Which country will be next to follow us out of the EU ?

Why do you think that anyone would follow you out of of the EU? The idea that people and goods can move freely within a small part of the world is wonderful, it gave so much to so many. I lived in the UK when it joined in the EU, and things that were up until then "exotic" such as spaghetti, sauerkraut, avocados, parmesan cheese and many more became commonplace. Just as the Continent became familiar with Stilton and English bacon. I know so many people who met their partners on their Erasmus study trips and now have firm relationships, as well as multilingual children. If Britain now chooses to opt out, they will still have to sort out their immigration laws, those had nothing to do with the EU.

Oh jenniferecckes what wishful thinking for you, living in your ‘little’ dream world
No other European country would be as stupid or as selfish to half (maybe more now) of it’s electorate All my European friends feel so sorry for us and I feel so sorry for us
Yes beverly I have a lot of sour grapes but mainly true sorrow that our grandkids won’t grow up to be as lucky to live in the midst of a large family with all its ups and downs but in the midst of friends for so many years It’s a wrench for me and my age group but it’s a disaster for young people, and all being done in the name of regaining something we ve never lost
I hope the little englanders enjoy this solitary living and let’s hope the spaces left by Europe are filled with people from the rest of the world so we can still be the multicultural society we had thankfully become and we can smile politely at the racists in our midst

It obviously depends upon the circles you move in, even when visiting the EU or anywhere else for that matter. Without exception, everyone we spoke to in Spain, France and Germany were astonished that the UK had voted to leave and could see no benefits in doing so. When on a cruise with a lot of US and Canadians, they too were bemused and confused as to the reasons given by some for leaving. As to whether any other country will leave, based upon 4 days, I think their electorates are smarter than that.

Do you really think our gradual change of diet had anything to do with being in the EU, polyester, or have we all just moved on a bit since then? I lived in Germany in the early 70s and they certainly didn’t have an “exotic” diet either - it was 50 years ago after all!

I’m not remotely surprised if Belgium thinks we’re bonkers. A small country with the nice fat gravy-train of Brussels at its heart - they’d be bonkers to think otherwise.

I did vote remain, in case anybody’s wondering, albeit holding my nose to some extent because of factors of which anybody who’s not a blind worshipper of the EU must be aware.

Yes, I certainly do thing that the British change of diet had something to do with being in the EU. As did the diet in Germany and all other EU countries,

Wishful thinking - and I hope it stays that way.

GillT57

It obviously depends upon the circles you move in, even when visiting the EU or anywhere else for that matter. Without exception, everyone we spoke to in Spain, France and Germany were astonished that the UK had voted to leave and could see no benefits in doing so. When on a cruise with a lot of US and Canadians, they too were bemused and confused as to the reasons given by some for leaving. As to whether any other country will leave, based upon 4 days, I think their electorates are smarter than that.

It obviously depends upon the circles you move in,

Good grief!

Such snobbery

I almost wish I'd voted to Leave

And why anyone is even discussing Brexit when on a cruise or in everyday conversation must have strange lives!

Bursting your bubble here. Most people are getting on with coping with Covid

The EU seems to be only discussed on GN

Lucrezia: that was sometime ago, and in fact was quite funny. US people we were sharing a table with asked us what on earth had happened to the UK to vote to leave the EU, but followed up quickly by apologising for their country having elected Trump! You have chosen to misinterpret my post, that is up to you of course, and I am not living in any bubble, burst or otherwise, what a strange comment to make

Lucretzia, a question was asked and I replied, end of.

I voted to remain too, but have friends who voted to leave, and none of them are “little Englanders”, “stupid”, “selfish”, “not smart” or racists. What arrogant attitudes!

I’d rather we hadn’t left, very much regret the time and money it’s cost us to extricate ourselves, and doubt we’re going to prosper mightily, but neither am I going to start insulting people who hold different views or behaving as if it’s the end of the world. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next here and in the EU. I doubt anyone will be dashing to leave after the performance we’ve had, but change is going to be inevitable there too now it’s lost a net contributor.

Witzend, your comment just shows the complete ignorance of the effect on having the EU institutions here means to Belgium.
The staff there, nearly all from the 27 countries do not pay taxes, social security or health insurance here.
Belgians who do work there are usually agency staff paid at low rates and paying some of the highest taxes in Europe.
The is no EU gravy train here, in fact the Belgian government and my taxes had to pay for the renovations on the main Berlaymont building.
There is still bitterness because an historic area of the city was demolished to build the EU institutions.
Many of those who work there live within a bubble, some Brits do not even use local supermarkets, preferring to go to England to do a 'real' shop!!!!!! Or use the overpriced 'English' supermarket.
I knew one family who would only eat Heinz tom ketchup if it had been bought in the UK.
Most Belgians just ignore it and get on with their lives.

It obviously depends upon the circles you move in, even when visiting the EU or anywhere else for that matter.

You said this, GillT57

You saying I've misinterpreted your post is a far stranger comment than anything I said!

The topic was raised by the people we met Lucretzia not us.

As soon as they heard we were British some said they would love a referendum.

This was in France, Italy and Spain.

Like I said countries would undoubtedly be divided like we were but it wouldn’t take much to coerce PMs.

We definitely owe a debt of gratitude to Nigel Farage for being the initial driving force for our referendum.

JenniferEccles

It will be interesting to see, won’t it?

Maybe others will want to see if we do indeed ‘prosper mightily’ over the next few years, or perhaps there are some already chomping at the bit to give it a go as independent nations.

That is entirely wishful thinking by leavers, they would love to see it happen. The EU members were as solid as a rock despite some right wing trouble making over migrants so forget it, if anything Brexit strengthened the EU.

Well certainly not France. Everyone I talk to says that if ever they had thought of leaving the EU, the mess in the UK has put them right off. This view is reflected in the media, not just anecdotes from my friends and neighbours.
"On a vu la merde qui est Brexit". ?

Let us just wait and see first, then have a discussion.

Kandinsky - I live in Ireland and there was never a referendum to leave EU. One EU treaty was rejected in a referendum and after some tweaking, another vote was held, but it certainly wasn’t about leaving. No-one in Ireland that I know of wants to follow Britain out of EU, even though Brexit will make things more difficult for us than other EU countries.

All of us on GN will probably be dead before we know how it’s all panned out.

Lucretzia

Why do people think that we care if their friends and family think that we are bonkers?

I voted Remain

Shame we didn't

And that's it

This

I've heard several countries are waiting to see how we get on. The Netherlands, Sweden and Poland have been eyeing the exit gate apparently.

Whoever it is I bet they don't make the same long-winded pantomime of it that we did.

Ireland certainly weren’t happy with the direction the EU was heading - so no point pretending Ireland loves the EU - It doesn’t.
They were bullied into voting on the treaty again.
That’s the EU for you.

Barnier would run a mile! No more ‘the clock is ticking’ for him I bet.
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