I'm starting to think we might actually vote to leave the EU next year, you know.

[Berni]

If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have said no way, but now I'm just starting to think it's going to happen.

I don't really know how to feel about it, tbh.

[Rich]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

or the EEA, so nothing would change, really.

[Berni]

issue.

The problem, basically, is the Exit camp has all the big vote-getting issues on its side, whereas the 'In' camp is simply asking people to vote for the status quo (which they dislike) out of fear of change. Rhetorically, the exit camp holds all the cards.

[Berni]

to argue for it as a force for benign stability is going to be pretty tough, particularly when millions of migrants are hammering on the doors - as they will be next summer.

You're right about EFTA, of course, but the fact is that the French are getting antsy as well, which potentially only leaves Germany as a fully-committed pillar of the EU. If we go, it could bring the whole house of cards down.

[Monty91]

[Berni]

corrupt and anti-democratic organisation.

[7evens]

Financial sector would get very edgy with Frankfurt ready to pounce.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

of trade barriers and tarrifs, so we have to remain with the free trade area that is Europe one way or another - and to be a member of this club you have to abide by EU directives, you just don't get to vote on the rules :shrug:

[Mo Britain less Europe]

need a far more forward-looking and strict control of immigration and the EU is simply incapable of doing this.

UK should explore a mixture of options not excluding an expanded Commonwealth trading bloc, joining NAFTA and entering into relations with the Russian-led Eurasian union.

[Berni]

to leave, would there?

[Luis Anaconda]

Barely mentioned the rest of the year http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/xmashehe1.gif

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

We'd still be subject to the Elf and Safety Directives and Straight Banana Rules :shrug:

Unless we really did go it alone. In which case, God help us.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Mo Britain less Europe]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

if there are rules to being in such a bloc, then one must abide by them. However, what I do not like is having people I didn't and cannot vote for dictating my country's laws, taxes and border policies based not on this country's interests, but on those of a supra-national organisation. Quite simply, I don't believe that is right.

[eastgermanautos]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

is going to be flawed one way or another. It's only a question of small degrees, really.

It's the money that matters.

[Berni]

to act in the best interests of this country, since it has no vested interest in doing so. For that reason, I believe our Parliament should have sovereignty over our laws. That is not a tiny degree of difference. To me, it seems pretty fundamental.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

But who can? I mean, we're potentially 4 years away from being a Corbyn-led Socilaistik Republik-in-waiting, for Christ's sake.

[Berni]

However insane, it would be a legitimate democratic mandate. The EU Commission has no such mandate.

Besides, you know as well as I do that there is no chance of Corbyn becoming PM other than in your sweatier nightmares.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

and Polly.

Hang about, back in 5.

Meanwhile, btl, I appear to have snared snin.

[Berni]

she's off cock. Or she still likes cock, but wants one of her own...or something, anyway.

I see what you mean about your interlocutor, but he seems to be a bit reasonable and doesn't seem to have the hard-on for Putin that snin does. A loony, nonetheless.