So there seems to be some debate about how much we should pay as part of Brexit

[Burney]

I had heard rumours of 50bil or so, but Boris is saying 30bil is too much, I think.

All of which is very puzzling because I've been assured many times that Brexit means Brexit and that that answers all questions pertaining to the details of us leaving the EU so I'm not too sure what the issue really is.

I'm going to repeat Brexit means Brexit over and over to myself and see if a number magically appears at some point.

Well given that we legally don't owe them a single fücking penny, it's fairly ludicrous to talk in terms of there being any 'correct' number. The number will be whatever we can get away with based on the negotiations.

[Peter]

Well given that we legally don't owe them a single fücking penny, it's fairly ludicrous to talk in terms of there being any 'correct' number. The number will be whatever we can get away with based on the negotiations.

Let me just get this clear in my head. So, our government (the responsible, hard headed, flag waving patriots who put britain first and dont stand for any nonsense from this euro cretins) are going to try to negotiate a reduction on a bill that we have precisely no legal obligation to pay?

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Cant we just find a half decent lawyer? I know a guy....

[Burney]

Let me just get this clear in my head. So, our government (the responsible, hard headed, flag waving patriots who put britain first and dont stand for any nonsense from this euro cretins) are going to try to negotiate a reduction on a bill that we have precisely no legal obligation to pay?

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Cant we just find a half decent lawyer? I know a guy....

I didn't say that we didn't have to pay money, I said there was no legal obligation to do so. There are imperatives other than the law.

However, as an initial negotiating position, the fact that we are under no legal obligation is quite a useful one.

[Rich]

Let me just get this clear in my head. So, our government (the responsible, hard headed, flag waving patriots who put britain first and dont stand for any nonsense from this euro cretins) are going to try to negotiate a reduction on a bill that we have precisely no legal obligation to pay?

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Cant we just find a half decent lawyer? I know a guy....

I'm not sure that upsetting the other party is a great tactic for the rest of the Brexit negotiations. We could do with a concession or two being thrown our way.

[Burney]

I'm not sure that upsetting the other party is a great tactic for the rest of the Brexit negotiations. We could do with a concession or two being thrown our way.

Yes. Increasingly, however, it's becoming apparent that the EU Commission are ideologues rather than pragmatists. This makes negotiating sensibly with them rather difficult.

[Rich]

Yes. Increasingly, however, it's becoming apparent that the EU Commission are ideologues rather than pragmatists. This makes negotiating sensibly with them rather difficult.

They're going to make a bloody example of us, B

My other half is going to have to go and live in Amsterdam if things don't work out.

[Burney]

They're going to make a bloody example of us, B

My other half is going to have to go and live in Amsterdam if things don't work out.

If that's what they want, then have at it. EU member states have as much to lose by such an outcome as we do. To push for such an outcome would be to put the ideological purity of the EU project ahead of the interests of its member states and I wonder how forgiving the people of those member states would be of such as stance once the results started to bite.

[Peter]

If that's what they want, then have at it. EU member states have as much to lose by such an outcome as we do. To push for such an outcome would be to put the ideological purity of the EU project ahead of the interests of its member states and I wonder how forgiving the people of those member states would be of such as stance once the results started to bite.

But the EU Project, by definition, cares little for the notion of 'member states'. States are merely local agents, subordinate to the union and its interests. This is the real reason you wanted out.

[Ash]

I'm not sure that upsetting the other party is a great tactic for the rest of the Brexit negotiations. We could do with a concession or two being thrown our way.

They're already upset, Rich. I think Peter is on the mark on this one. **** 'em.

[Burney]

They're already upset, Rich. I think Peter is on the mark on this one. **** 'em.

On one level, I'd love to see us walk away while flicking v-signs at them. However, one can see that this would precipitate an all-out shítstorm for both sides that would be in neither side's interests.

However, one starts to suspect that a break that's as acrimonious as humanly possible is actually what the Commission wants, so I wouldn't rule out such an outcome.