EU referendum - Stay or Leave?

[Mervyn and Trish]

This mornings Daily Wail reports that aBrexit vote may trigger an EU collapse, and Donald Tusk and Mervyn King warn about the perils of a European superstate.
Why have these messages, which we could all foresee, not been sounded louder before now?

Precisely what a businessman I was talking to predicted. And his view was that once it started to crumble the rest would see sense. I don't believe a vote out will necessarily lead to coming out. If we do vote out there will be a lot of negotiating to try to persuade us to think again.

[barney]

I've actually thought that from day one Merv.

A Leave vote would trigger some serious negotiations, and as long as Dave grew a pair and played hardball, we could come out of it quite nicely.
His last attempt was quick frankly pathetic.
As much as the french despise us, they do like the money.

[anniec]

I've actually thought that from day one Merv.

A Leave vote would trigger some serious negotiations, and as long as Dave grew a pair and played hardball, we could come out of it quite nicely.
His last attempt was quick frankly pathetic.

That's the problem - we need a strong leader, one like a certain handbag-wielding lady. Just for the one term, mind you.

[gfwgfw]

The Giant is sitting on the fence on this one

Is that because your chairs are all full of migrants?

NOPE

[oldbluefox]

Having done a lot of business in Sweden between 1975 and 1989.

We don't want to know about your business in Sweden Frank!!!!

[qbman1]

Having done a lot of business in Sweden between 1975 and 1989.

We don't want to know about your business in Sweden Frank!!!!

I do !!!!

[oldbluefox]

I don't believe a vote out will necessarily lead to coming out. If we do vote out there will be a lot of negotiating to try to persuade us to think again.

That's an interesting thought Merv but I'm not sure the powers that be would sanction yet another referendum. However it could result in a shake up of the whole organisation and a re-think on trading agreements. I believe they need us more than we need them if the trade deficit figures are anything to go by. It's not as though we are in surplus.
(Just as long as we still have Aldi and I can still get my bratwurst).

[Mervyn and Trish]

I don't believe a vote out will necessarily lead to coming out. If we do vote out there will be a lot of negotiating to try to persuade us to think again.

That's an interesting thought Merv but I'm not surethe powers that be would sanction yet another referendum. However it could result in a shake up of the whole organisation and a re-think on trading agreements. I believe they need us more than we need them if the trade deficit figures are anything to go by. It's not as though we are in surplus.
(Just as long as we still have Aldi and I can still get my bratwurst).

They might if the sands shifted, especially as the majority of MPs want us in. But if not I'm happy to be out.

p.s. And I'm not keen on bratwurst!

[qbman1]

Oh dear, Mrs Krankie has lost her overall majority in the Scottish "Parliament"

Oh dear, how sad, what a pity, never mind.

I see the fragrant Mrs K is pressing ahead with a minority government rather than form a coalition. No surprise, I suppose, she wouldn't share a cold !

[Frank Manning]

The problem with that, is that we will still have to be a contributor even if we do leave, because those are the rules. Norway is a case in point. If it's good enough for the Swedes to be in, and keeping the SEK, then that's another reason why it's good enough for me. (Having done a lot of business in Sweden between 1975 and 1989).

If the EU were dimished back down to its EEC roots, then the whole Brussels infra-structure could be downsized, this would reduce the costs significantly and any spending could be targetted on growing the EEC economy.
Wouldn't that be a good idea.

Yes it would be a good idea. While I shall vote stay, I have to agree that the whole Brussels Admin gravy train needs cutting down to size. But as with the attempts to make cuts in local government the superannuated gravy train rolls on while they actually cut services to preserve their jobs while reducing expenditure.

Great cartoon in today's Times!

[Silver_Shiney]

Oh dear, Mrs Krankie has lost her overall majority in the Scottish "Parliament"

Oh dear, how sad, what a pity, never mind.

I see the fragrant Mrs K is pressing ahead with a minority government rather than form a coalition. No surprise, I suppose, she wouldn't share a cold !

Typical Scot!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Perhaps nobody would work with her!

[oldbluefox]

I love the comments after an election because if you take politicians at their word none of them have lost so everybody's happy. It just reinforces my opinion that in the heady world of politics reality does not exist. And then we wonder why so many of them are out of touch. You can't believe two words they string together which is what makes the EU referendum so difficult for Joe Public. Frighteningly many will vote along party lines and then grumble about what they end up with when it is too late.
In this referendum I cannot help feeling that political self interest is placed before the ultimate wealth and welfare of the nation as they seek to build and protect their political careers.

[towny44]

I have to agree with you Foxy that listening to politicians spout about anything is rather pointless, and listening to media experts is no less confusing. It has been said many times that the weather on polling day is far more important than any political speech.
If that is the case then as a fierce Brexit supporter perhaps I should hope for gale force winds and heavy rain on June 23rd, especially as I shall be on holiday and not too concerned about poor UK weather. My reasoning is that those like me will be more likely to brave the elements to make their voice heard, whereas the somewhat undecided who would probably opt for the status quo will prefer to stay home and watch telly.

[Manoverboard]

I have to agree with you Foxy that listening to politicians spout about anything is rather pointless, and listening to media experts is no less confusing. It has been said many times that the weather on polling day is far more important than any political speech.
If that is the case then as a fierce Brexit supporter perhaps I should hope for gale force winds and heavy rain on June 23rd, especially as I shall be on holiday and not too concerned about poor UK weather. My reasoning is that those like me will be more likely to brave the elements to make their voice heard, whereas the somewhat undecided who would probably opt for the status quo will prefer to stay home and watch telly.

What's on, do you happen to know ?

[Mervyn and Trish]

I have to agree with you Foxy that listening to politicians spout about anything is rather pointless, and listening to media experts is no less confusing. It has been said many times that the weather on polling day is far more important than any political speech.
If that is the case then as a fierce Brexit supporter perhaps I should hope for gale force winds and heavy rain on June 23rd, especially as I shall be on holiday and not too concerned about poor UK weather. My reasoning is that those like me will be more likely to brave the elements to make their voice heard, whereas the somewhat undecided who would probably opt for the status quo will prefer to stay home and watch telly.

What's on, do you happen to know ?

An exciting documentary about paint drying?

[towny44]

I have to agree with you Foxy that listening to politicians spout about anything is rather pointless, and listening to media experts is no less confusing. It has been said many times that the weather on polling day is far more important than any political speech.
If that is the case then as a fierce Brexit supporter perhaps I should hope for gale force winds and heavy rain on June 23rd, especially as I shall be on holiday and not too concerned about poor UK weather. My reasoning is that those like me will be more likely to brave the elements to make their voice heard, whereas the somewhat undecided who would probably opt for the status quo will prefer to stay home and watch telly.

What's on, do you happen to know ?

An exciting documentary about paint drying?

That's about the right level for the remain brigade.

[Manoverboard]

So, when you say ' paint drying ' I assume you are telling me it's a prog about cricket.

ps ... MI5, 6 and 7 are suggesting that our national security could be at greater risk if we exit, for those who live in large villages like Huddersfield and Leek it won't matter but it could in the major cities, potentially.

[oldbluefox]

The operative word on security is 'could' as opposed to 'would'. Nobody would jeopardise their country's security because somebody doesn't belong to their club. It's a collective responsibility in everybody's interest to share information.

[towny44]

So, when you say ' paint drying ' I assume you are telling me it's a prog about cricket.
ps ... M5, 6 and 7 are suggesting that our national security could be at greater risk if we exit, for those who live in large villages like Huddersfield and Leek it won't matter but it could in the major cities, potentially.

If you are unable to appreciate the finer points of the magnificent game of cricket there really is no nope for you Moby, and I suppose you might as well vote to join the United States of Europe.

[oldbluefox]

I think Mob's more of a welly-whanging man, to be fair.

[Silver_Shiney]

Cricket has finer points??

Excuse me, I've got some wet paint to watch.

[Manoverboard]

I think Mob's more of a welly-whanging man, to be fair.

Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong

So, when you say ' paint drying ' I assume you are telling me it's a prog about cricket.
ps ... M5, 6 and 7 are suggesting that our national security could be at greater risk if we exit, for those who live in large villages like Huddersfield and Leek it won't matter but it could in the major cities, potentially.

If you are unable to appreciate the finer points of the magnificent game of cricket there really is no nope for you Moby, and I suppose you might as well vote to join the United States of Europe.

No hope ( nor nope ) at all .... can't stand the game and I don't drink tea either.

[towny44]

I think Mob's more of a welly-whanging man, to be fair.

Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong

So, when you say ' paint drying ' I assume you are telling me it's a prog about cricket.
ps ... M5, 6 and 7 are suggesting that our national security could be at greater risk if we exit, for those who live in large villages like Huddersfield and Leek it won't matter but it could in the major cities, potentially.

If you are unable to appreciate the finer points of the magnificent game of cricket there really is no nope for you Moby, and I suppose you might as well vote to join the United States of Europe.

No hope ( nor nope ) at all .... can't stand the game and I don't drink tea either.

Are you sure you are English and not some johnie foreigner???

[Silver_Shiney]

There are many "Johnny Foreigners" who play cricket....