Brexit mega thread part 13: All eyes on Ireland

[SerendipityJane]

With the Windsor framework up & running, and the DUP having a "you could set your calendar by it" hissy fit, but Irish unification refusing to keep it's head down, what next in the long running sage of UK vs. the real world ?

@Talkinpeace Rejoining the single market and thus reducing paperwork - would suit quite a few EU countries that have to deal with the UK

That's an admission the EU would better off if UK was a member.

It's also an admission that the UK would be better inside the EU. Less paperwork is a win for everyone.

What @Talkinpeace 's post is not is an admission that 'they need us more than we need them'. Unless one is a Brexit headbanger, of course.

So, a "win win" then.

Sounds good to me...

@pointythings @HannibalHeyes

As technology improves, paperwork should be reduced. For example, the EES (Entry/Exit System) will replace manual stamping of passports and make it easier for countries to monitor if persons have overstayed.

As for the UK rejoining the EU, I can't see it happening. Free movement will be the sticking point.

Whilst the Western EU members are conscientious at the borders, recent experience in Eastern Europe was very different. I passed from Bulgaria to Greece in a car and only the driver was asked for ID. Same happened on the way back into Bulgaria.

Countries controlling their border in their own way, fancy that.

https://www.ft.com/content/fefc333b-b1e7-4b47-ac90-864adf6f82a4

Farmers are abandoning the Tories over Brexit. One quoted here says payments he receives today are a third of what they used to be under the EU scheme. Predicted Tory vote share in this group had dropped by a QUARTER in Feb. Labour vote share up 17%.

I don't think the Tories need overly worry. If famers fell for Brexit then a milk bottle top on a piece of string will easily win them back.

As for the UK rejoining the EU, I can't see it happening. Free movement will be the sticking point.
Globe deliberately writing crap as usual because freedom of Movement MEANT that workers of one EU country could enjoy simplified transition to another EU country within the various regulations that LINK the two countries and mainly works for those transferring theit skillset and family to a different region. ALL countries have legislation that limits what an incommer can do, and not claim ob the new country health and social security for a varying timeframe but FoM eased the regulations where it is seen as essentially a 'like for like' swap. The tedious twaddle that Globe and Clav come out with makes me want to leave MN again because they are attempting to prove the theory about monkeys with a typrwriter creating Shakespeare but Monkeys are sociable beings and work WITH their fellows UNLIKE Globe and Clav who seek to cause unrest, (and write (copy) old data to try to justify the nonsense).

@IItisymoi - it's much better for your blood pressure and state of mind if you ignore him - especially as (as far as I can make out from the responses of those that do still waste their time bother reading his posts ) he contributes nothing of value

We do appreciate your insights and real life experience

Thanks Prettybird. I am actually more concerned about the level of lying and fantasist ideas that are going around in Europe (specifically France at the moment) where the very right wing parties are proposing all manner of nonsense. I say nonsense because much of their 'agenda' would involve rewriting parts of the French constitution and then compounded by all the internationally agreed treaties with neighbouring countries where THEIR right leaning parties are also NOT known for cooperation with others. Sunday will be a big day as it is the first round of National elections. Of course Mr Macron is president for another 3 years at which point he has to stand down and although not universally liked he is at least normally pragmatic. I already take medication for blood condition (but not necessarily pressure) and am very grateful for the French health service. Seeing Prime Minister Gabriel Attal in action is refreshing as he is articulate and as far as I can gather pretty good at defending a 'pragmatic' direction for France. Feminists are speaking out against the RN (Le Pen) party which is of course good. I am not sure where the Popular Front (a coalition of anti RN parties) is going but at least they are generally able to work with each other ('green' and socialist agendas broadly) and I only regrey my understanding of French language is too slow to follow much of the many discussion programmes on TV.

The EU was never in favour of the UK leaving and went to great lengths to accommodate our unreasonable requests.

Moreover, they published all the details of what was going on in the negotiations much to Mays and Boris annoyance. Because - as probably intended - it eschews any notion the UK was "stitched up". Might not have seemed a big deal at the time, but as the dust of history settles, it removes the ability to use that as an excuse.

The EU was never in favour of the UK leaving and went to great lengths to accommodate our unreasonable requests.
Which unfortunately the 'bone heads' interpret as the EU needs the UK more than thye UK neds the EU.
NOW the UK will discover how little the EU REALLY needs the UK which when you look around France and Germany (indeed most of Europe) is hardly at all, although maybe a few UK immigrants hanker after roses lime marmalade and Heinz baked beans or Marmite. i used to like Tescos porrige oats but really Intermarche and carrfour Flocons d'avoine are just as good.

Indeed Serendipity, being transparent about negotiations is both a help and a hindrance and as the MN thread from 8 years ago, many things were foreseen and discussed asnegotiatins went along so it makes it all the more surprising that the UK is gradually suffering ever more problems even if they don't grab the headlines.

Being open is the only way to keep 27 countries informed.

You can tell Brexit was a brain fart from the off, as even after a few years to accept it was happening the UK still had (and has) no plan.

Although, in hindsight, it may have been more useful than we realise. I have just commented on another thread that it taught us that when you win a vote, you can completely ignore the losers. So when Farage and Reform fail to win the election, they too can be safely consigned to "You lost get over it" branch of history. They have nothing more for us.

@borntobequiet

What was the point of Article 50, which took 9 years to complete, if it was assumed that no member would want to leave?

@IItisymoi

France, along with Spain, wanted the 90/180 Schengen guideline to be relaxed for UK persons with second homes in France and Spain. The application was overruled in France, but Spain continues to make the argument. Link is:

! Spanish News Today - Could Spain Finally Scrap The 90 Day Rule For British Travellers?

If the 90/180 restriction on UK visitors is not detrimental to France and Spain, why do they want the restriction lifted?

Had France's application not been rejected, the UK may have been more willing to align with the EU's suggestion to allow UK 18 to 30 year olds more freedom to study or work in the EU.

By the time the MEPs and legal teams of 27 countries have thrashed through new proposals for legislation it is a pretty good chance that it would be a good and workable plan which unfortunately slows down necessary climate change avoidance plans but with effort most should be brought onside eventually. OF COURSE farmers don't want continuing changes in legislation but by SUPPORTING them practically to improve some of the 'old ways' that can be seen to be destructive things can improve.

I'll pop back later when the coast is clear

Costa Brava, Blanca or Del Sol?

@SerendipityJane

Reform will not win the election on 4 July 2024. Farage acknowledged that on the Panorama interview.

Given the way this thread is going, Blanca all the way ....

Have a soft spot for Almeria myself. A part of Spain known to refer to the rest of Spain as "the mainland" if you like your geography ...

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/media/us-media-dishes-brutal-truth-about-brexit-britain-377706/

For information:

Chart: Poverty in Europe | Statista

UK poverty is estimated at 18% for 2024/2025. Too high, but better than;

Germany 20.9%
France 21.0%
EU average 21.6%
Italy 24.4%
Spain 26.0%

Interestingly, the lowest rates in the EU are Czechia 12% and Slovenia 13% which is comparable to the US. So much for bigger equals better.

Oh look, some more random tosh from Globe. Hell, if anyone wants I can manage to discuss food recipes if watching the UK slide into obscurity is not exciting enough. After all the Tories have had 14 years of 'power' in which to fix all the problems in the UK, NONE of which were really related to being in the EU.

Heat like this can make meals problematic for someone who never really (in fact never) got the love for raw vegetables.

That said I can't get enough of a classic al fresco meal of breads, meats, cheeses, olives, fish. Tomatoes would be nice, but since flavour was banned a few years ago I have to rely on various sauces.

The great thing about British weather is it rarely lasts long enough between shops. It'll be back to stews and casseroles by the weekend.