Queries about the EU referendum

Arts and Crafts Board might be worth a look

Why is it funny?

I couldnt believe it!

Yes, I can hardly believe it!

Have you seen what HQ have said on my Real a queens a speech thread? FFS!

Riverwalk and I did express reservations, but were roundly set upon! The whole concept of the thread is rather odd, IMO, and GNHQ should have started a new HOC topic, not tagged on to dj's link to what she'd like the Queen's Speech to have contained. Not that I read it.

Re the point about entitlement to benefits. Our system used to be much more contribution based but has moved now to mainly being a means tested system. The unintended consequence of this so far as EU migrants are concerned is that it paradoxically makes us more attractive. That's interesting isn't it - sort of a sowing the seeds of our own destruction. BTW anyone else a bit about the HofC people? Its really about the mechanics of the system isn't it - not politics at all in any meaningful sense. I'm sure it's useful for some but me, I love a good bunfight debate instead about the issues. I am finding their tone a bit patronising and anyway, I know all that stuff anyway

In the interests of transparency and in order that we can make a more informed decision I feel very strongly that the report commissioned by the Bank of England relating to the economic situation should the UK leave the EU be made available for public scrutiny before the referendum vote

durhamjen started a thread titled The Queens Speech. Which seems to be taken over at present by gransnet HQ who have put House of Commons spokespeople on there.
I dont know whether you could put a post on there?

Good point soontobe. I have reported myself with a note to admin

Here is Whitewave's EU thread. www.gransnet.com/forums/politics/1215979-The-EU-and-how-it-works

i think it should be bumped every so often so that it doesn't disappear.

Gracesgran. I think that you would have to email them. It is unlikely that they are going to see your request on here.

www.gransnet.com/forums/politics/1215979-The-EU-and-how-it-works

What's happened to whitewave's thread? She put a lot of effort into finding out as much information as possible about the EU!

GransnetAdmin do you think there might be a chance to get someone knowledgable but none political to answer our questions? That way Gransnetters could be the most knowledgeable people voting

Graces I think you almost answered your own query - each country has to treat everyone the same and in some/most EU states the benefits system is contribution-based, so if you are a newcomer you don't get the benefits.

I would be interested to know the details of this too soontobe. I had thought that each country had to offer the same to EU migrants as they do to their own population. However, the question now seems to be is this any EU migrant or a working EU member and can we restrict some benefits.

I did wonder why, if we want to limit payment of benefits to EU migrants we didn't limit them to our own citizens, e.g., no one able to receive benefits until they had paid in for four years would mean that applied to migrants too.

Hopefully someone can help us here or perhaps Gransnet can find someone we can ask

Out of interest. I know that people in the UK can work in Europe with not much fuss.
But I think I am right in thinking that those with no job to go to, cannot get the same benefits in other European countries as in the UK. So there is a big mismatch. Hence some of the opposition.

Who wants it GrannyTwice? Many don't. It always seems to me that those who are "anti-immigrant" are so sure they are right but have no mechanism for understanding that others, equally intelligent, sensible and patriotic hold a different and acceptable opinion.

I think they are just very noisy and are backed by some of the most muck raking news papers but many quietly enjoy freedom of movement and believe it has offered just as many Brits opportunities as it does for those coming here.

DC will never get any change in free movement of labour. Full stop.

But gg those pockets will add up won't they?

Grannytwice I just feel that anti-immigrant feeling is so strong I think this is in pockets of the population rather than across the board but it will be interesting to see.

Are you intending to come across as feeling cross with other posters grannyonce or am I perhaps misreading you?

sounded like a 'royal we' as if we have any influence.
Surely a bit picky?

why should Scotland have a double majority (their votes are 'more important' than those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - of course they aren't)

Surely it is Scotland's right to negotiate what they feel best for their country? We are a kingdom of united countries not England telling everyone else what to do and I think governments need to start to realise that centralised decisions for a few are not going to pass muster for much longer.

I really don't think there will be any problem with turnout. Which way the populatiuon will swing is another matter.

I think DC is aking a huge risk with this. Perhaps he is using it as a tool with other EU members, to bring about the changes he is looking for. They have almost as much to lose as we have if we come out. I just hope people can be educated/persuaded, call it what you will, in the true best interests of the UK.

It was whitewave