Some of the motiviation behind the 'leave' camp is akin to an independence group, swayed by emotion and an optimism that the UK would be able to not only pull through but pull ahead. The same arguments were used during the last Scottish independence referendum, but do the general public take a more rational, self-interested approach? Are voters going to be thinking of only themselves, or their legacy? I find it quite amusing that people forget that on 24 June 2016 nothing will actually change. If the vote is in favour of leaving then it will trigger a Treaty withdrawal to be negotiated between the UK government and the EU heads-of-state at a European Council-level meeting. Negotiations are supposed to be concluded within two years; no-one is expecting any negotiated settlement by then because of the latent hostility of our EU friends to negotiate an acceptable settlement. During the period of negotiation absolutely nothing will change other than the value of the Pound. The UK will absolutely reject free movement of people so any Norway-deal is automatically off the table. So likely the default will be WTO rules and tariffs and exclusion from the Single market, despite our pre-existing membership of the EFTA and the EEA. The economic arguments are certainly central to the debate. The UK is a huge importer of food and manufactured goods, dwarfing our exports. So who actually benefits from the status quo? The EU countries with large trade surpluses who export their products to the UK, or does it benefit UK residents more by making goods more affordable? The UK makes up for its trade in goods deficit by exporting services. We desparately want to open up global markets to free services arrangements, something that is supposed to happen within the single market, but only paid lip-service to by our Continental friends who fear privatisation and actively protect their economies from liberal free trade. Look at the UK where EDF runs our nuclear power plants. EDF is a French company that is majority-owned by the French government. Look at France: how many French utilities are foreign-owned? Zero. Therefore, arguably, the UK would be better off outside the EU-bloc because of the divergence in our economic interests. The UK doesn't need EU external tariffs determining the prices in the supermarkets. Under WTO rules the UK would have liberty to reduce the price of food imports, especially from large food producers (hello U.S.A.) and smaller partners who have shortly to expire deals with the EU (hello Carribean bananas and sugar). Does anyone really think the mid-western lobbyists in Congress are going to stay silent on that subject?
There is nothing that says the USA can only have a trade agreement with the eu or the uk. They can have both. As the 5th largest economy coupled with having a trade deficit, it is in everyone's interest to trade with us. We have 12.74% of the entire EU population in our tiny island. Is there not a way to bring an act of Parliament that states: "Henceforth all current EU rules and regulations as of the 23th day of June 2016, shall still be enforced in the UK unless specifically repealed." Also can I just say, EU countries threatening to make life hard for us etc, is entirely anti-democratic and IMO comes under bullying. We do not ask to be prioritised, however effectively attempting blocking it because they're afraid people in their own countries will demand a referendum is NOT democratic, nor is it forward thinking. There would be no other reason to delay trade agreements. The fact that the Remain camp are only talking about immigration (see David Cameron's live to audience debate where he repeatedly came back to the single market) shows that there is NO other reason to stay in the EU. Leaving the EU won't stop intelligence agencies talking to each other, it's a trading block, it should never have been politically minded.
So in or out? I say out, I want the tax dodging, benefit scrounging foreigners out. Only those prepared to work should be allowed in. I want our borders shut down to those who flee from war and think they have a right to pick and choose where they go instead of saying thankyou for the help. I want to pay taxes only to benefit the world I live in, instead of benefiting others who have nothing to do with me. I want to live in a country that leads instead of follows. I want a government that can no longer blame their failures on others instead of their own inabilities.
You know, the government shouldn't really BE campaigning. They're treating it like an election, asking the leave campaign for their economic plan, it's not an election, they shouldn't have a plan, the GOVERNMENT should have a plan for it. There shouldn't be any official campaigns, it's a simple democratic choice, there are no facts to present, only opinions. Thank you mr Martin Lewis, let's hope that more people realise that ALL the politicians in this, and every prominent figure that has stated that something "will" happen, is an outright liar. Vote with your heart, we've been through financial hardship before (the public paid the rice for the Rich people's mistakes and incompetence, and we're still paying it now).
I will vote out. I want ppl i vote for to have a say and make decisions on how the UK is run. Not some unaccountable bureaucrat in Brussels. Lets assume we were not currently in the EU, never had been. How many ppl would vote to join? That may help you decide how to vote in or out.
For example UKIP have 24 seats in European Parliament. Which is funny...why an euroskeptick party would want seats in European Parliment? Hypocrisy at his finest lol.
Actually, the U.K. Votes for 9% of those bureaucrats. 12.74% of the eu population votes for 9% of the MEP's
I firmly believe even if the majority vote leave, the government won't let it happen, There will be some ancient eu law that will require further discussion ect, For me I believe out is best for Britain
That doesn't make sense. It's the same question now vote remain or leave, those who hate the EU will be more likely to vote than those who are mildy in favour our don't care so that's to your advantage . In 1975 over 17m choose to remain while over 8m choose to leave but back then it was just a common market place. A good place to gauge the situation is the bookies and that doesn't look to good for those wanting to leave. Vote remain is odds on favourite at 4/11 and leave is the outsider at 5/2 and drifting
What's worse those Meps then refuse to actually do the job they are sent to Brussels to do and paid rather well to do also. Don't think the uk gets heard at the European level that well ? That's because you send Meps there who refuse to engage in the process of actually running the E.U. What comes next demands we leave NATO maybe the UN ? It's a confusing world with lots of challenges and issues confronting us all it's better to try and face those issues with friends. The Economics of leaving are difficult at best the question migration is difficult at best but I can't see how leaving the eu will stop the flood of migrants. Instead they'll get to France and the French will very happily send them on. As for benefit scroungers I've worked with Poles Romanians, Greeks and many others from across the eu in the UK none of them have been others than hard working.
Actually it's NOT the same question, and the times are very, very different, as is the institution we are voting on. The question is different as for many, remain is just easier. Information is MUCH easier to get a hold of now, and it's much harder for government propaganda to hit home due to the freedom of information. The EEC and the EU are vastly different institutions, comparing now to then is like apples to oranges. I'm still waiting for someone to ask Mr Cameron what the plan is if the country votes to leave? After all, it's HIS government that will still be in charge.
Let's be honest, with the idiots running for president, a large portion of the people would gladly have the monarchy back.
I said the vote in 1975 was completely different you would have got that if you read it properly. I said back then it was just a common market place but you're famous for jumping the gun with a dumb rant My point to Silph was that his question was dumb as it stands remain should win even though those that hate the EU will vote in higher numbers than those who are indifferent or luke warm as they're more passionate about it