EU Referendum

[Pro Zach]

Perhaps if a government calls a referendum to allow the people to decide then they should remain neutral. They should allow others to argue the case for and against and not express opinion. Then when the people have decided they are free to implement the decision without being compromised by taking sides.

 

[BubbaP]

I would guess it would be to stay as I suspect many of the younger generation who previously could not arsed to vote would come out. Where as the increase in votes by the older generation would not be much. And statistically I think that would swing it. But that could be complete codswallop.

It is a decent shout.

Does anyone know of some proper stats on the age range vote?

I could only find this lord Ashcroft polling, which seems to cover less than 0.04% of actual voters and also predicted a remain win.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

I've not read everything about this but I have one main question:

Has anyone been talking to other countries, both inside the EU and the rest of the world, about whether they will want to trade with us in the future?

We've known about this referendum for years. If I had been in charge I'd have been looking to cover my arse by having a few proposals in place with Canada, China and Uncle Tom Conley.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

No idea who Tom Conley is but I hope he's got a few quid in his back pocket

 

[BubbaP]

Is the phrase 'a week is a long time in politics'

From a few months back.

'Not planning for leave'
http://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...-not-right-for-Britain-referendum-Arron-Banks

On having a 'second referendum'
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/u...izes-first-chance-7421413#2vZ6Or8KGtoH8rJy.97

It's been emotional!

 

[bobmac]

Seeing as how most of the decisions that people dont like and caused this situation all came from Brussels, why dont we start our own EU without them.
After we leave, we could join with the other countries who leave and form EU2.
The same basic idea but Britain in charge. Then all the countries would have to give us all their money.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I see this being used a lot by the media now but never mentioned prior to the vote, perhaps something underhand is in the wind.

I just genuinely think they did not expect to lose and therefore did not consider it.

And as for underhand then said it many times but I expect this will end up in court so the government can be seen to delegate the decision. I doubt there will be a 2nd referendum. But what may happen is a parliamentary vote on whether to invoke it or not. Which will lead to many impassioned speeches on following the will of the people against the argument the people were misled and lied to by selfish politicians who were purely out for their own personal gain.

But of course this could be utter balderdash.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Perhaps if a government calls a referendum to allow the people to decide then they should remain neutral. They should allow others to argue the case for and against and not express opinion. Then when the people have decided they are free to implement the decision without being compromised by taking sides.

Do you mean government, parliament or any elected representatives in general, including MEPs, councillors etc, should remain neutral? Where do you draw the line?

 

[harpo_72]

So if Brexit is so great how will a business that operates in Europe supplying a service compete with businesses in the EU? Will there be more complexity than mere currency fluctuations ?

 

[ger147]

It is a decent shout.

Does anyone know of some proper stats on the age range vote?

I could only find this lord Ashcroft polling, which seems to cover less than 0.04% of actual voters and also predicted a remain win.

There are no official stats, only polls as your vote is not tracked nor is there any official way to determine who voted what. So all of these age based or social based "statistics" are all based on polls.

 

[harpo_72]

When did a referendum become a legally binding decision when it is only just an opinion poll?
Perhaps we should have a referendum on MP hours and make the clock in and out of the House of Commons ? Or they all have to wear pink on a Wednesday ?

 

[MegaSteve]

I just genuinely think they did not expect to lose and therefore did not consider it.

DaveCam told his mates, in Europe, they can trust him to deliver the UK to their doormat...

As he is a winner!

#deluded

Though I can see, through machinations of others, his promise coming to fruition...

 

[Pro Zach]

Do you mean government, parliament or any elected representatives in general, including MEPs, councillors etc, should remain neutral? Where do you draw the line?

Steady on, it's just an idea that popped into my head that might avoid the problems of the government being involved in the debate. I haven't actually put any thought into, if, or how, it would work. I posted it as an idea not a definite solution.

 

[SocketRocket]

So if Brexit is so great how will a business that operates in Europe supplying a service compete with businesses in the EU? Will there be more complexity than mere currency fluctuations ?

For the next two years no difference. After that it depends on what is negotiated. You must know that!

 

[FairwayDodger]

For the next two years no difference. After that it depends on what is negotiated. You must know that!

That's correct in many instances but too simplistic overall. If a company was tendering for a multi year contract, for example, it would be challenging for them at the moment with the great uncertainty over what sort of arrangements would be in place after 2 years. Any competitor from an EU country will have a clear advantage at least until the brexit deal is known.

 

[SocketRocket]

When did a referendum become a legally binding decision when it is only just an opinion poll?
Perhaps we should have a referendum on MP hours and make the clock in and out of the House of Commons ? Or they all have to wear pink on a Wednesday ?

When it was part of the Governments manifesto for the people to decide if they wanted to stay or remain in the EU. The Government was voted in to carry out that manifesto. And dont suggest they were voted in by a minority of the population.

Also, the prime minister does not need the permission of parliament, he/she can use parliamentary prerogative which is perfectly legal. Read up on it.

 

[SocketRocket]

That's correct in many instances but too simplistic overall. If a company was tendering for a multi year contract, for example, it would be challenging for them at the moment with the great uncertainty over what sort of arrangements would be in place after 2 years. Any competitor from an EU country will have a clear advantage at least until the brexit deal is known.

We have to accept that the process to leave takes time. To change the country from a EU dependancy to an independant country will come with costs but we will have to accept that. Hopefully it wont be too costly.

 

[FairwayDodger]

We have to accept that the process to leave takes time. To change the country from a EU dependancy to an independant country will come with costs but we will have to accept that. Hopefully it wont be too costly.

Exactly. Meantime the uncertainty is a problem. The tories need to stop eating themselves and get on with it.

 

[bobmac]

The tories need to stop eating themselves and get on with it.

I would rather they took their time and made good, informed decisions rather than a rushed knee jerk reaction which might not be beneficial to the British economy in the long run.
We are in unfamiliar territory so lets hope the govt. get it right first time.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I would rather they took their time and made good, informed decisions rather than a rushed knee jerk reaction which might not be beneficial to the British economy in the long run.
We are in unfamiliar territory so lets hope the govt. get it right first time.

I think we're currently looking at the worst case scenario, Bob. The considered, informed strategy should already have been in place but it isn't. The EU aren't faffing about, they've got a plan, they know their negotiating position.

I suspect this will drag on possibly for years before a50 gets triggered. The new pm has a mandate to do it but knows the country is split down the middle on it. He or she is damned if they do and damned if they don't. Based on recent evidence they are more likely to muck around trying to maximise their personal popularity than do what's best for the country; which is to take quick decisive action IMO.