Please welcome us back Kiwis, Ozzies, and Hosers. Let's not forget the West Indies, Hong Kong, India, most of Africa, and all the other former colonies (USA too!). Let's get back to a commonwealth trading partnership without EU intervention.
Don't come running back to us,bleating about "Our common British heritage"---we've moved on!
You let us know where we belonged in the pecking order back in the 1970s.
Now they must learn to deal with a new future. It will take time to adjust.
I do not normally comment on political matters as everyone has their own view and things can get heated quickly. However this is a friendly forum so I will risk it.
I am 48 and voted to leave the EU. Some may dislike me for that but hey, we live in a true democracy and we have just witnessed that in this referendum.
I read that some youngsters are angry as they think they have lost their future? This quite frankly annoys me. These persons seem to take the view that everything should be handed to them on a plate with no challenges. The U.K. appears to have bred a generation that contains some real pussies (not all though). The military have noted that we in the UK have become 'soft' and many applicants cannot pass the basic entry tests they carry out. If I want a job in the UK or a foreign country, I will work for it and ensure such a company wants to employ me. Being in the EU is not essential for such. Some youngsters need to grow up and realise you have to earn a good life, it is not free or a right.
On a much more serious note, Europe has been relatively peaceful. NATO is still active and effective. I do not see Europe suffering a decline into war any time soon. Which is good. BUT be aware that major events such as World War has instigated significant change, hopefully for the better. I hate War and consider such a failure as lives are lost. Those who disagree with what we, in the UK, have just done should maybe consider this a much better alternative to a War mixing things up? We may have lobbed a metaphorical hand grenade into the heart of the EU, but this could be what is needed to force a review of its operation by its members. If the EU was not so disfunctional and intent on borging all members into a 'superstate' I would not have voted to leave. Sadly, the U.K. May have effectively had to fall on its metaphorical sword in order to force changes that may not actually benefit it.
As to us in Blighty and our future...... We are a very old and generally sensible sea faring nation that used to run an empire that reached across the world. Our blood stock is strong and adventurous at its heart, we have just lost our way a little in recent decades. Yes British nationals have become 'Soft' and lost their sense of adventure and discovery. We will have to change, and I believe it will be for our betterment. I do not want us to become an Empire again as much occurred that I am not proud of, BUT I do want us to regain our national pride and self confidence. We can indeed be Great again and hopefully inspire others to be so as well. Great Britain can be an important player in world politics and economies, if allowed to rediscover itself and its heart of adventure.
I truly hope that the EU realises that the UK does not dislike our European friends, It is just that more than half of us believe the EU needs significant reform and should not necessarily be a 'Big Brother' that cannot effectively be negotiated with by members. The hysteria and anger that appears to have followed our decision is understandable but still disappointing. A bit like a divorce..... Emotions run high, but calm will return.
Finally, I watched an interview with a Polish EU representative (Commissioner?) yesterday. All went well until he thought the interview was over. Afterwards he said, In précis.......
"My father flew as a Polish pilot in the RAF during WWII..... Do not expect the Polish nation to come to your aid in the future! "
He said he was very angry with the U.K.
Oh dear. Emotions running high and he needs to stop and think about what his father was actually fighting for in the RAF....... Democracy and the defeat of a country that wanted a superstate ! His father fought for freedom, not specifically for Great Britain. I might add I have no issue with Germany or its population. We all have regrettable actions in our long histories, Britain included. It was very sad to see a so called intelligent Polish representative making such a silly and inaccurate statement though. I have a great liking for Poland and hope that the population does not think like this one chap. We are still in NATO and would defend the rights of its member nations. Why would EU politics ruin that relationship ?
I will get off my soap box now but please, my European friends and disgruntled 'remain' voters, consider this the beginning of a great new era in Europe that did not take a major War for it to come about. Be thankful for what we have and the adventure that we will be embarking upon.
And most importantly, be good to eachother, no matter the political views or beliefs.
Fraser
Indeed, I see your point. Let us hope that time will heal the rift that appears to have occurred in the UK between the leave and stay population.
I think you're giving the public too much credit. It seems people didn't know what they were voting for or that their vote even counted if you go by some of the videos of interviewers talking to randomers on the street. It's nuts to think the people voting for Big Brother or I'm A Celebrity are the ones deciding on such an important matter.
I think you're giving the public too much credit. It seems people didn't know what they were voting for or that their vote even counted if you go by some of the videos of interviewers talking to randomers on the street. It's nuts to think the people voting for Big Brother or I'm A Celebrity are the ones deciding on such an important matter.
I have been somewhat disappointed, with how little the EU seemed to do, to present its case to the UK public. Maybe there was some regulation(s), preventing it ?
I have been somewhat disappointed, with how little the EU seemed to do, to present its case to the UK public. Maybe there was some regulation(s), preventing it ?
That's a good question. Was there made any effort to win people over? If not, why not?
http://brokennews.com.au/2016/06/24/australia-leave-au-stralia/
I don't understand the concept of a simple majority being considered sufficient to decide on a national action of this gravity. Especially if it is barely any majority and more of a draw between the stay and leave camp. Would've expected something like a required 2/3 winning margin on this
Please welcome us back Kiwis, Ozzies, and Hosers. Let's not forget the West Indies, Hong Kong, India, most of Africa, and all the other former colonies (USA too!). Let's get back to a commonwealth trading partnership without EU intervention.
Don't come running back to us,bleating about "Our common British heritage"---we've moved on!
You let us know where we belonged in the pecking order back in the 1970s.
I have been somewhat disappointed, with how little the EU seemed to do, to present its case to the UK public. Maybe there was some regulation(s), preventing it ?
That's a good question. Was there made any effort to win people over? If not, why not?
Because Cameron explicitly asked the EU to keep silent. There was the fear that anything from outside the UK would be considered to be foreign intrusion and counterproductive to the stay camp.
Because Cameron explicitly asked the EU to keep silent. There was the fear that anything from outside the UK would be considered to be foreign intrusion and counterproductive to the stay camp.
I don't understand the concept of a simple majority being considered sufficient to decide on a national action of this gravity. Especially if it is barely any majority and more of a draw between the stay and leave camp. Would've expected something like a required 2/3 winning margin on this
Britain needs two more voting rounds:
1. Shall we have a vote for another vote in which we vote for "Remain" or "Leave".
2. Shall we "Remain" or "Leave", this time I really mean it after I Googled for "What is EU", "What it means to leave the EU" and the "£350m for the NHS" is not going to happen.
I don't understand the concept of a simple majority being considered sufficient to decide on a national action of this gravity. Especially if it is barely any majority and more of a draw between the stay and leave camp. Would've expected something like a required 2/3 winning margin on this
You're absolutely right. It should have been set so that a 66% majority were required to stay.
I believe that's perfectly fair and democratic by your reasoning.
I don't understand the concept of a simple majority being considered sufficient to decide on a national action of this gravity. Especially if it is barely any majority and more of a draw between the stay and leave camp. Would've expected something like a required 2/3 winning margin on this