I’d say establishing far-right nonsensical talking points in German mainstream is an even bigger success, as Germany was not against its history but because of it immune to right-wing populism until then.
This is such an epic case of self-own. UK had a great deal, they shat on it for “reasons” and the next deal, if they are ever allowed to join will look like shit compared to what they had.
It’s like a guy married to a supermodel, PhD astrophysicist cheating on her with a 10$ stripper.
As an American, while I am so incredibly bitter about what is going on with my own country, I think it pains me even more to think about how Brexit has affected Great Britain. I feel like we, at least, have a chance of clawing our way back to sanity some day, but the changes Brexit made. . that’s so tough. I wish their youth all the luck, they have a tough road ahead of them.
I love how some of the influential millionaires in Britain were really vocal about being pro Brexit, and then as soon as it actually happened, they moved themselves and their business outside of the UK.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, all the right-wing nutjobs never actually want to live somewhere populated and run by their kind. They love all the benefits of liberalism and social safety nets provide, they just don’t want to contribute to any of it.
There is a lot of “I voted Brexit and now admit my mistake” kind of sentiment going around at the moment. I saw a youtube video of a pensioner who basically drove around Europe in his caravan, staying 9 months a year in Spain who voted for Brexit. He was now saying what a mistake it was; but here’s the rub… The twat was not sorry for the damage that he had caused to the economy or the youth of the UK. All he was concerned about was the effect that it was having on him; the selfish prick! Upset that his caravan needed to be sold as he could only travel 90 days out of 180 and so it had doubled his living costs and how he and his friends vans were now worth a fraction of what they were as no-one wants them due to the restrictions.
Fuck him and fuck the others like him. Self pitying selfish pricks who are reaping what they sewed.
My heart bleeds for the youth and those that voted no to Brexit. The ones that vote leave deserve everything they get and more! Fuck 'em.
I left the UK in part due to Brexit. I’m a British citizen too.
I remember drinking with my friends and my Austrian friend said this to me: we will be fine, we are in tech, we may earn less but we will survive … the ones that will hurt most are the idiots that voted for this.
I like his sentiment, but I wish it were that the ONLY people that would be hurt would be them. For absolutely nothing but a vague sense of nationalism.
As a Brit who fought against Brexit and would welcome reentry at pretty much any price (perhaps bar adopting the Euro, at least for now) reading this sort of news is bitter sweet.
Sadly our leaders don’t care about the actual country so it’ll be a long time before membership happens.
I was looking for someone with your view to ask. Why is holding on to the Pound such a big hurdle? Which would you rather accept: the Euro and Schengen zone, or the continued decline of your country through post-Brexit policies and outcomes?
IIRC adopting the Euro (and changing the currency oc a country in general) costs a huge amount of money. Additionally the brits probably out a lot of pride in their currency, so the leap from “we’re so great we don’t need the EU and even are better off ourselves” to “we not only need the EU but the Euro as well” is even farther as just adopting a new currency or just reentering.
GBP is the fourth global reserve currency and financial services hover around 9% of our GDP so a move to a unified currency could have real material damage to our economy. Also as a nation that sees itself as a close ally of the US (regardless of what the US thinks) having independence on monetary policy is core to how we operate as a global power.
I can see a time when the Euro and full Schengen (although being an island nation that will always be hard) membership is desirable but that will come after we cease being what we currently are on the global stage - I hope it doesn’t get that far.
The post-Brexit decline we’re facing isn’t endless, eventually a new normal will be established but it will be far below the economic standard we could have had and will hurt us scientifically, culturally, and medically as well as economically. Having to also chuck out what is currently our only big industry to start to grow again is a big ask. Membership on closer terms but without an obligation to the Euro is probably what we will ask for when we eventually do, but there is no guarantee the EU will want us. Especially if we start to steal the finance jobs back from Frankfurt.
A lot of in-country resistance comes from the “EU Army” fallacy but that doesn’t worry me, closer integration is a good thing in my mind.
Your reply also shows that even pro EU brits are still too proud to share a future in a more federalized EU. If you are not willing to give up your currency, you are not willing to go for it completely. That’s not what the EU needs.
How? He clearly explained that there are genuine reasons to keep the currency and how it is a big ask to give it up.
I don’t think that’s a pride thing, it’s a valid concern to have.
I feel that calling this a pride thing only serves to further alienate anyone that could be pro-EU, instead of attempting to address concerns they would have about rejoining.
They are genuine reasons if you see the future of your financial system separate from the financial system of the EU. A future member should show that it’s willing to put all efforts to improve the financial situation of the common system and not just for itself. They just want to profit from the market, but if the financial system has problems, they would just act to their benefit - even if it would be harmful to the european financial system.
The EU is an economic union – a unified economic policy is kinda the point. The individual members needs are to be adressed in EU-internal politics, not the foreign policy
I find it fascinating that Britain still aspires to be a global power, when the dominating vuew on the european mainland is it being just another western european country, with the carcass of its former empire still losely attached.
In terms of military projection, global alignment and influence the UK seems to be just as much following the US like most western european countries do, being far away from a global power.
I also dont think it to be a good idea to hold on to that pound as a means of power projection. The power projection make the currency powerful not the other way round. If there is no relevance to the trade with the UK and the currency anymore, it just withers away. The EU in the meantime is a single market with half a billion people. That is not so easy to go around economically and gives the Euro a certain power, even without further aspirations attached to it.
You could have the world’s second largest reserve currency, the Euro. But I’m sorry but from the outside looking in you’re not much of a global power anymore. The only thing keeping you relevant are seemingly your armed forces. And on that front France gives you a run for your money.
I’d also bet money the EU would want you back, remember they weren’t the ones pushing for a no deal brexit. However terms will be less favorable than last time.
Sorry for being harsh. As a Swiss I get the wish for being independent and having your own currency and freedoms. But let’s face it… My gov. Also overestimates our importance and the leverage we have.
I’m of the same mindset, at least for now. It’s a combination of 2 things.
Pride/ego is a big one for a lot of people.
The second one is the economic hit of the transfer. There will be 2 big jolts. Bringing our economic cycle fully into line with Europe, and the greedflation that will occur with the price changes.
Right now, we are in a bit of a crisis. The rich have pumped too much money up and out. The lower working class are right on the cliff edge economically. The jolt will be felt worst by them. Right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if it could completely crash our economy.
Don’t get me wrong, for the benefits of the EU, I’d personally swallow my pride on the matter. The economic effect would be scary, particularly with the current caliber of MP at the helm.
I mean, if I got the same consideration as a financial blackhole like Greece I wouldn’t call that fair from the UK perspective either. They made their own bed at this point though. I hope th EU lets them sit and spin for decades.
Theoretically, the admission process is supposed to be quite lengthy, so from their application to their integration, there could easily be fifteen years or more. Especially with a shaky economy.
the immigration the current minister wants to stiffle with tougher laws, acknowledging that her family wouldn’t have been able to migrate to Britain under these new laws?
If i understand correctly they just want people to come to work for cheap but not actually immigrate or have a perspective in Britain.
That’s a silver lining I hadn’t known about! Glad to hear it. The most vulnerable of us rarely receive any support when the fear-mongering flares.
I still don’t wish burden upon those who supported Brexit despite the evidence suggesting it wouldn’t work in their favor. At least they didn’t get to cause as much pain to migrant workers as they may have intended. Ugh. Some people’s kids.
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