Brexit

[Golden Princess]

Sorry towny44, but I had to laugh at that!

[towny44]

Sorry towny44, but I had to laugh at that!

My pleasure GP but that's what we brexiteers do, we always try to bring pleasure to everyone, we are not selfish at all.

[Golden Princess]

And that made me smile!

[Onelife]

I know it’s a bit early for “Cuckoo’s” but this old bird certainly sounds like one…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT1Yh32oeBw

[Kendhni]

That's typical of a lot of remainers, twisting every single thing to try and disparage everything about brexit and its supporters.

Since brexiteers take the truth and twist it into a land of unicorns and rainbows , why would you be surprised that someone needs to twist it back into reality?


Although I am guessing the over defensive ad hominems are because you don't do satire well

[towny44]

That's typical of a lot of remainers, twisting every single thing to try and disparage everything about brexit and its supporters.

Since brexiteers take the truth and twist it into a land of unicorns and rainbows , why would you be surprised that someone needs to twist it back into reality?


Although I am guessing the over defensive ad hominems are because you don't do satire well

You must be correct, clearly I am too thick and immature to be able to cope with satire.

[Kendhni]

That's typical of a lot of remainers, twisting every single thing to try and disparage everything about brexit and its supporters.

Since brexiteers take the truth and twist it into a land of unicorns and rainbows , why would you be surprised that someone needs to twist it back into reality?


Although I am guessing the over defensive ad hominems are because you don't do satire well

You must be correct, clearly I am too thick and immature to be able to cope with satire.

After the last time, I wouldn't dare disagree with you

[barney]

That's typical of a lot of remainers, twisting every single thing to try and disparage everything about brexit and its supporters.

Since brexiteers take the truth and twist it into a land of unicorns and rainbows , why would you be surprised that someone needs to twist it back into reality?


Although I am guessing the over defensive ad hominems are because you don't do satire well

You must be correct, clearly I am too thick and immature to be able to cope with satire.

I must be a bit thick as well John, because I have been reading about the upcoming EU Parliament elections and according to what I've read, they are all going to win it !

The Liberals say that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
The Greens say that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
Change UK says that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
UKIP says that as the only REAL Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
The Brexit Party says that as the only REAL Brexit party, the majority will vote for them

Labour says, you show me the fence and I'll sit on it. Our leader is desperate to leave , but many don't really want to.
The Conservatives say nothing. They are just keeping their heads down.

So, we may end up with a tie between LibDems, Greens, Change UK, UKIP and ….. The Brexit Party.

Or … none of them

Do you reckon that the country is split on this issue ?

[anniec]

The Liberals say that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
The Greens say that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
Change UK says that as the only anti Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
UKIP says that as the only REAL Brexit party, the majority will vote for them
The Brexit Party says that as the only REAL Brexit party, the majority will vote for them

Labour says, you show me the fence and I'll sit on it. Our leader is desperate to leave , but many don't really want to.
The Conservatives say nothing. They are just keeping their heads down.

So, we may end up with a tie between LibDems, Greens, Change UK, UKIP and ….. The Brexit Party.

Or … none of them

Do you reckon that the country is split on this issue ?

I no longer believe polls; however, here, FWIW, is the latest on the EU election outcome:

Brexit Party 27%
Labour 22%
Conservative 15%
Lib Dem 9%
UKIP 7%
Change UK 6%
SNP 4%

YouGov Apr 16

[david63]

Is anyone really interested in the EU elections. I bet the vast majority do not know who their MEP is and if they do I doubt they know to which party they belong - unless it happens to be Mr Farage!

[Ray Scully]

Is anyone really interested in the EU elections. I bet the vast majority do not know who their MEP is and if they do I doubt they know to which party they belong - unless it happens to be Mr Farage!

WE in Lancashire had the infamous Conservative Den Dover who had to pay back £500'000 of misappropriated expenses

[barney]

Is anyone really interested in the EU elections. I bet the vast majority do not know who their MEP is and if they do I doubt they know to which party they belong - unless it happens to be Mr Farage!

WE in Lancashire had the infamous Conservative Den Dover who had to pay back £500'000 of misappropriated expenses

I think I once saw his brother Ben Dover in a film. Can't think of the title but I believe he played a plumber

[barney]

Is anyone really interested in the EU elections. I bet the vast majority do not know who their MEP is and if they do I doubt they know to which party they belong - unless it happens to be Mr Farage!

I've never voted in an EU election before David but will make the effort for this one. Have a guess where my cross will go.

[Manoverboard]

Never heard of her … was the offence about getting single fares, rather than returns, between Brussels and Strasburg ?

ps … I will be getting my first time voting advice from Barney

pps … with hindsight Ben Dover does ring a bell



.

[anniec]

Is anyone really interested in the EU elections. I bet the vast majority do not know who their MEP is and if they do I doubt they know to which party they belong - unless it happens to be Mr Farage!

I am, in so far as the brexit side seem very much more organised than remain, who don't seem to have any sort of organised response ready to defeat Farage. And would a win by the Brexit Party in the EU elections remove any suggestion of another referendum/people's vote?

[Quizzical Bob]

I am awaiting Bob's validation and if he can prove his figures, to my satisfaction, I will accept his data.

Hi Towny,

I hadn't forgotten but things have been a bit hectic lately.

We were discussing the net financial benefit or otherwise of our membership of the EU. We have a good idea as to what the direct costs are to HMG. In 2017 the net contribution was £8.9bn, which was a lot less than the infamous figure of '£350bn a week'. Within this amount are other sums which we would wtill pay somehow were we not in the EU. Some of our Foreign Aid is handled through the EU and comes out of our contributions. In 2016 the UK spent £13.6bn on foreign aid which represents our commitment of 0.7% of our Gross National Income.

I gave a figure of about £20bn benefit from our membership of the EU which arises from the government revenues on the extra economic activity that results from our full membership of the SIngle Market. Of course this figure is open to dispute and discussion and nobody has ever sat down and calculated an exact amount because, of course, we haven't left the Single Market yet. Leaving the EU is going to hit the economy and depending on the final trading arrangements the negative effects range from bad (EEA), to very bad (PTA) to disastrous (WTO).

So in short, we can never talk only about the financial contributions to the EU without also considering the financial benefits. How much weight you want to put on them depends on where you stand.

Have a look at this World Bank study, especially Table 6 on Page 19
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/ ... PS7947.pdf

https://fullfact.org/europe/our-eu-memb ... 5-million/

[barney]

There is a very interesting battle forming in the South West EU elections (should they happen)

Change UK have put up Rachel Johnson (sister of Boris)
Labour have put up Lord Adonis (staunch remainer and chum of Blair)
Brexit have put up Ann Widdecombe (ex Tory Cabinet Minister)
Tories yet to announce but probably the incumbent

Under the complex counting system, they could all be appointed as MEPs

That would be an interesting Eurostar to Brussels. I would love to be a fly on the wall on that one.

[Ray Scully]

There is a very interesting battle forming in the South West EU elections (should they happen)

Change UK have put up Rachel Johnson (sister of Boris)
Labour have put up Lord Adonis (staunch remainer and chum of Blair)
Brexit have put up Ann Widdecombe (ex Tory Cabinet Minister)
Tories yet to announce but probably the incumbent

Under the complex counting system, they could all be appointed as MEPs

That would be an interesting Eurostar to Brussels. I would love to be a fly on the wall on that one.

Barney, nor forgetting Snake Oil Farage

farage.jpg

[barney]

Yeah, I think he's standing in the South East, Ray.
He's a shoe in

I've been reading up about how the MEPs are allocated.
It's all quite interesting and gives a good proportion according to votes cast.

On the surface, it appears better than first past the post, the downside obviously being that it can allow extreme anti democratic parties like Change UK and the LibDems disproportional influence.

[Jack Staff]

Yeah, I think he's standing in the South East, Ray.
He's a shoe in

Unless there is a dolphin standing.

[Jack Staff]

Anyone know who funds the Brexit party?

[barney]

Me. I sent them £100 even though I'm a lefty. 60,000 donations so far, total about £750k.

[Jack Staff]

Bit of a cheap scape there Barney. I hear most donations are £499. Funny the limit on impermissible sources is £500.
Also funny that they all seem to be coming through PayPal, making them untraceable.

[barney]

Maybe millions just support his cause. We'll find out if the election takes place won't we.

[Jack Staff]

What do you think of his manifesto?