What does the rest of the world make of Brexit?

[poshredrose]

As above really. What do you make of Brexit if you're not in the UK?
I don't want this to happen, no one i know (that will admit it anyway) wants this to happen.

There are a few countries in Europe who have a referendum every few years and their population refuse to enter the EU
Who ?

I work overseas and the rest of the world (well the people I come into contact with) are incredulous - doesn’t affect them so they can laugh about the stupidity of it all. I’m a bit sad and don’t want to return - sounds like a terrible mess!?

I'm Irish and at first my reaction to Brexit was shock and sadness. Sure, some of it has been entertaining in that way ordinary people feel when politicians make a bloody show of themselves. Watching your politicians spend most of the time since March 17 arguing amongst themselves has certainly had it's laughable moments but that's now turned to shock and disgust as they've brought their country to a cliff edge and done their level best to hold my country as a hostage.

I think the UK has damaged itself so badly over the last two years and in ways that lots of people wouldn't even realise. Much has often been made of the UKs 'soft influence' in the world but the shenanigans of the largely third-rate politicians in Westminster have clearly shown that the UK has been coasting on a reputation built by people who are long gone. Comparing the UK politicians of the past to the current batch of incompetents is a bit like the scene in The Wizard of Oz when the curtain gets pulled back...

Brexit has also shone a light on the post colonial arrogance that many might have assumed was long gone. The comments of some politicians and leavers seem to indicate a huge amount of hatred and resentment in parts of the UK for, well, everyone else! You don't have to look far on the Brexit threads to come across people posting with barely disguised glee at the negative impact on Ireland and other nations. They take some strange pleasure in knowing the bullet they put through their own head will also injure an innocent bystander .

How some have managed to position 27 other countries as the UKs enemies is beyond me yet the rhetoric coming from politicians, the right wing media and many vocal leavers would indicate a wartime mentality. I'd hate to be so filled with such impotent anger and resentment and even though I have a good understanding of the issues that caused the Leave vote (hint: UK government policy and not the EU), I've got to a point where I find it difficult to care.

Up until even three or four months ago I hoped they might Revoke but now I want the UK out of the EU. I feel terribly sorry for those who want to remain but at this point I think the UK is so fucked up that even if it were to remain (very unlikely) there are large elements who would do their utmost to destabilize the EU. Those who can't be arsed voting in local or general elections would take great pleasure in sending dozens of Farages or worse as MEPs and I don't want that.

There are a few countries in Europe who have a referendum every few years and their population refuse to enter the EU

Who ?

Norway, but then they are in the EEA and Schengen. Leavers may care to recall that being like Norway was Farage's preferred option.

Prergrina
How many times have Norway voted?
And yes, they are a rule taker, a vassal state in the words of BoJo

Who else keeps having votes?

{Up until even three or four months ago I hoped they might Revoke but now I want the UK out of the EU. I feel terribly sorry for those who want to remain but at this point I think the UK is so fucked up that even if it were to remain (very unlikely) there are large elements who would do their utmost to destabilize the EU. Those who can't be arsed voting in local or general elections would take great pleasure in sending dozens of Farages or worse as MEPs and I don't want that.}

Pretty much where I am at. In terms of business, to make leaving a real thing the should have been solid decisive plans at the outset and it might scrape through. I think that as industry is so globalised it would have been a tough struggle, but keeping CU.SM to retain International business it could have worked. Now, no chance.
UK MEPs have openly said they want to disrupt the EU parliamentary activities, this mustn't be allowed to happen.
It's one thing being a miserable bastard, but wishing it onto friends and neighbours is unforgiveable.
Ireland being 'together' through joint membership of the EU had the chances of healing the wounds from all sides, given more years of peace. The fact it is being pulled apart is a tragedy.

does it mtter what the rest of the world think like comparing whst does my family think of mt husband lol

Up until even three or four months ago I hoped they might Revoke but now I want the UK out of the EU. I feel terribly sorry for those who want to remain but at this point I think the UK is so fucked up that even if it were to remain (very unlikely) there are large elements who would do their utmost to destabilize the EU. Those who can't be arsed voting in local or general elections would take great pleasure in sending dozens of Farages or worse as MEPs and I don't want that*

Yep. Me too. Suspect a lot of people feel the same.

Yeah @Nicholas22 it's exactly like that

In the past few weeks I have spent time with Argentinian, Canadian, Northern Irish, Italian, Ukrainian, American, and others.

The overwhelming feeling is hilarity. They all think it is (and by extension we are) stupid. The best reaction was a guy from Belfast who heard my accent and chanted "Brexit" at me. I said, "you can't be pro-Brexit" and he said "of course not, I'm not a fucking idiot".

if were are in the uk i say cannot wait x

Why you bothered

Your comments don't even make sense Nicholas

Has made Britain as a whole look insane. Has made British politicians look venal and vile. Has made British people look like throwbacks.

Can I please remind those of you that think this that 48% OF US VOTED TO REMAIN IN THE EU!!

That is all

Who cares what the rest of the world thinks?

I can’t believe the things some people worry about.

I spent this week with colleagues from all over Europe and the US. Mostly they seem to view us with pity. That we are committing a national act of harakiri, unable to move on from the days of empire and colonialism. The most monumental act or stupidity etc.

We do realise that juneau but unfortunately those who hold power and are given a platform by the British media aren't part of that 48%. They are determined to drive the bus over the cliff and they are what the rest of the world sees and hears .

But @surferjet , if we are going to trade with the rest of the world and make all these fabulous deals, surely it does matter a little bit what the rest of the world thinks.

Irish here. It's still hard to believe that this is all actually happening. We're at the stage of looking at each other with bemused shrugs at each new 'development' in Westminster. I think the most striking thing is the really poor level of understanding and analysis by the news media in the U.K., it's really staggering. Senior political journalists seem to have very little understanding of what the issues are, of the fact that Theresa May has very little leverage in Brussels, of the reasons why what Brexiteers want (the benefits of EU membership without any of the responsibilities) is unachievable. There was an Irish commentator recently who described the UK's two options as a pointless Brexit (the WA) or a catastrophic Brexit (no deal), and he's right. There isn't any better option, unless someone very senior is brave enough to say "Brexit is a terrible idea, and as a parliament we would be letting the country down immeasurably if we allow it to go ahead". I won't hold my breath...

I think Norway has only voted twice, and not recently. The current arrangement seems to suit them - the benefits they want which they pay for and not having the ones they don't want. But their trade with Sweden does not have frictionless borders (or the borderwith Finland and Russia.)

Irish here also, I know we are dealing with keyboard warriors but it bugs the crap out me how Ireland seems to be at fault for the delays with Brexit. The 'glee' that posters can't wait for Ireland to suffer, to get our comeuppance. How some people from Northern Ireland don't see an issue with the border. Are their memories so small? Also i may sound stupid but how can the UK day they want out of the EU to protect their borders but in the same breath say they are not going to put up a hard border in Northern Ireland. How does that work?

Monday The Norwegians had a vvote on EU membership in 1972 and 1994. There are currently no plans for another.

Who keeps having votes every few years?

why do i not make sense .... we do not want to be controlled if you want be part of eu have no identity then carry on Eire thats what you wanted ...Independence x

Popcorn anyone?