Off Topic UK / EU Future

“I am sick to death of Brexit,“ said Elton John at a concert he was giving in Verona to cheers from the crowd. ”I am a European. I am not a stupid, colonial, imperialist English idiot.” He added: “I’m ashamed of my country for what it has done. It’s torn people apart.”

I think many would agree with him.

 

But I live in the UK, so non of the above apply.

 

I am not against data protection legislation but it struck me that the GDPR legislation is not fit for purpose, the only difference I see are countless emails telling me about the protection in place for me and really annoying cookie pop ups. I am still bombarded with adverts etc I don't want and did not ask for.

 

I agree Elton, lets get on and leave, we can still be Europeans, which we still will be.

 

We can, as you say, still be Europeans, at least geographically. London remains only 2 hours train journey from Brussels. However, Britain has made it clear that we want European trade (ie. money) but we don't want them coming to the country as they used to. This setting up of barriers between people rarely works well. Will London still get 20 million EU tourists per year, who come, spend their money and go in a place where they don't feel welcome ? The signs are that a Britain outside of the EU. will be desparately in search of Worldwide trading partners - which means one TTIP style deal after another, probably reduced environmental regulations and workers rights, in a race towards a bargain basement society which is attractive for investment - the Singapore model, if you like. This does not bode well for future British European relations if you have distinctly opposite business models. Europe does not want a tax haven on its doorstep which sees itself as a colony of the USA. But we will still be geographically 'European' but then North Korea is also technically Asian.

 

Erm I don't think that is what Sir Elton means Scully....
[emoji6]

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There were 3 per cent fewer overseas visitors to the UK last year than in 2017, representing 1.2 million travellers. Collectively they spent 7 per cent less, a drop of £1.6bn. Despite the devalued pound something has put them off. Travelling in the opposite direction, 1 per cent fewer British holidaymakers headed abroad, but spending increased by 1 per cent. As a result of the slump in revenue, the UK’s “tourism deficit” is bigger than ever, estimated to be £22.5bn.
The chairman of the branding consultancy Landor, Peter Knapp, blamed the Brexit shambles at Westminster: “The indecisiveness of politicians in handling the situation has damaged Britain’s standing in the world and we can see the tangible effect of this in the decline in the number of tourists visiting the country.”
It has been mentioned here a number of times that this could happen, but now the figures are out to back this up.

 

It is also a fact that language schools specializing in 'language course holidays' are relocating to Ireland and Malta as a result.

 

I'm happy with that - could enjoy going to Cork and getting paid well for it...

 

The US will want business access to the NHS in any post-Brexit trade deal, the US ambassador has said. Woody Johnson, who is a close friend of the US president, said every area of the UK economy would be up for discussion when the two sides brokered a trade deal.

Might as well sell up everything and get our instructions from Washington.

 

It's what we voted for apparently. The EU is saving us from US excess ffs

 

Not unlike the EU then? At least the US would not have juristiction over our government, legal system and border controls.

 

Just our trade, our NHS, our foreign policy.. I for one do not to be part of a vassal state...

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Best leave the EU quickly then.

 

As soon as you start trying to agree trade deals, you find that life is not so simple as some would want you to believe. Let's do a big trade deal with countries that have large populations. India. We demand that the UK gives us a huge increase in the number of visas to allow our people to come into your country. China. We want to sell you our equipment for a 5G network. USA. Buy the Chinese equipment and we will cut you off from the security network that we share. USA. We want to buy up your NHS and dump our surplus agricultural products on you. Unless you agree there will be no trade deals.
These are not agreements with countries where we have a say, but bullying by large countries who see that a small island is desperate to find at any cost a means out of the economic constraints it will be in without being part of a large trading block. It is nice to think that the UK is still the power it once was, but this is the 21st century and times have moved on. Want a deal with anyone comes at a cost, lost sovereignty.

 

I see the intelligent debater is back.. We have the best trade deals we can get anywhere currently in the EU...

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The UK voted to leave the EU, it should be quite easy to comprehend

 

Under false pretences. Seems to be all too difficult for you. And what part of the 'murican "health care system" is in any way going to improve our lot?

 

No false pretences. The whinging remoaners cling on to any drift wood of hope to overturn our democratic decision.

 

You always use derogatory terms eh... That is why I say you are a nasty human being....

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