Whatever one may think of the politics or if one's country should join/leave, it's absolutely true that EU has been a big factor in keeping the peace between European nations for decades. The Nobel Peace Prize to EU got a lot of criticism because of politics, but I think it was important to show that EU has helped keep the peace.
UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
61–70 of 649 posts
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
We had plenty of conflict while part of the EU: the Falklands, Iraq, the IRA, Bosnia for example. It wasn't nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe, it was a lack of democracy.
Well, you didn't see a war between Germany and England though... Bosnia, Iraq etc were not part of the EU. The point was to create a closely integrated Europe so that war would become unthinkable just like a war between England and Scotland is unthinkable now. Of course it was nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe. Did democracy prevent Russia to invade Ukraine? UK simply decided the European project is not wo…
Based on statistics I would say that any war between the UK and Germany is more likely to be inflicted by Germany... just saying...
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
We had plenty of conflict while part of the EU: the Falklands, Iraq, the IRA, Bosnia for example. It wasn't nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe, it was a lack of democracy.
Well, you didn't see a war between Germany and England though... Bosnia, Iraq etc were not part of the EU. The point was to create a closely integrated Europe so that war would become unthinkable just like a war between England and Scotland is unthinkable now. Of course it was nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe. Did democracy prevent Russia to invade Ukraine? UK simply decided the European project is not wo…
Russia isn't exactly democratic.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#64Are British HN'ers taking any mitigating steps due to this whole situation? I'm currently in the process of incorporating in the Netherlands, and it turns out setting up a Ltd is a lot more expensive over there than in the UK. I just don't feel that the UK will make good use of my tax receipts any more, so I'm almost obligated to take my work elsewhere.
In the middle of investigating the costs and feasibility of moving to the Far East. The petty racism behind this, plus loss in two years time of my ability to move to any country in the EU, makes me very sad.
If petty racism here annoys you, just you wait til you get to Japan/China/Wherever you're going. Stone ages over there.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#65Great news. Of the four happiest countries in the world, three are European countries outside the EU. Autonomy is crucial to happiness.
A great thing about autonomy is the ability to quickly solve national problems. Compare and contrast non-EU Iceland and EU Greece. Both came near to collapse due to financial crises. Iceland jailed the bankers and recovered. Greece is in the EU straight-jacket, the corrupt bankers became kings and the people will be in debt bondage for decades.
Brexit is comparable to the Berlin Wall falling. Like the Soviet Union, the technocratic elites could not imagine it collapsing until the people willed it.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
We had plenty of conflict while part of the EU: the Falklands, Iraq, the IRA, Bosnia for example. It wasn't nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe, it was a lack of democracy.
Well, you didn't see a war between Germany and England though... Bosnia, Iraq etc were not part of the EU. The point was to create a closely integrated Europe so that war would become unthinkable just like a war between England and Scotland is unthinkable now. Of course it was nationalism which caused conflicts in Europe. Did democracy prevent Russia to invade Ukraine? UK simply decided the European project is not wo…
> Did democracy prevent Russia to invade Ukraine?
Russian democracy is a charade at this point.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm formally getting EU citizenship (which I'm lucky enough to be entitled to as a citizen of Ireland). There is going to be increased demand for this, particularly as people realise that there is going to be a hard border (which seems inevitable, given the statements on freedom of movement). I won't actually move, but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of personal and small businesses move in exactly the way you're su…
The letter specifically calls for ensuring there is no hard border.
Which is just wishful thinking brought onto paper. That part isn't going to be legally binding in any way.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's rather notable that the UK has the option of aborting this process during the 2 years. (According to an EU official who's name I forget), it's incredibly unlikely that anyone will go back on this though. The uncertainty of having this option available is bad for the UK though. Markets hate uncertainty.
Does it? I thought Article 50 was very much a 'hand grenade', once the pin is out there's no going back. If the two years run out without an agreement being reached, doesn't the UK just get chucked out and revert to WTO rules?
I think Article 50 doesn't mention it. I'm not sure anybody can really be sure unless it's tested in court.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#69Are British HN'ers taking any mitigating steps due to this whole situation? I'm currently in the process of incorporating in the Netherlands, and it turns out setting up a Ltd is a lot more expensive over there than in the UK. I just don't feel that the UK will make good use of my tax receipts any more, so I'm almost obligated to take my work elsewhere.
AFAIK incorporating in Netherlands is very cheap. You need 1 euro starting capital and the notary fee, which is a few hundred euros. Are you referring to the initial incorporation costs or the ongoing tax burden?
A few hundred euros is a lot more than the UK. You can get the whole thing done in the UK for like £15.
Re: UK triggers the official Brexit process in a letter to EU
#70Are British HN'ers taking any mitigating steps due to this whole situation? I'm currently in the process of incorporating in the Netherlands, and it turns out setting up a Ltd is a lot more expensive over there than in the UK. I just don't feel that the UK will make good use of my tax receipts any more, so I'm almost obligated to take my work elsewhere.
Does supporting Scottish independence count?
Strongly considering this. The privacy issues caused by the Tories is also a factor. Thankfully I'm securely enough employed that the economic impact shouldn't be too bad for me personally, if it were to go through.