The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in CH

[Carlos R]

	Quote:	Pachyderm
	The dust will settle, and when it does, let's look forward to a new sort of relationship with Europe. As many of us have said all along, we love Europe and we love being Europeans, but simply don't like the EU very much. I'd go as far as to say that the EU spoils Europe and threatens our natural camaraderie. Without it, I hope we can get back to a healthy, normal businesslike relationship.

Right. Good luck with that. Hope. That's a lot to pin on hope. Worked well for Switzerland after they decided to cancel the bilaterals.

We are heading for a messy & acrimonious divorce... Europe has always had a bugbear about the UK and now we've given them the perfect chance to flex their muscle.

Time to think about applying for Swiss citizenship.

[lost_inbroad]

	Quote:	Carlos R
	Right. Good luck with that. Hope. That's a lot to pin on hope. Worked well for Switzerland after they decided to cancel the bilaterals. We are heading for a messy & acrimonious divorce... Europe has always had a bugbear about the UK and now we've given them the perfect chance to flex their muscle. Time to think about applying for Swiss citizenship.

...what muscle would that be exactly?

[SemAms]

Just what the world economy needed.. another blow
Hope the British enjoy even higher taxes

[Noth]

So can UKIP now disband itself? They've achieved their endgoal after all. Or maybe they'll rebrand as Trump UK?


When I wrote "declare independence" obviously I meant "referendum again etc etc". SNP spokeswoman was warning all In voters to review the reasons they voted against Scottish independence.


Bet Leftfield at Glastonbury is going to be full of really bewildered people...

[Castro]

Right wing groups across the EU are now calling for their own -Exits.
The message to the EU is loud and clear, 'Reform or Die'!

I'm so very proud of the UK right now for seeing through all the fear mongering that has been thrown at it. I'm looking forward to it debunking all the threats made against it by today's existing political media cabal.

There is a HUGE opportunity here for the UK to take a leadership role for the whole of Europe. While this artifice called the EU may be led by intransigent bureaucrats in Brussels or Berlin, this is an indication that the genuine Europe may very well be led by the UK. I hope it takes on this leadership role, as Europe needs it. I hope it does take it on.

I think the UK deserves full on respect for this, as it has demonstrated its respect for itself. Thank you UK!

[Medea Fleecestealer]

Don't think we need to worry too much. Iirc Sweden and the Netherlands may also be looking to have referendums on whether to stay in the EU. And the OH told me last night some of his Italian colleagues said Italy was just waiting to see if the UK votes to leave before they also go down the referendum route.

With countries dropping out left, right and centre, a massive migration problem which Germany keeps trying to push onto other EU countries having said all welcome, I see the EU totally collapsing within a few years.

And did anyone notice how quiet it's been the last few weeks on how many migrants have been trying to cross the Med? 4,500 were picked up by the Italian navy just yesterday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36611059

Collusion to keep similar reports out of the news in the run-up to the voting day I wonder?

"Il ne peut y avoir de choix démocratique contre les traités européens."

[Belgianmum]

	Quote:	19Monica
	Damn it! The gbp dropped from 1.41 to 1.28 and I didn't move my money. Big mistake Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I wasn't going to because I didn't believe the Brexit vote would win but in the end I moved some money on Tuesday.
Maybe it was a sixth sense, I don't know, but I got a bit jittery.

I really can't believe the result.

[lost_inbroad]

	Quote:	Medea Fleecestealer
	Don't think we need to worry too much. Iirc Sweden and the Netherlands may also be looking to have referendums on whether to stay in the EU. And the OH told me last night some of his Italian colleagues said Italy was just waiting to see if the UK votes to leave before they also go down the referendum route. With countries dropping out left, right and centre, a massive migration problem which Germany keeps trying to push onto other EU countries having said all welcome, I see the EU totally collapsing within a few years. And did anyone notice how quiet it's been the last few weeks on how many migrants have been trying to cross the Med? 4,500 were picked up by the Italian navy just yesterday. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36611059 Collusion to keep similar reports out of the news in the run-up to the voting day I wonder?

Italy is a $hithole in itself. As far as I'm concerned, they should break up the union and divide it into subgroups. They could have the Olive Union, consisting of all olive oil producing countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus) all led by Germany. Then they could form the Benelux Union. The Scandinavian Union and of course the Eastern Union led by Austria. Like that, you'd have more even alliances and nobody is entitled to call the shots. Simples, really.

	Quote:	SemAms
	Just what the world economy needed.. another blow Hope the British enjoy even higher taxes

Where did that come from?

Using an analogy I can understand (being a bear of small political brain) the state school UK has just voted to become an Academy. And like all academies can now decide (with central government agreement) which services (e.g. payroll and HR) to "buy back" into from their Local Authority. I suppose it stops us from becoming the EU's PRU (pupil referral unit).

[Noth]

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	Italy is a $hithole in itself. As far as I'm concerned, they should break up the union and divide it into subgroups. They could have the Olive Union, consisting of all olive oil producing countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus) all led by Germany. Then they could form the Benelux Union. The Scandinavian Union and of course the Eastern Union led by Austria. Like that, you'd have more even alliances and nobody is entitled to call the shots. Simples, really.

Can I remind you that your suggested configuration is how WW1 started? Let's hope NATO holds together.

Say whatever you want about the EU but it has delivered life without armed conflict to all those who joined. Yes it REALLY needs reform, especially on giving the European peoples the reigns, not a bunch of bureaucrats named by other bureaucrats (Council of Ministers must go, and EU commission be elected directly, with right to ballot initiative across nations introduced).

[Castro]

The man who made it all happen

How does this work?

[JagWaugh]

Should I order my Carr's Water Biscuits, HP Sauce and After Eights now, or will the Pound fall any lower?

[greenmount]

	Quote:	Phos
	While this artifice called the EU may be led by intransigent bureaucrats in Brussels or Berlin, this is an indication that the genuine Europe may very well be led by the UK. I hope it takes on this leadership role, as Europe needs it. I hope it does take it on.

I can swear I've been reading your post with Rule Britannia, rule! in the background.
Lol.

	Quote:	Noth
	Say whatever you want about the EU but it has delivered life without armed conflict to all those who joined.

Eh? If you mean there's not been a WW3 then yes, I think. But there are and have been enormous amounts of EU troops involved in all kinds of conflict and the impact of this conflict is keenly felt by families at "home".

[lost_inbroad]

	Quote:	Noth
	Can I remind you that your suggested configuration is how WW1 started? Let's hope NATO holds together. Say whatever you want about the EU but it has delivered life without armed conflict to all those who joined. Yes it REALLY needs reform, especially on giving the European peoples the reigns, not a bunch of bureaucrats named by other bureaucrats (Council of Ministers must go, and EU commission be elected directly, with right to ballot initiative across nations introduced).

A European union has never and will never function properly. There are too many differences, too many languages, too much selfishness in order for it to be a prosperous undertaking. A union will always be as strong as its weakest link; hence, for instance you got countries on the opposite side of the corruption scale joined together to form an uneven communion...and sadly, this is currently not even the biggest issue.

[Noth]

	Quote:
	Eh? If you mean there's not been a WW3 then yes, I think. But there are and have been enormous amounts of EU troops involved in all kinds of conflict and the impact of this conflict is keenly felt by families at "home".

Not the same as having your home devastated by armed combat. Peace within the EU, in a highly volatile world from it's inception, has been one shining example to the rest of the world.

	Quote:	Noth
	Not the same as having your home devastated by armed combat.

A given. But that's not how I read that post. There has always been involvement in conflict, even if primarily a peacekeeping force.

	Quote:
	Eh? If you mean there's not been a WW3 then yes, I think. But there are and have been enormous amounts of EU troops involved in all kinds of conflict and the impact of this conflict is keenly felt by families at "home".

I think the point was that there has been no intra-European fighting -- something that has probably not occurred during any other 40+ year period in history.