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Article 50 trigger 29th March

(1001 Posts)
Ginny42 Mon 20-Mar-17 12:08:21

Quoting breaking news in the Guardian. Davis is quoted as saying...

“The government is clear in its aims: a deal that works for every nation and region of the UK and indeed for all of Europe – a new, positive partnership between the UK and our friends and allies in the European Union.”

Feeling a bit in shock at those words, as at no time have I felt they are at all clear in their aims. The regions of the UK are disaparate with very different needs and fears. The nations of the UK have very different views of what is best for them, Scotland in particular being very forthright in stating their opposition to what is planned. Finally, what can he possibly mean by a deal that is good for all of Europe? Is he cynically saying EU members will be glad to see the back of us?

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 23:27:40

It's a quote from this, as you would know if you bothered to read any of my links.

thegreatcritique.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/michael-howard-what-on-earth-do-you-think-youre-doing/

Whitewave knows because she has read the link.
Who is the "everbody" who doesn't understand?
I am sure Fitzy understands the quotation.

rosesarered Sun 02-Apr-17 23:27:07

Oh well...grin that's alright then.

whitewave Sun 02-Apr-17 23:20:09

I can understand it

rosesarered Sun 02-Apr-17 23:17:49

It's your own post that Fitzy and everbody else can't understand.
As usual you are quoting somebody ( but not saying who)

whitewave Sun 02-Apr-17 23:16:59

We would give it up in a flash if there was no strategic importance attached to it.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 23:15:12

EU response.

www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/02/eu-will-not-go-soft-on-gibraltar-brexit-talks-diplomats-say-spain

mostlyharmless Sun 02-Apr-17 23:10:59

The referendum result seems to have given a mouthpiece for some very threatening language everywhere but senior politicians like Michael Howard should really know better. They will get us thrown out of the EU if they're not careful!!! Or even, it seems, out of NATO.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 23:09:34

Second line of your previous post, Fitzy. I didn't understand it either.

Fitzy54 Sun 02-Apr-17 23:08:26

Sorry DJ, I didn't understand this one.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 23:04:52

Sorry, Fitzy. NHS?

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 23:02:25

"With every other move, the British Government seems determined to provoke the EU into hardening its stance on Brexit negotiations, inviting a less and less favourable deal. Is that deliberate, so the British have a way of blaming the EU if-and-when negotiations fail? Maybe, but that prize is far less valuable than getting a good deal in the first place. It is the better prize that the Conservatives seem determined to spurn. It may sound sneaky, but it certainly does not sound intelligent.

With Donald Trump in the White House and the Bullingdon Set all over the British Government, crass anti-intellectualism dominates international relations.

On the subject of Trump, imagine what everyone would be saying right now if he had made remarks like these. Everyone would be right too.

The British should not get away with it either."

Fitzy54 Sun 02-Apr-17 23:01:06

DJ Gibraltar was Spanish before "we grabbed it" or to be more accurate, before it was ceded to Britain under an international treaty which had many other provisions. Equally there NHS of Europe and other countries which have swapped hands over the years following wars and treaties. Spain "grabbed" huge chunks of what is now their country from Arabic rulers. Spain also ruled a large part of the Netherlands until not that long before Gibraltar became British. They are hardly going to claim that land back! The point is that we have supposedly given all that up and now respect the wishes of the inhabitants of areas to self determination. If it's ok for the Scottish people to decide whether or not they want to be part of the UK, why would anyone suggest the Gibraltarians shouldn't decide whether they want to subject to Spanish sovereignty? It's not as though they are even asking to be separated. They have been separate from Spain for hundreds of years. It might well be a daft decision on their part - like our own recent daft decision - but surely it should be respected?

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 22:55:33

Do you use Gibraltar as a tax haven, roses?

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 22:54:33

Agree, whitewave. "We could still singe the king of Spain's beard." That's a former ministry of defence rear admiral talking. What century does he think he's living in?

whitewave Sun 02-Apr-17 22:38:04

Well I cant speak for the rest can I

rosesarered Sun 02-Apr-17 22:37:58

But do carry on digging,

rosesarered Sun 02-Apr-17 22:36:36

It wasn't only you ww as I think you know.

whitewave Sun 02-Apr-17 22:31:42

dj just read that link. Someone needs to sack this government for utter incompetence

whitewave Sun 02-Apr-17 22:28:09

Would you feel happier if i critiqued another area of the world to give balance rose I think you will find that i said nothing about the people on a personal level. You post is absurd.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 22:24:28

thegreatcritique.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/michael-howard-what-on-earth-do-you-think-youre-doing/

rosesarered Sun 02-Apr-17 22:21:07

Jalima and Fitzy yes, those are the kind of words that I have come to expect from certain very left wing Remainers on this forum.In fact, it seems they would welcome being ruled by any other country other than our own government,and no doubt call themselves Europeans rather than British.They are extremely bitter about leaving the EU and their anger spills out over all and everything.The times they have talked about Empire ( British Colonial past etc) in sneering terms, when they must know that Germany and France ( to name but two countries) had their own Colonial past.To be honest, it is they not the rest of us who talk of Empire, it was all a very long time ago and we don't care two hoots about it, far from wanting to recreate it.
Most of us though, do love our country and don't think that every other country in the world ( or the EU) is better/worthier/nicer.So, if all they can now do is be as rude as they can about Gib and it's people and secretly hope that Spain will take them over, then let them get on with it, there are plenty of people in this country who feel the opposite.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 22:18:46

I imagine there are lots of lovely Marks and Spencers in Spain, too.
Do you wish to disassociate yourself from that remark, too, Jalima, as I find it very flippant.

durhamjen Sun 02-Apr-17 22:17:06

Was Gibraltar Spanish before we grabbed it?

petra Sun 02-Apr-17 22:17:05

Gibraltar does have a lovely Marks & Spencer smile

Welshwife Sun 02-Apr-17 22:12:37

It is a long time since I went to Gibralter but we did like it.. They do say you either love it or hate it. They had some old fashioned traditions when I was there which were rather charming. The people are what matters not the place - but the people need the place.
I was under the impression that Western Europe had sympathy with East Germany but for a while there was little could be done due to treaties. It was dreadful when the wall went up and great when it came down.

Hong Kong was quite different but it was sad to see it go especially as the population were not keen on the idea.

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