The people who buy jaguar and Range rover now will still buy irrespective if we are in or out. The people who buy BMW or merceddes will still buy them irrespective of of we are in or out. Very few people buy British wine over foreign wine, no matter how good (and I know a place outside Hambledon that is very good indeed, so no - I'm NOT ignorant) and that won't change one iota. because people buy wines for the label and the taste, not for the price. Prosecco is a very, very popular drink at present, and will remain so. There's a huge price range already in wines (and mid-range and upwards cars) and any impact of additional taxation will not even be noticed by most.
Effectively, what you're saying is that the German Automotive Industry and the French Wine Industry will be relaxed if tariffs are put on their goods coming into the UK. That their goods will be purchased regardless of price. Some will, but buyers on the margins will look elsewhere. I think there'd be huge pressure on Merkel and Hollande if this came about, but, hey, that's just my view
I very much doubt we'll have tariffs on imports/exports to and from Europe. Free trade is hardly a new phenomenon.
I do not believe that there's such a thing as a 'buyer on the margin' when it comes to deciding on a Jaguar or a Mercedes. There's certainly no such thing as a 'buyer on the margin' when it comes to deciding between British sparkling wine and Champagne. You might choose a cheaper loaf of bread, or brand of teabag. when spending upwards of £40k on a luxury motor, small differences in price becomes irrelevant.
Then we'll have to agree to differ, because value is probably more at the forefront of the minds of buyers in the UK now than it has been for many years. Whether cars or wine, the range of choices are good, and buyers carefully evaluate with each brand what they are getting for the money and seek out the best deals
Generally, yes. However, with luxury cars, expensive wines, and that kind of thing, no. Price has never been the biggest factor, unless you are going to add twenty grand onto the price of a C-class Merc.
Hmm, well, I don't agree unless we're talking bankers spending bonuses. And not all German cars are luxury cars - a low end Volkswagon for example
Such a shame we never got PR. That way the Tories could split into a pro-European One-Nation Party and a Thatcherite UKIP party. Then Labour could split into Social Democrats and Trots. We might've been able to actually vote for who we want for once, rather than the best of a bad bunch.
Well if you're going to being bankers bonuses into this, I guess you don't think any further than the standard leftist rhetoric. That's a shame - and also unusual as you're clearly in the Out party, which is traditionally going to be those on the right. I specifically said 'luxury' cars, not 'low-end - I know for instance that Skoda is also German. You're doing yourself no favours by going down the 'misinterpreting / bash the bankers' route. Many many people own nice cars that are not bankers. And many many people own low-end cars and earn a fortune.
Leftish rhetoric? I have no idea what you're on about, Chaz. What I'm saying is that if someone has money burning a hole in their pocket, they may not be put off paying a few more thousands for a smart car because of added import taxes - but most people who wish to buy such a car will include price in their evaluations when choosing between manufacturers
A facebook 'friend' from my old school days posted an 'article' saying that a soldier had been refused to be served in a Tesco in London because he was wearing his uniform and it might offend the Muslims. I responded to him advising this has never happened and it's sensationalist bullshit to stir up hatred, furthermore Tesco would have every right to sue him for defamation. Before he took the post down someone else had commented (after my comments) this makes me sick! And shared the post anyway., facts and information mean nothing to some people
Not sure this one came from it, but if I was to find out that the originator supported the site I would hardly be surprised, why bother with things like facts and proof where sensationalist lies works so much better to push an agenda.
The trouble will not come from fear about buying stuff in your big ship it will come if Britain falls out with any European nation ... If the out vote wins If you think the British public are united enough to take on anyone in say a dispute then we haven't git the minerals
Time for me to bow out of the EU debate I think. As Stan said previously, all that will happen is the same people making the same points. Also, I can see the way the debate could be heading, with insinuations of jingoism etc. I'm sure it won't be long before accusations of racism raise their head when immigration is discussed (a very tired and predictable way of killing debate). I'll give my opinions on just one aspect of this issue, our security, one last time and then wait for the referendum: European borders have become porous, allowing more and more extremists to flow through. Many of these find their way into Britain one way or another. We are facing a huge security threat from radical Islam, possibly our biggest threat since World War 2. Many European police forces, particularly the French, have a terrible reputation for inept investigation of Cultural crimes such as honour killings etc. It's absolutely the right thing to want to help refugees, but unfortunately many of those migrants flooding into Europe are either economic migrants or jihadists or economic migrants with, at least, extreme views. As was the case in Germany on New Years Eve, many migrants live by different values to the people in the West. A new Interpol report estimates that there are now 5,000 jihadists on Britain's doorstep. This is thought to be a very conservative figure and imo Europe is sitting on a time bomb! There is every chance that terrorist attacks will rise and rise in Europe, including here. We have many home-grown extremists here of course, but why increase the risks by putting our faith in Europe's borders and police forces? I must be clear and say that I am not against immigration and I am of the opinion that our Country has been enriched by migrants who have settled here. We have a long history of mixed races going back to the Vikings, the Normans and Anglo-Saxons. We are a diverse and incredibly tolerant people imo. However, the time has come to completely regain control of our borders. Brussels and Strasbourg have been worse than useless in protecting Europe's borders. NATO has kept the peace in Europe and will continue to do so. We must support NATO and get the hell out of the EU while we can. Suffice to say that I will be voting to leave as a matter of principal. I believe that we can never be a truly sovereign Country whilst being dictated to by unelected bureaucrats from Brussels etc. This is the biggest vote of my lifetime imo.
What I mean is the UK has had its culture dissolved ,I can only compare what I see now every few weeks living in two places Us in the UK are programmed to do well so much so its nearly in direct competition with each other. We out do the Jones whenever we can and its true you see it everyday If a issue is raised then more often than not it is clouded by opinion or even worse apathy ... I'm alright Jack Personal debt is high because on the whole it's tied into property and those who are in debt ie have big mortgages look down on people who haven't joined the idiot club Research how many people in the south have moe than one property and buy to let... That is how we measure success . Cars the same a Englishman thinks his car actually extends 4m all around it and he owns that space. The car is new and clean and gleams with pride expect he doesn't owe it Now I look st France where I live People are hard but kind and if there is a problem for example the local council plants the wrong flowers then people rise up and unite can never see the Uk even muster a collective response as there will be a mix of apathy or ownership than prevent our current culture from the basis of any united front . We are too clever here and with that will never come agreement ... Look at this forum The difference between European cultures and ours is that the people make it very strong that the people in power work for them and it's never forgotten . Here you are fed Chicken and bullshit while you watch a Circus and then spend any energy you may have on moaning about it So fast forward and the OUT vote wins and a dispute takes place and France blocks its networks or products how will the UK respond? Maybe they will unite again in which case I am wrong Research how many companies you think are English are owned by the French or other European countries I am telling you voting OUT will cause massive problems for the UK it's too crowded and the culture is ruined . I say again that the big companies will move at the blink of an eye , London will become Monaco What that means for the rest it scars me big time, The north is a different country to the South now anyway It will be madness
If I could do anything to get England back to what Col deserves I would stand and fight with him but it's ruined the power has long left these beautiful shores I am not laughing at any of this I agree with Col this is serious stuff
