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Politics

Why do Remainers support being in the EU when Brits are not compatible with Europeans?

192 replies

molanasulfi · 22/03/2026 08:29

Think of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
These are all former British colonies in which people of British descent have long been socially, culturally, politically, economically dominant.

Because of the fact that the dominant social group in those countries was of British descent that meant that they spoke English, had similar political and judicial traditions to the UK, viewed British history like the Tudors and the Stuarts as "their history", and felt loyalty and amity with the UK.

But, when non-British European migration started happening to those countries post-WW2 and later Asian, African and Middle Eastern migration, things started to change.
Greek, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Hungarian, German immigrants and their kids in Canada in the 1950s/60s etc didn't feel the same way about Britain that people of British descent did. They were more invested in their own homelands. They may have spoken English, but they wouldn't call the UK the "mother country" or feel loyalty towards it or view British history as "theirs"; rather they'd have been likely to transmit historical grievances against Britain from their ethnic homeland to Canada. An example is how many Italian and Ukrainian-Canadians in the 1960s were demanding that Canada change its national flag from the old Red Ensign flag which had the Union Jack in the corner because they didn't identify with the UK whereas most British-origin Canadians supported the old flag because they did.

Similarly, French-Canadians were demanding bilingualism in Canada and conducing terrorist actions like blowing up mailboxes which had the word "Royal" on as well as demanding the abolition of the monarchy in Canada since they didn't identify with Britain.

In Australia and New Zealand, people of Irish descent have long been the most ardent republicans since they don't feel an attachment to the UK. And, white people of non-British descent like those of Dutch and Greek descent have also been republicans, tend to be the ones most strongly in favour of Australia changing its national flag to remove the Union Jack, and tend to have little care for the UK. This is because they are not of British descent so feel no attachment to it.

This fundamentally goes to show that blood is thicker than water.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand were only loyal to Britain and only strongly identified with it because people of British descent dominated those societies and because they are "blood" relations of British people. By contrast, continental Europeans are generally indifferent to, if not hostile to Britain, since they are not "blood" as proven by the actions of their diasporas like Greek-Australians demanding Britain gives the Elgin Marbles to Greece, thus showing a pro-Greek not pro-British stance whereas an Anglo-Australian would likely favour Britain; or a Cypriot-Canadian demanding that Britain evacuate its bases on Cyprus, thus favouring the Cypriot/Greek position rather than the British one as an Anglo-Canadian may be inclined to do.

Think also about the Dutch settlers in Soutb Africa causing issues. Their disdain for Britain led them to fight the Boer Wars and push for a South African Republic in 1961.

So, given all of that, why would you want to be part of the EU, which is not just a "trade zone" but an attempt to forge a European superstate? Continental Europeans, as demonstrated by the behaviour of their diasporas in Anglosphere nations, are not "blood" or loyal to Britain in the way people of British ancestry are? They are inclined to follow their own biases and cultures and traditions, which often are opposed to the UK, because they are not "us".
They are and their diasporas are either indifferent, or hostile; but they are definitely not loyal.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 22/03/2026 08:52

I am away in Amsterdam for a week , I can assure you as someone who has been to many places you mentioned that I feel more in common here than I did in US- you sound like one of those people who just said ‘well we can trade with the commonwealth’ a

EwwPeople · 22/03/2026 08:53

MrTiddlesTheCat · 22/03/2026 08:52

I'm British and think the Elgin marbles should be returned.

Blood traitor! Grin

NervesofSteel · 22/03/2026 08:54

bozzabollix · 22/03/2026 08:51

I have a History degree. My world view is about as different to the OP as it can be. A history degree would be very enlightening for them. Not sure how much they’d enjoy it because of that enlightenment.

I don’t think they’d last a week. Imagine — studying foreign history? Or events in history where Britain has its ass handed to it? The idea.

PineConeOrDogPoo · 22/03/2026 08:55

RAGEBAIT AI POST by Bot

Username is a few days old and has 2 posts

IGNORE!!

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 22/03/2026 08:55

NervesofSteel · 22/03/2026 08:54

I don’t think they’d last a week. Imagine — studying foreign history? Or events in history where Britain has its ass handed to it? The idea.

They could start with 1066… bloody French coming here and taking our land!

MrTiddlesTheCat · 22/03/2026 08:56

EwwPeople · 22/03/2026 08:53

Blood traitor! Grin

🤣

H34th · 22/03/2026 08:56

That’s a lengthy post, but it doesn’t present a strong argument for anything. I expected you to mention how some Brits seem to lack European values entirely- like the young, foul-mouthed ones on scooters, the owners of XL Bully dogs, people wearing tracksuits or leggings even at restaurants, dirty public spaces, lack of appreciation for the arts and music, the population seems less healthy, education levels are declining, less aspiration... I anticipated an argument along those lines…
Which European countries have you been to recently?

ComradeAmoeba · 22/03/2026 08:58

PineConeOrDogPoo · 22/03/2026 08:55

RAGEBAIT AI POST by Bot

Username is a few days old and has 2 posts

IGNORE!!

Oh. AS is so useful.

UpTheWomen · 22/03/2026 08:58

Oh, OP, as an actual historian I am here to tell you that this is all patent nonsense. If this rambling excuse for a theory has been sold to you by someone who is trying to justify the UK leaving the EU, you should stand back and look at it with a more critical eye. It’s just xenophobia and jingoism dressed up as pseudo-history. You might as well have added ‘make Britain great again’ at the end. If, as others have suggested, you are headed to university to study history, you need to be ready to be much more critical of your sources.

ComradeAmoeba · 22/03/2026 09:01

H34th · 22/03/2026 08:56

That’s a lengthy post, but it doesn’t present a strong argument for anything. I expected you to mention how some Brits seem to lack European values entirely- like the young, foul-mouthed ones on scooters, the owners of XL Bully dogs, people wearing tracksuits or leggings even at restaurants, dirty public spaces, lack of appreciation for the arts and music, the population seems less healthy, education levels are declining, less aspiration... I anticipated an argument along those lines…
Which European countries have you been to recently?

I think OP is busy arranging celebrations for QE's 100th birthday, so might not have much time for travelling...

NervesofSteel · 22/03/2026 09:03

PineConeOrDogPoo · 22/03/2026 08:55

RAGEBAIT AI POST by Bot

Username is a few days old and has 2 posts

IGNORE!!

I think this person may be perfectly sincere. I think it’s the same one who used to post, in apparently genuine bafflement, asking why Britain had ‘stopped dominating’ other countries and hadn’t used its Industrial Rev tech to keep other countries ‘weak’ and not let them copy it - after a nc.

catinateacup · 22/03/2026 09:06

All I can say is: what a load of old bollocks, OP, which is completely ignorant of the history of British and European culture, art, philosophy, politics, religion and language.

Find yourself something else to obsess about.

dwordle · 22/03/2026 09:08

molanasulfi · 22/03/2026 08:29

Think of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
These are all former British colonies in which people of British descent have long been socially, culturally, politically, economically dominant.

Because of the fact that the dominant social group in those countries was of British descent that meant that they spoke English, had similar political and judicial traditions to the UK, viewed British history like the Tudors and the Stuarts as "their history", and felt loyalty and amity with the UK.

But, when non-British European migration started happening to those countries post-WW2 and later Asian, African and Middle Eastern migration, things started to change.
Greek, Polish, Norwegian, Italian, Hungarian, German immigrants and their kids in Canada in the 1950s/60s etc didn't feel the same way about Britain that people of British descent did. They were more invested in their own homelands. They may have spoken English, but they wouldn't call the UK the "mother country" or feel loyalty towards it or view British history as "theirs"; rather they'd have been likely to transmit historical grievances against Britain from their ethnic homeland to Canada. An example is how many Italian and Ukrainian-Canadians in the 1960s were demanding that Canada change its national flag from the old Red Ensign flag which had the Union Jack in the corner because they didn't identify with the UK whereas most British-origin Canadians supported the old flag because they did.

Similarly, French-Canadians were demanding bilingualism in Canada and conducing terrorist actions like blowing up mailboxes which had the word "Royal" on as well as demanding the abolition of the monarchy in Canada since they didn't identify with Britain.

In Australia and New Zealand, people of Irish descent have long been the most ardent republicans since they don't feel an attachment to the UK. And, white people of non-British descent like those of Dutch and Greek descent have also been republicans, tend to be the ones most strongly in favour of Australia changing its national flag to remove the Union Jack, and tend to have little care for the UK. This is because they are not of British descent so feel no attachment to it.

This fundamentally goes to show that blood is thicker than water.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand were only loyal to Britain and only strongly identified with it because people of British descent dominated those societies and because they are "blood" relations of British people. By contrast, continental Europeans are generally indifferent to, if not hostile to Britain, since they are not "blood" as proven by the actions of their diasporas like Greek-Australians demanding Britain gives the Elgin Marbles to Greece, thus showing a pro-Greek not pro-British stance whereas an Anglo-Australian would likely favour Britain; or a Cypriot-Canadian demanding that Britain evacuate its bases on Cyprus, thus favouring the Cypriot/Greek position rather than the British one as an Anglo-Canadian may be inclined to do.

Think also about the Dutch settlers in Soutb Africa causing issues. Their disdain for Britain led them to fight the Boer Wars and push for a South African Republic in 1961.

So, given all of that, why would you want to be part of the EU, which is not just a "trade zone" but an attempt to forge a European superstate? Continental Europeans, as demonstrated by the behaviour of their diasporas in Anglosphere nations, are not "blood" or loyal to Britain in the way people of British ancestry are? They are inclined to follow their own biases and cultures and traditions, which often are opposed to the UK, because they are not "us".
They are and their diasporas are either indifferent, or hostile; but they are definitely not loyal.

But we are European, and very compatible. We need to rejoin and if you listen to our Australian and Canadian friends.... their argument for us is being part of Europe. I think Canada could soon join to some degree in the future

Zonder · 22/03/2026 09:08

RedTagAlan · 22/03/2026 08:33

Well, I am a Brit, and looking in a mirror, I am European.

So there is that I suppose.

Same. I am a European.

And that blah about the Elgin marbles, well that's about justice and doing the right thing, which transcends "blood".

None of this matters really since I doubt the OP will return after this splurge.

Mixerfixer · 22/03/2026 09:12

The EU is not the same as Europe.

Pineneedlesincarpet · 22/03/2026 09:15

OP you're getting a lot of abuse on here which is a shame. Obviously most posters love the Europeans (presumably you are differentiating between those the other side of the Channel and us; we are still Europeans). But do you think the Europeans feel the same way about us? Or have ever felt the same love even before Brexit?

I am half British, half an other side of the Channel European country and I'm not so sure.

FiatLuxAdAstra · 22/03/2026 09:17

I really don’t agree with your take on history.
Canada was a French colony for centuries before Britain took it by war. In this case, the British immigrants were the ones changing culture and viewpoints.

The US doesn’t view British history as their history. In fact schools teach very anti British sentiments by glorifying the Revolutionary War and characterising the British monarchy as tyranny. Currently the US disparages the gun free UK, seeing the British as weak and villainous. The homophobic joke ´He’s not gay, he’s British’ plus almost always casting villains in film and TV with British accents show just how little they think of British culture.

I can’t speak on Australia and New Zealand, but I have said enough to show that your sweeping generalisation doesn’t apply to all the countries you listed.

The EU already has diverse cultures, languages, religions and peoples. I don’t think we British are incompatible with other Europeans. In fact our language is the most common second language in Europe which indicates to me that we are more compatible than say the Spanish with the Polish.

EspanaPorfavor · 22/03/2026 09:17

I’ve reread the long OP and the premise of the OPs argument is that those of European descent don’t feel British whereas those who are of British descent do.

They then strangely seem to link this to whether or not we should feel European. Because Europeans don't feel British. But British remainers aren’t identifying as individual European countries, rather as European as a whole.

In the same way, I as an Englishwoman do not feel remotely Welsh but I do feel British. I don’t feel German but I do feel European. I don’t suppose the Welsh particularly want an English flag flying in Cardiff but we wouldn’t extrapolate that as them being incompatible with Great Britain.

Kelim · 22/03/2026 09:21

This really sounds like you've been on a deep Youtube run and have lost contact a bit with the world.

Go to the pub, OP, and talk to some humans in your actual community. Get your feet on the ground again.

dottiehens · 22/03/2026 09:23

EspanaPorfavor · 22/03/2026 08:43

I feel culturally European in the present, you are looking at history. British history is ugly too. The places you have mentioned are far away and expensive to visit, with (especially the US) a very different culture to my own as a Brit (guns, politics, education system…)

I speak other languages, I travel Europe as it’s in my backyard, I have friends from all over the continent.

It isn’t a popular opinion but I honestly think closer union in Europe is a good thing. European values are much more compatible with each other and there is strength in numbers. Look at Trump threatening to ruin Spain financially because they had the balls to say “no to war” but not being able to follow through because Spains in the EU. Starmer on the other hand has a very uncomfortable tightrope to straddle. I’m obviously a remainer.

Spain is not Pedro Sanchez btw. He supports dictatorships.

Blueblell · 22/03/2026 09:24

I think this thread is a bit late - have you been asleep for a long time

Notonthestairs · 22/03/2026 09:30

Sanchez doesnt support dictatorships for heavens sakes.

molanasulfi · 22/03/2026 09:34

EspanaPorfavor · 22/03/2026 09:17

I’ve reread the long OP and the premise of the OPs argument is that those of European descent don’t feel British whereas those who are of British descent do.

They then strangely seem to link this to whether or not we should feel European. Because Europeans don't feel British. But British remainers aren’t identifying as individual European countries, rather as European as a whole.

In the same way, I as an Englishwoman do not feel remotely Welsh but I do feel British. I don’t feel German but I do feel European. I don’t suppose the Welsh particularly want an English flag flying in Cardiff but we wouldn’t extrapolate that as them being incompatible with Great Britain.

Yes, but European countries don't call UK the mother country or show deference to it or loyally fight to defend it due to a desire to protect their kin like Canadians, Australians and NZers of British descent did/do. They treat UK as one of many European nations rather than the mother country which is the centre and is deferred to.

OP posts:
KoalaKoKo · 22/03/2026 09:36

Your tie to a specific identity or a bond with a particular landmass isn’t “in your blood” people who shared your DNA existed long before “Britain” was created - naming of landmasses and ascribing identity to people living there is a manmade/artificial construct. That sort of thinking is a small step away from bigotry. British people aren’t “different” or “special” because of their blood - people don’t feel attached to Britain because of “blood” it’s learned behaviour.

Also you do realise Britain when it invaded lots of countries often brought people home with them and also mated with the natives so there is no “pure British” blood line - would all the other countries bloods mixed with the British blood not be having a bit of an internal struggle!

EwwPeople · 22/03/2026 09:36

Pineneedlesincarpet · 22/03/2026 09:15

OP you're getting a lot of abuse on here which is a shame. Obviously most posters love the Europeans (presumably you are differentiating between those the other side of the Channel and us; we are still Europeans). But do you think the Europeans feel the same way about us? Or have ever felt the same love even before Brexit?

I am half British, half an other side of the Channel European country and I'm not so sure.

Edited

OP is completely ignoring history and facts. She/he posted a load of rambling word soup that has no bearing in reality.That’s the main issue with her post, not the love or (lack of) for Europeans and vice versa.

My English OH thought the Elgin marbles were actual marbles, just big and possibly Turkish. I (European) had to educate him on that. You can tell by that how much interest he has in the Brits keeping a hold of them.