ICT Visa route news in parliament today

[Lockhouse]

Dream on.

It's already happening with all this talk of an EU Referendum.

[SupremeSpod]

It's already happening with all this talk of an EU Referendum.

We'll see.

[Mich the Tester]

"We're out of the E.U. Now what?"

My question exactly. I wonder whether UKIP aren't just united by their opposition to something, and if they were to gain power they might then fall to bits when their members reallise they don't agree on much else. For example, gay UKIP members might rebel on the anti gay marriage policies, and having simply voted UKIP to protest against the EU they discover they've got a government they don't like.

Secondly, I looked at UKIP's site and found this;

" Withdraw from the political EU Superstate, and maintain a trade-based relationship with our European neighbours using a Swiss-style free trade agreement as the EU’s largest single trading partner."

Actually, I think that sounds OK, BUT I have a question; if you want to get that agreement, you have to negotiate. That means bringing something to the table that the other party hasn't got but wants to have. Switzerland has roads and railways linking some of Europe's biggest industrial regions. They also have banks that, aside from keeping politicians' money hidden away, also facilitate cross border trade. They're in a strategic spot in the middle of one of Europe's big money making areas. So the Swiss have something positive to bring to the table, and they have a stick with which to threaten.

What will Britain bring to the table that the rest of Europe needs? Please name things that the rest of Europe doesn't have or can't provide for without Britain's help.

[swamp]

What will Britain bring to the table that the rest of Europe needs? Please name things that the rest of Europe doesn't have or can't provide for without Britain's help.

A big consumer market.
Global links/big diplomatic network.
Nuclear weapons.
Permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

[Mich the Tester]

A big consumer market.
Global links/big diplomatic network.
Nuclear weapons.
Permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

1; About 1/10th of Europe. Yes, a big market, but smaller than the rest of Europe. What's the threat? Block or tax EU products? The EU does that back, nobody gains but Britain loses more.
2; European countries already have that
3; France has those, and Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey (which might become a member) have an agreement with the US on the use of them
4; France has that

Please, think of things that only Britain can offer.

[swamp]

1; About 1/10th of Europe. Yes, a big market, but smaller than the rest of Europe. What's the threat? Block or tax EU products? The EU does that back, nobody gains but Britain loses more.
2; European countries already have that
3; France has those, and Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey (which might become a member) have an agreement with the US on the use of them
4; France has that

Please, think of things that only Britain can offer.

Economic liberalism.
Democracy.

[Mich the Tester]

Economic liberalism.
Democracy.

Got those.

[Paddy]

I do hope you're exaggerating.

Yes but the government needs to be shocked into changing their ways. The only way is alternative candidates.

[Mich the Tester]

Yes but the government needs to be shocked into changing their ways. The only way is alternative candidates.

Is it really wise to include mass murderers among your 'alternative candidates'?

[Lockhouse]

Yes but the government needs to be shocked into changing their ways. The only way is alternative candidates.

Indeed. A vote for the status quo is a wasted vote.