Challenge for the UKIP

[VectraMan]

There seems to be this idiotic idea that a UK that isn't a member of the EU somehow can't trade with Europe.

Trade with Europe isn't a binary thing. The question is, why introduce barriers? Why weaken our position by leaving the EU? We should be playing to our strengths, and being the best business friendly, free trade friendly and English speaking nation of the EU is a strength (especially to the Americans).

This story highlights how stupid an idea a referrendum is. How can the US negotiate a big trade deal with the EU without knowing if Britain is going to be part of it? The uncertainty is already harming us.

[amcdonald]

Trade with Europe isn't a binary thing. The question is, why introduce barriers? Why weaken our position by leaving the EU? We should be playing to our strengths, and being the best business friendly, free trade friendly and English speaking nation of the EU is a strength (especially to the Americans).

This story highlights how stupid an idea a referrendum is. How can the US negotiate a big trade deal with the EU without knowing if Britain is going to be part of it? The uncertainty is already harming us.

We could become part of the US, well it's not like we have a democracy anyway if we're part of the EU

[minestrone]

Neither is likely, but Britain won't be able to veto stupid French socialist nonsense any more.

If we are out the EU the rules do not apply to us anymore.

[BlasterBates]

I spent several years in Switzerland and in that time they dropped working visas for EU citizens, are in Schengen (no passport control) now contribute to the EU budget, and have dropped their bank secrecy, the first country to do so, mainly because they were being beaten up by the US and the EU at the same time. Swiss politics is mainly about introducing EU legislation,...and now we hear that Obama will pick on the UK (in the same he did with Switzerland). The UK will be bashed from two directions if they try to deregulate their financial sector and gain a competitive advantage from the US and the EU.

The argument is the UK can be like Switzerland. Yes it certainly can and can expect similar pincer movements from the EU and US.

The US won´t care what the UK does as long the UK does as it´s told by the US.

If the UK wants to survive it will need to compete a lot more agressively than it does now, I just can´t see your average Brit taking a job down the local sweat shop "for Britain".

[DodgyAgent]

Trade with Europe isn't a binary thing. The question is, why introduce barriers? Why weaken our position by leaving the EU? We should be playing to our strengths, and being the best business friendly, free trade friendly and English speaking nation of the EU is a strength (especially to the Americans).

This story highlights how stupid an idea a refrrendum is. How can the US negotiate a big trade deal with the EU without knowing if Britain is going to be part of it? The uncertainty is already harming us.

Trade with Europe is certainly not a binary thing. And like all scaremongerers who hate change the reality is that the UK is too big a market for the EU to start putting up trade barriers to punish and control britain.

This referendum is not about trade - although the Europhiles are using trade "blackmail" to support their (weak argument) it is about politics. From an economic perspective the EU simply wants to tax and control everyone to the maximum, pandering to the interests of whoever their own stakeholders are (France/Germany or whoever is bribing them). There is no agenda to stimulate the growth of small business (just look at who the large businesses that support it) or stoke competition. Furthermore there are no signs that the EU will come out of the mess it is already in so the thought that we (Britain) may be missing out on some sort of economic boom is ridiculous.

No this is about politics. The British cannot abide by the thought of surrendering sovereignty to the EU, particularly when the EU has absolutely no democratic accountability.

If Britain withdraws from the EU (which if there is a referendum it most certainly will) then the EU will lose a great deal of its integrity and its power.

Most of the British people who want to come out of the EU have seen history and probably read George Orwell. The sooner the UK gets out of Europe the sooner the EU will have to look more closely at itself and reform.

[minestrone]

The US would have absolutely no interest in destabilising the UK financial services industry, far too many American banks over here, their yank IBs would not have it.

[Brussels Slumdog]

Future turmoil

The real unknown relates to UK citizens currently living in euroland. Firstly we will not be allowed to vote in the referendum
Secondly will all the current social security,pension and freedom of movement agreements become invalid the day we leave the EU? Business will simply pass on any extra costs to the end consumer. The question is how much trade actually take place between the US and the UK due to the UK being in the EU.
If the UK leaves the EU this might lead to a knock on effect with maybe Finland and Sweden also leaving the EU which would create a currency turmoil

[BlasterBates]

You´re quite right Brussels Slumdog lots of international trade agreements based on Britain being in the EU, that become invalidated the day the UK leaves the EU, meaning they have to go and renegotiate with every single trade partner all over again...and we´re told the UK will play hardball.
I think it would be hard to play hardball all over the globe.

but don´t worry it won´t happen.

UK Polling Report

[Mich the Tester]

If we are out the EU the rules do not apply to us anymore.

No, they don't apply to Britain, but they apply to anyone in the EU who may want to buy stuff from Britain. Stuff like financial services, which the Swiss are finding increasingly difficult to sell in the EU.

I must admit though, my call for Britain to remain is also based on two selfish reasons related to things that would affect me;

1, my residence in the EU is easy thanks to EU passport. I don't think the Dutch would be studid enough to start throwing out the British expats seeing as we're quite a productive lot, but I don't know, and it would possibly be more difficult for British citizens and companies to get government contracts here.

2, the almost sensible countries in the EU (Germany, Holland, Denmark etc; the northern countries) really need Britain in as an ally to help stop the lunacy coming from the south. Example; that stupid olive oil bottles legislation was finally stopped, even though the laws had passed parliament, by the Call-me-Dave, Auntie Angela and the Dutch PM (who had a brief moment of usefulness) who all ridiculed the legislation and made it clear it had to go.

[DodgyAgent]

Don´t worry it won´t happen.

UK Polling Report

Do you really think the British public will give power back to labour?

probably they will