wow! I'm not ignorant nor did I feel patronised when I voted Leave - I exercised my democratic right - [My Czech grandmother (non-Jewish) survived Auschwitz - eventually settled to the UK - she influenced me greatly with her absolute abhorrence of German Nationalism and so I too draw away from anything to me which hints of German Nationalism - e.g. the German dominated EU!] Disagree with my reasoning if you wish but try to respect those whos views differ to yours - otherwise the debate becomes a bullying exercise.
Think the labour rebel number was pretty high, the erg had approx 40 hard liners with another 40ish with slightly softer leanings. Given the last vote could’ve been tipped by 29 votes going the other way, I think I’m pretty sure it would have been voted through with erg support
Just out of interest, what exactly is the problem with a standardized welfare system across the EU? - if everyone had the same access to welfare and all benefits were paid at the same level across Europe, then that would surely decrease benefit and health tourism that you perceive as coming to the UK - why move across the continent when you can get the same money for living in the same place surrounded by your family and friends? Or this is more of the Schrodinger immigrant - taking all our jobs while spending all the time lounging around on benefits?
Circles would be progress... I hope the EU aren’t the ones who tell us the size of our circles, if they tell us how to manage radius circumference and diameter then I’m changing my vote! ;-)
That’s a great post Dalestykes and gives genuine reasons to dislike the EU which swayed your vote. We don’t agree obviously, but that is one of the very few things I’ve heard or seen which give such a detailed reason for your vote. My only response would be that whilst I can see why you’d dislike the EU for the aforementioned, in terms of points 1 and 3 in particular, do you think that there is any chance at all of different outlooks in those regards outside of eu regulation? I can’t imagine a non right-sided uk government in the near future, even medium term maybe - so in terms of economic policy, I doubt we will see too much improvement in fairness of approach, and whilst I certainly think the railways would be better under public control, that will never happen either imo.
Looks like Brexit will happen. It's now a shift from 'No Brexit vs Remain t'o' Leave with a deal or without one'. The only way this can change is via a general election and I'd say Labour have issues with winning one given their understandably problematic stance on the issue. I'm glad I spoilt my referendum ballot, what a **** show.
It is Labour policy, but looking at the polls at the moment Labour wouldn't have a majority. Their plan is just not to renew the franchises when they run out, so would be a slow re-nationalisation.
TOMORROWS NEWS. Johnson survives (just!) in the Commons next week. Meeting of EU - May Deal is resurrected with a few tweaks - an 'arrangement' on the Irish back stop is cobbled together - EU happy! Johnson returns proclaiming we can leave with a Deal - (deafening silence from Remainers whose fire has been drawn by protest about leaving with No Deal.) Vote to leave with a Deal passes through Parliament with the support of enough Labour MP's. Corbyn is ousted - a GE is called - it is now a two horse race as threat from the Lib Dems and Brexiteers dissipated following Deal. Labour vote slumps as Labour seen as the anti-democracy party.
It is great how those EU rules force us to privatize our railways so that they can be owned by the giants of railway transportation, like DeutsheBahn (German State owned), Trenitalia (Italian State owned), Abellio (Belgian State owned) and others. Our power companies, so that they can be owned by EDF (French state owned) and others.
You are unfortunately not far from the truth. And once it’s been done all those who think that boris Johnson it Nigel Farage had their interest at heart are for a shock.
Yes the famous EU directive: The UK government is forbidden to own any transport or utility company and must offer contracts to only EU state owned companies. It’s almost as if successive UK govt’s actively sold off things because they weren’t competent enough to run them properly. Meanwhile elsewhere in Europe... And of course this will magically mend itself once we leave. And won’t at all be joined by allowing US companies to take over running the NHS.
I actually think it should be mandatory for UK people to travel on a train in Europe at least once. The difference is frightening. Double decker trains? Get away with you. Free charging points and usbs, no way. Free WiFi. Never. Details of your journey on screens, often in multi languages, sometimes English, as if. I’ve had superior experience of rail travel in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Italy and Luxembourg. And it’s always been far cheaper. I’m not a fan of renationalising at this time, but the question has to be asked, if all these countries are able to deliver better cheaper rail with better comfort, capacity and staffing... why don’t we?
I think that was the old plan...McDonnell announced earlier this year that the plan was to nationalise in one parliamentary session...the problem with letting the franchises lapse is that it would need two consecutive five year terms to do the bulk and three to complete the lot.