Really very sad with France!

[Friendsoftheearth]

I am quietly furious with France. We have been going to France between three and four times a year, every year for pretty much all of my adult life. We have spent most summer holidays, skiing and all the rest, choosing France as our destination over all over countries.

Every week I buy French cheeses, wine and truffle oils, and we are very big fans of France and French cuisine.

Even taking into account that Macron should hope and push for the best deal for their fishing industry, I still find it incredulous and insulting that they should be demanding ten years of fish, and are offering us a paltry percentage. Ten years.
They are in a total stand off regarding an even playing field, I understand the reasons for this, but honestly they are pushing all of us to a no deal outcome, that will see French fisherman with no catch whatsoever, and high tariffs slapped on all imports from France. Tourism will be destroyed as people will no longer wish to go there. It could poison relations for decades.

I am aware of the history between the UK and France, but rather naively thought we had moved on from that a very long time ago, I am in despair at the eleventh hour demands, and feel this is in very bad faith. It has really highlighted to me how little respect France have for us as a country.

I feel like I never want to go again, despite having a tentative booking for a holiday in the spring of next year.

@wellthatsunusual

And actually, on the Ireland issue, my 9 year old was asking me questions yesterday about Brexit, and about a united Ireland. I told him that I would imagine that in his lifetime it would probably happen and that ironically the people in N Ireland who campaigned loudly for Brexit are the ones most opposed to a united Ireland but that Brexit pushes N Ireland to a status somewhat removed from the rest of the UK. And he thought about it for a moment and asked if people will kill each other over it? And I had to tell him that yes, they probably will because people feel so strongly about it. And he said 'so it could be like when you were wee again?'. And I had to say 'yes son, it might be'.

That's very sad.

Why should they have any respect for us? Britain asked for this. Just over half the country voted for this mess, how did they not see this would happen? I'm incredulous anyone is surprised. YABU. They owe us nothing.

@teateateateateamoretea

And actually, on the Ireland issue, my 9 year old was asking me questions yesterday about Brexit, and about a united Ireland. I told him that I would imagine that in his lifetime it would probably happen

I keep hearing this over and over (Especially from British people) and they don't seem to have asked if Ireland actually wants Northern Ireland anymore, or whether it's actually a practical proposal? It's not as simple as they think and it is a lot less likely than people imagine.

It also smacks very much of "We fought and killed to keep it but now we've decided its not convenient any more so now you can have it back". It just doesn't work that way.

Yes, I appreciate that too. But I was thinking maybe 50 or 60 years into the future. The demographics of N Ireland have changed hugely in my lifetime and once the tipping point is reached where the majority want unity, the pressure will be huge on both sides to accommodate that.

But in reality we are a very poor country who no-one really wants.

@Friendsoftheearth

What will we all talk about once this is done, and everyone has been vaccinated?

Do your own research, Nigel

I'm sure you can come up with another grifter party of some kind

*You have to understand French politics(

Let's not get carried away, @MimiDaisy11. There's no indication that the OP understands UK politics.

@Friendsoftheearth

I think Ireland will leave the EU in less than five years. Maximum five years.

Omg this one is even better!!

Just brilliant 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pls start your own blog op, I need this kind of comedy in my life.

Disclaimer - I’m half Irish and I know precisely 1 person who doesn’t like the EU and thinks we should leave. Literally everyone where I’m from (rural) loves the EU because all of the grants.

Maybe there's a case for some German input there ? If anyone can remember the unification of Germany in 1991 that eclipses any Irish unification

I'm really not sure if its German reunification that you don't understand, or the history of Ireland and NI. Or both. But there is no comparison to be made between the 2.

@DGRossetti

On that note I have to go!

It's like Clav was in the room (well, not anymore )

Has Clav flounced?

There's a noticeable lack of C&P on this thread

@teateateateateamoretea

^ I keep hearing this over and over (Especially from British people) and they don't seem to have asked if Ireland actually wants Northern Ireland anymore, or whether it's actually a practical proposal? It's not as simple as they think and it is a lot less likely than people imagine.

It also smacks very much of "We fought and killed to keep it but now we've decided its not convenient any more so now you can have it back". It just doesn't work that way.^

I agree. It makes sense for the Republic of Ireland to work with the UK to make the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic work. Having an overnight reunification would be disastrous.

@Friendsoftheearth

On that note I have to go! I wish you all well wherever you are, and will look out for the next thread when the announcement is made.

I hope for peace, unity and love for 2021 (and no more fur trade - yay!)

Oh no!! Don’t go!!

Please stay I really need this hilarity today!

I think the OP also buys her weed in France

One thing the UK is a world beater at is producing really good quality cannabis - although not legally. Mysteriously the UK government doesn't like to celebrate the fact, but just persecute users and create byzantine processes around medical cannabis which is easier to export than obtain legally in the UK.

Personally I will be interested to see if the recent UN ruling prompts a shift in the EUs approach. Shame the UK won't have a trade deal for cannabis, but heigh ho. Or even high ho if you like psychotropic puns this early in the day.

As an Irish person reading this entire thread it would be hilarious if it wasn't so utterly depressing. And the OP is absolutely bonkers!
I am finding these Brexit threads so illuminating really. And largely unsurprising sadly.

I have supported China for decade via clothing purchases
I'm gutted they gave me corona virus
Shan't go there in holiday this year

@teateateateateamoretea

Maybe there's a case for some German input there ? If anyone can remember the unification of Germany in 1991 that eclipses any Irish unification

I'm really not sure if its German reunification that you don't understand, or the history of Ireland and NI. Or both. But there is no comparison to be made between the 2.

Why did you snip the preceding bit where it was clear I wasn't talking from knowledge, but curiosity ?

I don't mind being called a fucking idiot when I am being a fucking idiot. But just floating questions with no really preconceived answers in mind isn't being a fucking idiot. It's trying to learn. And debate.

Sorry to trouble you with my real life, but my kids need picking up, silly me to have a real life and all, but don't let me stop your insults

Brexit is nearly over once and for all. It will be missed like the lancing of piles by some, others are clearly very over invested in the subject.

Have a good afternoon all!

Sorry, I used the relevant bit, that's all.

I was point out that British people have a lot of opinions on Ireland and NI without knowing anything about it, and then you start comparing it to Germany and saying that "eclipsed it"....and I don't think you know anything at all about any of it. So, you proved my point.

If you're interested in learning and debate, then learning comes first, and it might be better to ask some questions before giving opinions and making comparisions.

I can't wait for the threads about how Macron has personally raised the price of holidays in France just for the English (yep just the English) and has decided to milk us for buying french wine.

He will also be responsible for carparks and portaloos in the Uk.

Brexit is nearly over once and for all

But it isn't, not even close. You can't even get that right OP!

melodramatic!

As a British passport holder living in the EU I have been embarrassed on an almost daily basis by the sabre rattling and xenophobic insults of the British govt, with their misplaced sense of exceptionalism, and now that someone has finally stopped being polite and patient you bang on about foreigners creating poisonous relations? What about the poisonous relations created by the U.K. govt over the last 4 years?

I’m getting a bit fed up with these astroturfer threads, the OP is either very undereducated but thinks the French should be grateful she buys the odd bit of cheese (hardly propping up their economy) or else is someone deliberately posting to whip up anti EU feeling before the shit hits the fan from a no deal. I’ve even seen a post blaming “remainders” for a no deal. WTF? Not taking responsibility for your own shit and shifting blame on others is often cited as a red flag for an abusive mindset, what does it say about our Government?

Oh, and as for Italian wine producers, as well as a lot of other EU exporters, they’ve had 4 years to develop alternative markets, which they have used wisely in most cases. Ditto the companies using components supplied by British firms, many have found alternative suppliers elsewhere in the EU.

Nailed it with this 👆

Bye OP.

Looking forward to your take on the Middle East conflicts tomorrow! 😂

Ooh carparks and portaloos, that was on my bingo card.

@THisbackwithavengeance

People on here do not like to admit that we have more in common with Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the US. I hope one day we could form a free market agreement with them.

Diplomatically I do not think the UK has ever been on good terms with the French. Look at De Gaulle's blocking the UK's common market entry in the 70s (was it?) And that was in recent living memory of WW2. The French wouldn't piss on us if we were on fire and this whole EU band of brothers shtick was always complete bollocks.

I think most posters on here would be gleeful if Britain did badly out of Brexit just to prove themselves correct but I would say not to underestimate the strength of our economy compared to some of our EU 'brothers'.

And I voted Remain.

I’m assuming you know and understand why De Gaulle vetoed the UK application, and he wasn’t wrong, was he!!

It's like Clav was in the room (well, not anymore grin)
The sheer audacity of people who think that someone is obliged to stay here and endlessly pander to their hurt egos/inability to accept the vote.

I'd agree you can't easily compare German and Irish reunification, definitely.

There is perhaps one relevant angle which is that many many West Germans did not want reunification, they did not want to absorb a region that was much more deprived and socially dysfunctional. Germans actually still pay a reunification tax, that's how expensive the whole process was.

But emotions and 'the weight of history' overpowered all that. So the question is whether something similar might happen in Ireland. There are many reasons why people in the Republic would not be keen for unification, but the question is whether, if they are actually presented with the option, they would be swayed into going along with it.

Otherwise the two situations are too different to really compare though.

@Friendsoftheearth

Sorry to trouble you with my real life, but my kids need picking up, silly me to have a real life and all, but don't let me stop your insults

Brexit is nearly over once and for all. It will be missed like the lancing of piles by some, others are clearly very over invested in the subject.

Have a good afternoon all!

others are clearly very over invested in the subject.

You are indeed!!!!!