Scaryclown Don't be patronising. I have lived within the Brussels bubble for a decade, so I know it exists. Dh was seconded to the EU, and when the EEAS was formed, Cathy Ashton became the boss. He was seconded there for three years. Perhaps you'd like to explain to me how that isn't ' experience' ? As for information, there is lots of it out there from European publications, unless they are lying as well? I also talk to people who work at the EU, so again, current info.
The EU is sclerotic, decisions take a long time precisely because they have to be run past all the Member States....look at CETA, and how long that took, almost scuppered by Wallonia at the last minute. Wasteful....how much does the monthly Strasbourg junket cost? Is it necessary, or is it just to appease the French? Why do it and waste all that money when Member States are are drawing their horns in. Resistant to change....see Brexit, which could have been avoided, although I'm glad it wasn't.
I think the Left thrives on the thick as fuck actually as I don't think critical thinking is encouraged, and is met with howls of outrage if you query the Leadership; and it seems with Momentum we seem to be having a rerun of Militant Tendency.
As for the 80s, they were fab. An explosion of colour, music, and hope in direct contrast to the drab and union dominated 70s.
TiggyD Why should anyone right of centre have to be quiet? Just because one is to the right, doesn't mean they are far right. I always wished the far left would be quiet, but hey ho.
Secrets I want out, and am happy with a hard Brexit. If we are out, then we should not be in the single market, and we should be scoping out trade deals with other nations, ready for them to be signed the minute we can do so. We should maintain a friendly working relationship with the EU member States, as we will be working with them in their role as NATO nations. Equally, as they rely on the UK and U.S. within NATO and for Five Eyes intelligence, which they will want to continue to access, then they need a friendly relationship as well.
My stance of freedom of movement is that it should be for work, and like Belgium, you should have to prove how you will support yourself and your family without recourse to the state. I think there is a debate to be had about both EU and non EU immigration, and I think a system like that of Australia, NZ and Canada could be considered. It's a shame that this can't be had without claims of racism or xenophobia surfacing. I am well aware of the strain that incomers put on communities in terms of housing becoming expensive, other languages being spoken etc, after a decade of living in Belgium, and we need a mature approach to, and debate about, funding and resourcing the extra infrastructure needed to cope with the increase in population in the UK.
I put Tusk and Juncker in the same box because I don't think Tusk counter balances Juncker enough, and I don't think either of them really believe that Brexit will happen. Brussels bubble in action.