Guly's Joint Gaff - The Off-Topic Chat Thread

I think it'll be close, but a lot of people will be concerned about leaving if there isn't a clear image outside, which I don't think there will be. Only UKIP, some backbench Tories and the odd socialist Labour backbencher want to leave. I want a referendum, but I don't want to lose more powers and join the Euro.

 

The point is, why should we have a referendum on EU membership and not on any other issues, it's either all or nothing

 

I don't think that would be a choice in a referendum. No party wants to join the Euro and certainly no one wants to lose more powers. Lib Dems used to want to change currency, but it would be ridiculous now.

 

Exactly. There are so many things more important than EU membership and immigration. The way UKIP go on about it, you would think we would all drop down dead or something if we stay in. I would much rather have a debate on issues like health, education, social mobility, equality than tittle-tattle like this.

 

Because it's an issue which covers lawmaking (no one has an exact figure, so I won't say one!), trade and immigration. I don't think people, on the whole, will be that interested in voting on whether or not to raise the personal allowance or to allow fracking to start.

 

No, it doesn't sum up the European Parliament, it's one small issue. And I'm not particularly against them getting that much; all I'm against is the hypocrisy of taking that much while at the same time denouncing it.

Politicians should arguably get more money. Then perhaps our best and brightest might go into politics rather than all of them going into banking.

 

I don't agree with their stance at all, but where UKiP has worked cleverly, and got a shoe in the door of recognition, is the fact that despite fairly successful Euro membership, the elected UK governments have collectively managed to appear as if they have screwed things up for the British, and dare I say, the English, over the years. The UK is such a broad democracy [for want of a better description], that endeavours to do what is right and fair, by and large, all the time, that the very people they represent feel as if they are being let down. They aren't, but they feel it a lot of the time.

 

"It's one small issue" Not really much of a talking point then, is it? Farage is highlighting the farce which is EU expenses...whether he means to or not. He's getting what everyone else is entitled to get. Difference is, he'd be willing to get rid of it.

 

If he doesn't think he should be getting it, he shouldn't take it.

 

You have a point... but it still (inadvertently or not) shows up the farce in Brussels. Actually, I think Farage's attitude is that IT shouldn't exist, but if it does, and he's there to try and end the situation which encourages IT, then he has as much right to IT as the more enthusiastic trough divers. Hypocrisy? Opportunism? Irony? You can take your pick.

As for our best and brightest becoming bankers....aren't they the only ones with a lower moral rating than politicians? * God help us!

* Sorry... I forgot journos!

 

No, I think that's quite a silly stereotype of bankers which has been inspired by a tiny minority of them. And I shouldn't have narrowed it down to bankers really; our best and brightest go into all areas of finance, law, etc. All the highest-paying jobs.

 

Quite a lot of the clever people on my course will be. Probably because a) more money and b) after a four year engineering degree, you really never want to do it again.

 

And by the Labour party

 

Easier money, then?

 

*The 'New Labour' Party.

 

Correction noted

 

Tell me about it. Three days left to finish my diss, and I'm properly sick of it

 

I've just made myself promise to write one page a day for the next three weeks. Blergh.

 

3 days isn't much though, is it nearly done or a 72 hours solid writing **** down job?

 

I've got another thousand words or so to do, so I don't think it'll be a solid writing **** down job...hopefully.