Sky News Poll Reveals Huge Divide On Europe

Thrugelmir

No, but I could be swayed depending on debate/negociations

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

However this should not be a reason to exit an important and massive free trade area.

The Uk is a net importer not exporter. As the Uk is primarily a service based economy. Difficult to see how this can ever be rebalanced.

michaels

No, but I could be swayed depending on debate/negociations

Generali wrote: »

It's also a great free trade organisation.

So is EFTA and indeed who is to say that membership of NAFTA would be impossible?

Mr._Pricklepants

Yes

Thrugelmir wrote: »

The Uk is a net importer not exporter. As the Uk is primarily a service based economy. Difficult to see how this can ever be rebalanced.

Sure, we are net importer.
Don't really see why this is relevant? Or why it needs to be balanced?
Close to half of our exports still go to the EU.

michaels

No, but I could be swayed depending on debate/negociations

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

http://news.sky.com/story/1099455/sky-news-poll-reveals-huge-divide-on-europe

So what about the MSE Debate members?

As we're quite an opinionated bunch, "don't know" is not an option.

I am surprised, I thought a much higher proportion would be in favour of pulling out.

Given those numbers now I can't see a vote to leave the EU would ever get a majority once there is a campaign and the stay in campaign threatens economic disaster, fire and brimstone, plague, pestilence, death of first born children etc and people get nervous about voting for change.

The poll is disappointing as the EU will see this and decide they don't need to make any concessions at all to 'win' the vote, a good negotiating positon is to posture that we all want to leave even if we have no intention of doing so

kwmlondon

Yes

Oh, I think that in the end we'll be okay. We'll get a shift in the EU towards a more commerce based approach rather than political integration. I think that the Francophile movement is pretty much bankrupt, and Germany is much more aligned with the UK sentiments on Europe. It's a good time to bash a new shape as things are very fluid.

Those who are opposed to the EU will have overseen a shift away from federalism, those in favour of the EU will see us still being a part of a trade block.

For the vast majority of us, the EU makes our lives better through things like the clean air directive and maximum sewerage allowed on beaches. Most of those in power looking to get us out of Europe would never have to worry about being treated by a junior doctor who has worked 120 hours in the last week - the rest of us would be better off sharing roads with truck drivers who have to take breaks etc.

I want to keep this part of being in the EU, it makes my life a lot better.

Mallotum_X

Yes

vivatifosi wrote: »

The question has not been asked in the way in which I would answer it (not Mr Pricklpants's fault - that's down to Sky).

If asked if we should stay in I would say yes as an answer to a pure yes/no question.

If asked if we should seek to renegotiate our obligations under membership that would be an emphatic yes.

If we failed to reach a satisfactory negotiation then I would say no to staying in, but as a last resort.

I think it is pretty clear to everyone that the EU is not working. What isn't clear is how we should go about rectifying things. I don't think anyone who is seen as pro-EU wants to maintain the status quo. As Gen says, it's a great free trade organisation and we shouldn't lose sight of that.

Pretty much my view. Its currently broken but that doesn't mean we cant try and help fix it.

Sampong

No

I voted no.

I don't know what "negociations" are.

Sounds racist though - whatever it is.

olly300

Yes

michaels wrote: »

I am surprised, I thought a much higher proportion would be in favour of pulling out.

Why?

A lot of people have self-motivated reasons for wanting to stay in the EU i.e. ability to go and live in another country, ability to go and work in another country, ability to get workers,

There are also those particular older who want to stay in the EU as they think it is the one thing that stopped Europe having another war involving most of Europe.

The best thing we have done in regards to the EU is not get involved in the Euro.

Mr._Pricklepants

Yes

Sampong wrote: »

I voted no.

I don't know what "negociations" are.

Sounds racist though - whatever it is.

It's the French spelling.

N1AK

Yes, but I could be swayed depending on debate/negociations

Graham_Devon wrote: »

I can tell you now that the majority will state YES.

I love comments like this. It's always amusing to see people so adamant that their position is being suppressed by the majority. nearly 2:1 for voting to leave currently Graham, shows how objective you are