In or Out?

[everywhichway]

When eventually this is all done and dusted do you think the UK will be in or out of the EU?

Why would anyone want a European army? I'm English and proud to be. What language would they speak, where would they train, where would they be based?

I'm English and proud to be.

You know there's a British army, right? Full of non-English people.

Don't tell her about the gurkhas...

Or during the war... Polish Bomber command anyone?

How did they cope? Well my grandfather just spoke English. Well enough to defeat Hitler and charm the knickers off my Granny.

It's a bit of a dim question - this will never be 'done' - it's now our national legacy. Thank you Tory Party you cunts.

Why would anyone want a European army? I'm English and proud to be. What language would they speak, where would they train, where would they be based

Good points!!
The USA and the Europeans tried this after WW2, a total disaster and their fledgling dfence force, called NATO was short lived and abandoned, another insurmountable problem was they all used different sized ammunition, communication standards etc again all impossible to overcome

Thank xxxx there are wise voices on MN like Mamm who can cut through these issues.

Mrs Terrypratchard - Well obviously it's the British Army, perhaps I should have said proud to be British, but I'm also English so proud to be English.

Ok, I'll bite.

If there were ever an EU army that Britain was part of, which is highly unlikely due to the UK veto, they would speak English as it is the most widely spoken language in Europe. I don't imagine they'd train in the UK because we are a teeny, tiny island but they might train at one of the many British owned army bases in Europe.

You do know our soldiers are already posted to Europe, don't you? We have bases in Gibraltar, Cyprus and Germany. We also have bases in non-EU countries like Africa and Canada.

What would change for our soldiers if we joined an EU army, which we won't, would be precisely nothing except better funding and better training as they wouldn't be fighting against Tory austerity.

An "EU Army" close quotes would be a replacement for NATO which if Trump gets back in might be necessary. At present, all NATO forces are under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SACEUR, who is always an American.

Welcome to Mumsnet, Fedupcitizen!

We all love it when new members come on here and let us know how many firsts and distinctions they've got! It somehow makes their bullshit seem more believable. Congratulations! Have some more

Why would anyone want a European army? I'm English and proud to be. What language would they speak, where would they train, where would they be based?
Posts like this always make me feel ashamed to be English. These posters must be totally ignorant of 20th century history and - for example - the 74,000 Indian soldiers who gave their lives 'for King and Emperor' in the First World War. Mammamia - seriously, why dont you do a bit of reading before posting your jingoistic comments.

I find it funny that we are even having a conversation about a European Army when only in the last 10 years has this even been in the lexicon.

Piecemeal political idealogy being pushed upon you over time without you even realising it.

All those Pro-Europeans in this thread, how many of your parents would have considered themselves European? Likely not many, unless they were born in Europe but I bet many of you do...

But that is just how indideous the European ideology is.

In 50 years (If the European Union hasn't collapsed by then), do you think any European Nation will still have a Veto? Absolutely not!

In a time of struggle and economic stagnation in Europe the response from the Council and Commisson is to answer the problems of Europe with....More Europe.

Closer integration and greater political alignment are the order of the day, you only have to listen to Ursula Von Der Layen's inauguration speech to know that when she professes her vision of Europe.

As a northerner, I despise the current Tory party, but I will do a deal with the devil to do gods work and the sooner we are away from the mess that is Europe, the better....

All those Pro-Europeans in this thread, how many of your parents would have considered themselves European?

Well my parents are Scottish and Polish heritage so very European. The thing is the English struggle with other people. The Scottish had the Auld Alliance since 1295 so quite a long time. From Wiki:

In a speech which he delivered in Edinburgh in June 1942, Charles de Gaulle described the alliance between Scotland and France as "the oldest alliance in the world". He also declared that:

"In every combat where for five centuries the destiny of France was at stake, there were always men of Scotland to fight side by side with men of France, and what Frenchmen feel is that no people has ever been more generous than yours with its friendship."

In 1995, celebrations were held in both countries for the 700th anniversary of the beginning of the alliance.

So yeah, pretty European.

Meant to say, long may it continue, England in or not.

The Scottish had the Auld Alliance since 1295 so quite a long time - I'm not sure what the relevance of an alliance to curtail English expansion has to do with being European, what you have highlighted is how sovereign nations can form their own alliances against other European nations.

But to touch on the point of the English struggling with other peoples - I find that interesting when the 3rd world has been colonising the UK for the last 20 years.

Not much that you migh consider culturally "English" left in England

If it was so difficult for the English to get on with other peeoples, why do we have one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse contries in the world??

Because of the commonwealth which resulted from the UK pillaging the world.

You don't know what a long-standing and strong alliance with another European country might have to do with feeling European?

You really can't argue with stupid, can you?

how many of your parents would have considered themselves European?

What is the relevance of that train of thought? Looking backwards? Surely it's more important to focus on future generations? Look forwards and consider what the Younger generation think?

My DDs definitely consider themselves both British, English and European.

For what it's worth my Dad, having flown in WWII, was very pro EU membership. He endorsed the original motivation ie leading and cooperating in a trading bloc on our doorstep worth $18.8 trillion of 500 million consumers. This participation was infinitely preferable to what he had been through.

The British are Europeans. The British army is much more aggressive and prone to involving themselves wherever the Americans would like their support, so would probably be the aggressor in a hypothetical EU army anyway.

but I will do a deal with the devil to do gods work and the sooner we are away from the mess that is Europe, the better

God's work?

It's a bloody cult. I despair.

Not much that you migh consider culturally "English" left in England

What utter tosh

Brexit is a protest against austerity. Misdirected at the EU.
People will be angry when they find out that leaving the EU will just give them even more austerity.

Twofingers - Not sure why you are bringing India fighting for us in WW2 into a conversation about the possibility of a future European army.

Everyone on here is entitled to their opinion, and you trying to be be rude and condescending isn't going to change that.

Long term I think England will be out and a (thankfully) independent Scotland will be back in the EU (or at least EFTA initially)

Don't know about Wales - they may well be forced to stay with England.

I'm not Irish or Northern Irish, so can't comment there. But from the "outside" it looks like the DUP are doing a wonderful () job bringing forward a Border Poll which will result in united island of Ireland sooner than Ireland was expecting.

Short term I would like revoke but I think that some sort of WA will end up being signed (which will have the backstop in it, even if it's no longer called that), at which point the hard work really begins The WA was supposed to be the "easy" stuff, to allow the real negotiating to begin on the future trade deal . Unfortunately it was assumed that both parties would be reasonable and realistic - and the UK has not been