The Swiss in my view have it about right. Loads of bilateral agreements with the EU means that we get a lot of the harmonisation, but without the political interference. Seeing as governments are cantonal, and thus very close to home. moving this power out to Brussels would be even more ridiculous than moving it to Bern. However, there is a lot of carping in the EU that the Swiss deal is too soft: we get many of the benefits without having to subsidise Bulgaria. On the other hand, the EU quite likes using Switzerland as a staging post north south and east west. If the Swiss got arsey, EU trade would suffer transport wise. So yes, Britain probably could leave the EU, but the better option would be to engage and try to fix the things that are wrong. There are many things wrong it seems to ma, but taking your ball back and leaving the park seems a fairly defeatist attitude. It's not as if Britain wouldn't find sympathetic ears in France and Germany. They aren't overkeen on paying for everything either. GB, France and Germany are the economic powerhouses of the EU. The rest of it is largely peripheral, economics wise.
I think the issue is that we the electorate are being mandated to by the unelected. The referendum the UK public got was to join a common market and It has since long evolved into something completely different. The British people are long over due their say on the matter of who dictates policy and legislation. After all, we are a democratic society. If we stay in so be it, but it should be the choice of the populous.
That fact gives us some clout, so it wouldn't be a laughing matter for 'Europe' if we were to cry off. Exactly that.
Agreed. Which is why Cameron should be engaged in diplomacy with France and Germany to get some consensus on what he wants changed. I haven't seen anything like this so far. Europe should really be taking up some of his time, instead of shoehorning it in around other stuff.
I think more people would be happier with the union if it were made clearer exactly who's in charge of Britain's interests, cos I'm pretty sure it ain't Cameron:frown:
And what used to happen before the EU, I think that people managed to travel around without to much of a problem.
The point, which you are missing, is that you can have a Europe in which the states collaborate together and harmonise their rules and regulations for the mutual benefit of all; or you can have a Europe where the states all go their separate ways. The rules about driving and vehicles are just one example, there are a myriad of other areas where the same concept applies. If the EU did not exist, it would have to be invented, or re-invented. Or else life would become very inconvenient indeed.
Or to put it another way, the Swiss and the Norwegians have no say in framing EU rules, and no votes, but in practice have to comply with virtually all of them (if they expect to import or export anything). But they have only themselves to blame. The whole EU doesn't change to suit Switzerland, Switzerland changes to suit the EU - and that is what "bilateral agreements" means.
Of course the UK government should be more closely engaged with European institutions. Hundreds of issues come along the tracks all the time, and our government should give a much higher priority to dealing with them, initiating discussions, proposing amendments, killing off daft proposals, seeking allies among other member states, etc etc - engaging with the process, as every other nation does - trying to get our way, but accepting that in a democracy sometimes we won't. This policy of standing on the side-lines whinging, antagonising everybody, and threatening to leave is just about the most damaging policy there could be for Britain's interests.
Invasion and domination is the key. A resurrection of the Britain of old. During & post conflict crime will reduce in the UK A sense of pride will return as armed forces members are killed off and replenished with the youth of today. The foolhardy young types will dive straight in and get themselves slaughtered, reminiscent of WWI & WWII perhaps? Still it will be more fun than razzing around in a souped up Vauxhall Corsa shit box......................................
Are you suggesting we invade Europe? Purely to rid ourselves of Corsa's and speeding tickets? Well, I guess weve declared war for less.
