tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post1812531870651325610..comments2023-10-10T15:39:35.168+00:00Comments on Centre for European Reform: Britain on the edge of EuropeCentre for European Reformhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06815454225955436329noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-18474772327154334202011-12-14T17:23:34.579+00:002011-12-14T17:23:34.579+00:00What a ridiculous situation. Cameron simply (and I...What a ridiculous situation. Cameron simply (and I use that word advisedly) wanted to look 'strong' & acted with no integrity, sense or decency. I am furious with him.Myselfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17861427955069797464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1103846044049004442011-12-14T13:07:37.685+00:002011-12-14T13:07:37.685+00:00The Tragedy is not the UK's alone. It is bad f...The Tragedy is not the UK's alone. It is bad for the other 26 that the UK is not on board. The amendments to the treaty were centred on the need to tighten and harmonise Fiscal control. There was no need to reject the UK's requests for protection for the City. But the UK voice was not heard. Clearly the UK has no or little influence within the EU. While other countries take on board exactly what they have signed up to and the hard discipline and austerity it will cause, many will start to look at the UK's position (within the EU but outside the EURO mess) with envy. It would have been better if the 26 listened to the UK and took in her requests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-71029493357599659512011-12-14T09:40:13.980+00:002011-12-14T09:40:13.980+00:00Charles is spot-on. The point about the EU is that...Charles is spot-on. The point about the EU is that it is fundamentally a political project. The issue of protecting the City is just that a detail. Decades of careful balancing of national interests, of back-room deals, of endless meetings to resolve conflicts have ensured that the EU, however clumsy, does function. What we mustn't forget is that it has ensured over 60 years of peace and progress from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. This is what Cameron flippantly throws away as a bone to the bulldogsMark Greenwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-71278713684249388632011-12-14T04:47:03.979+00:002011-12-14T04:47:03.979+00:00making such a stupid decisions is a old habbit of ...making such a stupid decisions is a old habbit of EU.packers and movers ludhianahttp://www.abiinternationalpackers.com/ABI/Default.aspxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-12556977986539772492011-12-12T16:07:24.165+00:002011-12-12T16:07:24.165+00:00This lunatic decision by Cameron has left me total...This lunatic decision by Cameron has left me totally frustrated. How or what can any supporter of Europe do now to get the UK back to the EU table where it belongs and use its voice to make the EU work for all member countries?Michael Rossetternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1405385872051910752011-12-12T00:43:57.331+00:002011-12-12T00:43:57.331+00:00I find your reassurances that somehow the UK would...I find your reassurances that somehow the UK would not find itself isolated if it has accepted the 27 treaty. You state that "Britain has never yet been outvoted on a significant piece of EU financial regulation". Some reassurance to bring back to the UK.wlstncrftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-30923260886718392182011-12-11T17:00:43.272+00:002011-12-11T17:00:43.272+00:00You can always tell a German,
But you cannot tell ...You can always tell a German,<br />But you cannot tell him much.<br />If finance were just rocket science<br />You would'nt need to tell him much.<br />" V2 haff cures for Euros trouble:<br />Reduce der City again to rubble.<br />Mit bottled-out Vichy France on board <br />We'll soon pour Club Med down the drain.<br />Then einmal noch we'll turn back East<br />And on the Russki's markets feast.<br />As for the sandwich in between-<br />A Magyr, Polski, semi slavic horde,<br />Let's hope the meat is good and lean.<br /> <br />B.B.Q. Grill Parser.<br />Inichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14496234451200864125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-55669226368157428402011-12-11T14:43:45.033+00:002011-12-11T14:43:45.033+00:00The tragedy for me is that this was entirely avoid...The tragedy for me is that this was entirely avoidable. Talk to anyone in the 27 Permanent Representations or the institutions in Brussels and you will very likely hear them say how influential Britain can be, and how much they respect the efficiency and effectiveness of our negotiating. <br /><br />Cameron's no in the small hours of Friday morning is a huge blow not only to our place in Europe, but to the structure of multilateral relations through which we exercise influence internationally. We have been left looking vulnerable and weak.<br /><br />Whose national interest is that defending?Nick Wrighthttp://yetanotherpoliticsjunkie.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-53715591799370873172011-12-11T01:54:44.817+00:002011-12-11T01:54:44.817+00:00As an American who watches this from afar, this is...As an American who watches this from afar, this is a sad day for the United Kingdom and the European Union. <br /><br />Europe risks becoming less relevant in a world that really needs the voice and point of view of Europe on so many issues. While the EU struggles, Brazil, China, India, the U.S. will move on, none the better I might add if the EU is not at the table.<br /><br />For the UK this is an amazing time. A country that has contributed so much to the betterment of the EU now heads for the sidelines. I hate to say this but the U.K. will be nothing more than a middlin country if it spends much time on the sidelines. <br /><br />David Cameron seems to have bowed to the U.K. version of the loony Tea Party in the U.S. as well as the City of London.Prof. Don C. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05079378897055800324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-72958947294817416912011-12-10T10:41:25.248+00:002011-12-10T10:41:25.248+00:00What can pro-European Britons do to prevent this l...What can pro-European Britons do to prevent this lamentable outcome, with not a single political party in the country seemingly committed to a European future?<br /><br />I wish I knew...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-61693628851569322302011-12-10T10:00:51.562+00:002011-12-10T10:00:51.562+00:00This from a government that includes the most pro-...This from a government that includes the most pro-European of the three main polical parties. Another nail in the coffin for Lib Dem influence and a bitter lesson for those who favoured the alliance with the Tories.Julie Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-28595221055531281692011-12-09T23:06:51.781+00:002011-12-09T23:06:51.781+00:00This analysis is spot on and desperately disquieti...This analysis is spot on and desperately disquieting. As a veteran of years of EU negotiations I am certain that with more subtle and better informed negotiating techniques, and without the strident posturing, Cameron could have got a deal at the EU-27 level which included adequate protection for the city. Instead he got nothing and lost much, much more, leaving Britain, as John Major put it at Chatham House last month, on the fringe of Europe and "shouting in through the door". Indeed I am even more pessimistic than the article, because the agreement at the level of the 17 will take time to negotiate, may be further delayed by British-inspired haggling over institutional issues, and when implemented may well not be enough to preserve the Euro which will collapse anyway, exposing the UK to calamitous economic knock-on effects. And all to please Bill Cash. Big deal.Michael Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-63562302803642373442011-12-09T19:43:12.030+00:002011-12-09T19:43:12.030+00:00I believe this shows where all the internal debate...I believe this shows where all the internal debates stem from. The inability of the EU27 to reach agreements on many subjects in underlined to a large extend by the British tendency to oppose everything that might jeopardize their national interests, without taking into consideration that a stronger Union might actually strengthen their foreign policies, and enhance their global impact. <br /><br />The UK is fundamental to Europe's economic well-being, and any discourse from a common action will hurt the UK more than benefit it.Eleana Kazakeounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-89321222632446444602011-12-09T19:29:33.930+00:002011-12-09T19:29:33.930+00:00Hi Mr. Charles Grant,
I think the Britain did corr...Hi Mr. Charles Grant,<br />I think the Britain did correct under its past and present conditions. Some EU countries have some potentiall wrong mentalities where you need to evaluate and determine them first of all before trying to move to another step. I mentioned about some of them in my book "Ülkeler Birliği (Countries Union)" in my Facebook:Refet Ramiz address. I suggest you to take a look at it.<br />regards,<br />Dr.Refet RamizAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-61302999008820261932011-12-09T18:22:58.385+00:002011-12-09T18:22:58.385+00:00Unfortunately, the Bulldog Spirit has worked - the...Unfortunately, the Bulldog Spirit has worked - the bulldog is stubborn and not exactly a creature that is associated with intellect.<br />With now 26 countries working as a group, Britain is left with only 29 votes (8.4% of the total votes) when it comes to qualified majority decision about banking regulation in the EU. This means the City can no longer be protected. <br />The only logical step for Cameron is now to abandon the EU completely and seek bilateral agreements.I can't see any EU country wanting to stop the exit.<br />Cameron has overplayed his hand and has fallen into the trap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com