Saying goodbye to the EU

[Parker231]

Am listening to Radio Five Live and one of the topics is what would you say in your goodbye to the EU?

Mine would be - relived to an EU country passport holder and remain as a supporter of the EU. Hoping that the UK will rejoin.

The UK is not a cash cow for the EU, net contribution is only 5 percent of the entire budget.

Our own economic policy is what has led us to be in a trade deficit with the EU, nothing actually to do with EU policy.

Conditions of entry are common to all applicants. They are not adjusted depending on which Country has applied to join the EU.

Of course. Anyone in the geographical European geographical zone can apply, even Turkey. The problem is approval. It will take 27 countries unanimously agreeing and for that to happen the UK will have to make big concessions. Until now the UK has enjoyed some opt outs, like Schengen and the euro, very few have in the EU. It was also, together with Germany, the most powerful country at the core of the EU decision table.... and yet, it gave it all away. The UK will never be able to join the EU under the same conditions if able to join at all.

Some events will be remembered forever and never forgiven

They soon will be and tbh, it can't happen quickly enough, this fascination with WW2 is stupid, we've not learned anything from those events, just to distort history and bask in false glory.

You can't seriously blame Germany for what happened 80 plus years ago... the perpetrators are long dead... and its foolish to think that they were uniquely evil, anyone can do bad things.

I can't understand how some people still crutch WWII to their hearts like a light beacon. Wars are awful, whether is WWII, the genocide in Rwanda o Syria and Iraq. The most effective way to stop them is to negotiate agreements....trade, cultural, security.....between countries. The more open we are, the less chance to become embattled in another war.

My fear for Britain, I country I genuinely love, is that it will finally become, de facto if not in appearance, another star in the US flag once it leaves the EU.

It will take 27 countries unanimously agreeing and for that to happen the UK will have to make big concessions

The unanimous bit is correct, but EU does not have the entitlement to move the goal posts for entry into the EU on a case by case basis. Your reference to big concessions is an altenative way of saying:

"If UK wants to rejoin the EU will want its revenge first"

You can't seriously blame Germany for what happened 80 plus years ago... the perpetrators are long dead... and its foolish to think that they were uniquely evil, anyone can do bad things

So go and tell the Irish they need to forget about the potato famine and the centuries of UK control. I will be interested to see how they respond.

'The more open we are, the less chance to become embattled in another war.' - totally agree, lets hope the MEP agree to and not take the 'the UK can f off' approach.

A swift glance at what happened in the Channel Islands during WW2 would suggest that UK citizens probably shouldn't brag too loudly about their exceptionalism. Geography was remarkably helpful in ensuring that they weren't put to the same tests as other European citizens.

My French (ex-)grandfather-in-law almost died in Bergen Belsen. After he returned, he ensured that his children all had German penfriends, as he was adamant - having been betrayed by someone in his village - that circumstances caused individuals to act as they did and that the best way to avoid a future war was to create enduring links between people and move on from bitterness and recrimination.

He'd have been utterly horrified at the idea that anyone was brandishing WW2 as an excuse for severing such links.

Individual countries have the right to impose conditions on approval of new membership. If those conditions are not met, they won't approve the entry. Simple.

The EU is a rules based organisation. IF the UK ever wanted to rejoin, then whatever rules at the time would apply.

We would still (i hope) be a major economy, with a decent military, a good relationship with the USA and seat on the SC, so plenty to offer the EU.

However, i think we'd join EFTA if brexit doesn't work out, the basics of trade are the same now as it was in the 70s and most people back then saw the advantages of close a trading relationship.

Hi I'm an irish citizen, really happy that ireland is a member of the EU. Probably because I can tell the difference between a democratic union and a colonial power that denied irish people the right to their own culture and self determination. Oh and the centuries of bloodshed. The comparison is appalling.

So go and tell the Irish they need to forget about the potato famine and the centuries of UK control. I will be interested to see how they respond

Given the amount of support the IRA ever had plus the GFA, i'd say the vast majority have forgotten.

...but i will bow to Franks knowledge which is far above mine.

@alondra

Individual countries have the right to impose conditions on approval of new membership. If those conditions are not met, they won't approve the entry. Simple

In aswered by:

The EU is a rules based organisation. IF the UK ever wanted to rejoin, then whatever rules at the time would apply

EU rules apply to all EU members at the same time. Individual members can't change the rules to suit themselves as you suggest.

Sounds very like you are saying

If UK wants to rejoin the EU will want their revenge first. You seem to be saying France in particular would object? Funny in a way as it was De Gaulle of France that did not want UK to join in the first place!

Jasjas yes you are generally right particularly with irish/british relations having been very good over the last 20 years. I'm shocked by the comparison of EU membership to colonialism. Its utterly pathetic.

Hi I'm an irish citizen, really happy that ireland is a member of the EU

Ireland has benefited from the EU a lot. It has a massive trade surplus with the EU even though it was a net taker from the EU for over 40 years and only recently become a contributor.

Exact opposite for the UK. A huge net contribution, but with a huge trade deficit as well.

I'm shocked by the comparison of EU membership to colonialism. Its utterly pathetic

What do you think WWI and WWII was all about? Global colonialism with Germany at the helm.

particularly with irish/british relations having been very good over the last 20 years

The GFA has been a success in that respect I would agree. Bit I did not like was remain MPs in UK trying to use the GFA as a reason that Brexit should cancelled. Particular as the remain campaign booklet said nothing about NI or the GFA.

Modern Ireland is a progressive outward looking nation that hasn't had its ego bruised by being a member of the EU.

Mystery why did you feel it necessary to bring the famine into a conversation about the EU?

The EU is a rules based organisation. IF the UK ever wanted to rejoin, then whatever rules at the time would apply.

No. I think some of you still don't understand that any country in the
EU can veto a third country from joining despite the recommendation of the European Parliament and European Commission.

Not long ago France blocked the entry of Albania and North Macedonia.

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50100201

The prospect of a border on the island of ireland risks peace. The nuances of the GFA and the divide appear to be too complex for brexiteers.

Mystery why did you feel it necessary to bring the famine into a conversation about the EU?

Because it was suggested that events of 80 years ago will have been forgotten and should be forgotten. My reply was that some events wil never be forgotten or forgiven. The famine is one a many examples that could have been used.

Has Japan forgotten about Hirsohima and Nagasaki?

Has the Jewish population forgotten the Holocaust?

Etc, etc.

I was not around for any of those events, but in some cases prejudices are passed down generations and in some case people are taught to hate for what has happened in the past.

So long and thanks for all the fish.

Not long ago France blocked the entry of Albania and North Macedonia

Read the article and you wil see that France, Denmark and the Netherlands raised objection for what they considered valid reason such as;

Immigration
Human rights
Corruption
Economic policy

Once those areas have improved then application can be made again.

Far from your suggestion that UK would be rejected on the basis of revenge for leaving in the first place.

Let's hope those commonwealth countries don't hold any grudges otherwise those trade deals might be difficult..

If people cant move on from the past there can only ever be disagreement and conflict.