Statement by Schulz president EU

[louisagradgrind]

He has said, according to BBC news that there will be 'Consequences' for GB so that other European countries will not follow example

What an organisation! Bullying, threatening. Big Brother. Dreadful megalomaniacs.

[DaemonPantalaemon]

The employment analogy does not quite work. Think of it this way. A man tells his wife, look, I have had enough of you, I want to shag other women, but I want to stay in the house until I am good and ready, and shag you from time to time too. Much to his surprise, his wife says, Actually, I have packed a suitcase for you, the door is open, get out now.

You said you wanted out. They are showing you the door. Surely you should be skipping in its direction, not getting riled up because they have held it open for you?

[Fitzers]

Yes I think a divorce is a better analogy. If you are ending a marriage best not to drag it out and you certainly aren't going to let your former spouse dictate all the terms to suit themselves.

[chantico]

Who wanted out?

Merkel's tone is significantly more measured, and suggestive of pragmatism. And I suspect her voice will carry weight as the dust settles.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Merkel is always measured. She's The Don.

[DaemonPantalaemon]

Don Merkel :)

[branofthemist]

The marriage/divorce analogy isn't right.

Leaving the EU has a process out there by the EU.



The wife in that analogy would have had to put a process in place where the husband can make public his intentions, but not make his intentions official until he wants chooses the right time. Then the long drawn out divorce proceedings can take place. Again with the wife stipulating it must take 2 years at least.

Personally I think threatening to make an example of us to stop everyone else getting the wrong ideas isn't going to go down well with the rest of the EU.

[Witchend]

We knew that It was obvious even if they didn't say it. In the same way they won't let Scotland in because places like Spain will worry the Basque (is that the right spelling) will want to do the same.
They're not there to exist for the benefit of the UK only.

[Fitzers]

Who are the 'rest of the EU' bran? I think it's probably the case that there are quite a few members that see this as the right approach to take

[DaemonPantalaemon]

Personally I think threatening to make an example of us to stop everyone else getting the wrong ideas isn't going to go down well with the rest of the EU

Luckily for you, that is not something you need to worry about. That is for the EU to worry about.

That you want out is clear. So why be angry that the other side wants a swift resolution'?

[branofthemist]

Most of the countries in the EU won't be happy they are being told they won't get a shot.

The Right wing is becoming more popular across Europe. It won't be long before people start wanting a referendum of their own. And being told they can't have it, will make it worse. Threatening is not the way to go.

I am a remainer and didn't expect the EU to bend over backwards to keep us. But I do not think this was the right approach.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I don't think the 2 year thing is imposed by the EU, it is just it will take at least that long to disentangle ourselves.

And the analogy is more like the man staying in the house and occasionally beating the wife as well - us drawing out the process has a negative impact on the EU economy

[Mistigri]

I don't think the 2 year thing is imposed by the EU, it is just it will take at least that long to disentangle ourselves.

It's not "imposed"; it's what written in the treaty to which we are signatories. The procedure and the timescale are laid down in the Lisbon treaty.

[Fitzers]

There isn't a huge demand to leave in all the other EU countries bran. Certainly not the majority view

[MrsMook]

I voted to remain, but had to do a lot of soul searching to reach that conclusion. One of my reservations about the EU that I've overcome in voting remain is this kind of heavy handed attitude. There is growing dissatisfaction across the EU, and this attitude may well be counterproductive in restoring stability across the continent.

My hope is that politicians in the UK and Europe might actually learn something about this slap from the electorate, but I won't chance holding my breath for that.

[DrawingLife]

I can see Leavers are getting into position to blame the other EU countries for any negative consequences of the mess we've created for ourselves. So predictable. It has always been ridiculous to expect that we'd keep all the benefits without a price to pay - what's the point of having an EU if it worked that way? It's not "snarling" or "threatening", it's the simple consequence of of our decision. We look after our interests (or not, as it happens), the other countries have as much right to do the same. Somebody said "with friends like that, who needs enemies". But don't you see that works in reverse, too? We shit all over them, then throw a strop that they refuse to wipe our arse afterwards? What. Do. You. Expect???

[Hamishandthefoxes]

The European politicians may well learn something from this and adopt a more measured approach to the rest of the EU. That doesn't benefit the uk at all and were likely to be totally fucked so that the EU will have a carrot for the rest (look, we've learnt and now we're nice!) and a big stick in case anyone else steps out of line.

[mylovegoesdown]

I don't want to be with you anymore, I think I'll be better off alone.

Off you fuck then love and see how that goes for you. And yes, you'll lose my support, money and protection. That's what happens when you want to be on your own.

What did you expect? You can't say you weren't warned.

[Cherryguitar]

"I can see Leavers are getting into position to blame the other EU countries for any negative consequences of the mess we've created for ourselves. So predictable."

Quite.

OP don't be ridiculous. You voted leave you reap what you sow.

[Lunde]

I don't really get what the complaint is here - I just see it as a pragmatic response to some of the things that have been said during the campaign and in particular the comments from some leave politicians that Britain can leave with few consequences to free trade and free movement etc. Obviously it is clear that the other EU countries are not going to accept Britain staying on as a a sort of moocher without contributing.

I thought that Boris and Gove etc would have some sort of provisional plan that they would present today but frankly on TV they mostly look stunned and even seem to be backtracking

[queensansastark]

I see the analogy as more like a wife in an unhappy controlling marriage, asking and hoping for change, nothing changes, husband doesn't care, resentment builds over time, husband says that 'if you leave, I'll ruin you....' in the hope that she doesn't, Mumsnet saying LTB, so wife one day snaps and goes...Would the wife want to stay in such a marriage in the long term anyway?!

[PepeLePew]

When my ex told me he was leaving me for a mutual friend he'd been screwing for several years, I told him to piss off that night. He was keen on hanging round to "sort stuff out amicably (i.e. to his advantage)" but funnily enough, although I would much rather he hadn't done in the first place, I wasn't that interested in what was best for him at that point.

[branofthemist]

There isn't a huge demand to leave in all the other EU countries bran. Certainly not the majority view

I didn't say it was

[dowhatnow]

Totally predictable. I think a few people will soon be realising they've made a massive mistake voting leave. This is just the beginning...

[Fitzers]

Most of the countries in the EU won't be happy they are being told they won't get a shot.

You implied it was a widespread view and that other EU countries would be unhappy with the approach taken. I say the contrary, that there isn't a huge impetus in other EU countries to leave and that most, if not all, will prefer to see it dealt with swiftly and certainly not in a way that would see the UK get all it wants

[louisagradgrind]

I am very glad that Mr Schulz is showing his backside and I hope he keeps it up and says ever more threatening things: it's a lovely, if unexpected, gift. Go Schulz...you're doing a great job of maybe inspiring other nations to LTB.