Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

I never said they wouldn't whereas Osem (as usual) implies they are the only ones who would consider capitulating to unrealistic demands ;).


Cheers


Dave

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Didn't see my mention of the SNP, Greens, Lib Dems then? Odd because you quoted it. :rolleyes:

Also Labour are the official opposition so clearly what they say/do is more important than the rest.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Ooops , my mistake don't know where I got the idea you where true blue - maybe something to do with the disdain you seem to show for anyone else....


As the blues now seem to be realising how popular some of the Labour policies are they have obviously realised to stay in power they need to look to the left and learn.


Anyway suppose we should stick to the topic.


Cheers


Dave

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Strangely I haven't seen you challenge my supposed disdain for 'everyone else', only when it's Labour. Maybe you just don't like your beloved Labour criticised. ;)

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

No. that is not how 'pretty much' it should work because collectively, the EU is not a Country.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Countries work that way because they act, with the consent of the people, as a single democratic unit.

The EU is not a single democratic unit. Our contributions have been financing projects in foreign countries. It is altogether different than the funding of a new bypass around Hull.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

It's easier to predict the actions and opinions of 27 governments than it is just one and that's the one for the country you live in?

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

I'm curious why you have a problem with us funding 'foreign countries'. Of course there will be remitters and beneficiaries in any transaction. The hope was by helping other countries within the EU would help create an even bigger market and therefore make everyone richer.

It also worth reminding you that the UK's contribution to the EU budget is time compared to all other outlays.

In the fiscal year ending in 2016, total UK public spending was £761.9 billion. The UK made an estimated gross contribution (after the rebate) of £13.6 billion, however the UK received £2.8 billion of public sector receipts from the EU, so the UK's net public sector contribution to the EU was an estimated £10.8 billion.

£10.8bn out of £761.9bn is a tiny traction of our annual expenditure. The return from that £10.8bn outweighs our spending on many other areas.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Hope springs eternal, however there is at least one ghost airport in Spain that I can think of off the top of my head.

I have no problem with foreign aid as a concept, however I believe it should be controlled by the British government, not handed over to a bureaucracy in Brussels and then handed on as if it's their largesse. It seems you agree with the notion that foreign aid, where possible, should ultimately be of benefit to the benefactor, for example in the creation of a market for our goods. I agree with that too, and I think the British government is better placed to ensure our foreign aid is spent to that end.

Quibbling over the amount of our contribution is somewhat besides the point, in any case. It was an argument for or against leaving the EU, and that's an argument that was decided over a year ago. There is no point re-running those arguments now. Nevertheless, while £10bn may be only a small proportion of our overall annual expenditure, it is still in absolute terms a very large sum of money and one that I am glad will now be under our control.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

... and if there's sufficient pressure from the electorate it may well be that a good proportion can be spent on the NHS which is what so many people seem to be exercised about.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

The EU is definitely not perfect. A number of schemes which were partially funded with EU money were poorly thought through. Mistakes also happen with national funding. I am sure we can all think of projects which probably should not have been invested in by the British government.

The EU makes policy at an overall EU level. This is to rise above national governments (at the appropriate times) and seek to help make policy and fund projects which help the overall European Union succeed (i.e. single market). Do you really want all of the 28 member states making decisions on every project across the entire union? That would make for very poor decision making. Also handing this funding and decision making back to national governments would mean that there are no funds available to help fund projects which benefit more than one member state.

I'm sorry, but your comment above is absurd. If we took that approach, then perhaps all of you should have stopped complaining after the 1975 vote when we voted to join/remain part of the EEC/EU.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

After we have left, the 27 can do whatever they choose to do. Britain will make our own independent decisions.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

Yup, they can spend as much time as they like arguing the toss amongst themselves choosing which EU rules they do/don't obey and who's going to make up the shortfall when the UK's huge contribution to the Brussels coffers disappears.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

As expected, you have dodged the actual topic about what is happening now.

As expected, you have dodged the actual topic about what is happening now.

Re: Brexit: Article 50 Has Been Triggered !
 

What is happening now is that we are leaving the EU and as someone who firmly believes the EU is based on a fatally flawed concept and has no future, I'm very comfortable with that prospect and believe the UK's future is more secure in our own hands.