I do have this feeling that even the Brexit Tories aren't as convinced of their stance as they were a week ago and would snap the EU's hands off at a Single Market result whatever the outcome. I also think the powers over the Channel know this and will just stand firm. It's just a feeling though.
Still no apology I see. Oh well, only to be expected I suppose. I completely condemn all racism wherever it occurs, but I maintain that there is a huge problem in our country concerning immigration. The extreme right wing racists are a problem no doubt, but I have to say that people like you are the biggest cause of the race tensions in this country. You immediately decide that anyone who says immigration is a problem must have racist leanings. Millions of decent, law abiding people in this country, many of them immigrants themselves are concerned at the levels of immigration and the effect on local services and their way of life. People like you are to blame for the tensions that we see today. Shutting off all debate with cries of racism have brought us to this point. I hope you realise the part you've played in all this. (This also goes for Chaz and Oslo who liked your post that was directed at me)
There are bound to be some wobbly knees even among Brexiteers, but when I last looked, markets were stablising which should help. I just cannot see how any Tory prime minister can agree to unqualified freedom of movement, when this was such an important issue in the referendum. They'd be hard pressed to face the public and wouldn't last beyond the 2020 general election (assuming there isn't one earlier). It really is a case of the Rock meeting the Hard Place. As I say, my bet is that since Merkel has domestic considerations and her own position to consider, she will not want to do anything to damage German industry, so somehow she will have to get the reciprocal imposition of tariffs between the UK and EU member states off the table.
Yeah agree i think Beth is wrong there. They get a lot from us. My mum always says "if Scotland is so great why do all their stars live and work outside their country"? She has a point.
You should not be throwing accusations of racism around, even by implication. Comments like "If you are a racist just say so" are borderline defamatory by innuendo. Anyone who knows Col by his posts, will know you are a million miles off the mark. There's an infinite difference between 1. concern for the strains upon UK society due to huge and uncontrolled numbers coming into the country annually, and 2. hatred of foreigners, or prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based upon superiority of the antagonist's race.
I know. My mum lives abroad (a bit like a Scottish star) and will be visiting me in the Summer so many phone calls this week and Brexit keeps coming up.
The 100 has bounced back The 250 continues steady recovery. The trouble was when traders began speculating on a remain vote, a few did ok. Its like having your economy under pinned by paddy power or bet fred.
The dust hasn't even begun to settle yet and will be swirling around for years to come. I am not qualified to discuss high finance and politics so I can only offer personal reflections. I am / was a firm 'in' so on Friday and most of the w/e I was going through what can only be described as a grief reaction - disbelief rapidly followed by anger. I almost posted something on here that I think I would have regretted and I'm glad I did not. It's often good to pause before hitting that send button! Being a rational person (sometimes!), and despite my 'in' stance, I have considered the possibility that the 'out' might actually be right! There is a possibility that in 3 to 5 years we may have great trade deals with Africa, Australasia, China and of course the USA. It is no one's interest for the UK to go down the economic tubes (though the nasty part of me would enjoy stating 'I told you so' to the out voters) so it is a reasonable assumption that wealthy and well connected business people and our political leaders will do their best to make the future as secure as can be. Key issue - Immigration. Hugely complex and no simple answers. As an immigrant myself, I've come to believe that integration is a key. Don't live in ethnic conclaves where folks don't even have to learn English. Major was mocked for his cricket test but the principle of what he was trying to get across is sound imo. The racist elements are targeting dark skinned people ie the tram incident in Manchester. Africa is not in the EU. Why pick on the Poles? Generally hard working (really very hard working). If I'm jogging early in the morning and I come up behind a couple of guys walking to work somewhere, I have a little personal bet that they're Poles and I'm usually right. Part of the reason they've been targeted is lack of integration / assimilation with the general population. I would absolutely love a second referendum but I've come to the conclusion that would indeed be bad for the country - my country, our country. Pulling together is now imperative. That means I have to stand shoulder to shoulder with folks who voted 'out' and we need to address their concerns re immigration and address the attitudes of those who do happen to be racist. Merkel has acted with great dignity and I've listened to what she said very carefully. 'No formal or informal negotiations until Article 50 invoked'. So what about after 50 is invoked? The implication is that there is plenty of room to negotiate thereafter. No cherry picking? Of course she is going to say that but the final deal will involve some level of cherry picking almost by definition. I reserve my greatest spleen for Boris. I believe this situation is partially due to his personal ambition and his manipulation of the referendum for his own means. I think he has lied big time and I sincerely hope he does not make it to be PM - ever. Farage showed is true colours in Brussels so no need to say more about him. As Churchill said folks, 'KBO'!
Col, the vast majority of folks on here know you're no racist. I've previously commented that we seem to agree about most things but this vote found us on opposite sides. That's when people need to make extra efforts for mutual respect and understanding. It's the only way forward.
Sorry for the delay in replying. I do have a life apart from this forum and a job that keeps me busy. You really are a self-righteous prat. When have I said at any stage that immigration was not a problem that needed to be dealt with. When have I ever said the referendum should be re run or that I did not accept the verdict? When have I ever accused you of being a racist? The points I have made are that the attacks on the Poles and other migrant communities were racist. If you don't know what racism and discrimination mean then I suggest you read it up. It took you about 5 posts to finally concede that the attacks were the work of nutjob racists and that extreme right wing racists are a problem no doubt. Before that you chose to minimise the incident and to blame others including myself for the race tensions in this country simply because I called a spade a spade on this one occasion. And now you want an apology? Were your feelings hurt? Did you feel humiliated? If so, good. Then you might appreciate the effect of these minor incidents on the victims. But you aint getting one from me. By the way what precisely do you mean people like me are the biggest cause of the race tensions in this country? I think you'd better explain that because, so far as I am aware we have never met and you know **** all about me or my politics and behaviour towards others. However I'm not going to be silly and demand an apology from you. I realise it's just your crass stupidity that causes you to say these things. And that is my last word on this subject.
Thank **** for that. I'm not the only one who thought you were accusing me of being racist. And you were! You're kind are the main cause of racial tension. And I explained why in my previous post. You started with all the personal stuff and now can't take it in return. Typical hypocrisy.
So so bloody mad with Newsnight! They had a conservative MP discussing the Brexit and how we can survive without the free market and how we can do it..... Fantastic finally someone with some real information and facts, but no, the jug-eared muppet presenter repeatedly butted in and would not let him answer any of the questions. So frustrating. Typical BBC. Muppets
