UK to leave EU?

seamus · 10-01-2013 03:11PM

The UK leaving the EU would likely have relatively little impact on us since we would just set up trade agreements to mirror what we have now and the common travel area would remain in effect.
We are the UK's sixth-largest export partner, so they will want to keep that channel as open and favourable as possible.

In fact, it could potentially be beneficial for us as we could implement more favourable taxation policies for trade in and out of the UK.

donalg1 · 10-01-2013 03:14PM

What will it mean for me when buying stuff from Amazon.co.uk?

Fromthetrees · 10-01-2013 03:20PM

I don't think the UK will leave Europe but if they did I don't think it will make much difference to us anyway.

getz · 10-01-2013 03:23PM

senordingdong wrote: »

There has always been euro skeptic sentiment in Britain, and the tabloids have always reinforced it. But an actual departure is highly unlikely IMO.

there are a lot of people in the EU love it,i have seen that on tv,with 100,000s walking the streets in greece,spain,portugal,and italy with banners saying UP the EU,[well as my eyesight isent what was,it looked liked that ] as far as people in the UK, they are not against a common market,as long as it is not a political one,thats the bit that is causing the problem,and with the eurozone having its problems,and seeing the likes of germany and france bullying other countries,i can foresee a lot of political unrest for its future,

Stinicker · 10-01-2013 03:27PM

I think Ireland should do the same as the UK and leave the EU too.

SEPT 23 1989 · 10-01-2013 03:28PM

Stinicker wrote: »

I think Ireland should join the UK and leave too.

Not join but leave at the same time

Duckworth_Luas · 10-01-2013 03:36PM

My name is URL wrote: »

On Sky News last night they were reporting on this by saying 'Ireland threatens Britain over EUexit'

Strawberry Fields wrote: »

Threatened them with what exactly?

The Hounds, or the Bees, or the hounds with bees in their mouths so everytime they bark at you they shoot bees at you!

BrensBenz · 10-01-2013 03:37PM

ejmaztec wrote: »

It's only the Daily Mail and its readers that want to leave the EU, and supporters of the one trick pony party i.e. UKIP.

I don't think there will ever be a referendum over there, British businesses have too much to lose.

Agree.
Also, when successive British leaders say that they want to be at the "heart of Europe", what they really mean is that they want to be at the "head of Europe" - they don't like being mere "members", with equal voting rights to Johnnie Foreigner, and the British red tops stir this up to sell paper.

And, the Brits regards referendums as PC wussiness so I think the more astute business classes in Britain might push for some tweaks while basically maintaining the status quo.

Latchy · 10-01-2013 03:41PM

donalg1 wrote: »

What will it mean for me when buying stuff from Amazon.co.uk?

Buy from Amazon USA ?

The reason a lot of British high street stores and chains are going to the wall is because people ( including myself ) are shopping online now more than ever.

Fratton Fred · 10-01-2013 03:46PM

BrensBenz wrote: »

Agree.
Also, when successive British leaders say that they want to be at the "heart of Europe", what they really mean is that they want to be at the "head of Europe" - they don't like being mere "members", with equal voting rights to Johnnie Foreigner, and the British red tops stir this up to sell paper.

and that makes them different to every other leader of a European country how, exactly?

RossyG · 10-01-2013 03:47PM

donalg1 wrote: »

What will it mean for me when buying stuff from Amazon.co.uk?

Nothing at all. It'll be business as usual.

Ghandee · 10-01-2013 03:51PM

donalg1 wrote: »

What will it mean for me when buying stuff from Amazon.co.uk?

English subtitles will not be an option on DVD's.

Chuck Stone · 10-01-2013 04:31PM

London fears its financial status as Europe's (and the world's) principle financial hub being eroded by increasingly cohesive EU banking. The UK, unlike Germany which is a world manufacturing powerhouse, depends heavily upon the finance part of its economy (the UK comes in 4th behind Germany, France and Italy for exports).

spank_inferno · 10-01-2013 04:38PM

They won't leave, they know that is not in their best interest.

I reckon it will be a compromise where they are still members but enjoy greater scope for 'opt-outs' of directives etc where it suits them.

BrensBenz · 10-01-2013 04:46PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

and that makes them different to every other leader of a European country how, exactly?

Well, other countries have their red tops and UKIP type quacks but few are as virulent, venomous or as powerful as the British ones. Leaders must pander to their readership in that proportion. Sorry if I'm not clear but I do feel that British red tops create more than reflect popular opinion.
I also feel that, in recent decades anyway, "mainland Europeans" are more open to working with their neighbours than the British are. I travel in the EU a lot on business and, as far as I can see, Britain is not seen as "one of us" while Ireland, for instance, is. A chicken and egg scenario really but, longer term, I see the UK remaining the noisy odd-man-out....but in the EU.

Busted Flat. · 10-01-2013 04:53PM

The UK being in the EU, is like having your cranky spinster great aunt, sitting at the table for 365 days a year, instead of just a few hours at Christmas. IMO everyone has just tired of their behavior. As a previous poster said "$hit or get off the pot".

Fratton Fred · 10-01-2013 04:54PM

BrensBenz wrote: »

Well, other countries have their red tops and UKIP type quacks but few are as virulent, venomous or as powerful as the British ones. Leaders must pander to their readership in that proportion. Sorry if I'm not clear but I do feel that British red tops create more than reflect popular opinion.
I also feel that, in recent decades anyway, "mainland Europeans" are more open to working with their neighbours than the British are. I travel in the EU a lot on business and, as far as I can see, Britain is not seen as "one of us" while Ireland, for instance, is. A chicken and egg scenario really but, longer term, I see the UK remaining the noisy odd-man-out....but in the EU.

You've obviously had a very different experience of Europe than I have then. I have always found the French to be seen as the outsiders, mainly because they have little or no interest in anything outside their borders.

bluecode · 10-01-2013 05:02PM

The UK won't leave the EU. If there was a referendum, the consequences would be spelt out for them and the typical English person (The English will be the main deciders on this) is not the flag waving buffoon many like to typify them. Sure there is an element of old fashioned empire loving types who want to go it alone. But it would not be good for Britain.

When push comes to shove they will vote to stay in. But using it as a warning to the EU. It's a bit like Scottish independance. It will never happen but they like to keep it banging on about it as a warning to take them seriously.

It wouldn't be good for us is Britain left, but our links are too close for it to do real damage. Ireland is a huge market for Britain and vice versa.

But it would be a disaster for Northern Ireland. The loss of EU subsidies would not be made up by Westminster. The Nordies would vote en masse in favour of staying in. Not to mention the Welsh, Scots and the North of England.

Busted Flat. · 10-01-2013 05:08PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

You've obviously had a very different experience of Europe than I have then. I have always found the French to be seen as the outsiders, mainly because they have little or no interest in anything outside their borders.

Pot calling the kettle.

10-01-2013 05:27PM

bluecode wrote: »

When push comes to shove they will vote to stay in. But using it as a warning to the EU.

What sort of a warning? If they start using it as a negotiating tool they should be told to get lost.

If they do leave we (the remaining EU) should extract lots from them in exchange for a trade deal - I think we were too generous with Switzerland and Norway. If you want the benefits of the EU you need to sign up in full.

maddragon · 10-01-2013 05:30PM

Strawberry Fields wrote: »

Threatened them with what exactly?

Endless and endless reruns of Fr Ted and Mrs Browns Boys- oh wait.

gallag · 10-01-2013 05:31PM

pg633 wrote: »

What sort of a warning? If they start using it as a negotiating tool they should be told to get lost.

If they do leave we (the remaining EU) should extract lots from them in exchange for a trade deal - I think we were too generous with Switzerland and Norway. If you want the benefits of the EU you need to sign up in full.

And whats the problem with simple free trade? Why do you feel countries should sign up to a federal europe and give up things like law making, economic decisions or be shunned?

wendell borton · 10-01-2013 05:33PM

My name is URL wrote: »

On Sky News last night they were reporting on this by saying 'Ireland threatens Britain over EU exit' and that we were 'against a special deal for the UK', which I bet didn't go down well with many people.

Our fisheries were as good as icelands.

Fratton Fred · 10-01-2013 05:35PM

Busted Flat. wrote: »

Pot calling the kettle.

unlike the Irish begrudger who likes to sit at home and constantly slag everyone and everything in the country next door. :rolleyes:

getz · 10-01-2013 05:37PM

bluecode wrote: »

The UK won't leave the EU. If there was a referendum, the consequences would be spelt out for them and the typical English person (The English will be the main deciders on this) is not the flag waving buffoon many like to typify them. Sure there is an element of old fashioned empire loving types who want to go it alone. But it would not be good for Britain.

When push comes to shove they will vote to stay in. But using it as a warning to the EU. It's a bit like Scottish independance. It will never happen but they like to keep it banging on about it as a warning to take them seriously.

It wouldn't be good for us is Britain left, but our links are too close for it to do real damage. Ireland is a huge market for Britain and vice versa.

But it would be a disaster for Northern Ireland. The loss of EU subsidies would not be made up by Westminster. The Nordies would vote en masse in favour of staying in. Not to mention the Welsh, Scots and the North of England.

the irish /british market is a one way street .

gallag · 10-01-2013 05:43PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

unlike the Irish begrudger who likes to sit at home and constantly slag everyone and everything in the country next door. :rolleyes:

Interesting guy alright, joined in 2010, first post 2 days ago and about 90% posts anti british.

Fratton Fred · 10-01-2013 05:44PM

Deleted User wrote: »

What sort of a warning? If they start using it as a negotiating tool they should be told to get lost.

If they do leave we (the remaining EU) should extract lots from them in exchange for a trade deal - I think we were too generous with Switzerland and Norway. If you want the benefits of the EU you need to sign up in full.

a trade deal? do you really think the Germans would want to start a trade war with the UK?

getz · 10-01-2013 05:45PM

gallag wrote: »

And whats the problem with simple free trade? Why do you feel countries should sign up to a federal europe and give up things like law making, economic decisions or be shunned?

its all about power,in the 60s when i was in belgium it was often said to me we are glad the UK has joined it will stop the french and germans getting control of it,sorry belgium it has not,

BlatentCheek · 10-01-2013 05:45PM

I wouldn't be too blase about the possibility of this happening. Just because it's not in the best interests of either the UK or the EU doesn't mean that public opinion won't push it through.

While the Brits have always had a strong eurosceptic trend the view that Britain should outright leave the EU has never been as close to the mainstream as it is now. Not only are UKIP going from strength to strength but Cameron appears unable to curb the euro-sceptics in his own party and even Labour supporters are trending against the EU more than would have been imaginable only a decade ago.

Among more pro-integration EU states it seems that decades of British obstructionism have bred annoyance and a belief that with the UK out the pace towards greater integration will finally be picked up so they may not do as much to prevent a UK exit as they would have before

Fratton Fred · 10-01-2013 05:48PM

BlatentCheek wrote: »

I wouldn't be too blase about the possibility of this happening. Just because it's not in the best interests of either the UK or the EU doesn't mean that public opinion won't push it through.

While the Brits have always had a strong eurosceptic trend the view that Britain should outright leave the EU has never been as close to the mainstream as it is now. Not only are UKIP going from strength to strength but Cameron appears unable to curb the euro-sceptics in his own party and even Labour supporters are trending against the EU more than would have been imaginable only a decade ago.

Among more pro-integration EU states it seems that decades of British obstructionism have bred annoyance and a belief that with the UK out the pace towards greater integration will finally be picked up so may not do as much to prevent a UK exit as they would have before

those eurosceptics will claim that the UK is the only thing standing in the way of a federal Europe.

UK to leave EU?

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