Oh I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, the vaccine issue was meant just as an example of how we are dictated to by our government, not as an example of a nanny state. I don't know if isolationism is the right word, it's probably not! I just meant that leaving the EU means our voice is the voice of just the UK, we would still have to debate with the EU, and would still be affected by most of their policies and laws, because our country sits in Europe! BUT if we leave we would have zero say in it. As a member, we have a voice, we can influence how the vote falls on various issues, as we have been doing. Once we leave our power is diminished. Gosh, there are so many things the EU has done environmentally, (that's why all the Green Party etc want to stay in!) a quick google will bring up vast amounts of information on it, far more than I know! My first two google results - http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/progress/index_en.htm Or http://www.ieep.eu/assets/1230/Final_Report_-_Influence_of_EU_Policies_on_the_Environment.pdf some things listed, if you haven't time to click as a really short synopsis: EU bathing water directive changed how our sewage treatments worked, making our water and beaches lots cleaner. EU air quality framework directive means our air is significantly cleaner with far lower nitrous oxide emissions (61% decrease) and sulphur dioxide emissions (94% decrease). EU natura 2000 & the habitats directive has many policies to protect British wildlife and their habitats and green spaces. For example EU habitats and birds directive protects 23% of England's inshore waters EU directives dropped UK landfill waste from 83% to 49%. EU emissions trading scheme has a 21% reduction in industry emissions EU new vehicle CO2 targets limit the allowed emissions from newly built vehicles EU Montreal Protocol reduced consumption of ozone depleting substances to protect the ozone layer (which has also led to advances such as CFC free inhalers for those suffering from asthma, & non-halon fire fighting technologies). EU funds many research projects on subjects like on the ozone layer including Reconsile, Shiva & Icepure. ...There's just tons of info, lots I don't understand and lots I had no idea about, but very basically it says the majority of our environmental policies and directives that are helping our country and our environment are EU based, from emissions to transport to energy to nature, protecting bees, regulating fishing, the list goes on, and without the EU imposing them (with their strict policies & penalties for not following) then most countries including the UK wouldn't bother to make the effort! (Hence the need for the stringent rules and fines).
I was actually considering abstaining in this referendum, and going sea fishing instead to get away from it all, but unfortunately the EU has adopted the crazy policy of allowing trawlers to carry on catching thousands of tonnes of Bass, whilst banning individual anglers from taking a single fish, including those like myself who live 135 miles from the coast, only fish several times a year, and even then are lucky to catch just one or two, they haven't a clue.
"The latest terrifying attempted rape assault saw a woman surrounded by three men who punched her to the ground and tried to pull her trousers down. Only her martial arts skills saved her. Earlier two 10-year-old girls were groped at a bus stop by a gang of men who threatened to rape them and a woman was punched in the face, splitting her eyebrow, by a man who threatened to kill her after he made a rude comment to her. And a woman walking on her own was attacked beaten and pushed to the ground by three men who held her down and forced their fingers into her mouth while screaming offensive, sexual words to her." The above is taken from the article I mentioned. @HarryS I noticed you found this to be "funny" a bit strange finding sex attacks and the groping of 2 little girls as funny?
Sorry, I know this is digressing, but I cannot let this comment go without a response ... I disagree that the Government are dictating to us on this issue. If parents wish to have their baby/child vaccinated (outside of the current programme) the Government will not prevent them. They may exercise their right to pay for it out of their own pocket. The funding for a national immunisation programme is not a bottomless pit and, just as we have to with our family budgets, decisions have to be made where those pennies are spent and decisions need to be made which may not please everyone. The vaccine is being given to those deemed *most* at risk - surely that is reasonable? Currently there is a supply and demand issue: there simply isn't enough of it! So, even if cost is put to one side and with the best will in the world, it is simply not possible to provide the vaccine to all children. If anyone is at fault on the ethics on this issue, it is the Pharma companies. They are powerful indeed. They dictate the price, they decide how much to manufacture thus creating the demand. As for "our" Government dictating to us on this issue, are you aware the UK is the first Country (Worldwide!) to even include this vaccine on an immunisation programme? Isn't *that* progressive? And, to bring it back on topic - being in or out of the EU won't alter that either. It may well do on future issues to do with our health programmes (because the EU is an ever evolving beast) but not at this moment in time. There is also a counter argument when commentators remark on "what the EU has done for us" ... there is no way of measuring a comparison. No way of knowing *if* UK Governments may have adopted some of those ideas and implemented them over those 40+yrs.
Youve either deliberately or accidently miss quoted that article . No where does it mention 1 in 4 Swedish women being or about to be raped. Again you dont condemn the attack on 2 little girls but choose to attack the article instead. And if you bother to Google Vellinge is on the south coast of Sweden just below Malmo so yes some residents may own some beach huts accordingly. I shouldnt have to correct you on this as you live in Sweden ?
And no way of knowing if the implementation was at the instigation of the UK and not simply imposed upon us from the outside. This brings us back to 'not enough information' for a fully informed decision. At the moment it relies on 'gut instinct', individual prejudices', 'possible misinformation' whether you like the personalities that are involved and many other points. This fence is getting more uncomfortable as each day goes by! @silu Do you think you can bring some cushions?
The point is that although the article mentions immigrants in the headline nowhere does it say that the quoted attacks were perpetrated by immigrants. Now I may be wrong (@Sandy Ground can correct me on this) but my understanding is that Swedish reception centres are closed allowing no free movement outside of the facility. He was quoting the article that I used to demonstrate sensationalist reporting.
Exactly. Your link not mine. Again you also try to refute the article instead of condeming attacks on women and children. Will you guys defend the rights of asylum seekers over the rights of kids, and women no matter what they do ? Are they free to commit crimes because they are asylum seekers ?
Think the way things are going on this thread we'll need more than cushions @shiney. Safety helmets and bullet proof vests might be required as the cross fire is getting quite heavy!
If it had been proven beyond any reasonable doubt then Id have thought they would be charged or jailed by now.So no . But as that village/town only has 1 policeman (because of the previously low crime level) and theres a general attitude of sweeping this sort of thing under the carpet i bet nothing is done to prosecute them even if they were to bother looking for them. The strange thing is Sweden (and its allies) seem hellbent on prosecuting Julian Assange for a sex crime whilst standing by and allowing their citizens to be attacked back home.
Oh, we're keeping an eye on it, Silu. This is a potentially controversial thread, but not the first. Sometimes members need to take a couple of deep breaths before they post so that any differing views are kept within the bounds of how they would expect other members to post : i.e. with good temper, reasonable intelligent discussion, and respect for others.
I think you'd find that if Assange was ever deported to Sweden he would be handed over to the FBI which is probably where the main pressure is coming from.
There is a clue in the title "Montreal" (it is in Canada, not Europe ). This is an International Treaty with regard to protecting the Ozone Layer. Whatever EU directives have followed was as a result of an international strategy. In fact, UK scientists were instrumental in publishing research on the depletion of the ozone layer which contributed to inception of the Montreal Protocol The United Nations should be given the credit you are affording the EU. Had the UK not been a part of the EU, they would still have needed to put into place strategies to protect the Ozone Layer. The first link you supplied refers to how the EU is responding to the Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto is in Japan, not Europe ) and is an International Agreement with regard to climate change. Again, the United Nations should be given the credit you are affording the EU. Had the UK not been a member of the EU, it would still be obliged to put in place strategies to combat climate change. A brief quote from your second link: Food for thought.
