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

More Referendums please! 4 million UKIP votes that counted for nothing last year suddenly means something. Political reform next.

[22 yards]

	Quote:	lost_inbroad
	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.

Careful -- replace "A European union" with a "Swiss federation" and your words could be equally valid...

[FunnyBone]

	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.

Going on a tangent here, but I agree with you that the agricultural countries are being used, but they aren't paid enough for it; they should form a subgroup of their own to protect their interests. Often farmers get the short end of the stick no matter which country they are in (illegal Mexican pickers in the US vs illegal European/African pickers). As I see it in the supermarket, these states feed the West, Northen and Central Europe. However, if they did organize, they would be labeled anti-EU.

What is Eastern Europe?

Some include the Baltic states, some not. Austria would like to think it's Central (to) Europe, why should it be the leader of the East? Poland, Croatia and all the tiny countries would also like to think they are located in the Central Europe. Are the Asian countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia part of Eastern Europe or East OF Europe? Is Turkey in Europe or not? Land vs culture vs economy.

EU did not deliver on some key problems some of the members struggled with. Bullying them into submission creates resentment, and leads to more coutries leaving.

	Quote:	Swisstree
	Now can someone go and shut Farage up, please.. and take him away somewhere

you wanted him- you take him and keep him in your cellar, or somewhere...

[22 yards]

I'm not 100% sure that the UK will leave the European Union.

This referendum was non-binding, and the Leave camp hasn't exactly won a resounding mandate, given the slim margin of victory. Most MPs are against leaving. Many advisors and experts are cautioning against rapid action, suggesting that the UK not leave until the next general election is over (2020). That's four years away. In the intervening time, I suspect that Britons will take stock of their new life under the assumption that the UK will leave the EU -- sort of a "try before you buy" period -- and may well not find that everything is greener on the other side.

There may even be another referendum closer to the projected leaving date to confirm or set aside yesterday's decision. I don't think the Leavers can count their chickens yet.

[Castro]

At least we'll be able to buy wonky cucumbers now

	Quote:	Noth
	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).

I don't think I would credit the EU for delivering peace in Europe. I'd credit NATO and the US for that.

The problem with the EU is that its approach to "peace" has been to sedate the European nations to a state of comatose. That isn't "peace", that is just unconscious stupor. I think the EU would have been happy to kill off a few nations in the process.

[lost_inbroad]

	Quote:	22 yards
	Careful -- replace "A European union" with a "Swiss federation" and your words could be equally valid...

No, because there is a functioning central government.

	Quote:	FunnyBone
	Going on a tangent here, but I agree with you that the agricultural countries are being used, but they aren't paid enough for it; they should form a subgroup of their own to protect their interests. Often farmers get the short end of the stick no matter which country they are in (illegal Mexican pickers in the US vs illegal European/African pickers). As I see it in the supermarket, these states feed the West, Northen and Central Europe. However, if they did organize, they would be labeled anti-EU. What is Eastern Europe? Some include the Baltic states, some not. Austria would like to think it's Central (to) Europe, why should it be the leader of the East? Poland, Croatia and all the tiny countries would also like to think they are located in the Central Europe. Are the Asian countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia part of Eastern Europe or East OF Europe? Is Turkey in Europe or not? Land vs culture vs economy. EU did not deliver on some key problems some of the members struggled with. Bullying them into submission creates resentment, and leads to more coutries leaving.

I'm strictly talking about EU countries. Eastern meaning, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Slovakia, etc. I picked Austria because they seem to have their stuff together but are virtually meaningless to the EU, hence I appointed them as the central government for the Eastern Alliance.

[JagWaugh]

	Quote:	22 yards
	... This referendum was non-binding, and the Leave camp hasn't exactly won a resounding mandate, given the slim margin of victory. ...

Many of the commentators are using phrases like "Resounding win", "Monumental majority". When was maths removed from the school curriculum?

	Quote:	22 yards
	I'm not 100% sure that the UK will leave the European Union. .... There may even be another referendum closer to the projected leaving date to confirm or set aside yesterday's decision. I don't think the Leavers can count their chickens yet.

I would expect some kind of counter offer from the EU. Which is really what rational people should be doing, cooperating and negotiating. It was the EU's obstinance that made this referendum necessary. Now if the are truly serious about their purpose and mission, they ought to go back to the negotiating table and actually listen this time around. This is a perfectly legitimate process in civilised society.

Reform has to be forced on the EU, and referendums like this are the only democratic way of doing it. Now if they would only build in a democratic mechanism within the EU, it could be less dramatic with less flouncing.

I'd love to see a photo of the reaction on Juncker's face right now.

[baboon]

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

For maximum short-term benefit the point was probably some 2 or 3 hours ago. You missed the boat and will have to reduce your HP Sauce consumption to compensate.

Try spreading it 10% thinner.....

[22 yards]

	Quote:	FunnyBone
	Poland, Croatia and all the tiny countries would also like to think they are located in the Central Europe

Have a look at a map. Slovenia and Croatia lie largely west of Austria. Poland, not so much, and I can't recall Poles claiming to be central Europeans.

	Quote:	FunnyBone
	Are the Asian countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia part of Eastern Europe or East OF Europe?

You said it. They're east of the Caucasus mountains, in Asia. (East of Syria and Iraq!)

	Quote:	FunnyBone
	Is Turkey in Europe or not?

Not, for the vast majority of the country. If it wants to remain one country, it's in Asia.

	Quote:
	you wanted him- you take him and keep him in your cellar, or somewhere...

No room - my cellar is full of Belgium beer to lure the drunken Juncker in and keep him locked up before he can do any more damage.

I didn't want Juncker, nor Farage.. but you know that, right?

This out vote is about so much more.. as I am sure you are well aware.

[curley]

	Quote:	Pachyderm
	(What's "the MEI"?)

	Quote:	dawiz
	I'm giving you my personal (mostly Swiss) opinion here. But I guess it's only consequential for you to follow your own advice and also refrain from commenting on topics pertaining to Swiss politics (which you obviously have no idea about and are not interested in, judging by your "MEI" question) in the future.

What is "the MEI"?



(Don't say your opinion is Swiss, it is your opinion)

[Medea Fleecestealer]

	Quote:	22 yards
	I'm not 100% sure that the UK will leave the European Union. This referendum was non-binding, and the Leave camp hasn't exactly won a resounding mandate, given the slim margin of victory. Most MPs are against leaving. Many advisors and experts are cautioning against rapid action, suggesting that the UK not leave until the next general election is over (2020). That's four years away. In the intervening time, I suspect that Britons will take stock of their new life under the assumption that the UK will leave the EU -- sort of a "try before you buy" period -- and may well not find that everything is greener on the other side. There may even be another referendum closer to the projected leaving date to confirm or set aside yesterday's decision. I don't think the Leavers can count their chickens yet.

a) Neither the British public nor the MP's who voted for Leave would put up with that.

b) There's no guarantee that an election is that far off. Given the divided state of the Conservatives over this issue there could well be another election within the next year or even sooner.

c) If you want to cut your political throat, go against the will of the majority of the British public. The referendum may not be legally binding, but the furore if MP's try and ignore it will cause even more political chaos.

France and Netherlands may go for referendums now.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36615879

Farage ought to be knighted for his love of his country.

This wasn't about Nigel, but I now really admire the man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXNhL4J_S00

[22 yards]

	Quote:	Phos
	I don't think I would credit the EU for delivering peace in Europe. I'd credit NATO and the US for that.

Is that your sick idea of a joke? Yes, I noticed NATO delivering lots of high-explosive peace to Yugoslavia in 1995, then again in 1999.

[dodgyken]

What now for Farage??

His party has now made itself redundant.

[Medea Fleecestealer]

Full results here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results

[Village Idiot]

	Quote:	JagWaugh
	Many of the commentators are using phrases like "Resounding win", "Monumental majority". When was maths removed from the school curriculum?

I heard that the EU banned maths.