In the face of Trump’s mayhem, Europe is the direction to which the UK must turn – and Keir Starmer knows it
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I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the idea that getting too close to the EU would be a mistake. I think it makes a lot of sense for the UK to have strong ties with the EU.
Brexit was a massive headache for Britain so I think that's why the UK government doesn't want to open up that argument again immediately. I guess Starmer does want to build stronger ties with Europe, but he probably wants Brexit-voters (many of whom were from poorer parts of the UK) to feel like their vote is being honoured. If they feel they have been completely ignored then they might give their support to Reform UK, Britain's equivalent of AfD.
I never understood why the torries thought implementing Brexit meant cutting all strings and burning each and every bridge though. They could've pursued a deal like Norway or Switzerland, if the vote was this narrow you could easily spin it as 'we want to find a solution that makes everybody happy'.
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Just vote on Brexit again, it will most likely turn out in favor of joining the EU and even if not then nothing changes. Then they cant say their vote was ignored.
Don’t think it’s as easy as that. They’d now need to ask to join, then for the EU open negotiations, then put the terms to the people.
Or they could ask the people if they should go ahead and negotiate to rejoin, then risk failing in the negotiations as the terms won’t be as favourable as they were when they were in their special position last time. (Though given current geopolitics maybe the EU would be a lot more accepting of previous terms, don’t know).
Either way there’s a lot of political risk there.
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Don’t think it’s as easy as that. They’d now need to ask to join, then for the EU open negotiations, then put the terms to the people.
Or they could ask the people if they should go ahead and negotiate to rejoin, then risk failing in the negotiations as the terms won’t be as favourable as they were when they were in their special position last time. (Though given current geopolitics maybe the EU would be a lot more accepting of previous terms, don’t know).
Either way there’s a lot of political risk there.
Joining the EU right now doesn't make sense politically. Far more useful and effective to work on getting a customs union in place. Most of the benefits without most of the headaches.
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Didn't they just start charging £14 for visiting the UK? They are certainly not coming across as very inviting to individuals.
When you're visiting a circus, they typically also charge you an admission fee. Nothing unusual.
(I'll show myself out)
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When you're visiting a circus, they typically also charge you an admission fee. Nothing unusual.
(I'll show myself out)
You're right, I forgot they have to pay the clowns. Happy cake day btw.
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You're right, I forgot they have to pay the clowns. Happy cake day btw.
Happy cake day btw.
Thanks.
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I never understood why the torries thought implementing Brexit meant cutting all strings and burning each and every bridge though. They could've pursued a deal like Norway or Switzerland, if the vote was this narrow you could easily spin it as 'we want to find a solution that makes everybody happy'.
They wanted to have their cake, and eat it, too. Maintain full access to the all benefits while giving nothing back in return. This includes burning all bridges, because nobody, especially not an alliance of 27 countries, is especially fond of being taken advantage of.
A Norwegian or Swiss style arrangement wouldn't have worked with the Tories either, because access to the free market automatically signs you up to freedom of movement and acceptance of EU regulations, as well as mandatory contributions to the EU budget.
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Just vote on Brexit again, it will most likely turn out in favor of joining the EU and even if not then nothing changes. Then they cant say their vote was ignored.
People like Nigel Farage would probably say "they're trying to rig democracy by making you vote again and again until you choose the 'right' answer". And some Brexit voters would probably believe that narrative.
I think it's definitely possible that there will be a push from the British public to rejoin the EU, at some point. Maybe in 5 to 10 years though.
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Joining the EU right now doesn't make sense politically. Far more useful and effective to work on getting a customs union in place. Most of the benefits without most of the headaches.
You won't get single market AKA customs union without regulatory alignment and free movement. It's a package deal.
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You won't get single market AKA customs union without regulatory alignment and free movement. It's a package deal.
Customs union and single market aren't the same thing. Customs union means no tariffs, and a unified tariff policy on those outside the union. Nothing more, nothing less. There are active discussions about doing this.
Single market is joining the EU, with regulatory alignment and free movement, as you quite rightly say.
