Johnny Bognor

You are displaying your own limited experience and views here. I lived in Paris for 5 years during the 80’s. Travelling frequently between the UK and France, at least 20 times per year. Then with holidays etc, I was a frequent traveller to the continent and further afield. EHIC - It's ok f you're young and healthy but just wait until you get older and start to have medical conditions and a complicated medical history. Insurance can cost well into four figures. So old people with conditions don’t travel to the US, Asia, etc etc? If they do, they will already have the insurance Travel insurance - Not an expensive purchase? See above. For those who probably shouldn’t be travelling with such serious conditions More than 90 days - Many people lead a dual existence between different countries. How many people do you actually know? As it happens, my parents lived in France/UK and Spain/UK throughout the 80’s. Nowhere near as bad as you suggest EU driving - You obviously don't remeber the bad old days. Two type of international driving licence needed and geen cards for insurance. I didn’t drive back then, but both my parents did. I never remember them complaining. In fact I’ve just asked my Dad. Nowhere near as bad as you suggest, at all. Immigration queues - "Might take a bit longer outbound" Just a 'bit'? Try two or three hours. You must be too young to remember the bad old days. I never waited 2-3 hours in hundreds of trips in the 80’s. In fact I’ve never waited 2-3 hours anywhere in my life and I’ve travelled all over the world from Asia, Europe, US (I used to work out there), etc etc Pet passport - Just because you don't have a pet doesn't mean that many, many others don't. I know several people that do. Can you actually, hand on heart, name ONE person you know that has taken a pet abroad? A friend of mine, once took a dog to Switzerland, in 1995

I guess how you view things is whether you are a half empty or half full type of person

There were clear constitutional constraints for the French, requiring a referendum if there was a change to their constitution, but where did that get them when they said NO? So forgive me, if I am not filled with any confidence that any future constraints will be effectual. The ultimate vision of the eurocrats is for ever closer integration. That is their goal and it is not something I (or many leavers) subscribe to. The change may be incremental (in fact it has to be, to minimise any opposition), but no one, not even you me old pedigree chum, can tell me what the EU will look like in say 5, 10, 15, or 20 years time? Therefore, you didn't really know what you were voting for either.

Both. The EU fundamentally changed after the EU Constitution (Ahem, sorry Lisbon Treaty). We were never asked. The Eurozone has changed in terms of accession countries. The last time the people were asked (French, Dutch, Irish), they all said NO. But it carried on regardless. Scandalous!!! How anyone can defend that is beyond me. And it goes back to what does remain really mean? Is it the final destination? Or is it signing up to the journey towards that destination? Or does it mean keeping things as they are? FWIW, when I considered voting remain, I was thinking vote for the status quo. Dont rock the boat. I quickly realised there was no status quo, so switched sides

Bolting the door after the horse has bolted. Much power has already been transferred thanks to the Lisbon Treaty (ahem... EU constitution). We weren't asked then. Because we all know what the answer would have been. The French and Dutch were asked but said no. Along with the Irish. A number of countries cancelled their referendums, again because everyone knew it would be a fat resounding NO. But the EU project carried on regardless.... It's scandalous how the EU has got so far, ignoring the will of European peoples....

Not really. Look at how the EU has changed over the last 10 years. Do you honestly believe that the EU will be as David Cameron envisioned it, in 10 years time? Will it look the same in 10 years time? Of course it won't. What will it look like? Who knows? So my point stands in that there are remainers who didn't really know what they were voting for.

To be fair, it was not really clear what remain meant. The status quo / don't rock the boat? Further integration? Full integration into an EU superstate? Remain was as little defined, as was leave.

So 85% of your business trades with countries with whom there are no trade deals??? And you're asking what the benefits are of no deal with the EU???? Conversely, 15% of your business is possibly going to be subject to tariffs. But if your service is superior to your EU counterparts, you should win through. If not, spend less time on here and focus on how your service can be best-of-breed. Just sayin.... (also, a further fall in the pound will probably offset the effect of tariffs)

As for the Labour party. Remember "No more boom and bust", just before the biggest bust in history. Nice one Gordon Brown

I know many remainers who voted remain as they see the EU as a way of safe guarding the UK from successive Tory governments I guess there are weirdos on both sides of the argument

Automation... we're all doomed. I noticed at Goodwood this year, more people than ever were sat placing bets on their mobile apps, rather than using the course bookies. Why leave your seat at the bar to fight your way through the crowds to bet.... ... although it is more satisfying collecting your cash from the bookie whilst looking them straight in the eye. Just watching your balance go up or down on your phone, just isn't the same

The should take the money, then come back Nov 1st and spend that money in the UK

I didn't. Got better things to do LOL

Class... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48839829

Old News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48787165 Ford plans to have shed six manufacturing plants by the end of next year. These include: The proposed closure of the Bridgend Engine Plant in south Wales The closure of the Ford Aquitaine Industries Transmission Plant in France The closure of the Naberezhnye Chelny Assembly, St Petersburg Assembly and Elabuga Engine Plant in Russia The sale of the Kechnec Transmission Plant in Slovakia to Magna. The company is also carrying out shift reductions at its assembly plants in Saarlouis, Germany, and Valencia, Spain.

They must do. She aint after my bank balance LOL

5'3 and brings me joy... as per the thread title ;-)

My 21 year old girlfriend

Ed Milliband was a joke. Hard not to mock him/them. David Milliband however ... would have been a different prospect. We would be under Labour now if that had happened

Yes they are. A weak opposition leads to weak inept government. Some people vote Tory, not because they want them in power, but because the alternative is even worse. British politics overall is failing... the tories of course are as much to blame as anyone else. But a strong credible opposition would either keep the tories on their toes or provide a decent alternative. So Corbyn et al are part of the problem and not a solution to the problem

They're one of your own, thought you'd like it :lol::lol:

To be fair, the health systems are private across Europe. We would be more likely to have to fall into line with them and privatise, as part of the EU. At least outside it, we have some control. Healthcare is a national competence, not the remit of the EU. Right? Yes and No. Rulings from the European Court of Justice, and the European Commission’s policies of recent years, mean that “Services delivered by national health systems are, as a rule, now considered as an economic activity”.1 For a long time, member states argued healthcare is not an economic activity, as most providers do not intend to make a profit.2 But its treatment as one means EU rules on the internal market (free movement of goods, persons, capital and services), public procurement and state aid, in principle apply to healthcare services. https://www.sochealth.co.uk/2017/07/04/creeping-privatisation-healthcare/

The French never wanted the EU, they rejected the EU Constitution 55%/45%. But the powers that be knew better, changed the name to the Lisbon Treaty and steam rollered it through against the will of the people. A disgusting and blatant move against democracy. In a recent survey by the CSA Institute, 67% of the French don't support the EU, so it's not just the youth. And with the Italian deputy prime minister now providing vocal support for the yellow vests, the cracks are beginning to show. All is not well in Europe...... there won't be an EU left to leave at this rate LOL

Every commissioner in Juncker’s cabinet, known as the college, is white. Less than 3% of MEP's are from ethnic minorities... Whilst remainers cosy up to the EU racists??? https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...f-racism-in-eu Note racism is the lowest in the UK, according to the EU themselves. As for the EU institutions, they are institutionally racist by their own admission: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/27/eu-criticised-leaving-out-ethnic-minorities-diversity-drive It's serious enough for the EU to conduct a survey FFS I would love that. Love it love it love it