Should the UK leave the European Union?
By gary236
@gary236 (83)
December 3, 2006 10:57am CST
The UK is the fourth largest economy in the world and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. When you bear this in mind, it would seem astonishing that the UK is not actually an independent country. "But they are," I hear you cry. However let's look at the reality of the situation.
The vast majority (70%) of UK law is now made in Brussels by the EU. Aaa but there is a democratically elected European Parliament! Well, they only have an advisory role. The law is decided by the unelected European Commission and automatically takes precedent over UK law. What's more, the UK pays 12 billion pounds a year into it, all to fund French farmers and to rebuild second rate eastern European countries. We get mass immigration in return and a lack of sovereignty! Once more the EU is corrupt and its accounts have never been transparent.
The British people want out. What do people here think?
2 people like this
5 responses
@marmalaide (470)
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3 Dec 06
I'm British and I certainly don't want out, don't presume to speak for me! I suppose you'd rather be the 51st state of America, well count me out. Geographically, historically and culturally we have always been entwined with Europe, seeing as how the US didn't even exist until a couple of hundred years ago. Americans sitting on the other side of the Atlantic can afford to pretend Europe doesn't exist, but we can't.
The reason all these eastern European countries are 'second-rate' and need extra help from their richer neighbours is because they were run down for decades under communist dictatorships which destroyed their own economies. If you're so in favour of democracy you should want to help them rebuild. Also, if the EU doesn't help rebuild those countries we'll get even more immigrants wanting to live here instead of there, so if 'mass immigration' is your concern then isn't it in your own interests to make Poland and Bulgaria better places to live?
@gary236 (83)
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3 Dec 06
This is a terrific post which I'm very grateful for.
First of all, I don't buy this notion that UK should be with either USA or Europe. Leaving EU does not mean there will be no co-operation with Europe. And I am in favour of the relationship with USA Thatcher had - eg USA opposed Falklands War and we opposed Libya bombing in 1986.
I agree about the reason for the struggles for the E. European countries but the best way for them is to not give up their independence and stand on their own two feet. And as for desirability to live; most people in UK would probably love to live in Australia but they have proper controls on immigration - why can't we have the same? Why won't Bliar listen to the people?
And I never said every British person wants to leave EU but whether you are a Europhile or a Eurosceptic, you have to admit the fact that were there to be a referendum tomorrow, the UK would leave (not that that necessarily means it would be a good thing).
@moneyseeker (1024)
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3 Dec 06
Let's get out of the European Union as soon as possible otherwise we'll end up as a 'state' of the United States of Europe.
There's a lot of unknown influences behind the EU who looking after their own interests.
