Over the years I have been VERY critical of the inefficient and interfering EU; and I think rightfully so.
It's not rocket science; if anyone is to blame for the UK's decision to ditch the union, it has to be those who run it.
There is no question that Merkel and her acolytes wish to control a European state. The Germans cannot forgive the loss of two world wars during the last century, and are now trying to spread their influence through financial and industrial strong-arm tactics instead. The people of the UK have simply said "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH".
Yes, I voted to stay inside the EU, but I can see quite clearly why the people of Britain voted to pull out.
I blame Merkel, the EU commissioners, the bureaucrats of Brussels, and all the recipients of gravy-train perks; I also blame the 'old boy network' at the top of the EU pyramid; just look at the Kinnock family if you want a classic example.
I also blame Blair's open door policy, and the pathetic Corbyn's limp-wristed stance.
But, don't worry too much. It's going to take a long time to detach ourselves from the club, during which time mainland EU countries will be shitting themselves hoping that, as the UK is no longer a member of their exclusive single market, we will still allow the huge amount of imports that we've been forced at accept over the past 40 years. We were even forced to accept 20% of our milk and dairy products from Europe; that can stop for a start.
If British politicians have the balls to take the upper hand, I'm sure the UK will thrive; if they allow themselves to be dictated-to as before, they will not.
Merkel, Hollande, Tusk, and Junker are all now expressing their sadness at the UK's leaving the fold. They really should have thought about that before, when Cameron was trying to negotiate terms.
In 1975 the UK joined a COMMON MARKET; not a COMMON PARLIAMENT.
Bless you. Yes yes and yes to every word
ReplyDeleteThe buck stopped in Brussels.
DeleteBrave words, Cro. but I've read that the EU want Britain out as soon as possible, and plan to start the wind down as early as next week.
ReplyDeleteLess than a day after the results, Farage has admitted that the promised 350 million to the NHS was a mistake. How many more little "mistakes" were promised in support of the leave vote?
Will you be going back to live in the UK?
I would only return to live in England if all mainland Europeans were booted out of the UK. I can't see that happening, can you?
DeleteBrussels wants a quick UK exit to avoid other member countries going the same way.
I understand those mainland Europeans with any intelligence are leaving ahead of the boot, and that the money market is re-locating to Paris. (Next door neighbour is Dutch, and a retired banker, so probably knows what he's talking about)
DeleteLiving, as we do, amongst ex-pats from many countries (not just European), they can see the broader issue and feel that Britain has made a very big mistake. Nothing to do with the loss of their money from the EU pot, but because Britain has once again turned it's back on Europe - a snub, if you like. This time things will not be so easy for future trade and the opinion seems to be that things will be made very tough for Britain.
Who knows - the next member countries deciding to leave will probably be able to negotiate excellent terms, and will decide to remain !
Yesterday, my next-door neighbour offered commiserations !
Merkel succeeded where Hitler failed. She is now in complete charge. All that remains is to build up the European (sic) Army. As in two wars we again find ourselves on opposite sides. Democracy and freedom has its price, and it's no good wingeing about it, we must be prepared to pay it. Aswe always have been.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't saw we were on opposing sides, the UK just wants to make its own decisions. However, this isn't the way to go about it.
DeleteFor the shitty little nation that we are we have caused an awful lot of upset around the world. They'll be knocking on our door next begging to do business with them.
ReplyDeleteMainland Europe will certainly be coming to London, begging them to take their exports. If they don't; they're fools.
DeleteThat's not the way to go about it, Cro. Mainland Europe must be prepared to buy in return. That's the important issue. Easy to buy, but will it be easy to sell?
DeleteYes, the Kinnock family make me sick - jobs for the boys in that family! It does all stem from the open door policy you're right, but I feel folk just went for the opposite of what Mr Cameron wanted just because they could. Shame as in my opinion he was doing OK. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, I think a lot of 'out' voters are now regretting what they've done.
DeleteHow long before they go cap in hand, and ask to rejoin?
DeleteThanks for the comforting words Cro - I am sure you are right. In the meantime I shall try not listening to the News and the scaremongers so much.
ReplyDeleteSomething we should all abide by!
DeleteTHEY should have 'allowed' Mr.Cameron more concessions to work with. Now THEY might just treat the UK as harshly as possible in order to stop other countries from wanting referenda and leaving the sinking ship. I voted Out, btw, as I still think it will be best for the UK in the long run.
ReplyDeleteOf course. They were so intransigent, and it didn't take the UK public too long to understand that Dave came back with almost nothing. Long term effects should be OK, as long as we have some very tough negotiators willing to stand firm!
DeleteThe EU has just had a wake up call. Yesterday initially the FTSE fell sharply then it rose to close just 1.7 percent down. The European markets fell between 7 and 15 percent. The traders and world financiers perceive the weakness to be in the EU not in the UK and they are right.
ReplyDeleteAny dumb moves by the EU mandarins or by Merkel and their markets will crash.
I totally agree. The UK is a very important market, and they don't want to lose out on the Euros it brings in. Merkel take note!
DeleteWell said. We discovered that the younger members of our family didn't know that the whole parliament moved at great cost from Brussels to Strasbourg every month. There are lots of things that should have been explained to the 18-35 age group that might have made them understand why so many old fogies voted out.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to waste other people's money; it's about time the Brussels trough-feeders learned not to!
DeleteA very well written and explanatory post. There will be some chaos initially but I was someone who voted to leave - and I live in South East London. Actually, ours was one of the boroughs which voted to leave. This was a surprise as the borough has a wealthy south side and a much poorer north side (where we live!) - presumably our area voted in greater numbers - in torrential rain my husband even had to push our disabled son round to vote as he was desperate to do so. No parking places anywhere. Interesting times ahead!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure everything will soon settle; I just hope that the disgruntled 'IN' voters don't start rioting.
DeleteWell, they have already started to throw their toys out of the pram! ;)
ReplyDeleteBlubbing and calling for 'Mummy'.
DeleteWell I hope you're right, Cro, and that all will come good. I'm a rather sickened remain voter who feels that 'Little England' has just got smaller, in all senses. I've got little confidence that the 'outers' know what they're on about.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Kinnocks and other fat cats have long got up my nose, but I still think that we should have stayed in the room and fought for our rights. Don't know who's going to listen now that we've gone out and slammed the door!
As a fellow 'IN' voter I also feel somewhat sickened by the result. All one can hope for now is a very tough negotiator to arrange the details. I can't think of anyone.
DeleteWell said, Share My Garden !
DeleteYou can imagine what we think in the US, or I should say, our lack of knowledge on the matter if your fellow countrymen don't know the effects of Brexit. I figured people had just had enough. I kept singing Janis Joplin's words, "freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose," as I watched our stock market tumble. Best wishes on the journey. Does anyone know what the Queen thought about it?
ReplyDeleteApparently she was an 'OUT' gal. But then, Sovereignty is her middle name.
DeleteWell, that's probably the way I'd have voted because I just love her so.
DeleteSurely it's well known that the Queen never, ever, voices her opinion on any subject, so how do you know?
DeleteThere must be lots of meetings going on this weekend, some publicly announced, some not.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in following this news story from more than one angle.
Was the referendum scheduled on a Thursday, to allow a weekend to quickly follow the count?
As always, best wishes.
Thursday is the customary day to hold elections in the UK.
DeleteI honestly believe that for a lot of the 'Leave' vote, this was NOTHING to do with EU but a way of getting back at Cameron and his cronies. For all those pensioners/jobless/disabled/hard done by who feel they have been kicked down over the last few years, having no real alternative political party to listen to them, this is the result - EU out, Cameron out. I voted remain btw but purely because I live in France.
ReplyDeleteIf you are right (and I'm not sure that you are) those anti Cameron people have all just shot themselves in the foot. Just imagine what the economy would be like under Corbyn.
DeleteMy dreams may be in tatters.
ReplyDeleteLive frugally, pay off mortgage, just about there couple of years to go. Have had lodgers to help.Then save like hell then buy a shack on the beach in Greece. Live off tiny NHS pension.
Bloody hell if not part of Europe stuffed!.
Only hope is Scotland can disown rest of UK to be part of EU. Come on Nicola do your stuff!. Relying on you.
I must say that Nicola has gone up in my estimation. A good strong logical leader; we all need someone like her.
DeleteI've had to laugh cro. They now have a petition claiming that since the turnout was less than 75 percent it should be declared invalid. Wait until someone tells the that the original referendum to join only had a 64 percent turnout........
ReplyDeleteAnd it already has nearly three million signatures!
DeletePerhaps it should not be said, but the average UK person still hates Germans . Only a generation or 2 away from Ww2. Angela Merkel ruling us no!.
ReplyDeleteDON'T MENTION THE WAR! I'm sure Merkel is good for Germany, but she shouldn't try to rule the rest of Europe. It grates!
DeleteThanks Cro for this post. Its so good to hear real peoples thoughts, those directly affected, than have to read the garbage being printed her in the states. keep us up to date, your info helps me impress my adult kids.
ReplyDeleteIt's all a mess at the moment, but things will settle.
DeleteCro is not a UK living person.
ReplyDeleteLives in France.
He is not affected at all.
Thank you for explaining that.
DeleteWhy Cro who has lived in France, for 40 years got a vote, I will never understand!.
ReplyDeleteSpooky isn't it.
DeleteA very close vote, and I'll give Cameron credit for allowing the referendum.
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see the longer-term implications.
We may indeed see little immediate difference but I remain to be convinced of that. There are so many ramifications for the longer term both in world terms and in domestic UK terms.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of the right wing all over Europe will now be strengthened and I think we have a great deal to fear from that.
Whichever scenario one considers (and whether one believes we should or should not be in the EC) there are ramifications the majority of which do not bode well for a United Kingdom. I can foresee a time when there are three countries: A re-united Ireland (the furthest away), an independent Scotland (almost inevitable) and Wengland.
As for making it easier to control our borders France will be delighted to get rid of all the people in the camps at Calais onto trains and boats and let the UK Border Force worry about the problem. That could happen very quickly.
You can't take a boat or train from France without a passport, ticket, and (if necessary) a visa. They simply wouldn't be allowed on board. It would be like me or you trying to take a boat without a ticket.
DeleteI actually do know that Cro but at the moment we have the cooperation of the French authorities in controlling the situation. Can you imagine the situation if the French authorities withdrew cooperation? It would be up to the travel provider to check everyone and everything and could mean every EC citizen without a British passport requiring a visa. The border could effectively become (as it was prior to 10 years ago) the UK and not in France as it is now. I'm not saying it will happen and, of course I hope it doesn't. However if the French get sufficiently pissed of by our attitude then qui sait?
DeleteI waited to comment on this. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your views on everyday life and government ups and downs. You have lived in both places and your take is very interesting and helpful to me.
ReplyDeletecheers, gayle
Thank you Parsnip. I do try to be fair.
DeleteHell, the last time we had a referendum here about getting away from the larger political body, the North invaded the South, we fought the bastards for four years, then lost and they are still occupying us. You guys got off easy! :-)
ReplyDeleteServes you right. :-)
DeleteWhat a crazy world we live in Cro !
ReplyDelete