Brexit, the economy and house prices part 5

Moby

tracey3596 wrote: »

This is why Britain's favourite foods include for example curries, pasta dishes, Chinese foods and chilli con carne.

Yep but it's all from Iceland...... and I don't mean the country;)

Moby

Sapphire wrote: »

As a passing remark, I do get fed up with independent sovereign nations/countries being called 'states'. Sounds like 'subtle' propaganda in preparation for the 27 (or fewer) being made part of a 'united states of Europe' – not suggesting it is a propaganda ploy thought up by you, of course.

What's so special about being sovereign these days?

Tromking

vivatifosi wrote: »

A good piece on the EU by Carl Bildt, former FM and PM of Sweden. Says that the triple threat of BTP (Brexit, Trump, Putin) are keeping the EU together, and that the current economics helping keep warm and fuzzy, however the issues facing the EU could easily rise again.

An interesting read for moderates on both sides of the debate:

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/macron-moment-for-eu-reform-by-carl-bildt-2017-12

I stopped reading at “ the once glorious country of Great Britain is in a state of political agony blah blah blah........”.
I don’t think we’ve been viewed as glorious for a couple of generations at least.
When European federalists wobble on about unity, you know there partly trying to convince themselves.

vivatifosi

kabayiri wrote: »

The EU will divide in some way, in the future. I have no doubts about that.

The question begs, will it be a managed divide?

I think the Euro project has demonstrated just how hard it is to initiate a political project across 27/28 states which come from a variety of positions.

The talk will turn towards tiers within the EU. It's an accommodation, and the politicians love an accommodation.

There will definitely be multiple European institutions going forward. I said before Brexit that I could see a transformed EFTA consisting largely of the Nordics and UK.

Then you have two groups in the Eurozone, those in the Euro and wanting closer integration and those inside the Eurozone but for whom it doesn't really suit, largely those in Southern Europe.

I think that an EFTA with the critical mass of 100m+ and able to negotiate on a more level playing field would be interesting.

vivatifosi

Tromking wrote: »

I stopped reading at “ the once glorious country of Great Britain is in a state of political agony blah blah blah........”.
I don’t think we’ve been viewed as glorious for a couple of generations at least.
When European federalists wobble on about unity, you know there partly trying to convince themselves.

It's a shame you stopped reading there. It goes on to discuss what he sees as the greatest threats to EU integrity.

Tromking

vivatifosi wrote: »

It's a shame you stopped reading there. It goes on to discuss what he sees as the greatest threats to EU integrity.

Did he mention the burgeoning social problems in Sweden thanks to unfettered non-EU immigration and the resultant rise in populism/nationalism?
Knowing the political class’s propensity in Sweden for complete and utter denial, I would suggest he doesn’t.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Tromking wrote: »

Did he mention the burgeoning social problems in Sweden thanks to unfettered non-EU immigration and the resultant rise in populism/nationalism?
Knowing the political class’s propensity in Sweden for complete and utter denial, I would suggest he doesn’t.

It seems to me if a rise in immigration is causing some native born racists to become either more racist or more vocal about their racism, blaming the immigrants for that isn't really grasping the source of the problem, or indeed, providing any clues as to the right solution....

Just sayin.;)

Tromking

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

It seems to me if a rise in immigration is causing some native born racists to become either more racist or more vocal about their racism, blaming the immigrants for that isn't really grasping the source of the problem, or indeed, providing any clues as to the right solution....

Just sayin.;)

You fall into the trap of confusing a politically legitimate concern over immigration with racism.
In your defence, many have done the same, hence Brexit.

StevieJ

Moby wrote: »

What's so special about being sovereign these days?

British Parliament gets to vote and influence our laws a good week for democracy, I think.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Tromking wrote: »

You fall into the trap of confusing a politically legitimate concern over immigration with racism.

No I'm pretty sure I don't.

Blaming immigrants for the rise of far right nationalist movements in Europe is utterly risible, and makes as much sense as blaming Jews for the rise of Hitler.