UK and the EU

That is what is wrong with the political elite the world over - in complete denial as to what the feelings of their electorate is; in complete denial as to how they, and their rich elitist counterparts in banking/finance/insurance have totally knackered various economies across the globe; and despite 'shock' vote results (Brexit and Trump being two of the biggest) they still do not get it.

I say 'shock' results - - I can't say that I was shocked by any of them; I am royally fed up of the way this country has been going for a very long time, and I know I am not alone. The same is certain in the US - whether you believe Trump winning was some sort of fix or fluke, for me the only surprise at the moment is that he is now in position in political office and he is doing (or at least trying to do) exactly what he said he would do.

I don't agree with the way that he has done many things, nor do I agree with many of his views - but to be fair to the guy, he gets points from me for going into the White House and getting on with doing what he said he would do, and kicking some ar5es in the process.

And now for a real cracker of a statement from a Scotsman - by default, Scottish people would rather stick hot pins in their own eyes than vote Tory. Maggie Thatcher made sure of that.

BUT - so far, Theresa May has garnered some respect from me; she clearly did not agree that Brexit was the right thing to do, but the electorate made their choice and now she is hell bent on carrying out the wishes of the electorate. Her recent trip to the US and Turkey seem to have gone very well indeed, and she (along with others in her team) seem to be genuinely hungry for business to come to the UK - she gets point for that too. Now, if she would only terminate foreign aid expenditure, and sack Jeremy Hunt...... well, she might even get me to like her.

 

True. There are 73 UK MEPs who vote over matters within the EU, and won't be involved directly in the BREXIT negotiations but will vote to ratify the final deal.

There's a lot of MPs, of all parties, wanting to know now what the final deal will be, laying down their own agenda for the conditions of the agreement, while blindly ignoring the fact that no one knows the attitude of the EU negotiators [although admittedly it doesn't look positive, what price they want from the UK, and what the UK Government will settle for. I have a suspicion that Theresa May will not allow the malice of the EU to impose a negative deal and that she would/will rather settle for "No Deal" rather than a Bad Deal as she has already warned them. I also think that after triggering Article 50, and some time has passed during the negotiations, the EU negotiators despite their possible hard line attitude will come under increasing pressure from the EU Business Leaders to behave reasonably, and not spitefully and as they say "Money talks"

 

you say either and i say either
you say neither and i say neither
either, either, neither, neither

you say tomato, i say tomato
you eat potato and i eat potato
tomato, tomato, potato,

 

Well, actually, FC, take a look past the Hoo Hah and what really has Trump done regarding the Executive Orders that will have real lasting international effect?. He signed to get rid of or replace Obama Care, signed to construct a Border wall [for which Congress will not give him the funds], signed a, at the moment, 90 immigration ban on 7 countries that, so far, have never had a terrorist commit an act in the USA, amendments to Business regulations asking government departments to get rid of two regulations and replace it with one.......which means the one will be so vague that nobody will understand it. He signed to allow pipelines such as the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota pipeline as he doesn't accept environmental damage is relevant along with his belief that there is no Climate Change [both driven by the pursuit of the Mighty Dollar]. He's stopped foreign non government organisations giving counselling or referrals for abortions or advocating for those access to those services. The next was to halt any new hiring of Government Staff nationwide. Another to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is strange as it never came into effect in the USA because the Republican controlled Congress never approved it. So really, there's not a lot of hard effective action in that although the Trump Circus have "trumpeted it" with great gusto!!

 

Oh, I agree @ARMANDII - lots of his plans will be scuppered by congress etc, and as I said above I don't agree with what he says or does as such. I can understand the sentiment behind some of his rationale, such as the travel bans - - not saying he is right or wrong, just that I can understand where he is coming from. And I also agree that much of what has been said and done so far is showboating as such, BUT at least he has had the balls to follow his convictions and at least make moves to do what he said he was going to do.

Maybe prior politicians (not only in the US) haven't "trumpeted" things with sufficient gusto? I don't know - the one thing I do know is that there are a huge number of people that have reached such a level of frustration at being dictated to by do-gooders, whilst also being lied to and taxed beyond belief, and then seeing their living standards drop to the point where they are struggling to make ends meet and then being told that they should watch goodness knows how many people come into their home country and stretch housing and essential services that are already on their knees even further, to then be told that they must not criticise those in-comers in any way lest they be offended, whilst also being told that they cannot do things like fly flags or show patriotic support in case the immigrants are offended.

I am not against anyone, regardless of their country of origin, religion, sexuality, shape, size, age etc etc - - - I am against the sheer number of people being allowed in, and the fact that many (most) of them will be housed and helped when people like me who are paying for it can't get a doctors appointment, can barely afford the rent to a private landlord every month, and don't even have sufficient money to go and get my teeth properly sorted. I know hundreds (literally) of people that work in the same company I do who are in the same boat, and feel the same as I do. THAT is why we have Brexit and Trump.

 

Brexit strategy to be revealed by government - BBC News

So there goes any advantage (if it existed) in negotiations. Congratulations MPs, you've forced the government to bare its backside.

 

I love this clip, the first bit where he tells them "you're not laughing now" is perfect delivery - he waited 17 years to say that and I bet that felt good. I may be the only person on here that actually likes Nigel as a man and a politician.