The question that they don't want to answer.

Anthony Butcher · 10-12-2004, 01:12 AM

In my soiree onto the Lid Dem youth forum, I have now asked the same question three times:

Do you think that the British people would vote to join the EU now, if we weren't currently members?

No one on that board will answer that question, because the only honest answer is 'no'. It is obviously something that makes them uncomfortable, and adds a great deal of weight to the argument that we shouldn't be in the EU regardless of all other arguments.

Julian Morrison · 10-12-2004, 02:07 AM

Not just "no" but "hell no". The countries joining the EU either want a strategic counterbalance to Russia, or are poor and expect to get a leg-up. Neither of the above would apply.

Single currency? Maybe, but it would be the Dollar.

EP Employee · 10-12-2004, 11:49 AM

One Lib Dem has said "yes, if it weren't for the foreign-owned media". Er... no particular comment needed, I think. However, I've done a lot of work with politically-neutral constituency groups back in the UK and overwhelmingly (and, encouragingly - mostly from young groups) people have been anti-EU. Up in the seventy / eighty percents, I'd say.

I think most people see the EU For what it is is: meddling, interfering, bureaucratic. I think it's that element of the EU the general public object to most.

mkpdavies · 10-12-2004, 12:37 PM

It depends on the scare tactics used by the government. If hadn't have joined Britain may now be fat and too smug, with it's fishing industry still in tact, still in full control of it's borders, and able to make and uphold laws that it wants.

Immigration would be a minor issue, rather than a community damaging one, and for this reason there would be a lot less animosity from both sides.

We would be richer, and more productive with no red tape or expensive directives being forced on us. Business would not have wasted millions getting ready fot the Euro. We would be eating cheaper, better quality food and VAT would be just a bogey tax that we had to pay when we went on holiday.

No regional assemblies, saving even more cash, and all the money saved from our subscription fee. All this would mean less unemployment, better services and a richer population.

No scrap my orginal assertion, Britain would never even contemplate signing up to the EU. What have the last few generations done!!! Time to make amends people!

Anthony Butcher · 10-12-2004, 02:31 PM

Quote:

One Lib Dem has said "yes, if it weren't for the foreign-owned media".

He was the first to answer... and I don't think that it was an honest answer. I bet that the result of such a referendum would be comparable to the North East referendum result.

Nigel Garage · 10-12-2004, 02:41 PM

Isn't it interesting how those who criticise us for being "xenophobic" are the first to complain about 'foreigners' owning our newspapers?

I gave a talk about UKIP to the 6th form at a local school last week, and when they took a vote at the end on whether we should withdraw from the EU, all except one said we should! The young demographic is the most eurosceptic of all, after the 0ver-65s.

doc_cruel · 10-12-2004, 03:30 PM

not all media is foreign.... the Sport abd Desmonds X-rates express are British!

How can a paper have the coutnries interest at heart when the strings are pulled by people with other agendas.... whether owned by a Brit or not?

Tom Wilde · 12-12-2004, 05:33 PM

I think that the Guardian is also British-owned. It has been owned for decades by some sort of independent trust. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop it from being fervently pro-EU most of the time. :roll:

cynic · 13-12-2004, 05:47 PM

The Telegraph is owned by the Barclay Brothers. They are British.

View Poll Results: Do you think that the British people would vote to join the EU now, if we weren't currently members?
Yes	1	6.67%
No	14	93.33%
Don't Know	0	0%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

10-12-2004, 01:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 10,140 Party: None	The question that they don't want to answer. In my soiree onto the Lid Dem youth forum, I have now asked the same question three times: Do you think that the British people would vote to join the EU now, if we weren't currently members? No one on that board will answer that question, because the only honest answer is 'no'. It is obviously something that makes them uncomfortable, and adds a great deal of weight to the argument that we shouldn't be in the EU regardless of all other arguments.

10-12-2004, 12:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,832 Party: Libertarian Party	It depends on the scare tactics used by the government. If hadn't have joined Britain may now be fat and too smug, with it's fishing industry still in tact, still in full control of it's borders, and able to make and uphold laws that it wants. Immigration would be a minor issue, rather than a community damaging one, and for this reason there would be a lot less animosity from both sides. We would be richer, and more productive with no red tape or expensive directives being forced on us. Business would not have wasted millions getting ready fot the Euro. We would be eating cheaper, better quality food and VAT would be just a bogey tax that we had to pay when we went on holiday. No regional assemblies, saving even more cash, and all the money saved from our subscription fee. All this would mean less unemployment, better services and a richer population. No scrap my orginal assertion, Britain would never even contemplate signing up to the EU. What have the last few generations done!!! Time to make amends people! __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

13-12-2004, 05:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
cynic Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 127	Telegraph The Telegraph is owned by the Barclay Brothers. They are British.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-12-2004, 02:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Julian Morrison Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Banbury, England Posts: 198	Not just "no" but "hell no". The countries joining the EU either want a strategic counterbalance to Russia, or are poor and expect to get a leg-up. Neither of the above would apply. Single currency? Maybe, but it would be the Dollar.

10-12-2004, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
EP Employee Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 55	One Lib Dem has said "yes, if it weren't for the foreign-owned media". Er... no particular comment needed, I think. However, I've done a lot of work with politically-neutral constituency groups back in the UK and overwhelmingly (and, encouragingly - mostly from young groups) people have been anti-EU. Up in the seventy / eighty percents, I'd say. I think most people see the EU For what it is is: meddling, interfering, bureaucratic. I think it's that element of the EU the general public object to most.

10-12-2004, 02:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nigel Garage Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ashford Posts: 557	Isn't it interesting how those who criticise us for being "xenophobic" are the first to complain about 'foreigners' owning our newspapers? I gave a talk about UKIP to the 6th form at a local school last week, and when they took a vote at the end on whether we should withdraw from the EU, all except one said we should! The young demographic is the most eurosceptic of all, after the 0ver-65s.

10-12-2004, 03:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
doc_cruel Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 213	not all media is foreign.... the Sport abd Desmonds X-rates express are British! How can a paper have the coutnries interest at heart when the strings are pulled by people with other agendas.... whether owned by a Brit or not?

12-12-2004, 05:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tom Wilde Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London. Posts: 2,887	I think that the Guardian is also British-owned. It has been owned for decades by some sort of independent trust. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop it from being fervently pro-EU most of the time. :roll: