BritInParis

The British are an inherently conservative people. Like the Scottish referendum there will be lots of unsubstantiated rhetoric on both sides and the opinion polls will make a last minute lurch to Brexit but when it comes to it the vote will be split 60/40 in the favour of the status quo.

Fredbargate

I left pre-Thatcher and I am happy with the passport issued by my adopted country

olivefarmer

I wonder if history will repeat itself.

After the 1975 referendum con trick, the promises soon were forgotten.

Here was the detail.

1975 Referendum pamphlet

rspltd

Thanks for that. I particularly like the quote"No important new policy can be decided in Brussels or anywhere else without the consent of a British Minister answerable to a British Government and British Parliament.The top decision-making body in the Market is the Council of Ministers, which is composed of senior Ministers representing each of the nine member governments.It is the Council of Ministers, and not the market's officials, who take the important decisions. These decisions can be taken only if all the members of the Council agree. The Minister representing Britain can veto any proposal for a new law or a new tax if he considers it to be against British interests. Ministers from the other Governments have the same right to veto.All the nine member countries also agree that any changes or additions to the Market Treaties must be acceptable to their own Governments and Parliaments.Remember: All the other countries in the Market today enjoy, like us, democratically elected Governments answerable to their own Parliaments and their own voters. They do not want to weaken their Parliaments any more than we would."
Somewhat hollow laugh.

Dick Dasterdly

That was then,this is now.

EU were able to implement all their measures during David Cameron’s first five years | Politics | News | Daily Express

Fredbargate

This is right up to date

None of David Cameron's fellow EU leaders are happy with his reform proposals as they stand, an EU source has told the BBC.

Among the potential sticking points were Mr Cameron's proposals on changing the EU rules to make it easier for member states to band together to block EU laws - and plans to protect non-eurozone countries.

These two demands will need work to be incorporated into future EU treaties.

The EU source said some member states had indicated to European Council President Donald Tusk that they found that "unacceptable"

EU referendum: Leaders 'not happy' with UK reform proposals - BBC News

Dick Dasterdly

Jean-Claude Juncker profile: 'When it becomes serious, you have to lie' - Telegraph


"At the height of the eurozone crisis, Mr Juncker was described as the “master of lies” for organising a meeting of finance ministers to talk about whether Greece could remain in the single currency and then trying to deny it was taking place.
Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung accused Mr Juncker of “taking the lead on the deception” and warned he had managed “to fritter away the last remaining trust the people of Europe still have”.

Mr Juncker has never hidden his view that the compromises and deals being worked out in EU meetings or leaders or ministers need be protected from public scrutiny, by lies if necessary.
"When it becomes serious, you have to lie," he said.

In May 2011, he told a meeting of the federalist European Movement that he often “had to lie” and that eurozone monetary policy should be discussed in “secret, dark debates”."


What a fine example to us all, re democracy, honesty and transparency, is our EU Pres.

calman014

He is a banker..what more could you expect..??