Poll: Britain and the EU

[MarkE]

I'm surprised the poll is'nt more in favour of leaving. Why anybody should think the UK, which I believe is currently the sixth largest economy in the world, is unable to run it's own affairs is beyond me. The sooner we leave the better imo.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm surprised the poll is'nt more in favour of leaving. Why anybody should think the UK, which I believe is currently the sixth largest economy in the world, is unable to run it's own affairs is beyond me. The sooner we leave the better imo.

Because our economy is that large helped by business links to countries in Europe that would be at risk if we left the EU

I have a feeling there will be a lot of businesses that benefit from being in the EU will strongly back a campaign to stay in the EU

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm surprised the poll is'nt more in favour of leaving. Why anybody should think the UK, which I believe is currently the sixth largest economy in the world, is unable to run it's own affairs is beyond me. The sooner we leave the better imo.

I think there are still more benefits to the UK being in than out and despite our place in the world economy, it isn't a question of not being able to run our affairs, more we have more to gain being in

 

[MarkE]

Because our economy is that large helped by business links to countries in Europe that would be at risk if we left the EU

But where is the evidence for this? The UK would still trade with the EU if we were out of it, as it does with the rest of the world and would be able to negotiate it's own trade agreements. The EU would'nt suddenly stop trading with the UK, it wants our trade.
Business, anyway, is just a small part of what the EU has become.

 

[SocketRocket]

I think there are still more benefits to the UK being in than out and despite our place in the world economy, it isn't a question of not being able to run our affairs, more we have more to gain being in

Please explain what these benefits are that we would lose Homer.

 

[SocketRocket]

But where is the evidence for this? The UK would still trade with the EU if we were out of it, as it does with the rest of the world and would be able to negotiate it's own trade agreements. The EU would'nt suddenly stop trading with the UK, it wants our trade.
Business, anyway, is just a small part of what the EU has become.

Good post. Some suggest that if we were not members then all trade with the EU would stop, this is unrealistic as we currently trade at a deficit and I am sure Germany Et Al would still want us to buy their cars etc.

 

[jp5]

Good post. Some suggest that if we were not members then all trade with the EU would stop, this is unrealistic as we currently trade at a deficit and I am sure Germany Et Al would still want us to buy their cars etc.

I don't think I've seen anyone suggest that trade would stop with the EU should we leave. If anyone has, well then they're a numpty.

It'd be a massive gamble to leave the EU, and for me the potential of leaving is more damaging than staying put (similar to my views on Scotland).

I wouldn't want to see many hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of people's jobs cast into doubt, and higher taxes for those who do stay in work.

 

[Hobbit]

Because our economy is that large helped by business links to countries in Europe that would be at risk if we left the EU

I have a feeling there will be a lot of businesses that benefit from being in the EU will strongly back a campaign to stay in the EU

Apparently we import more from the EU than we export by some margin. I'm inclined to think, along with being a nett contributor financially, they need us more than we need them. And in that respect, I'd like to think we're in a very strong position to negotiate.

We pay in £15billion, and receive £10billion in rebates. There are 11 countries who pay in more than they receive back, Britain being the second largest nett contributor, £4 billion behind Germany. 4 of those 11 only 'appear' to be nett contributors because of the trade that flows through their countries to an ajoining EU country. In effect, 7 EU countries are paying money to 19 other countries because those countries are negligent in managing their budgets.

So as well as being a huge nett contributor we have the joys of EU laws imposed upon us AND we still don't garner enough votes to win Eurovision!

 

[MarkE]

I don't think I've seen anyone suggest that trade would stop with the EU should we leave. If anyone has, well then they're a numpty.

It'd be a massive gamble to leave the EU, and for me the potential of leaving is more damaging than staying put (similar to my views on Scotland).

I wouldn't want to see many hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of people's jobs cast into doubt, and higher taxes for those who do stay in work.

Again, on what evidence. These figures that are bandied about come from the pro EU lobby and i have seen nothing to back this up. Our trade would continue with Europe, hence the jobs that rely on said trade would not disappear.

 

[jp5]

Again, on what evidence. These figures that are bandied about come from the pro EU lobby and i have seen nothing to back this up. Our trade would continue with Europe, hence the jobs that rely on said trade would not disappear.

Of course at this stage there is no evidence either way as it is all hypothetical.

But what I have said is true - global firms, that employ many people here, may see the UK as a less attractive place to invest. Uncertainty is not conducive to a stable economy.

As one example, take RBS who said they would relocate to London should Scotland vote 'Yes' to independence.

For me, a recovering economy is not worth putting at risk for the benefits that being outside of the EU would bring.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

But where is the evidence for this? The UK would still trade with the EU if we were out of it, as it does with the rest of the world and would be able to negotiate it's own trade agreements. The EU would'nt suddenly stop trading with the UK, it wants our trade.
Business, anyway, is just a small part of what the EU has become.

Unfortunately you have no idea whatsoever how well or otherwise the UK would do outside of Europe as it is all just guesswork.

 

[delc]

There are 3 'stay in the EU' voting options, but only one for leaving! I personally would like to stay in the EU, but without the ridiculous French/German levels of bureaucracy!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

There are 3 'stay in the EU' voting options, but only one for leaving! I personally would like to stay in the EU, but without the ridiculous French/German levels of bureaucracy!

That is how a vote would work. How many options for "leaving completely" would you like?

 

[MarkE]

Unfortunately you have no idea whatsoever how well or otherwise the UK would do outside of Europe as it is all just guesswork.

Unfortunately, neither have you. It's all about opinion. Mine is we would be better off out of the EU, if you don't agree, fair enough.

 

[jp5]

Unfortunately, neither have you. It's all about opinion. Mine is we would be better off out of the EU, if you don't agree, fair enough.

No, but the 'Yes' campaign do have the advantage of knowing the current state of affairs - which is the UK having one of the strongest economies within, and as part of, the EU.

Much like the very late Conservative surge in the election, I expect many people will vote for the devil they know than the one they don't!

 

[MarkE]

For me, a recovering economy is not worth putting at risk for the benefits that being outside of the EU would bring.

But I could argue the recovering economy in the UK is in spite of being in the EU, not because of it. Certainly the rest of the EU is not recovering like the UK. I could further argue that the recovery would have been quicker if it was'nt for the drag the EU places on the UK economy.

 

[MarkE]

Much like the very late Conservative surge in the election, I expect many people will vote for the devil they know than the one they don't!

I actually agree with you that the electorate will eventually vote for the status quo, mainly because the establishment will be pushing that line non stop up until the vote, even if Cameron dos'nt get the consessions he's after.

 

[jp5]

But I could argue the recovering economy in the UK is in spite of being in the EU, not because of it. Certainly the rest of the EU is not recovering like the UK. I could further argue that the recovery would have been quicker if it was'nt for the drag the EU places on the UK economy.

You could, but in fact figures suggest that the economic recovery is reliant on the UK's membership of the EU, in terms of the high levels of migration that have come our way.

 

[jp5]

I actually agree with you that the electorate will eventually vote for the status quo, mainly because the establishment will be pushing that line non stop up until the vote, even if Cameron dos'nt get the consessions he's after.

Certainly if you look at the 7 political parties that took in the election debates, 6 of them are broadly pro-Europe which would suggest that you are right!

So UKIP have important task of ensuring that the referendum is run fairly, but with their minimal representation in Westminster (and I'm not convinced that Carswell won't get fed up at some point!) that is going to be tough to do from their position.

I think there are good arguments to be made on either side, but the 'No' campaign I feel is going to be ruled by those with the loudest voices and perhaps not most sensible arguments - perhaps turning more people over to 'Yes'.

 

[MarkE]

You could, but in fact figures suggest that the economic recovery is reliant on the UK's membership of the EU, in terms of the high levels of migration that have come our way.

But then you are getting into statistics and hyperbole and you know you can make them mean whatever suits your own agenda. People should make up their own minds and not be swayed by mere facts.