We don't have to pay a penny to the EU under Brexit!

[Olympiathequeen]

Latest news. There is no legal requirement to pay a penny and no court in the world that will enforce punitive 'divorce' penalties on us

We probably will pay something, but they can feck off with their 60 billion pounds.

I just hope it will curb some of the more rabid EU urges to 'punish' us for a democratic choice to no longer trade within rules that no longer suit us.

Big choc.... hate to tell you this, but we are mainly negotiating with Germany. I'd love to say it is more balanced, but it is not. They call the shots and everyone knows it.
You say 8% of eu exports are to the uk fair enough. How much of German exports are to the uk? That is a completely separate matter.

It exports twice to the uk what it imports from us.

And it has already made it clear that it's relationship with the rest of the EU is far more important than a few sales in a tanking economy like that of the UK.

Good grief, do you not read anything that doesn't come from Breitbart?

UK is a net importer in part because we already do not compete on wages.

I expect that FAR more important relationship to become slightly mare difficult for Germany. I didn't read anything in the press. It is just my opinion. I do not read tabloids or dodgy far right ripoffs thank you.

I hope this has worked. I have posted ons data.

Take a look. Hope it worked this time.

Bigchoc. The percentages that I've read differ slightly in that 8-17% come into the UK. 44% out to the EU. But in terms of money that is £220 billion out and £290 billion into the U.K. in trade.

I believe we need to be pragmatic and accept we will have to pay for access to certain areas. I'd be quite prepared to accept freedom of movement as part of the deal provided there were a few strings attached. Mostly I just don't want this ever closer union.

We only need to tighten up and enforce border checks which are very poor at the moment, and ensure employers cannot undercut U.K. wages or advertise for only foreign workers, and maybe have the best of both worlds. As I said there will be good and bad bits, and I'm prepared to accept FOM.

Maybe when the terms are agreed we can have another referendum? Not all leavers are xenophobic, racist isolationists believe it or not and many will accept a deal which still has FOM but under fairer conditions.

I wish to see a system where people from around the world are able to settle here where they are able to demonstrate that they can benefit the uk. Wishing to start businesses and employ staff or have skills which are sought after. I would also like to see better policies towards partners and children of these expats from other nations and for the foreign spouses and children of uk citizens. I think that expats from other nations should need to apply for some sort of visa/pr to do so, but this process should not be terribly expensive or complex.
I also hope that negotiations will be kind to people who are already here and allow them to follow a short application and to continue their lives here.

"Big choc.... hate to tell you this, but we are mainly negotiating with Germany. I'd love to say it is more balanced, but it is not"

Every EU27 country has a veto (as do some of the regional parliaments). So no, we are not just negotiating with Germany. Actually, the EU27 will negotiate amongst themselves, then make us a take it or leave it offer. So much for taking back control!

It's already unlawful to advertise for only foreign workers. The Immigration Acts 2015 and 2016 deal with this.

It's also unlawful to take any public facing job providing public services without fluency in English (immigration Act 2016).

As regards undercutting, the government needs to support sectoral collective bargaining and other mechanisms eg bring back the Agricultural Wages Board and create similar boards in other problem sectors eg care workers - to set sectoral minimum wages.

And enforce them with punitive per worker fines.

And support trade union recognition.

There are things that could be done, but the bottom line is that we WANT a 'low wage, flexible economy'. That's what the people voted for.

So out of control is the 'blame the immigrant' genie, used to disguise this unpalatable fact, that even when the government do introduce anti EU migrant measures - like restrictions on advertising outside the EU, language tests etc, - nobody notices...

Yes they have a veto, they will not want to upset germany and it is in their interests to trade with us. The eu will be even more germany heavy after we leave. I expect other countries will follow.

I hope something sensible can be worked out that is in their interests too, because it would have devastating consequences for Ireland otherwise.

They are in a pretty strong negotiating position

Except massive election expenses scandal about to blow up in May's face, she may be facing several tory seat by elections, as well as criminal investigations. And lost DUP in NI.

Not looking good for old Teresa. Overplayed her hand, I'd say.

I was speaking of ireland.

I keep thinking that Theresa May has overplayed her hand, but ATM she seems to be like Teflon Tony and nothing is sticking. When it did stick to Tony Blair, it stuck fast, but it was maybe too late, and I suspect the same will happen for May. She won't go down in the history books as a great PM, as she hopes, but one who was an overpromoted opportunist, but the damage will have been done.

May won't succeed in coercing SF with threats.

May is helping SNP and SF polling:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/04/analysisthe-union-risk-mrs-may-has-save/

70% of NI vote was to remain candidates.

I agree. Because she's operating with no opposition in England, that's the case with her constitutional bulldozing approach Peregrina but she's playing with fire in Scotland and Ireland.

I think she's just re ignited the embers of nationalism there.

I assume that demographics are against her in N Ireland - in that soon there will be a Catholic majority. My impression is that everyone accepted the status quo well enough, until Brexit, but that has called the status quo into question. I think the next ten years will be difficult.

Trump and Brexit ( with their funding links) are the WASP's death rattle. Demographics are key.

You never know... to the almost 40% who wanted to leave the eu they may be quite happy with may.
The SNP are not helping themselves much with their their stance at the moment because a lot of nationalists were leave voters (including many I know) as they wish to be truly independent. Although the snp had to tow the party line in their parliment vote, when they did their prior survey most of their own were leavers.

The Times is reporting that the budget will include a $60bn "fighting fund" for brexit.

(Note: this sum would run the entire NHS for 6 months).

Nobody has said there will not be short term costs.
It is reasonable to expect there will be costs involved in such negotiatons.
I think we will be better off in the long run.