Comments on: Cameron calls for UK referendum on EU membership

By: ChardonnayGuy

ChardonnayGuy — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:53:09 +0000

Except that interneccine squabbling over Europolicy kept the Tories out of power for over thirteen years, don’t forget. And might do so again. Would the skeptics give up if they lose any such referendum? Doubt it.

By: Warren Murray

Warren Murray — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:41:22 +0000

I wonder about the timing of this referendum compared with the timing of Scotland’s referendum.

I think DF is partly right, as a trade bloc, the EU works OK. But these things don’t stop evolving. The unification of Germany in the 19th century was facilitated by a customs union led by Prussia. Within a few years a united Germany was created, putting an end to hundreds of years of wars between the german states.

How much harm would the UK exit would inflict on itself?

By: Nigel Kearney

Nigel Kearney — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:25:24 +0000

The Germans definitely need to do the same. Not sure why people are lumping France and Germany together in this thread. The frogs largely created this monster so leave them with the consequences and get out.

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:34:31 +0000

But don’t they use Oak for the dashboards NO?

By: NeutralObserver

NeutralObserver — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:33:04 +0000

Actually I was trying to think of a UK car company that they still actually own…it is pretty much al German, US, Indian, Malaysian isn’t it?

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:32:38 +0000

Can’t believe sensible folks would buy a Volkswagen, the end result of a defeated madmans dream NO when they could buy a good reliable piece of Japper iron.

Hang on…what am I saying here?

By: NeutralObserver

NeutralObserver — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:24:03 +0000

I call your tabloid link and raise you one! http://www.3news.co.nz/Volkswagen-reports-record-sales-for-2012/tabid/421/articleID/283034/Default.aspx

By: NeutralObserver

NeutralObserver — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:20:08 +0000

Thanks JB but I but it is I who will bow. It is clear to me now that UK = unbridled good and EU = pure socialist evil. I have been wrong and that there is only one side to this story by reading AP and Reuters extracts in the local papers in english we get a full and accurate picture here 12,000 miles away. I feel such a stunted, un eloquent fool. Shame on me.

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:10:15 +0000

The Pom’s are fucked and the Germofrogs are forging ahead!!!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10860667

By: barry

barry — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:09:37 +0000

I heard his speech last night on sky 90. excellent.

The EU is turning into something akin to the old USSR with the ever increasing rules. Add to that stupidity the obvious incompatability of the various economies and its no wonder the UK is starting to ask questions – as quite a few others are also.

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:06:45 +0000

I seem to remember that once 1812 et al passed into memory they got on quite well with the Pom’s NeutralObserver.
Can’t blame them for wanting to keep the UK as a handy step to Europe for their forces, worked last time it was really needed.
I seem to remember they played a really cagey game in 1982 keeping the Latins in touch while supplying ELINT to the UK.
I could be wrong of course and bow to your superior knowledge.

God knows why they supplied SLBM’s cheaply and the technology to deliver them to colonialist bastards like the Pom’s.

I’m sure a fellow of your erudition could enlighten us all on that.

By: SPC

SPC — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:03:11 +0000

This was inevitable once the eurozone developed and the UK chose to remain in the outside.

Now the recession exacerbates labour market pressures on the UK, because migration to an English speaking country is easier for unemployed or low paid workers across Europe, the EU is becoming less popular.

As for the EU itself, the Germans and French have much lower borrowing costs than the rest of the Eurozone – the Germans cope with their 90% GDP debt because the cost is only about 2%. The French pay only about 3% on their similar debt. Because of the low Euro the Germans are successful in exports. The EU is very good for the Germans. It leaves in the position to be seen to support the rest, but only because the EU is designed to have them as the powerhouse the rest are dependent on.

By: NeutralObserver

NeutralObserver — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:54:20 +0000

Maybe the yanks will remember that without the French there would be no US of A. Maybe that’s why thy came out in public calling for the UK to stay in the EU. Anyhow yanks are the ultimate pragmatists they’ll drop the UK in a heartbeat if it clashes with their own interests like they did over the Malvinas/Falklands. It will be fun, though slightly to tragic, to watch how that unfolds in the coming months…

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:51:24 +0000

Lang may yer lum reek Ken Noes Aye!

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:46:02 +0000

“They have an over inflated sense of self importance, prevalent in Island Nations”

Just as well they do old boy. Hope the garlic breathed chaps from the mainland don’t forget that next time they bend over for the Germans/Russkies/Whoever.

It might take a while for the Yanks to save them. Just like the last two times!

By: NeutralObserver

NeutralObserver — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:40:22 +0000

Reading the German and French media you’ll see most public opinion want the British out, so I think the divorce will be mutual. The UK did have a referendum, knew exactly what the rest of Europe intended and aspired for the EU, they joined with their eyes wide open and now have buyers remorse and want the other 26 countries to let them have a special deal and cherry pick. It is spectacularly arrogant (quelle surprise). The UK is still in shock from the damage done to it by its banking sector (bailing out RBS, Lloydds and Northern Rock) has cost a pretty penny and they need someone to blame, the bogeymen French and Germans are a tried and tested.

They have an over inflated sense of self importance, prevalent in Island Nations – NZ included.

You have to say if the objective was to stop another grand European war the EU haas been a success. It is also the worlds largest economic entity. In an increasing globalized world the UK wants to head in the opposite direction. Good luck, at least some of their caste off civil servants know they can get a job here – well for a few months at least.

By: Ken Noes Aye

Ken Noes Aye — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:23:37 +0000

Hogmanay resolution is to speak with interesting political types on the computer. So here aye go.

Good on Cameron for putting it to a referendum. What if Scottish people vote to stay in Europe but the English vote to take us out? Scotland is having a referendum for independence from the UK too.

By: kowtow

kowtow — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:52:30 +0000

Und Bavaria doesn’t need Germany but Germany needs Bavaria.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/17/us-germany-bavaria-solidarity-idUSBRE86G0U820120717
It’s a big food chain with the poor eating the working wealth.At some stage it has to break.

The rats can’t keep calling the tune.Wasn’t the piper a German?

By: Johnboy

Johnboy — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:39:36 +0000

Ich bin ein Londoner!

By: AJP

AJP — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:25:16 +0000

Europe doesn’t need Britain but Britain does need Europe.
Nobody in Germany or France will give it a rats if Britain goes.
Afteral it is just a island in the middle of nowhere without any trading partners except Europe.
Never forget this.

And yes I am German!