Brexit

[JG220 273]

Don't forget, Pro-EU people have been mobilised too, whereas in 2014 no one really paid much attention. I suspect we'll get quite a good turn out say around 50% (~30% in 2014), with I dunno about a 50:50 split remain/leave. 

In other words nothing much new will come out of it. 

[Barrykearley 6,967]

Leavers will be out voting keen and hard I suspect.

remainers - they know it’s an utter stitch up so will stay at home writing vegan cookbooks 

[100th_Idiot 360]

3 hours ago, Barrykearley said:

Leavers will be out voting keen and hard I suspect.

remainers - they know it’s an utter stitch up so will stay at home writing vegan cookbooks 

Sorry. There is an example of unnecessary antagonism. Yes it happens on both sides but it has no place in a civilised debate.

[rjwooll 214]

On 10/04/2019 at 18:20, Andyww said:

ARM were pretty much the last UK-owned big tech firm left. They were bought out by Softbank which are a Japanese phone retailer which had to borrow all the cash to do it. 

No other country has lost all its companies in this way. All large tech companies in Germany and France are listed as having "strategic importance" so cant be taken over by foreign firms. France also lists all big food manufacturers, ports, airports, transport providers and pretty much everything else, all with the EU turning a blind eye on infringements of their own open-market rules.

In latter years I've wondered a lot about why the UK seems unable to retain big and potentially market leading companies. I think one reason is that our financial markets are comparatively free which leaves investors with many more choices as to where and how to invest than in other jurisdictions. Another reason is that the UK does not represent a particularly big market in global terms, which makes it difficult for tech firms in particular to remain here rather than move to where the industry epicentres are. What we are quite good at is growing then selling businesses, and perhaps that is one of our strengths.

Don't call Europe an open market - it's not! You mention the French and German retention of their major industries. The founding members of the EU joined on better terms than we have enjoyed, which for me is one reason we should leave sooner or later unless the playing field is levelled. Even then German industry enjoys a big advantage through an artificially depressed exchange rate (thanks to the Euro) which not only enhances its global competitiveness, but also impoverishes the Southern European nations.

Basically, none of the other 26 nations can afford to upset this particular applecart as they need the German cash.

Cheers Richard

[PaulCP 690]

1 hour ago, rjwooll said:

Even then German industry enjoys a big advantage through an artificially depressed exchange rate (thanks to the Euro) which not only enhances its global competitiveness, but also impoverishes the Southern European nations.

Basically, none of the other 26 nations can afford to upset this particular applecart as they need the German cash.

 

Germany also protects its engineering and manufacturing companies via the TUV approval process. The hoops that companies outside of Germany have to jump through in order to get TUV approval to sell products in Germany is designed to discourage external companies from trying to gain approval.

edit: Unless things have changed in the past 20 years since I was directly involved 

[march 829]

[C8RKH 6,396]

The UK has topped a global ranking of the most attractive countries in which to do business, despite the uncertainty over Brexit. The UK knocked the US off the top spot, held since 2014, in the survey by professional services firm EY, accounting for 10% of global M&A activity worth a combined £305bn last year, its second-best year since the financial crisis. EY’s Steve Krouskos said that despite “continued uncertainty,” relating to Brexit, “what hasn’t changed is that the UK has great companies, great talent, great tech and great IP.”

[jonwat 432]

Headline in today's Times

Brexit: Nigel Farage’s party surges into European poll lead

New Brexit group takes lead over Tories and Labour in polls

[C8RKH 6,396]

1 hour ago, C8RKH said:

The UK has topped a global ranking of the most attractive countries in which to do business, despite the uncertainty over Brexit. The UK knocked the US off the top spot, held since 2014, in the survey by professional services firm EY, accounting for 10% of global M&A activity worth a combined £305bn last year, its second-best year since the financial crisis. EY’s Steve Krouskos said that despite “continued uncertainty,” relating to Brexit, “what hasn’t changed is that the UK has great companies, great talent, great tech and great IP.”

There is a reason i posted that above and why i voted to leave. A reason that is totally lost on Remainers who choose to ignore it.  Consistently, since the end of WWII the UK has shown a resilience and an ability to change and innovate its economy that is absolutely unrivalled by any other country within Europe, let alone the EU.  We have evolved our laws and working practices to create a truly flexible, and adaptable workforce that has allowed us to transition our economic activity through the creation of a highly capable, mobile, agile and adaptable work force.  I know some will find it hard to believe, and will point to the reduction in things like employment protection rights, working hours, job security and conditions, but the stark reality if for non European countries looking to establish themselves in the region the UK has the best market access and workforce to deliver growth and market share.

France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and even the mighty Germany have all created a much less flexible, and higher cost, environment that actually only works for Germany if they keep the Euro at a relatively low value to aid their ability to export both within and externally to, the EU.

I truly believe that out of the EU, we have little to fear. We will need to transition yet again, to a new model, but our track record is strong and my belief in our ability to adapt to thrive, is strong.

[Andyww 1,289]

Germany is good at productionising designs and at quality control. They have a rigorous approach to those tasks (But the Japanese are better)

They are not very innovative and cannot move dynamically. The USA leads at that, followed by the UK. Thats why all German car makers have design offices in the UK. They dont shout about this. I have worked on a project for BMW and it was run and tested from their UK office.

Look at F1 engineering. BMW tried to start an F1 team in Germany and it was a dismal failure and they abandoned it in the end. On the other have Merc bought out a British engine manufacturer (Ilmor) and  British team and kept everything based here, with great success. Another thing we dont shout about,  only those in the know are aware that both the car and engine are British designs.

[JG220 273]

[ChrisJ 1,488]

 

 

[ChrisJ 1,488]

Couple of Opinion Polls - astonishing

Opinium
Brexit Party	34%	+6
Labour	21%	-7
Liberal Democrats	12%	+5
Conservatives	11%	-3
Green	8%	+2
UKIP	4%	+1
Change UK	3%	-4
You Gov
Brexit Party	34%	+4
Labour	16%	+5
Liberal Democrats	15%	+5
Green	11%	+2
Conservatives	10%	-3
Change UK	5%	+4

 

May has said she will present her WA for yet another vote in June. I know that the source of this is a pro Brexit website, but I'd be interested to read any thoughts from those opposed to Brexit.

https://briefingsforbrexit.com/the-seven-deadly-sins-in-the-draft-withdrawal-agreement/?fbclid=IwAR2cV42rtkHy_7eO5rpoiyVmd0_pTYzwvtIdHB-vmsIMJEBqGjJVNnu0XNs

 

 

[Andyww 1,289]

Cant understand how Labour are getting 21%.

They have two policies on Brexit, Corbyn wants it and the rest of the party dont. What exactly are people voting for?

Change UK on 3% hahaha. A lot of people are going to be looking for other jobs after the next GE.

[LotusLeftLotusRight 1,316]

Don't forget that not everyone will vote purely about Brexit, but I grant you it is the "biggie".

Just as a rough idea, if you separate each Party into Brexit lines and add them together:

Opinium quotes 49% ready to Leave EU now and 44% either Remain or retaining close ties to EU (i.e. inc. Labour's customs union and second referendum proposals).

You Gov quotes 44% ready to Leave EU now and 47% either Remain or retaining close ties to EU (i.e. inc. Labour's customs union and second referendum proposals).

So still pretty even-Steven. 

[C8RKH 6,396]

On 27/04/2019 at 20:37, JG220 said:

Not impressed by the racial hatred undertones implied in this of Brexit supporters at all James. If it is an attempt at humour I would strongly suggest it is in very poor taste.

[scotty435 1,104]

If you go by the Local elections just a few weeks ago, the big winners where the remain parties, Lib Dem’s, Green Party and the Pro Brexit parties UKIP, Conservatives and Labour, yes leave parties as laid out in there manifesto’s lost well over a thousand seats yes it was a disaster for them. 

[Neal H 897]

It is interesting how Leavers & Remainers interpret results in completely opposite ways. The only thing everyone can agree on is that the Conservatives are f*cked.

[pete 1,867]

5 hours ago, scotty435 said:

If you go by the Local elections just a few weeks ago, the big winners where the remain parties, Lib Dem’s, Green Party and the Pro Brexit parties UKIP, Conservatives and Labour, yes leave parties as laid out in there manifesto’s lost well over a thousand seats yes it was a disaster for them. 

Don't think that was a vote for the remainer parties more a protest vote against the main parties

[scotty435 1,104]

34 minutes ago, pete said:

Don't think that was a vote for the remainer parties more a protest vote against the main parties

So why did UKIP lose so many seats? With out the birth of this Brexit party we would not be in this sorry state we are now. Like Neil H said it’s how you interpret the results giving your views on this topic.

[C8RKH 6,396]

21 minutes ago, scotty435 said:

1 hour ago, pete said:

Don't think that was a vote for the remainer parties more a protest vote against the main parties

So why did UKIP lose so many seats?

One word. Farage.

[Dan E 1,582]

His nephew goes to my sons school, and my osteopath treated him after his plane crash 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage/11466522/Nigel-Farage-After-the-plane-crash-I-lit-a-fag.-Not-a-great-idea-close-to-aviation-fuel.html

that is no defence 

[ChrisJ 1,488]

[Kimbers 1,831]

Listened to 5 Live "Debate" on the way to the Office this morning.

Nicky Campbell asking questions about Climate change to candidates of EU Elctions:

So Mr (Green Party)
So Mrs (Lib Dems)
So Mr (Tory)
So Mr (Labour)
Brexit "Before I ask you to comment farage has denied Climate change"......

Then about Immigration:

So Mr (Green Party)
So Mrs (Lib Dems)
So Mr (Tory)
So Mr (Labour)
Brexit "We know what you think after Farage has been pictures infront of Right wing posters"......

In the end the Candidate said "Thanks for pre-framing all my questions to make me look bad.

 

[ChrisJ 1,488]

Anyone voted yet?