camk

I'm for Europe on account that if we don't take part we'll be left behind. Alignment with the US is not going to happen under the current administration in the US as they are looking increasingly isolationalist and inward looking e.g. Kyoto/Missile Defence.
There are many examples on both sides e.g car prices !!. I don't think we need to rush into it just keep it on the agenda. BTW I go to full euros in Germany in Jan next year....At least all those rip off exchange centres will be finished, they run at over a 10% spread between buy and sell so every penny that comes to them they skim 10% from....


Cammy

philc

here's my bob's worth (or should that be euro's worth) from afar.

it appears the main benficiary of a separate u.k. currency is the likes of George Soros who makes gazillions trading on currency fluctations - take away the different currencies and bang goes George's money-making machine.

as to doshing out money to basket-case economies, i sometimes wonder if the N.Ireland conflict came to a grinding halt 'cos things south of the border in Eire started looking very rosey due to massive euro investment; being part of a strong, economy is a huge dis-incentive to causing mayhem.

and if the euro investment in Eire is even partially responsible for the truce in the irish troubles, then euro investments have got my vote .....

Geezer

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jerome:
<B>Geezer,

I couldn't resist replying to your post.

And when you say "most of our trade", it's just over half, I believe.

[/quote]

Jerome,

Which, as I remember from fundamental mathematics, is most, I believe?

Geezer

Jerome

Geezer,

All right smarty pants , so 50.00000000001% is *most*, but the point I was making it isn't the vast majority. We shouldn't forget that trade outside the EU is still a significant portion of our trade.

I was always super crap at maths anyway...

Mick

iTrader: (1)

I don't have any sentimentality about the Pound (well maybe a little bit ). What I am mainly concerned about is the accelerating erosion of the right of self government of this country.

If there were an open 'European government' that would be one thing, but the fact is that most of the real power in Europe is wielded behind closed doors! In my book that is NOT ACCEPTABLE! Anyone trying to cajole or push us in that direction is to be resisted very strongly

Mick

Geezer

I don't really mind either way, but I must admit I don't want to become part a greater European super state.

Some experts say that it will be much better for us, other say it will be much worse for us. How can two people be experts on the same subject if they come to different conclusions from the same input data/evidence? It's bollox!

Either way, when the time comes, you will get your chance to accept or reject it in a referendum, so all those people who couldn't be arsed to vote in the election had better do it this time round, because there is a bit more at stake than the Labour-Tories or the Tory-Tories!

Geezer

Jaggy Bunnet

Get ready for the real fun - from the year 2015, the EU plans to make it illegal to drive on the left. Can't wait for the changeover day

JB

ca

Two fundamental points in my eyes:

1. Referendum. If the people say NO then the question will be re-asked later. A YES vote is forever. A NO vote is just until they think they can wangle a YES vote. Once we are in, we have no means by which to control our own economy, i.e. interest rates.

2. Pension funding. Ever wondered why the Germans are dead keen to have us in the euro zone? So they can get their hands on our pension funds. The majority of the UK pension funds are privately funded. Nearly all of our European parteners have pensions provided by the state. They haven't made the break between state earnings and pension provision like Mararet Thatcher did (rightly or wrongly!) - the bottom line is that if we join the Euro our assests will go into a big pot. Germany and France et al simply won't have the money (which comes from tax revenue of the day) to continue to pay their pensioners their pensions. It is estimated that within 15 years France's pension payments will be 175% of their GDP!

C

boomer

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by ca:
<B>If the people say NO then the question will be re-asked later. A YES vote is forever. A NO vote is just until they think they can wangle a YES vote.[/quote]

Very frightening, but <B>very</B> true!!!

If you are in the slightest bit worried - VOTE <B>NO</B> - otherwise it you will not get a chance to change your mind!!!!

mb