View Poll Results: What would you personally prefer to happen? |
I want the UK to stay in an ever-closer union
|    | 49 | 23.11% |
I want the UK to stay in a loosely connected EU
|    | 68 | 32.08% |
I want the UK out because the EU is bad for the UK
|    | 22 | 10.38% |
I want the UK out because the EU is a bad thing
|    | 23 | 10.85% |
I want the UK out because this would be good for the rest of us
|    | 17 | 8.02% |
I don't really care
|    | 33 | 15.57% |  | | | 
31.01.2020, 21:33
| Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
But for a caveat to that famous saying 'Except for our Viewers in Scotland' where 62 per cent of them
voted to remain in the EU.
Here's what the Scots think about Brexit Day and no doubt the many Remainers in the UK concur.
Finally your sadly deluded if you think its all over - as it's only the beginning of the return. | The following 3 users would like to thank John William for this useful post: | | This user groans at John William for this post: | | 
31.01.2020, 21:49
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
Take it with a pinch of salt as it's RT  but I find it hilarious. There might be some traces of truth, who knows. | Quote: |  | | | As the British MEPs head back to London from Brussels for the final time on Friday, they leave behind not just a fractured European Union still tortured over Brexit, but a legacy of bad behaviour, corruption and boorish antics.
The standout character for poor behaviour was greedy Ashley Mote, who was sentenced to five years in 2015 on a string of fraud-related charges after ripping off the parliament for nearly £500,000 (US$650,600).
In another incident, his colleague, MEP Tom Wise, was sentenced to two years in prison in 2009 when he was found guilty of fraud after funnelling money into a secret account that was used to buy shipments of fine wine and other personal items at the taxpayers' expense.
Meanwhile, transgender lesbian MEP Nikki Sinclaire, a striking figure in Brussels standing well over two metres tall, beat money laundering charges and allegations of misconduct in public office after a police investigation that spanned nearly four years up to 2016.
But financial misconduct is not the only thing UK MEPs will be remembered for.
An Irish pub on the steps of the parliament became a no-go zone for politicians from other nations once the British delegation commandeered it, with their arguing and shouting putting off clientele simply looking for a quiet place to drink. The pub eventually shut and is now a health-food deli. Elsewhere, one MEP took her staff out for dinner at a restaurant only to kick off when one of her troupe was mistakenly given a chicken dish when he had asked for the vegetarian option.
Punches were thrown and several police vehicles arrived to quell the melee. The politician then played her trump, an immunity card given to all MEPs should they find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Brussels. No further action was taken, but the shaken vegetarian left his job shortly afterwards, telling me he could no longer handle the madness.
Other staff members have not been so discerning in their behavior, with allegations rife of sexual harassment, drug abuse, and even attempted suicide, all during work hours. Again, these matters were dealt with quietly and quickly to ensure there was no media coverage. No fuss, no story, insiders like to say.
While the procession of politicians through the halls of the European institution reads like a Who's Who of British politics, from former Lib Dem leader and Deputy PM Nick Clegg, to ex-Labour chief Neil Kinnock, along with his wife Gladys and even their son, Stephen, it was the previously unknown Steven Woolfe, now plying his trade as a painter and decorator, who provides us with the most memorable image of 45 years of EU membership.
It is Woolfe splayed unconscious on a crosswalk inside the Parliament, in a classic dead man's pose while still holding the handle of his briefcase, following an alleged altercation with fellow MEP Mike Hookem during a meeting of one UK delegation.
The facts were disputed as to what actually happened, and an internal investigation failed to unravel the mess. Neither man faced re-election for a second term.
There is no doubt the poor discipline, massive egos and boorish antics certainly brought attention to the European Parliament. Maybe not the attention it sought, but it will certainly be a far duller place now the Brits are now longer there or in residence at the Beer Factory, a cheap and cheerful bar that acts as a de facto HQ for many MEPs and their staff.
Their former colleagues in the parliament will not be too upset to see them go, as the atmosphere towards the Brits, particularly the Eurosceptic politicians and staff, has been distinctly frosty since the 2016 referendum and positively icy as the departure date looms ever closer.
So Friday at 9am, the largest group of UK MEPs will walk out the main doors of the Parliament waving a large Union Jack. A short speech will be made on the institution's steps, then it's on a bus to the Eurostar terminal for the short trip to London.
They will never return to the corridors of the European Parliament and you can hear the sighs of relief there already.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT. | | | | | https://www.rt.com/op-ed/479395-fare...ep-corruption/ | 
31.01.2020, 21:50
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Hopefully soon to be Aargau
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | But for a caveat to that famous saying 'Except for our Viewers in Scotland' where 62 per cent of them
voted to remain in the EU.
Here's what the Scots think about Brexit Day and no doubt the many Remainers in the UK concur.
Finally your sadly deluded if you think its all over - as it's only the beginning of the return. Attachment 138575 | | | | | Not the 38% that voted Brexit surely?!
And no, I don’t think this is the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning | The following 2 users would like to thank TonyClifton for this useful post: | | 
31.01.2020, 22:01
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
And what about Boris today and his Post Brexit Britain, reaching out to the English regions with a cabinet meeting
in Sunderland, talk of the House of Lords moving to York and a full English menu for his Brexit celebrations tonight.
Notice the word English !!!
For a PM who says he wants to embrace the whole of the UK and make it a more United Kingdom - he's doing
a great job in alienating Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the only part of the UK that Boris counts
as being of any consequence in his plans so far - England !!
Of course he might put some money - Northern Irelands way if he needs the support of the DUP again but
now the Assemblys up and running, even Northern Ireland could drop off the tories radar.
| 
01.02.2020, 00:43
| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
Happy Brexit all, from Ireland’s newest Citizen 😂
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01.02.2020, 00:52
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: |  | | | Happy Brexit all, from Ireland’s newest Citizen 😂 | | | | | Well, at least Ireland knows that all the new citizens they got over the past months are not loyal and can't be counted on, should problems arise. | The following 3 users would like to thank curley for this useful post: | | 
01.02.2020, 02:01
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | Well, at least Ireland knows that all the new citizens they got over the past months are not loyal and can't be counted on, should problems arise.  | | | | | There are reasons why only citizens permanently resident in the country plus those who have left within 12 months are allowed to vote.....
| 
01.02.2020, 06:56
| Banned | | Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Canton Zurich
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | Not the 38% that voted Brexit surely?! | | | | | Plus all of those who chose not to vote or who were not eligible to vote.
| 
01.02.2020, 07:40
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | There are reasons why only citizens permanently resident in the country plus those who have left within 12 months are allowed to vote..... | | | | | Why shouldn't an Irish citizen be allowed to vote even if they lived abroad for longer than 12 months?
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01.02.2020, 09:01
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lausanne
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
So, see EU later?
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01.02.2020, 09:09
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | Poor Sammy he still does not get it... Boris will do a Canadian style deal with the EU by the end of the year, leaving NI and Sammy in the CU. | | | | | We really don’t know what the outcome will be, and it’s pointless pretending we do.
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01.02.2020, 09:22
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | There are reasons why only citizens permanently resident in the country plus those who have left within 12 months are allowed to vote..... | | | | | That can't be correct. I know Irish going all the way home to vote who have left Ireland much longer than a year ago.
| 
01.02.2020, 09:42
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | That can't be correct. I know Irish going all the way home to vote who have left Ireland much longer than a year ago. | | | | | I know a UK citizen who voted in the last election despite having been out of the UK for almost 30 years .
If you are determined enough there are always ways to fake an address or otherwise confuse the system.
I don’t approve of that by the way. I think that if you don’t live in a place you shouldn’t be partaking part in the politics in that way, no matter how strongly you feel about the situation.
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01.02.2020, 09:42
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | GB is "nicht Fisch, nicht Vogel" as a German saying goes and can't really be dealt with in a serious manner. | | | | | Neither fish nor fowl. | Quote: | |  | | | That can't be correct. I know Irish going all the way home to vote who have left Ireland much longer than a year ago. | | | | | They may be doing this, but it's illegal. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-...rule-1.3505885 Which makes Ireland worse than the UK (15 years - you remain registered where you were last registered).
| 
01.02.2020, 09:53
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | That can't be correct. I know Irish going all the way home to vote who have left Ireland much longer than a year ago. | | | | | It is absolutely correct. I have been an impersonation officially at two Irish elections and on both occasions we’ve had Garda come into the polling station to arrest people of doing exactly what you described.
There are plenty of Irish expats who’s family continue to put them on the live register, which is not illegal. But the minimum they stand in front of a presiding officer and request a voting paper they commit a criminal offense.
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01.02.2020, 10:01
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | Which makes Ireland worse than the UK (15 years - you remain registered where you were last registered). | | | | | On the contrary, there More people living outside the country as live in the country entitled to vote by the UK model and it would be completely intolerable for the people living in the country to have their future determined by people living outside the country.
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01.02.2020, 10:09
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | On the contrary, there More people living outside the country as live in the country entitled to vote by the UK model and it would be completely intolerable for the people living in the country to have their future determined by people living outside the country. | | | | | Replace worse with more restrictive then.
Btw - honestly, what did you intend by "I have been an impersonation officially".
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01.02.2020, 10:11
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | |
I don’t approve of that by the way. I think that if you don’t live in a place you shouldn’t be partaking part in the politics in that way, no matter how strongly you feel about the situation.
| | | | | Thats taxation without representation as the majority of Brits will still be UK domiciled as far as HMRC concerned at death & could have an IHT liability on their estate.
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01.02.2020, 10:24
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in | Quote: | |  | | | | | | | | Jim sais 12 months and "absolutely correct" LOL, the article 18 months plus that people receive ballots long after they deregistered ....
However, voting matters seem messy all over that island. So be it.
| 
01.02.2020, 10:53
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| | Re: The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in
So, with Brexit finally over, isn't it time to close this thread?
Tom
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