Brexit MegaThread - part 14

[Peregrina]

Thread 13. We had a debate about whether there should be a new one but if no one answers this the whole series after 8 years plus will come to their end.

Brexit happened, although one time Leavers do not seem to appreciate this.
It's worth noting I think that Brexit was a Tory initiative and the Tory party has just received its worse electoral thrashing since 1832. Could it be entirely unrelated?

What next? A gradual rapprochement with the EU? A Norway style agreement?

"Yes, yes it does. If you're committed to equality."

That's not equality, that's putting people down. The rich will always be able to have these opportunities, it's only the poor you've stolen them from. Hardly a great advert for "equality".

We've all had these wonderful opportunities, let's take them away from the young. They shouldn't learn about cooperation between nations and peoples, they should be snarking about the Frogs and the Krauts (and worse for certain other nations), just like we do.

In fact, the EU was probably the greatest exercise in "equality" there has ever been, in terms of levelling up. That's why Poland's economy is due to overtake ours in the next few years. The EU invested in their infrastructure and training, and as a result they are richer and more able to buy goods and services from the traditionally "richer" economies like Germany and France (and, once upon a time, the UK), therefore helping those economies to grow in the process.

And that's just in economic terms. The social equality and mobility it has promoted has, arguably, been even more valuable to current generations.

But the Little Englanders don't actually like equality (in fact, that was never an argument put forward by the Leave campaign anyway). They want to still think that they rule an Empire, even though they were merely pawns of the ruling class then as now...

The next EU imposed rules. After bottle tops and iPhones.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13880-Digital-Europe-programme-interim-evaluation/public-consultation_en

No you're right, plenty of young kids couldn't avail themselves of the opportunity to study abroad. A lashes and brows technician I knew couldn't have done that easily (she also did a bit of nails). She used to rent a chair in a salon in Cyprus for six months every year (from another British woman) made good money and was saving for a house. The other six months she lived in the UK in her mum's council house. She told me she begged her grandparents to vote remain because she knew her business would be over if Leave won and with it her dream of her own house. All four of her grandparents voted leave, she said it was because they don't like foreigners. And that was the end of her Cyprus business and her dream of her own home. I wonder what happened to all the other working class kids who used to just rock up on the Costas each summer and get a bit of bar or restaurant work? I don't suppose you care about them do you Louise.

More than one poster on these threads has stated they are more than happy that other people lost out so they could have their sovereignty.

A sovereignty this is seeing more and more EU decided measures being imposed on the UK because it's cheaper. Tethered bottles being an example.

Mind you, in terms of equality, Brexit has allowed the UK to impose VAT on private school fees.

https://x.com/Carra23/status/1833772274543161388

Jamie Carragher: Chance of a lifetime lost for a young English coach, but he’s got a blue passport so I’m sure he’ll get over it 👍
#BrexitShambles

@TimesSport
Sep 10
The Stockport County assistant coach Andy Mangan has lost out on a dream move to Real Madrid after being denied a work permit due to Brexit regulations

The Erasmus scheme allowed even the poorest kids to study and work in Europe.
They each got a 9 month placement and 900 Euros a month stipend to cover living expenses
tuition was free at whichever Uni they were at
wages were taxed as per normal in whichever country

Erasmus coordinators in each area arranged events to create a social life and enable lifelong friendships to be made.

Kids from council houses got AMAZING experiences
that now only private school kids can afford

thank you Brexit

"Equality"...

"Brexit causing ‘brain drain’ – as highly-skilled foreign workers snub the UK"...

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/why-brexit-foreign-workers-skilled-uk-382772/

Loads of EU flags at the Last Night of the Proms! That'll annoy the Brexshiteers!

"Brexit causing ‘brain drain’ – as highly-skilled foreign workers snub the UK"...

Shame the UK hates remote working, isn't it ?

Border controls up in Germany and a French EU Commissioner resigns. Fun times in Euro Land.

Oh no! Everything's not quite perfect in some other countries!

Shock, horror!

Germans doing some border spot checks and a resignation

More worrying are the floods in central Europe and the fires in Portugal

And in a further shock, we've delayed yet again those wonderful Brexshit checks that we're legally obliged to do. Why on Earth would we do such a thing when Brexshit is obviously so wonderful and we can all thrive on bowls of sovereignty?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/sep/16/uk-post-brexit-fruit-and-vegetables-delayed-eu?CMP=share_btn_url

You get that the government has changed, right? Desirable though I think these checks are, if the plan is to let 80% of produce through unchecked one has to question what the point of them is. Clearly the animal/disease ones should obviously be done.

What? You mean Labour aren't saying they'll keep plowing on with Brexshit regardless of what a shit show it is?

Wow! That's great news!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd988p00z1no

Brexit red tape on British businesses has caused UK-EU goods trade to slump and the problem is getting worse, economists have warned.

The findings from a report by Birmingham-based Aston University Business School cover the three-year period after the Brexit trade deal was signed in 2020.

But, but, but, Brexshit was going to make British manual workers into millionaires!

Where is the link to prove that statement was made?

@DuncinToffee

Are these the same economists that said a vote to leave would result in:

500,000 to 800,000 jobs lost
GDP would have shrunk by 4% by Q3 of 2018 whilst the UK was in the EU

Never forget that:

Iceland
Norway
Switzerland

Have stated they will never join the EU and they are all better off than any EU member.

Hi @GlobeTrotter2000

What do

Iceland
Norway
Switzerland

have

that the UK doesn't have?

@DuncinToffee

Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have:

Lower unemployment than the UK and the EU
Higher GDP/Capita than the UK and the EU
Higher median wealth than the UK and the EU

Iceland is not a member of the European Union for several reasons1234:

• Geographical location
• History of political independence
• Unique nature of its economy
• Concerns about the fishing industry
• Desire to maintain sovereignty

Norway is not in the EU for the following reasons123:

• French veto blocked membership attempts in the 1960s.
• Norwegians voted against membership in referendums held in 1972 and 1994.
• Concerns about sovereignty, immigration, and the idea of a “United States of Europe” influenced the decision.
• Norway has a close relationship with the EU as a member of the EEA (European Economic Area).
• Norway doesn't have a seat at the table where EEA legislation is adopted.
• The country's vast wealth is another reason for its reluctance to join the EU

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU) due to its long-standing tradition of neutrality and sovereignty1. Switzerland prides itself as a neutral country and has a long history of controlling its own sovereignty1. There are two principles that cause Switzerland to restrain itself from being a member of EU, one is its direct democracy and the other is its neutrality2. Switzerland continues to reject its invitation of becoming an affiliate since 1990s2. The government also feared it could lead to higher social security costs3.

This reminds me to get some syrup waffles from Lidl

I have some Belgian sugar waffles in my cupboard. So much waffle on this thread!

That reminds me: I have a waffle machine in the cupboard. Might make some