What constitution ? And what would you propose doing about it if the Scots go that way - not the same as Russia I presume ?
I did British constitution for A level Leo.... and I think it was a bit of a joke really because we don't have a constitution as such
It seems to me that a lot of objection to the EU is coming about over the freedom of movement laws. Strangely Norway is often quoted as the way that the UK should follow, yet they are part of the Schengen Agreement, something that the UK and Ireland have an opt-out on. From something that started out with five members, it now has 26 including Iceland, so clearly over the years it has proved to be a good thing rather than the bad which the British press enjoy making it out to be.
It is a bad thing as it means no checks at our border. We need these checks to prevent undesirables entering the country. I'm not sure there would be any support for this from the population regardless of press cover.
Do you think that the 'undesirables' who have EU passports are prevented from entering the UK? Who do you regard as 'undesirables'. People dealing in drugs, people trafficking would be on my list, but a check of a passport at border control does nothing to prevent that. That comes down to decent cross border policing, cooperation between countries in the EU and UK, something that some do not want to continue. Get more involved not less and have a say. Norway accepts all the rules, but has no say in formulating them.
The undesirables consist of anybody who does not have a right to enter the UK including the hordes of illegal immigrants at Calais. The UK is clambering for more control at our borders not less. We will never accept open borders, not a chance in hell.
So why are they in Calais trying to get into the UK by illegal means? Because they don't have the proper passports and papers. They seem to believe that they are going to be better off in the UK, yet they cannot get their papers here and should be deported. The French government is simply allowing the far right of the FN to make capital out of the immigrant situation, something that could happen in the UK with the loony right.
We do not have a WRITTEN constitution. I too did British constitution at A level and as part of my degree. It is like saying we do not have law because we have "common law" which is based on precedent. Our constitution is very well established by precedent.
If we had your suggested system they would not need passports or papers to enter the UK. The borders of southern Europe are so porous thousands of non EU migrants gain entry to Europe illegally. To me and the vast majority of the UK think it is a good idea to use the physical barrier of the channel to prevent these people arriving here. Because of the failure of the schengen agreement they are not prevented from crossing the border of the country of the original entry. Hopefully the reported threat of ISIS operatives hiding amongst the migrants proves incorrect or else your preferred system will allow them access to most European countries. Bad bad system I'm afraid. Didn't the fact that UKIP won the European elections and polled nearly 4 million votes give you an idea of the UK 's current views on immigration?. It is accepted that one of the main reasons Labour did so badly was their refusal to address this subject.
Even though we're not part of the EU, they once (before I moved here) tried to interfere in our business by changing one of our laws and our spineless politicians agreed to do it but it backfired on the people that the EU were trying to protect as it caused a large amount of resentment towards them and like the Asian community in England, a lot of the Portuguese keep to themselves which is quite an achievement on an island with a population of less than 100k. They are mainly from Madeira and used to come here on a work permit for 9 months, then had to go back before returning in 3 months. It was when tourism was still a major part of the economy and it was a way of making sure there were enough workers during the season, and a lower number of unemployed seasonal workers in the low season.
You make my point well SH. They are in Europe illegally. The people in Europe legally can and should be able to cross borders without the hassle that I go through every time I go to England. It should be down to the police forces to detain those who have no right to be in a country and deport them, something that the EU is trying to come to terms with.
I am not so sure Leo. That's 10% and I would also be pretty sure that a lot of pro withdrawal people voted Conservative as they promised a referendum and were always in a better position to deliver it.
They are in mainland Europe illegally, we don't want them in the UK illegally. Why are your police failing to deport them? If they are are in France it is France's problem. Why do you want the problem to be ours.? We have enough illegals of our own thanks.
Immigration is probably the number one political issue in the UK at the moment. All of the major political parties are now proposing less favourable terms for migrants.
I am surprised that you do not seem to understand the differences between the French system of granting people papers and the UK approach seeing as you have lived out here. Just how many illegal immigrants are living in the UK at present? It seems that a lot of them who get in to the country disappear without trace, suggesting that the UK police are no more efficient than their French counterparts. Immigration is the fuel of UKIP and the FN. Both parties are playing on peoples fears rather than solid reality.Create fear in people and you will have a few votes.
I don't need to understand the french legal system. Where I disagree with you is your suggestion that a border free policy that has clearly failed Europe should be extended to the UK. I'm sure the UK police are as incompetent as the French police but we do not want our number of illegals increased dramatically by a foolish open door policy. The effects of immigration concern many people without them necessarily supporting UKIP. Many communities feel swamped by immigrants changing their communities forever. In some parts of the country social services, schools, GP surgeries are stretched to breaking point by uncontrollable immigration.
How the hell can immigration be the number one theme. At least 3 times on here the exact figures have been quoted - namely that there are 2.3 million Britons living in other EU countries and only about 2.4 million in the other direction. The idea that migrants from Europe are a drain on Britain's social net is also a myth because only 6% are claiming any money whatsoever - which is less than amongst both the native population and amongst the non European migrant population. The UK does not have a 'problem' with European immigration ! To go down this road of propaganda ie. the endless search for scapegoats and 'undesirable outsiders' who are apparently at fault for all of a country's ills is a very dangerous path which other countries have, mercifully, got behind them.
