Farewell, adieu, wiedersehen,, ciao...etc...

Churchill wrote that fabulous history of the English/British people and I would say that everyone should read it. I don't think that he would have taken us quite so blindly into Europe. Disentangling ourselves entirely is probably not easy or even desirable. I believe that we should be out politically but with no bar to trading. It would be expensive in some ways but they are mostly unimportant. The single largest concern would be the migration of the European finance centre from London to Frankfurt, but that is happening by stealth anyway. I believe that we need a firm In/Out referendum after which Parliament needs to set a timetable to withdraw (assuming the vote is Out). Although the current Prime Minister keeps hinting that he will offer us a vote he mustn't be allowed to Weasel word it so that we end up with a pointless vote that gets us nowhere but enables him to tell us that he has given us what we want. Interesting the Irish will want to remain and so will the Scottish if they gain independence after their vote on the matter next year.

As to Obama's desires, I don't see what the US would lose in the event anyway. Can you bring me up to speed on that?

Here's a piece from a British newspaper today: BARACK Obama has personally warned David Cameron against leading Britain out of the European Union. The American president told the Prime Minister that the US would prefer the UK to remain in the EU. Yesterday Downing Street played down the warning, delivered on Thursday night, as Mr Cameron sought a new date for the speech that he will use to raise the prospect of a British exit from the EU. The White House said: “The president underscored our close alliance with the United Kingdom and said that the United States values a strong UK in a strong European Union, which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity, and security in Europe and around the world." Downing Street did not provide details of the conversation, disclosing only that the two men had discussed the hostage situation in Algeria. The exchange only came to light in a statement from the White House to journalists in Washington. No 10’s apparent reluctance to disclose the discussion led to speculation that the Prime Minister was uncomfortable with Mr Obama’s personal intervention. But Mr Cameron’s spokesman insisted that the exchange had been entirely amicable. “It was very friendly, very constructive," the spokesman said. Mr Obama’s intervention is the second time this month that the US has taken a role in the Europe debate. A senior US diplomat used a visit to London last week to urge Britain to remain engaged with the EU, drawing criticism from some Conservative MPs. The White House said that Mr Cameron had briefed Mr Obama on “his thinking on UK-EU relations in light of his forthcoming speech”. Extracts of Mr Cameron’s postponed speech show that the Prime Minister will warn that without major reform in the EU, “the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will drift towards the exit”. Some of Mr Cameron’s allies believe that Mr Obama’s remarks could be helpful to the Prime Minister, as he has made clear he personally does not want an EU exit. In the event of a referendum, the potential damage to the Special Relationship would be used as an important reason for Britain to remain engaged. US diplomats say that Britain’s ability to reflect American interests inside the EU is an important part of the relationship. PM could give key speech next week DAVID Cameron’s major European speech could finally be given next week. Downing Street was yesterday attempting to find a slot in the Prime Minister’s diary to deliver the speech he was due to make in Amsterdam yesterday. It was postponed on Thursday night so that he could focus on the Algerian hostage crisis. It was originally scheduled for Jan 22, but that was scrapped because the date clashes with a ceremony celebrating a Franco-German friendship treaty. No 10 earlier this week said no other date next week was possible, because of events such as President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Monday and the Davos business gathering at the end of the week.

I agree that we do not have a monopoly and we have more experience than most in telling others what is good for them!

how true

Dunno mate...

Convicts - always have, always be ..... Or bar staff

I am not anti-Europe at all. I firmly believe in the strength that a trading unity can bring to this region. But I am vehement ally opposed to the idea that if I want to open a business that it must be done in line with a set of rules that are common irrespective of whether I live in London, Lisbon or Lublin! Almost all our laws are now set, ratified or judged outside of our territorial waters. Actually it I,pacts on you too. Sell us or any other EU state something and you have to conform to our laws too of you want to make that sale. The one thing that I would say for economic migrants from EU countries is that in the main they do come here to work and often do the jobs that indigenous folk won't do.

I think the Britain should leave the European Union. European languages are beautiful, many and varied. Thank you.

I was also pro-European, especially when I lived in Germany. However, all that I see now is outside interference in national matters and a general antipathy towards anything British, despite the fact that we are the most popular destination for the majority of economic migrant because of our curious blend of capitalist possibilities and socialist welfare system. Of course tomsay as much suggests a laxk of appreciation of the rich and diverse narure of our society! I sometimes wonder what we actually gain from Europe other than open borders which eases our journeys to the Alps for the winter skiing! I want trade with our neighbours but I don't want them to run our country. Let them make a hash of their own and leave us to mess up ours!