EU Referendum vote.
#46
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Your assumption is that the EEA is the optimal economic relationship for Britain. The Eurosceptics are suggesting that Britain could do equally well by trading with the EEA As an outsider and instead building stronger economic links with the Americas, Asia and the Commonwealth. It's not a perverse position to take. However one would need to see a comparative analysis before deciding which economic path may be more fruitful.
Dream on, and anticipate the "City" meaning Frankfurt in 2018.
#47
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Thanks for this. So, there are seriously taken people who argue that the UK would be able to sustain it's trade relationship with the EEA from outside? In the face of tariffs? Do any of them give credible comparative examples?
Dream on, and anticipate the "City" meaning Frankfurt in 2018.
Dream on, and anticipate the "City" meaning Frankfurt in 2018.
London also has competitive advantage in being a financial marketplace because of the English language and the depth of expertise (financial and legal). That's not to say it would be impossible for a European centre to usurp london, but it would not be automatic as you suggest. Indeed, protection of the City is one of the planks of the Eurosceptics argument.
#48
Re: EU Referendum vote.
That's a simplistic analysis. Who is to say what tariffs might arise? Keep in mid the UK is a significant importer of European goods given the population size and wealth.
London also has competitive advantage in being a financial marketplace because of the English language and the depth of expertise (financial and legal). That's not to say it would be impossible for a European centre to usurp london, but it would not be automatic as you suggest. Indeed, protection of the City is one of the planks of the Eurosceptics argument.
London also has competitive advantage in being a financial marketplace because of the English language and the depth of expertise (financial and legal). That's not to say it would be impossible for a European centre to usurp london, but it would not be automatic as you suggest. Indeed, protection of the City is one of the planks of the Eurosceptics argument.
The referendum will be about the latter and unless accompanied by the former will make a difference only in so far as the UK abrogates power to determine it's economic and political future.
#49
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Are you suggesting that the perfectly fluent Johnny Foreigner in Frankfurt or Paris is somehow at a disadvantage vis a vis a bumbling Etonian in London?
If so why? Especially since the true language of commerce is mathematics.
#50
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Huh? If international financial stuff is conducted largely in English, which it is, why does that give London an advantage?
Are you suggesting that the perfectly fluent Johnny Foreigner in Frankfurt or Paris is somehow at a disadvantage vis a vis a bumbling Etonian in London?
If so why? Especially since the true language of commerce is mathematics.
Are you suggesting that the perfectly fluent Johnny Foreigner in Frankfurt or Paris is somehow at a disadvantage vis a vis a bumbling Etonian in London?
If so why? Especially since the true language of commerce is mathematics.
Incidentally, the language of commerce is not purely mathematics, law and relationships play a big part too.
#51
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Surely you're bright enough to understand the difference between perceived uniqueness and Exceptionalism? Perhaps not.
I acknowledge the weakness of my personal vs national voting rights point, but surely the UK as, I think the 4th or 5th largest (or 6th?), largest economy in the EU should be able to exert significant influence in the policy making.
If in fact they can't, at least part of the explanation is their negative, abrasive attitudes under Conservative governments since Thatcher.
I acknowledge the weakness of my personal vs national voting rights point, but surely the UK as, I think the 4th or 5th largest (or 6th?), largest economy in the EU should be able to exert significant influence in the policy making.
If in fact they can't, at least part of the explanation is their negative, abrasive attitudes under Conservative governments since Thatcher.
Never seen any ranking with UK as 6th biggest. Where is that from?
So it's down in part (other reasons unstated) due to "conservative governments since Thatcher" ie 7 years of J.M. and 5 years of D.C. Neither of those could reasonably be considered to be particularly negative or abrasive. What were the triumphs of the T.B. EU friendly approach?
#52
Re: EU Referendum vote.
So it's down in part (other reasons unstated) due to "conservative governments since Thatcher" ie 7 years of J.M. and 5 years of D.C. Neither of those could reasonably be considered to be particularly negative or abrasive. What were the triumphs of the T.B. EU friendly approach?
#53
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: EU Referendum vote.
Surely the more worrying aspect of all of this is that the whole nature of 'Europe'
looks set to change. Germany and France will not sit back and just take all this shilly shallying....the Dutch have been looking at, and discussing, the financial ramifications of leaving Europe for some years now...there is a general European malaise that is only being made worse by the Greeks and the thoughts of having Turkey on board. Europe is fractured, it needs the spirit of unification to grow.
The EU needs to address the fact that many of its member states are unhappy and feel anxious. Somebody (Merkel?) needs to be getting us all pulling in the same direction.
looks set to change. Germany and France will not sit back and just take all this shilly shallying....the Dutch have been looking at, and discussing, the financial ramifications of leaving Europe for some years now...there is a general European malaise that is only being made worse by the Greeks and the thoughts of having Turkey on board. Europe is fractured, it needs the spirit of unification to grow.
The EU needs to address the fact that many of its member states are unhappy and feel anxious. Somebody (Merkel?) needs to be getting us all pulling in the same direction.
#54
Re: EU Referendum vote.
I think at some stage they have to acknowledge that the two-tier Europe is a real problem they need to address.
Surely the more worrying aspect of all of this is that the whole nature of 'Europe'
looks set to change. Germany and France will not sit back and just take all this shilly shallying....the Dutch have been looking at, and discussing, the financial ramifications of leaving Europe for some years now...there is a general European malaise that is only being made worse by the Greeks and the thoughts of having Turkey on board. Europe is fractured, it needs the spirit of unification to grow.
The EU needs to address the fact that many of its member states are unhappy and feel anxious. Somebody (Merkel?) needs to be getting us all pulling in the same direction.
looks set to change. Germany and France will not sit back and just take all this shilly shallying....the Dutch have been looking at, and discussing, the financial ramifications of leaving Europe for some years now...there is a general European malaise that is only being made worse by the Greeks and the thoughts of having Turkey on board. Europe is fractured, it needs the spirit of unification to grow.
The EU needs to address the fact that many of its member states are unhappy and feel anxious. Somebody (Merkel?) needs to be getting us all pulling in the same direction.
#56
Re: EU Referendum vote.
It's the only solution- there's nothing wrong with sleeping under a tree all day. But you can't get the same benefits as working in a factory every day.
So a northern industrial Europe and a southern Mediterranean Europe with no trade barriers but restrictions on financial and social links might just work. And would give the French a delicious dilemma.
So a northern industrial Europe and a southern Mediterranean Europe with no trade barriers but restrictions on financial and social links might just work. And would give the French a delicious dilemma.