UK EU Referendum

[ternur]

I'd like to see UK staying in the union.

Remember why and how European integration started? The goal was to set up peaceful relationships, economic and political, after the devastating WWII. Sure, the union has its problems, but my personal opinion is that it does more good than bad.

Problems facing most of the countries today are global. I believe UK will be better off staying with a larger group than isolating itself more to her islands. But I'm not british, maybe people over there see things in a different light.

 

[hedgehok]

I note you haven't commented on whether you think the EU unites the people of Europe. Would you support a EU State without the express consent of the people - because that is what is being formed now.

Of course it should be with the consent of the people which I doubt we would have. I have a minority opinion. I hope there is a consent for some kind of unity between Europe even in the chronically anti-European UK. My opinion doesn't matter though. You decide. If you want to leave the EU, so be it.

 

[citizenx]

Of course it should be with the consent of the people which I doubt we would have. I have a minority opinion. I hope there is a consent for some kind of unity between Europe even in the chronically anti-European UK. My opinion doesn't matter though. You decide. If you want to leave the EU, so be it.

Your opinion counts. I started this thread because i wanted to know what people in other countries thought. I don't have to agree with you to respect and value your opinion and that you've shared it.

Would say this though, I don't think the UK is anti Europe but rather, many are anti EU, won't don't respect or value the institution or virtually invisible leadership.

When i was younger, before the possibility of a vote existed I started from an entirely neutral position. I read what I could to see if i could understand the arguments for and against. What i found was that the pro arguments were questionable at best and that the anti arguments made sense, they were delivered with passion (sometimes excessively so) and the lack of response from the EU, lack of rebuttal suggested to me that either they couldn't adequately make an alternative case - which is not good or worse, that they didn't care enough to justify themselves to the people they purport to represent.

It feels to me like there is a democratic deficit within the institutions, a certain level of "we know best" arrogance and little explanation of the direct benefits. Instead, it sets rules and laws, some of which we agree with some of which we don't.

If i could talk about it in relationship terms, it feels like a bossy partner who stopped having sex with you as soon as you got married.

 

[citizenx]

I'd like to see UK staying in the union.

Remember why and how European integration started? The goal was to set up peaceful relationships, economic and political, after the devastating WWII. Sure, the union has its problems, but my personal opinion is that it does more good than bad.

Problems facing most of the countries today are global. I believe UK will be better off staying with a larger group than isolating itself more to her islands. But I'm not british, maybe people over there see things in a different light.

Interesting points, thank you.

Just thinking about how I think the mindset of Brits differs on this. History has shown the UK to be one of the most dominant global nations for hundreds of years in a variety of areas from politics and economics to culture, science and industry. As such, the national psyche is that we can look after ourselves. The case made for the remain camp, where it hasn't just tried to intimidate people into voting in favour of remain is falling on deaf ears as it doesn't acknowledge this mindset.

I'm not saying that i feel the UK is quite so dominant in these areas is it once was, in some areas it is in massive decline but I think many of us feel that we can manage our affairs as well, if not better on our own but with the added benefit of not having to accept rules we don't want or agree with from an institution we don't really like.

 

[geordiecolin]

I am voting to leave the corrupt faceless unaccountable expensive undemocratic institution

 

[sledge13]

LEAVE - Just look at the mess they have made of the Migrant crisis....millions allowed to roam or go where ever they want, many future terrorists in there aswell no doubt as has already been proven, the EU elite don't even care...

 

[Harry_BKK]

Most recently, she has "consented" to the prosecution of a German citizen for "insulting" the Turkish President. That is scandalous but it is incredibly revealling of her mindset. The right of the people who she represents to express themselves freely is secondary to the feelings of foreign leaders.

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This isn't how we do things in Europe.

I only gonna reply to this one as i am too tired today to argue the other points.

Merkel acted according to the German law, nothing else.

BTW, that paragraph, protecting a president or other dignitaries of foreign governments from insults, the British, Frence and US insisted on having introduced into law after WWWII. It wasn't the Germans!!!

 

[dunover]

TBH, never understood why there is even a debate to leave the EU.

- you are getting money from the EU every year
- your farmers will be broke without any subsidies from the EU
- you can travel without any hassle around the EU
- you still have your strong GBP
- your companies can do easy trade with the EU countries
- ....list not complete

Leaving the EU would open a can of worms, is my opinion

No, we are NOT getting money each year from it! We are huge net contributors, like Germany. We give £10 in, they give £7 back. Pointless.

The EU thinks we should give 0.7% of GDP (nearly 15bn a year) in foreign aid. Bollocks to that.

Our farmers are not going broke because of the EU in or out, but because of unfair buying practices by retailers plus cheap imports produced at a loss elsewhere in the EU subsidized, yes! by the UK taxpayer.

We had to severely limit fishing because Spanish trawlers were granted access to our territorial waters.

Security comes from NATO not the EU.

We have the Pound because even the pitiful Liebore party when in power daren't give that up to join the Eurozone, which is basically Germany funding bankrupt countries like Portugal, Greece, Spain and Italy.

We could travel without hassle before, simply a passport or visitor's passport flashed (if they could be arsed) at European borders.

Our companies always traded with Europe before the EU - the fact that we run a HUGE 34bn deficit with the EU is never mentioned. They need our market more than the other way around. The fact that we do 50% of our trade with the EU is largely down to restrictive anti free trade tariffs and embargoes put in place by the EU to those outside. Our biggest manufacturing export is Armaments and most of those go outside the EU.

Each household in the UK has LOST thousands since the we started chucking cash at poorer countries or to fund non-existent tobacco crops in Greece and Italy. Corruption is rife in the budget especially agriculture.

The sooner we get out of the bloody amorphous agglomeration of bullcrap the happier I'll be.

 

[mimi26]

Leave for me, immigration (between EU countries) has had a disastrous effect on wages in this country, people coming willing to work cheaply with terrible contract conditions is having a terrible impact on our whole society.

We have a disastrous housing shortage and our NHS is at breaking point....literally.

You cant be in an EU community when all countries are squarely not on equal footings, there are too many problems in EU countries with poverty etc that many are clammering to get to the UK for a better quality of life, not that I have an issue with that in itself but the impact on wages and job security has to taken into account.

Of course we need immigration in this country but it has to be measured and controlled it should not be a free for all.

 

[goatwack]

There seems to be a lot of fear-mongering being peddled about incase of a 'Brexit', but very little positive reinforcement to staying. I'll happily vote to leave as both scenarios are an unknown. If anything, other EU member states are highly concerned at Britain's possible exit de-stabilizing the entire union, and is likely to impact them far greater. I mean look at the whole 'Grexit' debacle and the constant propping up of a weak country.

I'd imagine the EU serves smaller, less influentual and economically lacklustre countries far better than what GB is getting out of it. I'm pretty sure this island can persevere through this and still form strong economic ties with its geographical neighbours.

Failing that, it's back on the dole for me with glorious daytime telly and numerous repeats of Jeremy Kyle

 

[Harry_BKK]

There seems to be a lot of fear-mongering being peddled about incase of a 'Brexit', but very little positive reinforcement to staying. I'll happily vote to leave as both scenarios are an unknown. If anything, other EU member states are highly concerned at Britain's possible exit de-stabilizing the entire union, and is likely to impact them far greater. I mean look at the whole 'Grexit' debacle and the constant propping up of a weak country.

I'd imagine the EU serves smaller, less influentual and economically lacklustre countries far better than what GB is getting out of it. I'm pretty sure this island can persevere through this and still form strong economic ties with its geographical neighbours.

Failing that, it's back on the dole for me with glorious daytime telly and numerous repeats of Jeremy Kyle

Always the same...

- the pro-Brexit lobby will say: it will get worse if we stay
- the anti-Brexit lobby will say: it will get worse if we leave

Scaring the population is a normal political tool to get the desired result

It won't be the end of the world either way!!!

 

[lotusch]

So this is quickly approaching.

I'm sure you are all well aware of what the vote is on - Do the people of the UK want to remain within the EU. Simple yes or no.

I know what my fellow Brits think but am curious, what do the rest of you think? Would you vote yes or no?

Especially keen to find out what my fellow EU citizens think.

Let's keep this one friendly folks.

I'll tell you what I think nearer the time My mind is made up though!

The problem is,does the result really matter?
As everything has already been decided behind closed doors in Brussels.

See the referendum in The Netherlands where the people voted against more tight bindings with Ukraine?
The vote was a clear NO by the Dutch,wait and see what the Dutch governement will do when they have to go to Brussels,playing the lap dog.
The result will have no impact on the decisions made.

Personally I try not to occupy myself too much with politics because i.m.h.o they are all corrupt to the bone money grabbing bastards.
Pardon my French.
But I live long enough in a country (Ireland) where corruption was invented by banks and politicians.


But to answer your question.

The EU was and is one big fail and if I would have a chance to vote for an exit of the EU I would defo vote FOR an exit.

 

[petro]

I discussed the upcoming referendum with my stepfather tonight. He is a Scottish immigrant to Australia and has dual citizenship. I think that qualifies him for an opinion.
Usually, we talk about how badly the Australian politicians are smashing the country.

He said that he doesn't think the referendum will succeed.
And he is personally for staying in EU. He said it's better for the economy; trading will be much harder otherwise.

He believes that one of the reasons why people want out of the EU is because of the immigration policies. But he did not agree that this was the no.1 reason why people wanted to leave the EU, just that it was a factor.

He was also against the Scottish independence referendum. He didn't trust the Scottish politicians to run the country.

 

[zebedy]

Brexit The Movie

A very interesting video for those that are interested

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I wonder if the remainians will also make one

Only 5 weeks to go. Here's to freedom

 

[Vicky]

The won't be any Brexit. EU leaders won't allow it. Cameron government won't allow it. They will make a show, yes, but all in all it will be like with the referendum for Scotland independence (48% to 52% or something). And they will say: "Well, people had voted and Britain made its choice. We are staying". But no one will ever know that the polls were fixed