Thoughts on Europe after the surrender, the high price of the latest Brexit benefit, the end of the Swiss model, and how Canada shaped the modern world
I am constantly struck by the weird perspective some people have of the effect of #Brexit on the EU.
There is no doubt that the EU has been diminished by the exit of the UK.
There is no doubt that the UK also has been diminished by its exit from the EU. However, the #Brexiters seem to be unable to confront that reality.
For me, the conduct of the UK on the matter of EU membership has been disgraceful. Lies, more lies, treachery at every turn, the outcome for the majority has been appalling; we are so much poorer and less secure.
There has been a lot of nonsense talked about the lack of 'sovereignty'. Most of it was spurious drivel, barely worthy of response, but the people who wanted to protect the special privileges they enjoy were happy to go along with the dishonesty rather than to stay engaged and work to improve matters for the majority.
The UK, at the level of the wealth elites, is not a team player. The Scots voted to stay in the EU twice; first in 2014 and again in 2016.
Anyway, here we are, much poorer, less secure and - perhaps worst of all - less influential on the global stage.
On a personal note, I detest the people who drove the Leave campaigns and I hope they are made to pay for the many damages they have done to our country.
All fine but the future requires that we campaign for Labour to make a specific manifesto commitment to rejoin the EU single market.No more fudging the damage caused by Farage and Johnson. We will not get acceptable terms for any re entry from the EU but membership of the single market is a positive bridge for rebuilding trust and cooperation with our closest neighbours.
I agree 100%. I campaigned as best I could against the folly of Brexit and I pray that this madness will one day be reversed, but I fear it's a long way in the future. What is infuriating is that the key protagonists ( Farage, Johnson & Gove ) will get away scot free from the damage caused to the UK. It's the British way....
No tge assessment is realistic not gloomy and the carping from the usual suspects is predictable eg the ultra right hates the EC, France whichhas never quite bought into the single market and Hungary which is everyone else's stooge at large. The weakness in enforcing its rules against its members as opposed to third parties is evident. Hopefully VDL has bought a small breathing space pending more ruptures from Trump but imposing tariffs on US steel seems a likely prospect.
It's interesting that you mention tariffs on US steel - because, the latest 'agreement' doesn't feel like the end of the matter - and hence, no business will invest in new plants in the US because it can't be confident that the regime won't change before the first product rolls off the production line.
I have no truck with Orbán or anything he says! I really don't regard Von der Leyen as being weak and rolling over under pressure from Trump. I believe she is extremely intelligent and stands head and shoulders above Trump in that respect, at least.
I wonder if those Brexiters celebrating the EU's apparent weakness and Brexit Britain's lesser weakness in negotiations with Trump are also celebrating the driving force that Trump's tariffs will have on countries like Switzerland?
Switzerland could immediately switch from 39% to 15% tariffs simply by becoming official members of the EU rather than just unofficial ones...so, EU with Switzerland might become more muscular, even without the UK!
I'm sure the Brexiters have noticed. I just wonder if they are making the point loudly and clearly? ;)
I am constantly struck by the weird perspective some people have of the effect of #Brexit on the EU.
There is no doubt that the EU has been diminished by the exit of the UK.
There is no doubt that the UK also has been diminished by its exit from the EU. However, the #Brexiters seem to be unable to confront that reality.
For me, the conduct of the UK on the matter of EU membership has been disgraceful. Lies, more lies, treachery at every turn, the outcome for the majority has been appalling; we are so much poorer and less secure.
There has been a lot of nonsense talked about the lack of 'sovereignty'. Most of it was spurious drivel, barely worthy of response, but the people who wanted to protect the special privileges they enjoy were happy to go along with the dishonesty rather than to stay engaged and work to improve matters for the majority.
The UK, at the level of the wealth elites, is not a team player. The Scots voted to stay in the EU twice; first in 2014 and again in 2016.
Anyway, here we are, much poorer, less secure and - perhaps worst of all - less influential on the global stage.
On a personal note, I detest the people who drove the Leave campaigns and I hope they are made to pay for the many damages they have done to our country.
That's the post!
All fine but the future requires that we campaign for Labour to make a specific manifesto commitment to rejoin the EU single market.No more fudging the damage caused by Farage and Johnson. We will not get acceptable terms for any re entry from the EU but membership of the single market is a positive bridge for rebuilding trust and cooperation with our closest neighbours.
I agree 100%. I campaigned as best I could against the folly of Brexit and I pray that this madness will one day be reversed, but I fear it's a long way in the future. What is infuriating is that the key protagonists ( Farage, Johnson & Gove ) will get away scot free from the damage caused to the UK. It's the British way....
No tge assessment is realistic not gloomy and the carping from the usual suspects is predictable eg the ultra right hates the EC, France whichhas never quite bought into the single market and Hungary which is everyone else's stooge at large. The weakness in enforcing its rules against its members as opposed to third parties is evident. Hopefully VDL has bought a small breathing space pending more ruptures from Trump but imposing tariffs on US steel seems a likely prospect.
It's interesting that you mention tariffs on US steel - because, the latest 'agreement' doesn't feel like the end of the matter - and hence, no business will invest in new plants in the US because it can't be confident that the regime won't change before the first product rolls off the production line.
Very true. The US is heading for a reality check at some point.
I have no truck with Orbán or anything he says! I really don't regard Von der Leyen as being weak and rolling over under pressure from Trump. I believe she is extremely intelligent and stands head and shoulders above Trump in that respect, at least.
Agreed : VDL had no choice in the matter.
I wonder if those Brexiters celebrating the EU's apparent weakness and Brexit Britain's lesser weakness in negotiations with Trump are also celebrating the driving force that Trump's tariffs will have on countries like Switzerland?
Switzerland could immediately switch from 39% to 15% tariffs simply by becoming official members of the EU rather than just unofficial ones...so, EU with Switzerland might become more muscular, even without the UK!
I'm sure the Brexiters have noticed. I just wonder if they are making the point loudly and clearly? ;)
You are.