NicoleLondon

Apparently there will be a referendum in 2017, can't hide my apprehension as IMHO it would be a disaster...
There are 1.7 million of Britons in EU. What is going to happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25740462

Garbatellamike

Nicole,

if I were you I would not worry about it.

A. Cameron has to win an election, not very likely even though Balls is campaigning most strongly for a Conservative victory at the moment.

B. There is no reason to suppose Cameron is any more honest and less decietful than Brown and will actually have the referendum if he thinks the result will go against him.

C. British politicians are all for a referendum when they think the people will support their view, which is why we have so few referenda imho.

D. The tentacles of the EU burocrazia stretch far and wide, therefore, the complexity of the legal issues mean it will take decades to extract a country.

E. Years of negotiation would be required by which time so meone who has a burning desire to be European President will take UK back in without a referendum.

tranquillo tranquillo

Pinco Pallino

You can be sure that the remaining members of the EU will not look upon us kindly if this actually goes ahead – and as extracomunitari we'll be sure to lose all our privileges and rights in Italy.

Still, the Daily Mail etc. is trying to convince us that the with regards to the EU, the UK will have all the advantages of Switzerland and Norway, whilst remaining the USA's special chum in Europe (and become China's too)!

I could rant on … but won't!

Domino

and Honda will move their UK plant to the mainland

NicoleLondon

and Nissan, and Unilever, and Ford...

Garbatellamike

Interesting I read today that the new Fiat HQ will be in London for tax and 5 other (unspecified) reasons

Garbatellamike

more here on fiat move to UK:

FIAT+Chrysler=FCA: merger leads to the creation of new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Legal headquarters to be in the Netherlands, and tax HQ in the UK. Elkann comments that this is the way they will tackle the future. Map of production plants and the States in which to pay taxes does not change (CorSera 1,8-9, Fatto 6). FIAT goes global and Sergio Marchionne confirms he will continue to lead the company for another 3 years, then his successor may be chosen within the company (Stampa 4, Rai News 24). Italian PM Letta comments that the tax and legal seats are secondary issues: what matters is the employment it offers in Italy (Stampa 5), but CGIL trade union is critical (Rep 12-13). FIAT has chosen the UK as its tax home as the UK govt has since 2010 started a reform of taxation on businesses to attract foreign investment and encourage corporations to place their headquarters in the UK (Sole 3).