To think Juncker is an arrogant fucker

[laidbackneko]

I was/am a staunch remainer and, like many, am shell shocked at the result. IMO leaving the EU is quite frankly a disaster for this country's economy. The harsh truth is we simply don't have enough desirable commodity to be able to trade on the world stage that puts us in a strong position to negotiate favourable terms.

But I watched in horror at Juncker's speech on the eve of the referendum with his bully boy stance and tactics - which has only intensified since the result.

The best result the UK can hope for now is that Brexit will cause a domino effect which means the entire EU will be forced to reform under a new president and government.

The Czech Republic has now spoken out, criticising Juncker and calling for his resignation. It's a long shot but let's just hope and pray that other countries follow suit.

[Kummerspeck]

Absolutely agree. This man has all the characteristics of a bad dictator and, in my opinion, has been one of the main people behind Brexit

[Mummyme1987]

He's a real nasty bully I thought.

[laidbackneko]

Dictator is right. He is the worst example of leadership. UK was one of the minority of countries that opposed his direction within the EU and it absolutely seems that we are now being punished for the opposition.

[Kummerspeck]

Interestingly I heard a politician say today that Juncker and the unelected officials are the ones pushing for a hard line against Britain but elected politicians like Merkel are taking a much softer line because they are answerable to their public, know there is a lot of sympathy out there for Brexit so have more understanding because of that.

Juncker is a bully, pure and simple. He is the one with delusions about a United States of Europe and an EU army. The EU would be a much nicer organisation wothout him

[laidbackneko]

YY kummer trouble is his term doesn't end until 2019 unless he is ousted.

[laidbackneko]

Unless there was a genius tactic behind this decision to hold the referendum in June 2016, the timing of this referendum was utter madness

[BananaInPyjama]

I was reading this yesterday and thought he sounded very arragoant, disliked by others in EU and dictatorial:

[BananaInPyjama]

I was reading this yesterday and thought he sounded very arragoant, disliked by others in EU and dictatorial:

[BananaInPyjama]

www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-commission-president-juncker-under-fire-a-1098232.html

[laidbackneko]

Because at least with the two years negotiation period after article 50 is triggered, had the referendum been held in 2017 as originally stated by Cameron, Juncker would most likely have been replaced by another president who didn't hold a grudge against the UK had we chosen to exit then.

[laidbackneko]

banana how chilling that the article suggests Juncker had implicit intentions to begin involvement with Putin's Russia.

[BungoWomble]

I agree he sounds like the very worst kind of politician, the kind we shoukd despise everywhere they crop up. I haven't forgotten his links with tax scandals.

[Rainbunny]

YANBU! Can't stand the man, or Martin Schulz for that matter... and I was a Remainer in the end too!

[KissMyArse]

Juncker's contempt for the UK has been bubbling under the surface for some time now. This kind of says it all as to how he has always viewed us.

Mr Juncker said the separation was "not an amicable divorce", adding that "it was not exactly a tight love affair anyway"

news.sky.com/story/1717236/uk-exit-juncker-calls-for-speedy-divorce

[KissMyArse]

The deception of the voters goes much deeper than the Leave/Remain campaigns.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/26/plans-to-create-an-eu-army-kept-secret-from-voters/

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eu-army-plans-kept-secret-from-voters-3j3kg3zwj

[ReallyTired]

I think that Junker and Schulz swung it for the leave campaign. The arrogance of unelected EU officials is shocking.

The EU needs more democratic accountability.

[goddessofsmallthings]

The not so secret EU plans for a single defence force, which could be used against any member state which dissents from the dictat of unelected auto Eurocrats, is one of the many reasons why I voted to leave and I have been astounded by the lack of foresight shown by so many are proud to proclaim themselves 'remainers'. Have they learned nothing from history, or are they simply ignorant of what the past can teach us?

The harsh truth is we simply don't have enough desirable commodity to be able to trade on the world stage that puts us in a strong position to negotiate favourable terms

The fact is that the UK's economy is the fifth largest in in the world and if it takes dive because we are forced to leave the EU on less than favourable terms it will drag the economies of Germany and France down with it, with a knock-on effect on the finances of the other member states, some of which are in deficit a parlous condition.

It remains to be seen what the rise of the far right in both Germany and France will have on the polls when Merkel and Hollande seek re-election next year but both of these politicians, along with many others, are sufficiently astute to realise that any attempt to make an example of the UK can only foment further discontent within their own and other member states.

To my mind, there's never been a better time for Brexit and if British politcians are unable to dictate terms negotiate a favourable outcome I may start believing in conspiracy theories.

[ReallyTired]

I doubt that any European army would ever be used against a member or an ex member state. The more frightening thing about an EU army is that we could be embroiled in a war over the Ukraine.

[Totallypearshaped]

I think it makes sense for European stability that britian quickly leave.

For sure you're all stinging a bit, and the result was won by a small majority, but surely plans are in place for starting the exit.

It's not fair on the rest of Europe to hang on and delay and delay when you've said you're leaving.
We need to make plans too.

Imaging if a spouse said they're leaving but then camped out in the living room indefinitely. You'd get hacked off with him too!

You've chosen to leave, now it's business as usual for the rest of us. Where you go and what you do is up to you now- isn't that what you wanted after all?

Or do you want a lift into town? And pocket money too?

[ReallyTired]

There is a possibility that Hollyrood (Scottish parliament) has the right to stop Brexit. It may not be so simple to enact article 50. Nicola sturgeon had made it clear that Scotland is not leaving without a fight. The divorce analogy is not really appriopiate as the uk is 4 seperate countries. There is finding a democratic solution for Gilbralter as well.

[ReallyTired]

There is a possibility that Hollyrood (Scottish parliament) has the right to stop Brexit. It may not be so simple to enact article 50. Nicola sturgeon had made it clear that Scotland is not leaving without a fight. The divorce analogy is not really appriopiate as the uk is 4 seperate countries. There is finding a democratic solution for Gilbralter as well.

[Rainbunny]

Totallypearshaped - Well I understand your point but the reality of the situation is that we don't have a functioning government to start the exit negotiations currently - the UK doesn't even have nearly enough trade negotiators and we'll have to start finding some ASAP. Our Prime Minister has resigned so we need to see the process through to get a new leader, the other major party is in turmoil as well so we may get two new leaders and a snap general election happening as well. I think it's just as damaging for the UK AND the EU to rush into a quick exit, frankly the economic damage so far has been worse for Europeans than the UK (which should tell you something...) This is a very important event, better to get it right than to get it done in a hurry. Everyone needs to calm the f**k down and let cool heads prevail, then the logistics can can considered. So far the EU response has been very emotional, understandable I know but not helpful to either side.

[goddessofsmallthings]

Cameron has stated that he will resign with effect from October of this year. In the interim he will continue as Prime Minister and, while the Labour Party is in disarray due to a mass exodus of shadow ministers, we have a functioning government.

[branofthemist]

I do think Junker swayed some people to vote leave.

His speeches leading up to the referendum including dropping the the Turkey bomb shell, pushed people to out.

He is one of the reasons people don't want to be in the EU. They don't want to be bullied, especially when they have no say over him being put in the job he is in.

Between him and David Cameron's failed attempt at renegotiation, lots of people felt the EU doesn't give a shit about the UK and we are at their mercy.

[sparechange]

Cameron has stated that he will resign with effect from October of this year. In the interim he will continue as Prime Minister and, while the Labour Party is in disarray due to a mass exodus of shadow ministers, we have a functioning government.

Cameron has already resigned but will 'work out his notice' until October at the latest.

It is looking increasing likely that we will have 2 leadership contests in the coming months and then possibly another general election afterwards when the new Tory leader seeks mandate from the electorate.

All in, that's a hell of long time to have spent in purdah or as near as dammit this year. I wouldn't call that a functioning government - while we may have an assembled government, they aren't able to do any axial business of governing.