Brexit: the referendum

The Don said:
Which screw ?

In the event that the Leave campaign win I cannot see a positive outcome.

If we do not agree to abide by E.U. laws and accept the free movement of people then we will be denied access to the European free trade area. That means that all of a sudden 50% or so of our exports will be subject to tariffs on entry to the EU and all kinds of extra red tape to demonstrate that they, and all their components adhere to EU standards. We would end up less competitive in Europe and as far as I can see no more competitive in the rest of the world (unless we're suddenly going to reduce wages, employee safety or environmental standards - none of which sound like a "win" to me). In this model the big winners are people like James Dyson who may be able to import his Malaysian manufactured vacuum cleaners into the UK slightly more cheaply.

The alternative model is one in which we opt to remain in the EU free trade area which means that we will be subject to all the rules, have to pay the same "dues" in terms of EU contributions but not receive any funding back from the EU and not be able to influence any of the legislation by which we would have to abide (and probably lose our opt-outs in the process).

The Leave campaign have suggested that we would be able to get some kind of sweetheart deal in which we get all the benefits of EU membership with none of the obligations or costs. This is sheer fantasy as the EU, those familiar with EU law and pretty much all other economic and legal experts agree. People like Dyson and Bamford accept that this is the case but for them it's a price worth paying, in Dyson's case to be able to import to the UK more cheaply, in Bamford's case he's hoping for great deals in the Far East (good luck with that btw).

I don't even know who is supposed to be the winners in the event of a Brexit....

In an attempt to become more "competitive" (i.e. cheaper) post Brexit, U.K. business will trim its cost base which means some combination of lower staff costs, worse working conditions and worse environmental controls. I cannot see how this is a "win" for workers or the public.

When imports from the E.U. become more expensive (as they will in the Farmers' fantasy), that will increase prices overall. In an environment where wages are already being squeezed to make us more "competitive" then it'll be even harder for people to make ends meet.

Ah, but fewer people will mean that houses will be cheaper. Well yes, if you're waiting to get on the property ladder then that MAY be good but because wages will be being squeezed to make us more "competitive" and because interest rates will have to rise to address the tariff induced inflation (unless we're also going to ask the Bank of England not to worry about that :rolleyes:), houses may actually be less affordable (say if prices only drop 20% but interest rates go from 3% to - still below the long term average - 4.5%) so those waiting to get on the property ladder will worse off and millions with home loans will be in negative equity - how is this a "win" ?
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I'd add to this:
Significant migration of UK based companies, especially in the financial sector, to other cities.
Open season on UK exports and the pound by pretty much everyone.
A pissed-off Germany in no mood to coddle the UK.
The necessity to think up a new name for the UK once Scotland jumps ship.
 
The Don said:
Ah, it was most likely a misidentification of Ruth Davidson, all Scottish lady politicians sound the same :p (and it would also explain the alignment of their political positions).
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Nicola Sturgeon is straight, a rarity amongst Scottish political leaders.
ETA: that's in the sexual sense, no implications for the honesty of politicians...
 
In the last ten minutes of The WorldAt One (BBC Radio 4 from 1:0 - 2:0 p.m.) there was someone from a group who predict by some form of betting which correctly predicted Scottish referendum, the last general Election and a few others. He was saying that the remain vote has not dropped below70% for at least a year. I do so hope they are right this time too.
 
I work for a German company, and they have made it clear that in the event of an exit vote, there will no longer be the planned expansions in the UK.
 
Stuart said:
I work for a German company, and they have made it clear that in the event of an exit vote, there will no longer be the planned expansions in the UK.
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That's OK because it will be replaced my inward investment from non-EU countries who would be based here taking advantage of our seamless access to the huge European market ........... :rolleyes:
 
SusanB-M1 said:
In the last ten minutes of The WorldAt One (BBC Radio 4 from 1:0 - 2:0 p.m.) there was someone from a group who predict by some form of betting which correctly predicted Scottish referendum, the last general Election and a few others. He was saying that the remain vote has not dropped below70% for at least a year. I do so hope they are right this time too.
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Probably the Spread Betting firms. They get a few mentions in this Guardian article.
 
CapelDodger said:
That should be monstrous regimen of women.
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Either. Both words have variant spellings.
TThe First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women[1] is a polemical work by the Scottish reformer John Knox, published in 1558. It attacks female monarchs, arguing that rule by females is contrary to the Bible
...
The title employs certain words in spellings and senses that are now archaic. "Monstruous" (from Latin monstruosus) means "unnatural"; "regiment" (Latin regimentum or regimen) means "rule" or "government". The title is frequently found with the spelling slightly modernised, e.g. "monstrous regiment" or "monstrous regimen".​
Wiki. The meaning of the word is closer to the meaning of the modern word "regimen" of course.

ETA Thanks, Rat. I missed your contribution at first.
 
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