I don’t think there is one solution that will please everyone or come close to pleasing everyone. It’s impossible.
How about a bespoke agreement to honour the terms of the GFA? It is a unique situation in Europe, AFAIK, and thus perhaps needs a tailored approach. Or maybe bloodshed? Which do you believe the EU will go for?
Err, wasn't the EU recently telling Switzerland what it can and cannot decide upon in respect of immigration? That sounds a bit EUey to me.
You make everything sound so dramatic. The idea behind the EU was to have a United States of Europe to emulate and compete with the USA. Federal laws from Washington- state laws also. So yes, there is quite a bit of assimilation but as I have said before British Standards have been dominant in the harmonising of products. Where we have needed some wiggle room we have been allowed it. Examples Emergency Lighting A Deviation. Never seen it applied though. Everyone follows the EU norm. Power transmission EU Standard says 230V +10% -6%, so a max of 253V. We transmit at a nominal 240V, it’s often as high as 250V. Recently, I bought a power regeneration device to regulate frequency, step down the voltage and act as a UPS. I have it on my Hifi and TV. The difference in sound and picture quality was evident because the rest of the world is manufacturing for 230V not 240V. But that’s ok, we have valid reasons for staying on 240V In my industry there is an EU metric of quality which is absolutely laughable, but it was implemented at the insistence of the major player in the U.K. market, because when measured using a sensible metric it could not sell its products. All it’s products would not comply for their intended use. But our EU friends gave way and implemented it
That’s because they can’t cherry pick the benefits of EU alignment without agreeing to free movement, same as we can’t. It is s bit EUey but as you very well know they do not have membership and cannot vote.
I have never said or intimated that at all - all I have ever said on the matter is it is mutually beneficial to have a free trade agreement with the EU, more so to the EU. What I don't want is any unnecessary restrictions to continue forward as a sovereign Nation - dealing with whom and how we would like.
That has been obvious to me since about 2001 Can’t say I am or always have been 100% fan of the idea but I think the benefits outweigh the negatives
It’s not a unique situation though. The EU has many countries on its borders Why should we be ENTITLED to anything better or different?
The overwhelming majority here want no deal. That’s what the poll shows. Legally, that’s where we are headed and I think that’s what we will end up with
That does seem to be the case. I’m not sure we will leave without a deal, I’m more inclined to think we will remain. Do you think there is a way that will satisfy all ?
The only way we will all be happy is if we all buy Swiss Francs and we all make a killing when Sterling tanks on a no deal Brexit Can’t see how us remaining will ever happen. The PM is terrified of another referendum because then she has to give Scotland one and when that happens it’s all over for the UK
The EU would need to completely revamp its governmental model, from top to bottom, to ensure proper democratic safeguards, which are weak or lacking currently ... and I would still run a mile from it. The continent of Europe has multiple cultures. Cultures are not interchangeable. One size fits all government, when combined with the principles of "big government", is a recipe for disaster. Economic disaster, at best.
