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Brexit

What exactly is a "Soft Brexit"?

452 replies

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 18:07

Isn't the notion of a "Soft Brexit" just a forlorn hope that "Brexit Somehow Means Remain"?

OP posts:
Bearbehind · 25/05/2017 18:15

optionale, could you give it up with your threads that serve no other purpose than being a goady fucker.

Your sole intention round here is to start a bun fight.

It won't work no matter how much you prod.

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 18:19

No one is forcing you to read or comment. It is not compulsory.

OP posts:
Bluegrass · 25/05/2017 18:34

It's when you grab the wheel away from the maniac who is trying to drive you off a cliff and you manage to hit a tree instead.

Happy to help.

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 18:44

What specifically would it entail?

OP posts:
carnivalisover · 25/05/2017 18:45

so,blue grass, instead of allowing time for your parachute to open, landing you in the sunlit uplandsWink you decide that certain misfortune is preferable? hmm

roarfeckingroar · 25/05/2017 18:46

I'm interested in this.

Please could people explain/give their interpretation?

The only way of staying on the customs union - to my knowledge - is by retaining freedom of movement. I'm quite in favour of that myself but it was a huge reason why so many voted to leave.

Genuinely interested.

twofingerstoEverything · 25/05/2017 19:12

Have a look at OP's other threads and ask yourself what her purpose is for starting a new one...
Don't rise to it, folks!

JustAnotherPoster00 · 25/05/2017 19:22

Have a look at OP's other threads and ask yourself what her purpose is for starting a new one...
Don't rise to it, folks!

^^This, I came on to respond and realised who it was started by and thought nope not dealing with goady fuckers today, all of those that arent familiar with the OP, they are not looking for anything other than a bunfight

Katsite · 25/05/2017 19:24

a chimera

squishysquirmy · 25/05/2017 19:43

You again Optional?
When you were a kid, did you spend a lot of time sticking your finger into cowpats? It always smelt the same, didn't it? I hope you washed your hands.

"Hard Brexit" and "soft brexit" are pretty meaningless terms, but there is a spectrum of what Brexit could mean, depending on what we choose to prioritise (and what the EU agree to).
The EU will never, ever give us all the benefits of membership, with none of the drawbacks. The people who implied that were liars.
But, unless we jump off the cliff without any agreement on anything (terrible, terrible idea), we will always be tied to the EU in some way.

So lying between the two extremes (full membership of the EU and "No deal"), is a range of different Brexits. Some that prioritise very Right wing values, some that are very good for billionaires who don't like paying tax, others that are better for business, some that prioritise workers rights, etc. Its not even necessarily true that some of these interpretations of Brexit are "harder" than others - that's just language developed by those with a vested interest in suggesting that their interpretation is the only "proper" Brexit, and that other interpretations are somehow "softer" (read; weak/not real/cop out).


I would like to see us remain a part of the ECHR, Euratom, intelligence sharing, etc, and would like to see us prioritise trade ahead of jingoism. I think it would be worth paying something to the EU in return for favourable trade agreements - especially with regard to services. It is also really important to me that we safeguard the rights of EU citizens who have settled here, and that more attention is payed to the Northern Island issue, which has been disgracefully under-prioritised so far.

squishysquirmy · 25/05/2017 19:46

I shouldn't have risen to it, should I? Oh well.

What exactly is a "Soft Brexit"?
TwoIsQuiteEnoughThankyou · 25/05/2017 19:49

Squishy Squirmy, what a thoughtfully written and insightful post. Thank you for that. I agree 100% with everything you said. Thank you for helping me to define my own position. (Other than, for god's sake, maybe there's still a way we can stop the whole disastrous thing from happening).

RibenaMonsoon · 25/05/2017 19:52

Soft Brexit is where they will all negotiate while sitting on cusions.

I hope this helps Wink

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 19:58

Roarfeckingroar

I am interested too. Anyone not interested...MTKKMJ...

Whatever the apparent appeal of a "Soft Brexit" as some kind of compromise or best of both worlds... surely the likelihood of this coming to fruition is extremely remote to say the least. As we have seen already from the leaks from the Junkers Chief of Staff, they have to make sure that the rest of Europe sees Brexit as being as disadvantageous as possible so that there isn't a domino effect with other countries following our lead.

If they insist on e.g. FOM - it would mean we end up with the worst of all possible worlds. Half in half out.... which I think would be disatisfactory to all..

OP posts:
Mistigri · 25/05/2017 20:19

Soft brexit basically looks like a bit like Norway, but without the fjords.

surferjet · 25/05/2017 20:26

Have a look at OP's other threads and ask yourself what her purpose is for starting a new one
Don't rise to it, folks!

This board is like a graveyard these days, hardly anyone starts threads here anymore -
At least the op is creating a conversation - & a perfectly valid one imo.
You should be greatful.

Neverknowing · 25/05/2017 20:27
Neverknowing · 25/05/2017 20:32

Soft brexit imo wouldn't be trying to please remainers it would be not pissing off Europe and keeping trade (which we desperately need) open.
Lots of big companies have been saying they'll leave the U.K. Meaning we'll lose revenue and jobs if we leave the single market. We'll also lose revenue from businesses as TM's idea to keep them in the U.K. Is to make the U.K. A tax haven.
There's no gain I can see from hard brexit.

Figmentofmyimagination · 25/05/2017 21:09

IMV 'soft brexit' would be whatever outcome secures the exit of the uk from the EU without causing any economic harm to the United Kingdom. I'm guessing this must be what everybody sane wants.

illegitimateMortificadospawn · 25/05/2017 21:11

Wishful thinking?

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 21:24

Its a legitimate question leading into the general election. Only one of the major parties claims to be against a "hard" Brexit but their manifesto does not give much detail on what the alternative would be. Which leads me to believe the term is really meaningless

OP posts:
Figmentofmyimagination · 25/05/2017 21:25

Not wishful thinking - it's what we've been promised by the party of business.

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optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 21:27

Today 21:09 Figmentofmyimagination

IMV 'soft brexit' would be whatever outcome secures the exit of the uk from the EU without causing any economic harm to the United Kingdom

Specifically what would that entail wrt to e.g.

  • membership of the customs union
  • access to the single market
  • freedom of movement
OP posts:
Figmentofmyimagination · 25/05/2017 21:29

It's not my concern what it entails. I expect the government of this country not to undertake a course of action that results in economic harm to most people in this country. If it means all three things, so be it.

optionalrationale · 25/05/2017 21:32

Today 20:32 Neverknowing
Soft brexit imo wouldn't be trying to please remainers it would be not pissing off Europe

How do you please a Remainer without Remaining?

If by "Europe" you mean the EU, that ship that sailed on 23rd June last year

OP posts:
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