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Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

bbc.com

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Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#11

Post by planetjones »

cs02rm0 wrote: post #3

I think, regardless of where she intends to end up, she always had to start from the perspective of the UK being completely out of the EU. Showing that the UK is prepared to stand on its own two feet. If not prepared to do so, negotiations would be very one sided. It'll certainly be interesting to see how the negotiations play out.

Exactly - you can't show nervousness like Switzerland did. May is taking the only starting position possible, when performing hostile negociations.

When Switzerland was faced with a similar issue (after citizens voted to restrict EU immigration) it was clear their Government knew straightaway they needed the deals with the EU, so it was impossible to negotiate anything of value.

Britain is politically and economically very important to continental Europe, so May does have some bargaining chips.

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#12

Post by matthewmacleod »

This is almost certainly a collosal act of self-harm, and deeply short-sighted.

I was desperately hopeful that the whole Brexit situation could be salvaged in some way, and that some way forward for liberalism might be figured out such that the rising tide of populism could be countered. I'm less and less confident about that.

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#13

Post by akjainaj »

headmelted wrote: post #9

For anyone not familiar with British political etiquette, the phrase: "the UK cannot remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean not leaving the EU at all" can be interpreted as: "I told them they better give us a special exception for single market access and no immigration and they laughed at me".

Which is funny because if the EU is to survive, immigration controls will have to be put in place. Many countries are already demanding to control their borders. So when that happens, the UK will feel stupid for leaving, I suppose. They could've just waited.

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#14

Post by donmatito »

This is such a pity. European Union is (was ?) an incredible achievement. I don't think we realize exactly how improbable uniting Europe around a common destiny and a shared set of values is.

I hope the best for Europe and UK on their separate path. Given the mess, a clean cut is probably in the best interest of both sides

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#16

Post by geekus_maximus »

cs02rm0 wrote: post #3

I think, regardless of where she intends to end up, she always had to start from the perspective of the UK being completely out of the EU. Showing that the UK is prepared to stand on its own two feet. If not prepared to do so, negotiations would be very one sided. It'll certainly be interesting to see how the negotiations play out.

"If not prepared to do so, negotiations would be very one sided."

Exactly that, and it's pertinent timing given the noises that Trump is making regarding import taxes, and the implications of those taxes for EU exporters.

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#17

Post by jamesdempsy »

emptyfile wrote: post #5

"It's your job, the job of business, to gear yourselves up to take the opportunities which a single market of nearly 320 million people will offer. Just think for a moment what a prospect that is. A single market without barriers—visible or invisible—giving you direct and unhindered access to the purchasing power of over 300 million of the world's wealthiest and most prosperous people. Bigger than Japan. Bigger than…

Except she was Lied to. We all were.

Also, it's not as clear cut as 320 million people.

They all have different languages. All have different customs. All have different laws. All have different banking structures.

The EU is not like the US. Please don't think it is.

Have you tried exporting something to the EU? It's not easy. Oh and developing a website for the EU and communicating to it's citizens. Again not easy.

I launched a business in the US. I have 1 language, 1 bank, 1 custom to deal with. Oh and as it happens, I speak that language also. Very easy to deal with. The EU was a nightmare!

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#18

Post by cs02rm0 »

planetjones wrote: post #7

I think Britain will eventually come out of this stronger. However, it's clear in the interim period (which could be 5-10 years I think) there could be huge transitional issues. Whether that pain is worth suffering, only time will tell. Personally, I am not a huge fan of these currency, trading or political blocs. The WTO exists for trade and I would much prefer it to be the vehicle for trade, rather than groups of g…

It chimes with UNIX philosophy for me. Organisations like the WTO which do (approximately) one thing and one thing well are preferable to those that try and do a bit of everything. It keeps the politics to a minimum.

Likewise, subject to the outcome of the negotiations, I imagine after a period of uncertainty and perhaps some turmoil it will be for the best. The timing may be unfortunate for some though.

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#19

Post by sjg007 »

matthewmacleod wrote: post #12

This is almost certainly a collosal act of self-harm, and deeply short-sighted. I was desperately hopeful that the whole Brexit situation could be salvaged in some way, and that some way forward for liberalism might be figured out such that the rising tide of populism could be countered. I'm less and less confident about that.

Parliament has to vote on it... might be hope

Re: Theresa May: UK must leave European single market

#20

Post by jamesdempsy »

akjainaj wrote: post #13
headmelted wrote: post #9

For anyone not familiar with British political etiquette, the phrase: "the UK cannot remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean not leaving the EU at all" can be interpreted as: "I told them they better give us a special exception for single market access and no immigration and they laughed at me".

Which is funny because if the EU is to survive, immigration controls will have to be put in place. Many countries are already demanding to control their borders. So when that happens, the UK will feel stupid for leaving, I suppose. They could've just waited.

> Many countries are already demanding to control their borders.

Yes but that won't happen.

> the UK will feel stupid for leaving, I suppose.

Nope. It's not just about immigration. It's actually being able to run one's own country. When you sign up to the EU, you are effectively giving up your country.

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