Whatever your political persuasion, defend your corner here. All we ask is that you voice YOUR opinion, rather than just post a link to a half-hour youtube video. Politics can get a bit lively, and if you prefer a less combative debate, please post in the Politics for Moderates section instead.
ApusApus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:41 pm
Sorry HiC but do you really think that BMW, Mercedes, VW Audi, Peugeot-Citreon, Renault, Thales, Airbus Industries, EDF, RWE, BASF et al will be able to do without UK business ............ I think not!
Reason will prevail which is more than you seem to be exhibiting on this subject, and this is coming from a "Remainer"!
Shane
I understand your argument but where it falls down is you are looking on the EU as just a trading partnership were as most of the other members look on it as more of a social club. If you Google philosophical outlook of Western Europe on the EU it explains their approach to membership and why trade isn't the number one priority to them. You also fail to state it only takes one of the 27 members to throw a spanner in the works; not everyone likes us as most British appear to believe. Finally as far as BMWs and Mercedes are concerned, people will pay what they have to get what is looked on by many as a status symbol as they did prior to the UK being a member.
Jimgward wrote: ↑Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:50 pm
Interesting that Ireland is and could be one of our most important partners, yet dislike of Ireland and the Irish is still strong in the Uk. Not to do with a`IRA atrocities, it predates that and is more a religious/cultural dislike.
Ireland is one of our important partners, not could be, they are now, according to the figures posted. Not sure what religious or others issues has to do with trade and how that would change? Will people become more intolerant of Ireland because of religious/cultural dislike and not trade with them?
I did say `Ireland is and could be' referring to how important they are.
My point about Ireland though, is that the UK, both at people level, media and political levels, SE still hung up on these issues that prevents them becoming even more of a partner. With the North of Ireland out of the EU, it is vital and indeed could be critical, that Britain has a relationship that could allow free trade across the border. Deals could be done with Ireland that might not happen at an EU level.
Jim B wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2017 8:51 am
I understand your argument but where it falls down is you are looking on the EU as just a trading partnership were as most of the other members look on it as more of a social club. If you Google philosophical outlook of Western Europe on the EU it explains their approach to membership and why trade isn't the number one priority to them. You also fail to state it only takes one of the 27 members to throw a spanner in the works; not everyone likes us as most British appear to believe. Finally as far as BMWs and Mercedes are concerned, people will pay what they have to get what is looked on by many as a status symbol as they did prior to the UK being a member.
Jim
I don't agree Jim! I think if you conducted a poll of the 27 EU members & asked them "did they join the EU to get a good Saturday night out with the other members or did they join because it gave them increased trade opportunities", I think I know what the answer would be?
You've also highlighted BMW & Mercedes from my list which included another 8 companies, I could have made it another 1,000 quite honestly! The point I was trying to make was that a lot of european companies have vested interests in the UK, be it full ownership, partnerships or collaborations, etc & these companies will be lobbying their respective governments hard to not damage their investments by screwing the UK or backing us into a corner!
The main point however, is that the EU needs a strong UK market & the UK needs a strong Europe. It is in neither parties interest to shaft the other really!
Jim B wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2017 8:51 am
I understand your argument but where it falls down is you are looking on the EU as just a trading partnership were as most of the other members look on it as more of a social club. If you Google philosophical outlook of Western Europe on the EU it explains their approach to membership and why trade isn't the number one priority to them. You also fail to state it only takes one of the 27 members to throw a spanner in the works; not everyone likes us as most British appear to believe. Finally as far as BMWs and Mercedes are concerned, people will pay what they have to get what is looked on by many as a status symbol as they did prior to the UK being a member.
Jim
I don't agree Jim! I think if you conducted a poll of the 27 EU members & asked them "did they join the EU to get a good Saturday night out with the other members or did they join because it gave them increased trade opportunities", I think I know what the answer would be?
You've also highlighted BMW & Mercedes from my list which included another 8 companies, I could have made it another 1,000 quite honestly! The point I was trying to make was that a lot of european companies have vested interests in the UK, be it full ownership, partnerships or collaborations, etc & these companies will be lobbying their respective governments hard to not damage their investments by screwing the UK or backing us into a corner!
The main point however, is that the EU needs a strong UK market & the UK needs a strong Europe. It is in neither parties interest to shaft the other really!
Shane
Hi Shane
I didn't think you would agree but there you go.
Maybe worth asking Jeba his take on it as I'm sure he can provide a much better insight than I possibly could.
I don't know where Jeba has been the last couple of days but I do know that he stated in one post that he was confident that Germany would miss the UK and their contributions!
Because as Poppy implied, Jeba is German, a very articulate person and no doubt can provide a better insight into the mindset of the core members of the EU than I can talking as a third person.
Jim B wrote: ↑Mon May 01, 2017 8:51 am
I understand your argument but where it falls down is you are looking on the EU as just a trading partnership were as most of the other members look on it as more of a social club. If you Google philosophical outlook of Western Europe on the EU it explains their approach to membership and why trade isn't the number one priority to them. You also fail to state it only takes one of the 27 members to throw a spanner in the works; not everyone likes us as most British appear to believe. Finally as far as BMWs and Mercedes are concerned, people will pay what they have to get what is looked on by many as a status symbol as they did prior to the UK being a member.
Jim
I don't agree Jim! I think if you conducted a poll of the 27 EU members & asked them "did they join the EU to get a good Saturday night out with the other members or did they join because it gave them increased trade opportunities", I think I know what the answer would be?
You've also highlighted BMW & Mercedes from my list which included another 8 companies, I could have made it another 1,000 quite honestly! The point I was trying to make was that a lot of european companies have vested interests in the UK, be it full ownership, partnerships or collaborations, etc & these companies will be lobbying their respective governments hard to not damage their investments by screwing the UK or backing us into a corner!
The main point however, is that the EU needs a strong UK market & the UK needs a strong Europe. It is in neither parties interest to shaft the other really!
Shane
Such a shame, then, that negotiations will be between politicians and not sensible people.
