dbd33

Yes, please do. Not waffle about bonding with Trump's America. Actual gains.

I've understood your "people want it because they want it" line of argument but I don't believe that all the Leavers are that stupid. Some of them must have identified a reason why they'd be better off.

DaveLovesDee

And New Orleans is culturally different to bayou country, even though they're both in Louisiana.

Shard

They want to take back control, especially to Parliament. They're not keen that foreign judges make all our laws.

dbd33

Well, yes, places have distinct cultural identities independent of the political system and, in any case, the US is a union of States in which States Rights are hotly debated just as, in the EU, national and minority rights are debated. Some places in America will always be bilingual English/Spanish even though the US has one official language just as, in Canada, all of the country is "bilingual" but French helps little in London ON. Governments can only do so much in the face of an unruly populace. The decline in distinct local cultures is a function of corporate branding, slavish mentalities and the internet, not of the EU; De Gaulle didn't invent McDonalds.

Almost Canadian

Just the leavers, or do you accept that many remainers and, I would suggest, most of the UK electorate would not be able to pass an EU constitutional law exam?

jimf

dbd33

I watched that without sound but, in my head, the dreadlocked cart-wheeler arrived to a background of Haddaway.

Novocastrian

Do you accept that most Leavers wouldn't even pass the Life in the UK test?

Paul_Shepherd

There are marginal diferences between the states in the US, but comparing that to the differing cultures of each country in Europe is like comparing apples and oranges. The Untied States has grown together as a country, because it was born as one country....and in comparitive terns is a new country. Europe and the countries and the individual cultures they possess in comparison is ancient.....1000+ years. How can those cultures be expected to harmonious after less than 50 years....what suits Germany certainly wont suit Greece....their culture is the polar opposite.

The United Kingdom is a different case all together - of which I am a staunch supporter of the UK staying together,. it would be a very very sad day if the UK broke up. When I lived in England, I referred to myself as British first English second. The United Kingdom has been one country for over 400 years, and to all intents and purposes.... one culture....a British one...as we have been together for so long. I have found a good example of this living here in Canada......the first expats to band together are English Scottish Welsh and even Irish to an extent..... and we compare cultural diffrences between Britain and Canada (just like we do on this site).... I haven't seen many examples of a Brit and and an Italiian comparing notes or a Brit and a Spaniard, thats because their cultures are so different.

I love Europe and the Europeans, but I dont understand the United States of Europe concept....maybe some time in the far future, but trying to force such close union in such a short space of time, wont work, and there is no requirement for it other than trade.

But as I said earlier, this is a political subject and people will always see things very differently, its human nature.... whats that old saying...never discuss politics or religion in the pub!! A great rule.



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Almost Canadian

Not if it had been set by you

BristolUK

Do you think the people of any country are willing to experience the last three years that the UK has?

It's an interesting question but I suspect that the people failing to reach a pass mark would be split into two groups. Those not knowing an answer or only some of the answers and the other group believing the wrong answer.

The first group would be far more likely and willing to discover the correct answers than the second group who would be utterly convinced that theiir answer was right and that anything else was fake news.

That's my unbiased opinion anyway.

Shard

dbd33

But Brexit risks breaking up the UK. Scotland may leave, Ireland may be unified - remaining risks neither.

The other half of this argument, that Greece and Germany cannot live harmoniously within the EU would seem disproven by history but how would they be more harmonious if one of them left?

Again, I'm not seeing a benefit to leave. The only one advanced so far is the dubious benefit of being able to keep out more of the foreigns.

scrubbedexpat142

Your knowledge & perceptions are way off the mark.

Shard

Yes, way off. TBF, Paul lives in Canada, and as he has explained, many of his UK relatives are Leavers.