ANGLO-STAFFS

They would argue that Cornwall has a British (Celtic), not English culture.
That they have a Gaelic language, (just about). Not helped by the fact the Cornish has four different written forms.
Historically Cornwall was also known as West Wales.
The name Cornwall is an amalgam of Kernow, the native name for the county and wealhas, Old English for foreigner.

Britannist

Retaliation by the EU on economic matters against the UK - when we leave the EU - would be ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The UK, outside the EU, would have its own representation on the WTO again and we could be part of another large trade bloc such as EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and/or NAFTA (North American Free Trade Association). There is also the possibility that we could join the Commonwealth Free Trade Area which some are working to establish.

Membership of another trade group would give the UK added protection if the EU tries to get difficult.

Another point to consider is the fact that EU nations rely on trade with the UK much more than we rely on trade with the EU - we import at least twice as much from EU nations as we export to EU countries. The UK has a huge trade deficit with Germany (to Germany's benefit). One in seven jobs in Germany is in or connected to the car industry and Germany exports more cars to the UK than to any other EU nation. France is also very reliant on trade with the UK - wine, foods, cars and electrical products.

Smidgey

I appreciate your answer Britannist, but I must say that I would never join NAFTA, since it looks as if it is turning into an American version of the EU.

Other than that, I agree.

arden forester

The UK is a member of the WTO as are all other EU member states in their own right. The peculiar thing here is that the EU, or as the WTO calls it "the European Communities" (no doubt harking back to Iron & Steel,etc), is also a member. The WTO conveniently allows both to operate in an overlap situation. The UK has been a member since 1st January 1995 (when the WTO was established) as has the EU.

My understanding is that the WTO is not bothered with whether a country is in or out of something like the EU, so long as they have a trading policy with tariffs and customs laws. One caveat, though. The WTO says "The WTO is ‘member-driven’, with decisions taken by consensus among all member governments." As with all these international groupings, diplomacy is a very important factor, so using our single status on the WTO would require a change in tack on the diplomatic front.

Britannist is right, I think, on the notion that the EU could not take action (in a unilateral sense) but I don't think the word illegal (for WTO action) is correct here, rather that there would be no action taken by the WTO.

With regard to EFTA, I think this organisation is really not as it is flagged up. It is not "a large trade bloc" but a remnant of a trade association that did actually represent free trading aspirations. It now has two Nordic countries, Iceland and Norway and two Alpine countries, Liechenstein and Switzerland. All four are highly individualistic countries with strong internal economies. EFTA now is in their image. When the UK was in EFTA we were in there with Austria, Denmark, Portugal and Sweden. Finland was briefly a member and Spain had a trading arrangement. These six countries are more like the UK in having a diverse economy. EFTA has spent the last 15 years or so developing a relationship with the EU that suits the four countries of EFTA. They take on EU rules and regulations to suit. I'm not sure at all that the UK would fit in to the current model!

NAFTA has not worked totally smoothly for the three participants. The USA is still keen to keep Mexican labour out but bring Mexican capital in. The Canadians pick and choose, and all three do their own thing when they want. There have been successes, but it is patchy.

If we are to have anything, a Commonweath of Europe would cover all the free trade issues, leaving the nations free to develop and pursue policies that suit their own peoples.

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www.westminster-whispers.blogspot.com

Britannist

Thank you for your agreement on this, Smidgey. I hope the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) doesn't turn into an EU version 2.

For the UK, there are always the options of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA - which we left to join the EU) or other trading groups not yet established.

Johnny Hates Jazz

Yes it is current English Democrats policy to campaign in a referendum to leave the European Union (EU) and rejoin EFTA

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English Democrats SAY NO To European Union

English not British not European
- It's time to decide at the 2009 European Elections

arden forester

Well, as I say above, it's a small club for four small countries. That's a pretty bankrupt policy. Just saying, like some Ukippers, that you will "rejoin EFTA" gives the electorate no proper understanding that most of the dodgy rules and regulations of the EU will come back to us in different envelopes!

And it doesn't go anywhere near satisfying what Nigel Farage keeps saying, that "we want a free trade area like we thought we were signing up to".

This sudden rush of blood to the head isn't very dignifying for the English Democrats!

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Britannist

Good. But I notice that you use the word "current" (above), Kentishman. Is this an indication that the above policy of your party might change?

Britannist

But at less cost (than being in the EU) and fewer of them.

And, of course, if the EU gets difficult by trying to impose new import rules - EFTA can do the same back.

Britannist

I would just point out, Arden, that the countries of EFTA have the highest standard of living in the world - higher than the EU average.

Switzerland (an EFTA member) is very democratic with its referendum system - something we need to use here.