Comments by "Taint ABird" (@taintabird23) on "EU leaders adopt Brexit plan | DW English" video.

  1. Actually, it appears that they did agree on these principles.  All of the countries are on board - and in record time.  This is a surprise. In recent months the Irish government has been on the diplomatic offensive with the other 27 governments to gain recognition for the disproportionate exposure Ireland has to Brexit.  It appears to have been a success given that Ireland is one of the priorities in the principles, and it indicates that the principles are not enforced, but agreed.
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  2. Eire WANTS a soft border, as does the UK.  Eire and the UK desire the continuation of the free movement of peoples between the two jurisdictions, and the two island.  The EU 27 are in agreement that a creative solution to the problem is required, one which will benefit both Eire and the UK.  The EU is seeking money from the UK to pay for the UKs existing commitments.  The UK sought a similar settlement from Irish Free State in 1922 when it became independent. The EU is most certainly looking at the long-term consequences of Brexit.  It is understood that while the valuable UK market may be lost to the EU, the preservation of the EU market as it exists is even more valuable - the conseqences of the Brexit undermining it are unthinkable. In the end I suspect the UK will not get everything that it wants and will have to compromise and some issues.
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  3. I'll be amazed if the EU concedes on the free movement of people.  I think real politik is will determine the British acceptance of a compromise on some issues as the British public begin to understand the price that they must pay for 'freedom' is just a little bit too high. I would be fearful for the UK in the negotiations, the EU could devour them  if they don't have a coherent plan.
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  4. The Euro-sceptics in the UK have also always pushed their agenda.  What exactly did you expect from the EU? A fanfare? The UKs 27 EU partners all have skin in the game and will protect their own interests.  British exceptionalism dictates that the UK should have its cake and eat it - it wants access to the EU on its own terms.  That is so unrealistic its laughable. Who knows what the outcome will be.  The aim should be to make the least harmful 'divorce' for all concerned - including the UK.
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  5. I think you have articulated the British agenda very well.  'Deals are supposed to be struck between companies, not countries' Deals are struck all the time between countries - they're usually called treaties. 'I doubt BMW or Dyson will be happy about losing customers just because politicians have axes to grind, so simply cutting our losses would actually be an advantage to the UK.' Nobody wants to lose the UK market, believe me.  But the EU market is bigger and even more important to the other 27 and the EU agenda is to find an agreement that does not undermine that.  In a choice between a market of 65 million and a market of 500 million - which is the most valuable to retain in the long term?
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  6. 'You're assuming that every man, woman and child use goods and services from the EU...' Am I? How did you conclude that? 'but even considering a 500 million market that has been slowly collapsing for a couple of decades you may not like my answer.' Elements in the UK have been talking about the collapsing EU for at least 3 decades, while the UK itself declined.  The EU has its problems but it is certainly not collapsing.  Meanwhile, the UK still doesn't have a coherent Brexit plan. And what's this about a growing eagerness to follow the UK?  Are you serious? Le Pen cant even win the first round of the French Presidential election. Wilders was seen off in the Netherlands and the Greeks were terrified they would be ejected from the EU and do not wish to leave either the EU or the Euro.  Dream on.  It will remain a 500 million strong market for the foreseeable future.
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  7. Davey...you've lost me. All there is, is rhetoric.  Assumptions based on where the UK is now and notional trade agreements that may or may not be in the future.  I can see no evidence the UK will be better off in the future - only the opposite. Regarding the troops in the Balkans - I have no idea what that's got to do with Brexit. Brexit is about British preceptions about being told what to do by the Franco-German axis, and nostalgia for a past that's is consigned to history.  A stiff upper lip won't pay the bills or create jobs.
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  8. The past is no indicator of the future, you know, and the EU has no interest in guiding the UK back to the glory days of Empire - it has no interest in guiding the UK anywhere really.  But striking out alone? The UK will be overly dependent on markets farther a field with mainly former colonies and without the unfair advantages imperial power brought to past arrangements.   This time the Indians, Australians, Canadians etc will encounter a relatively vulnerable UK seeking a trade deal - they will hold the most of the cards.  Why should they cut the UK any slack? The world doesn't need to be shown what it is to be proud, every country in the world inhabited by people who are equally proud.  Few of them suffer from 'exceptionalism' like the UK does.
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  9. You will show the world what it is to be proud? You don't think other countries are equally proud? You may well be showing the world what is to be proud but stupid - take care you don't. Seafarers, colonisers and integrators. You were seafarers in the past, but not exceptionally so recently. Colonisers, certainly, but you make that sound like a good thing. Nobody invited your colonies - they were established in the interests of Britain. Integrators? I don't think so. Britain ruled through divide and rule and the consequences of that selfish policy is evident all over the world - including closer to home in Northern Ireland. You won't get the EUs guidance in this act of folly.
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  10. Who is threatening the UK?
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  11. What people are 'questioning the EU's existence'?
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