and still is) we are now moving to a situation in which we can and have to make our own decisions....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again. It will take a long time.
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Post by yeokel on May 20, 2020 16:11:55 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts? I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances. But................ I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly. The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job. I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he? All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans. Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please? I suspect your post is a wind up, but if it isn't here goes: 1. If we were to rejoin the EU the terms would be worse than before, I.e. no rebate, and all new members have to commit to the Euro. 2. We would end up with a basket case economy like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc. 3. Having just celebrated VE day and commemorated all the sacrifices previous generations paid to prevent domination of Europe by Germany, are you seriously asking for the German Chancellor to sort out the UK. We are actually in the process of outsourcing to China aren't we? I agree our leadership is dire, but there is a view a country gets the government it deserves, not that I particularly subscribe to that. Personally I have a lot of faith in the talent of the British people, which has been enriched by the high levels of immigration. The immigration has boosted our economy pre-pendamic, with the highest level of employment ever, and lowest unemployment for 40 years. Regrettably it has put huge strain on our public services of health and education, not helped by the economic constraints post 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless I believe our ingenuity and industry of our people will see us recover post pandemic and Brexit. Surely recent weeks have taught us that operating an economy with a £60 billion pa trade deficit with the EU is crazy and we need to cut our dependency on them and boost our positive trade balance with the ROW despite our politicians. There, I bit the bait. Not a wind up, no. “We would end up with a basket case economy like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc.” Do you not see that that is the way we are heading anyway? “Having just celebrated VE day……” There is no point in going back to that. The sacrifices made by all sides are/were very real and a tragedy for all concerned. But that was then, and this is now. Asking for Mrs Merkel to come over and sort us out might have been a bit tongue in the cheek but when I look at Germany, the German people, German industry, the German finances, the respect with which the modern Germany is held throughout the world, is there anything wrong with wanting a slice of that for Great Britain. There is no nation which is closer to ourselves than Germany. We are chips off the same block, but our chip is in the shade and rotting. I can see that the EU might want to "punish" us. But, just as likely in my view, they might also be relieved to see us back (not Macron obvs). We can and do add something to the EU as well as money. We are up the shitter at the moment but can be reborn – Sadly though, the political classes in this country are not up to that task so perhaps we need help, and perhaps we should not be too proud to recognise that! I agree with what you wrote about immigrants and perhaps it will be the immigrant Indians, or some of the immigrant East Europeans or, dare I say it, perhaps some immigrant Germans who take the helm – But Britain needs a bloody good shaking from somebody and I can’t see anyone of our current “leaders” who is capable of doing that.
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Post by yeokel on May 20, 2020 16:14:57 GMT
Is anyone else having second thoughts? I voted to leave, and have continued to support the decision to leave the EU throughout the intervening years. I think that many of the things I voted against are still in place and are still costly failings of the EU. I still think that the course of ever closer union, unless significantly amended, will lead to trouble in Europe and a 'civil war' within the EU. And I still believe that this country is big enough and ugly enough to stand on its own two feet and punch well above its weight on the world stage in the right circumstances. But................ I now have serious doubts that we have the calibre of politician needed to see it through successfully to the point where we have mutually beneficial trade deals in place, where we are treated as equals among our peers, where our (largely foreign owned) industry and commerce sectors are capable of supporting the level of services that we aspire to or that we have the nouse to run them properly and efficiently even if they were funded and managed properly. The thing this crisis has brought home to me is that our best days are well and truly behind us, that we have absolutely no idea how to manage things for the best in this country and that there is absolutely nobody on the sidelines ready to step in and take over from the bunch of nobodies currently screwing things up left right and centre who could do a better job. I didn’t vote Tory but was willing to listen and comply with their instructions and rules to see us through this. But it seems they have let us down on a monumental scale. I’ve heard nothing from Labour to make me think things would have been any better under them. I’ve not heard enough from wee Jimmie Krankie to know if she’s done any better than our lot down here, but I suspect there is probably little difference when push comes to shove. And as for the Liberals…. Do they still exist? Oh, and Farage hasn’t exactly been coming out with any alternative or better ideas either, has he? All in all, I think we’re fucked and given that ‘outsourcing’ for supplies and management seems to be the only game in town as far as the government and local authorities are concerned, I think we should probably be going meekly back to the EU, apologise for getting carried away with ourselves a few years ago, and try to negotiate a deal to outsource the running of this once great country of ours to the Germans. Please EU…… I want to change my mind. Can you send Angela over to sort us out please? In essence the EU is an administration system/ administrative organisation....it isn't there to discuss policy....the employees are there to implement the commission, the mission of " ever closer union". That is beyond debate and challenge in the EU, hence little politics, particularly grass roots politics, has taken place.( it is worth bearing in mind that Euroscepticism isn't confined to the UK).You are right in recent years our politicians have been complicit in this, and have largely ceased to be first class , up front leaders...they have been administrators. That's why the impetus for change has had to come from outside of mainstream politics...Farage, UKIP, the Brexit party and the citizens via the referendum. Brexit has been the main important political decision for many years. As much as those that can't accept it will deny it ( the resistance to accept the democratic decision and the struggle to get Brexit shows what a political power struggle it has been and still is) we are now moving to a situation in which we can and have to make our own decisions....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again. It will take a long time. "....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again......" We do. And if they exist, they have already been born. But where are they?
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Post by bigjohnritchie on May 20, 2020 16:30:22 GMT
In essence the EU is an administration system/ administrative organisation....it isn't there to discuss policy....the employees are there to implement the commission, the mission of " ever closer union". That is beyond debate and challenge in the EU, hence little politics, particularly grass roots politics, has taken place.( it is worth bearing in mind that Euroscepticism isn't confined to the UK).You are right in recent years our politicians have been complicit in this, and have largely ceased to be first class , up front leaders...they have been administrators. That's why the impetus for change has had to come from outside of mainstream politics...Farage, UKIP, the Brexit party and the citizens via the referendum. Brexit has been the main important political decision for many years. As much as those that can't accept it will deny it ( the resistance to accept the democratic decision and the struggle to get Brexit shows what a political power struggle it has been and still is) we are now moving to a situation in which we can and have to make our own decisions....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again. It will take a long time. "....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again......" We do. And if they exist, they have already been born. But where are they? Its early days, I think and hope that Boris's team can get us through stage two( December 31st)...they are saying the right things and asserting our sovereignty at the moment. As we move forward I do believe that our politicians will gain authority and self belief. I think Politicians such as Rishni Sunak are well capable. Dealing with a non political virus is a whole different ball game.
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Post by mrcoke on May 20, 2020 16:56:47 GMT
I suspect your post is a wind up, but if it isn't here goes: 1. If we were to rejoin the EU the terms would be worse than before, I.e. no rebate, and all new members have to commit to the Euro. 2. We would end up with a basket case economy like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc. 3. Having just celebrated VE day and commemorated all the sacrifices previous generations paid to prevent domination of Europe by Germany, are you seriously asking for the German Chancellor to sort out the UK. We are actually in the process of outsourcing to China aren't we? I agree our leadership is dire, but there is a view a country gets the government it deserves, not that I particularly subscribe to that. Personally I have a lot of faith in the talent of the British people, which has been enriched by the high levels of immigration. The immigration has boosted our economy pre-pendamic, with the highest level of employment ever, and lowest unemployment for 40 years. Regrettably it has put huge strain on our public services of health and education, not helped by the economic constraints post 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless I believe our ingenuity and industry of our people will see us recover post pandemic and Brexit. Surely recent weeks have taught us that operating an economy with a £60 billion pa trade deficit with the EU is crazy and we need to cut our dependency on them and boost our positive trade balance with the ROW despite our politicians. There, I bit the bait. Not a wind up, no. “We would end up with a basket case economy like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc.” Do you not see that that is the way we are heading anyway? “Having just celebrated VE day……” There is no point in going back to that. The sacrifices made by all sides are/were very real and a tragedy for all concerned. But that was then, and this is now. Asking for Mrs Merkel to come over and sort us out might have been a bit tongue in the cheek but when I look at Germany, the German people, German industry, the German finances, the respect with which the modern Germany is held throughout the world, is there anything wrong with wanting a slice of that for Great Britain. There is no nation which is closer to ourselves than Germany. We are chips off the same block, but our chip is in the shade and rotting. I can see that the EU might want to "punish" us. But, just as likely in my view, they might also be relieved to see us back (not Macron obvs). We can and do add something to the EU as well as money. We are up the shitter at the moment but can be reborn – Sadly though, the political classes in this country are not up to that task so perhaps we need help, and perhaps we should not be too proud to recognise that! I agree with what you wrote about immigrants and perhaps it will be the immigrant Indians, or some of the immigrant East Europeans or, dare I say it, perhaps some immigrant Germans who take the helm – But Britain needs a bloody good shaking from somebody and I can’t see anyone of our current “leaders” who is capable of doing that. Great reply, apologies if I was a bit facetious with my wind up remark. I certainly don't think we are a basket case economy. We fortunately managed to stay out of the Euro which helped us sustain our 5th largest economy in the world and lots of immigrants wanting to be here. We have done so well in fact that we have been a financial prop for the EU with the massive trade deficit and our net financial contribution to the EU budget. Countries like Spain and Ireland have effectively rebuilt their economies with EU regional aid funded by the net financial contributers. French agriculture benefits massively from the CAP. The UK are not the sole net financial contributors to the EU, but the other main ones like Germany and the Netherlands enjoy large positive train balances with the rest of the EU, thereby recovering their wealth. The UK is very different to the rest of the European countries, most of our trade is with the rest of the world , with which we enjoy a large trade surplus. It is this part of our economy we now need to maximise and cut our dependency on EU goods. Germany is Germany because of the German people, not their leadership. It because they are team workers, prepared to bury their individuality in the interest of the greater good of their team, company, state, or nation. They are superb organizers, they are very cautious, they prepare well, and stick rigidly to their systems and rules. It is no accident that they have a superb industry, have managed the pandemic better than all the other major European countries, or indeed succeed in the football better than any other nation. I think we British are very different to the Germans. I have worked closely with Germans, French, and Dutch and find them all very different and far more patriotic than us, but somehow we have a native genius that is solely British, probably because of the continuous mixing of our blood/genes over the last 2,000 years! I concur with your views on our politicians. Our press are no better, possibly even worse. It seems a British trait to mess about till we are deep in the mire, and then pull ourselves out. We have achieved our present position in the world despite our leaders and opinion formers, not because of them.
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Post by bathstoke on May 20, 2020 18:00:05 GMT
"....and we need people of calibre to step forward and learn how to be politicians again......" We do. And if they exist, they have already been born. But where are they? Its early days, I think and hope that Boris's team can get us through stage two( December 31st)...they are saying the right things and asserting our sovereignty at the moment. As we move forward I do believe that our politicians will gain authority and self belief. I think Politicians such as Rishni Sunak are well capable. Dealing with a non political virus is a whole different ball game. It’s not “early days”ffs, why would you say that. Stop apologising for these fools...
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