The EU - we are on the home straight folks!

dd, because of what, how?
Personally I feel as much affinity with a Canadian, Australian, Jamaican, South American and Asian, as a European. Just do.

When since the history of the EU have we had say, virtually whatsoever, in reforming it?

That definitely influences part of my decision to leave.

But that was ceesnan, roses and Ana, so that will explain it.

Are you telling us off, bags?
You did not tell people off 50 posts ago when they were saying we needed some levity on this thread.

At last we agree on something dd.

I'm finding this thread increasingly ridiculous. Of course the UK is part of Europe from a geographical point of view, but that's not the main reason for the UK being part of Europe. I'll leave the division of the world into continents to the academics.

The point is that for hundreds of years, the UK has shared and traded philosophical, political and cultural (etc) ideas with Europe. There have been imports of ideas from other continents, but there is a definable European intellectual tradition. To outsiders, we are all European, even if we seem to be more aware of the differences between us.

finished

The sea began to rise at the end of the last glaciation period finished eleven or twelve thousand years ago as the ice melted. Some of the land it was on (like where I live) also rose when the enormous weight of the ice was no longer on it.

Many of the people who wish to reform the EU live in it and it is now being recognised by people such as Juncker that this does need to be done. By remaining we will be in a good position to help in this reformation. We missed out in the original shaping of the EU as Atlee would not join the original group of countries - please do not let us miss out again. Our input would be good for everyone.

Going back to the continents - I gave just looked at the world maps of the continents and it is very interesting. Some maps snow north and South Americas together and some as separate continents - one even shows Asia and Central Asia but they all without fail show the UK as part of Europe and also a couple of more islands thousands of miles away - I could not work out which islands they were!

The UK may be on the same continental shelf as Europe but that is an academic argument. As we all must know, the seas rose (why without man's help with pollution?) and the British Isles were cut off by sea from the rest of continental Europe.

I will re-post:
According to the definition of a continent in the strict sense, an island cannot be part of any continent, but by convention and in practice most major islands are associated with a continent.

Not part of, but associated with.

We have always had an uneasy relationship within the EU, and many European citizens themselves are not wholly in favour of the EU.
People do not seem to recognize that those who wish to leave the EU or seriously reform it are not just those living in the UK.

Does anyone know if people in Australia or New Zealand are taught that the UK is part of Europe in their geography lessons?
I don't know, I could ask DGS but he may be too young to have been taught anything like that.
Otherwise, have a couple of rellies who are teachers over there.

djen
It's very interesting to look at the maps and see us as others see us, not always the centre of the world
Yes, I was tempted to buy a map from the perspective of Australia being at 'the top'

After all, viewed from space, no-one is at the top

how do you do that jingls?
the link I mean

When I mentioned the point (summarily dismissed by jessm) I was thinking along the lines of this article

I find it worrying.

And the spectacle of Corbyn dressing up in an ermine cape and stepping out of a limo wasn't 'funny', it was cringeworthy.

Reducing the discussion to the level of playground ridiculousness and silliness does no-one any favours. I'm not surprised at this from some posters but I am surprised at it from others.

I daren't answer that

As a teacher of older students, I was intrigued by Gove insisting primary school children should learn the 16 times table. Perhaps he would like us to go back to imperial measures when 16 oz made one pound. Otherwise when would you ever use the sixteen times table??

...and employment of unqualified teachers.

Gove and experts... known in the teaching profession for having his own strongly held opinions and a complete unwillingness to listen to the opinions of teachers. He has made a mess of the English school system with all the academies and free schools.

Gove could do with a bit of brain surgery.

With a littke keyhole surgery on the side....

So then they can set each other free to go and pilot the planes.

“Fortunately, once we’ve escaped from the shackles of Brussels, we’ll be able to tear up reams of red tape – otherwise known as ‘the law’ – and create a new system of Free Prisons, run by felons themselves. "
Excellent article.

Whitewave, it was the airline pilot that was scary.
Every plane that's crashed was piloted by an expert. Bad timing, that.