In or out?

[richardoe]

Hello everyone, I joined the other day and I thought it was about time I started a thread.

David Cameron has said that should the Conservative party win the next election there will be a referendum about Britains membership of the European Union. And it will apparently be an in or out referendum.

So how do the British members of this forum feel about our membership of the EU? Did anyone have a vote in 75? I didnt as I was 13.

Anyway as for me I will be voting no. I feel that we showed never have joined in the first place, and that governments since we joined have lied to us. Did anyone realise that the EEC which was basically a trading bloc similar to NAFTA become almost one nation?

And if anyones interested one country has left the EU, Greenland. But in fact Greenland is in North America anyway!!!

[palo5]

Originally Posted by richardoe

...one country has left the EU, Greenland...

Greenland is not an independent state, and is part of the Kingdom of Denmark

[richardoe]

I know that, but it did leave the EU.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by richardoe

I know that, but it did leave the EU.

It never actually joined, Denmark did

[drjescocia]

Palo5 is correct. Greenland was a colony of Denmark that received Home-Rule 1979, and basically moved to Self-Rule in 2009. Perhaps Greenland is what DEVO-MAX would look like for Scotland if that was an option on the 2014 referendum, which it is not. Self-Rule means that Greenland is autonomous except for defence policy, foreign policy, and it uses the Kroner for the currency.

Anyway, Richardoe is asking about the EU. As a Scot we want into the EU if there is independence, and we definitely want OUT of the UK if it decides to leave the EU. Cameron could be the Tory that rules over the dissolution of the UK if he is not careful.

[Greenman]

Didn't vote in 1975 as was only 9 then but IF and it's a big IF Cameron wins another term(and I bloody hope he doesn't) and IF we are given a referendum, I will vote IN but I think the EU needs reforming with Brussels having too much say over other countries. It's a bit like Yes, Minister when Sir Humphrey Appleby is explaining why we went into the Common Market "It was so we could shake everything up and make a complete pig's breakfast of it!" Well the other countries are doing that now and we are just watching. One thing must be paramount, we WON'T join the Euro.

[mizlaplan]

I think we should stay in but the EU needs to realise that it functions best as a bloc of independant nations which each have autonomy and control of their own security/finances.

[Mad Koala Bear]

Originally Posted by richardoe

Hello everyone, I joined the other day and I thought it was about time I started a thread.

David Cameron has said that should the Conservative party win the next election there will be a referendum about Britains membership of the European Union. And it will apparently be an in or out referendum.

So how do the British members of this forum feel about our membership of the EU? Did anyone have a vote in 75? I didnt as I was 13.

Anyway as for me I will be voting no. I feel that we showed never have joined in the first place, and that governments since we joined have lied to us. Did anyone realise that the EEC which was basically a trading bloc similar to NAFTA become almost one nation?

And if anyones interested one country has left the EU, Greenland. But in fact Greenland is in North America anyway!!!

Greenland is an autonomous self governing part of Denmark, not a sovereign country. Though it left the EU in 1979 there are suggestions that it might in the not too distant future rejoin.

As for my opinion whether to stay in or not, I am definitely for remaining in the EU. That is not to say there aren't things that could be better, such as accountability and the agricultural policy, but need for reform is no reason to abandon it. What has the EU done for us? Provide 57% of our trade, funding for areas in decline, clean beaches and rivers and air, lead free petrol, restrictions on land-fill, a recycling culture, cheaper mobile phone charges, cheaper air travel, improved consumer protection and food labelling, a ban on growth hormones and other harmful additives in food, better product safety, single market competition, patent and copyright protection, customs free export throughout the single market, freedom to travel, live and work across Europe, access to pan -European health care, labour protection and improved social welfare, smoke-free workplaces, equal pay legislation, holiday entitlement, the right not to have to work more than a 48 hour week without overtime, strong wildlife protection, improved animal welfare , European wide research funding and collaboration, a biggewr voice in international forums, European arrest warrant, cross border cooperation against human trafficking and arms smuggling, counter terrorism intelligence, civil and military co-operation in post conflict zones in Europe and Africa, support for democracy across Europe and beyond, large investment across Europe to improve living standards , education levels and cultural matters, helped raise 13 new member states to better political, economic and social levels after the fall of communism and not forgetting the foundation of peace amongst neighbours who have experienced centuries of conflict. All this for around £7bn a year out of a total UK government expenditure of around £695bn. Not bad value I think.

[richardoe]

And dont get me started on Scotland leaving the UK, or as until 1801 it was the United Kingdom of Great Britain ie England and Scotland so IMHO should Scotland split then that means England will be independent too!!!

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Greenman

...One thing must be paramount, we WON'T join the Euro.

Why not?