I'd like to know what the real benefits would be for the United Kingdom in joining the EU. Surely we (British) would undeniably be net contributers to the EU, by paying considerably more tax than would be returned in subsidy? Also, EU law extends over national law. If our law is inadequate then it should be down to us to change that - not Brussels. The only advantage I can see to joining a European super state is if there were trade restrictions in place that would disadvantage us somehow. As a matter of interest, you maybe suprised to read (if you do not already know) that London, not Frankfurt (home of the European Central Bank), is the best place in the world to trade in the Euro! Finally, I can see no reason why Britain shouldn't just partly join. Picking and choosing individual relationships of mutual benefit.
So would the £ do better than [Europe + UK]? I'm not knowledgable enough to know that. But I'd much rather bunk up with just France and Germany, who are decent nations with much to offer. Rather than get dragged down by an incredibly corrupt EU government and nations like Turkey and Greece.
As it is the UK is literally a possession of US finance , by joining the EU fully the UK becomes part of a European Superstate . Like France and Germany Britain would join these 2 sister European nations and be something with political and economic clout . As it is Britain looks totally pathetic as a lap dog of US policy enforcement .
One of the problems with all this kind of discussion is that its impossible to reqind and run it all again on the premise that the UK isnt part of Europe. As far as I understand it, accepting that soem variety of free market capitalism is a good thing, it is necessary for the UK to be in the EU. But the EU, as has been pointed out already, is way past the stage of simply being a free trade area. However, things are more complicated than that, because in order to maximise free trade possibilities and personal freedom, it is necessary to harmonise laws, institutions and standards all across Europe. From education to the European courts, the aim is to make it easier for business's and people to move across what were formerly national borders. The fact that in doing all this there is also a dangerous build up of pwer amongst elected coteries in Brussels is more of a side effect than an actual aim. So, the logical conclusion is a european superstate. This would naturally lead to the demise of the current member states as distinctive self governing entities. Personally I dont want it to get to that stage, and see no reason why we cant go back a little bit, and have the EU have less power over us, but it will take a great deal more fuss than France voting no to the constitution. The funny thing about the constitution is that it does have laudable aims, abotu making things work more smoothly, giving the European parliament more say, etc etc, but there are probably various nasty surprises hidden in it. But I have yet to try and read it,a nd am not a lawyer, so may make multiple errors.
Trolling are we, Mr. Foley? If the US had such an ownership in UK, joining the EU would do little to change that. Furthermore, I'd rather my nation was more closely linked with the US than the EU. The UK's participation in the recent war was *supposed* to be some kind of gesture of friendship, although it's true that Blair is mocked by some for apprently 'doing whatever Bush says'. Although, If I were prime minister (you should thank God I'm not), I'd have made the decision to attack as well, justified or not.
Trolling ? Is that the term you use for someone taking an opposite opinion ! Some how I think Britain has missed the EU boat , and I dont think America wants Britain any less , no one likes Arse kissers . Who cares what Britain thinks and does ? Britains role as drummer boy for the Americans has been a dismal failure . On the other hand France's world offensive for the EU has been as success .
I would imagine the EU would only be too happy to accept Britain. That is the sort of thing I see as trolling. The British forces are well known to be amoungst the finest in the world. Do you have anything to say on topic? I.e. why should or should not Britain join the EU?
