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Brexit. We never stood a chance. The elites were against it.

(249 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 21-Jul-25 12:49:19

“The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been accused of rigging research to make Brexit look like a failure.

Klaus Schwab, the face of the Davos conference in Switzerland for years, allegedly intervened in the WEF’s annual Global Competitiveness Report, which ranks countries on productivity and long-term prosperity.

In the 2017/2018 report, the UK’s ranking improved from seventh to fourth after a change in methodology.

But Mr Schwab, 87, wrote to staff that the UK “must not see any improvement”, as otherwise it would be “exploited by the Brexit camp”.

The final report published in 2017 showed the UK had dropped one place to eighth.”

Well well. Colour me surprised. Not.

Casdon Wed 23-Jul-25 10:40:06

Allsorts

Why this consrant rehashing, going on about Brexit. Shame those that did not understand what they were voting for, I did my research and had no doubt we would be better out and making our own decisions. I did not want Labour in but we are stuck with them for a bit, they have broken most promises but we live with it.

I’m intrigued to know what research you did Allsorts.

Maremia Wed 23-Jul-25 10:44:05

There are so many benefits to chose from, the list is sooooooo long, that people just can't decide which ones to describe.
That must be why there is never a reply to,
'so how are we better off?'

sundowngirl Wed 23-Jul-25 10:51:46

FranP

We should never have gone into EU in the first place, but it was supposed to be an alliance of like economies, but while we kinda knew that Spain and Italy were not as prosperous as they were making out, we could manage that, but then we let Greece join which bankrupted them and dragged us down.
Then we started letting in the gimme countries who wanted to join for the money. The point is that levelling was always going to drag us down.

But that is water under the bridge. Cameron was SO sure that we would all vote remain that he called the referendum. People were so p'd off with him that he got a bloody nose. What not many of us realised was that there was a very expensive series of exit payments to be made. But as several countries are now more than 100% of their national GDP in debt, we are not so badly off, as we do have a choice not a minority vote as to how we prop these countries up.

This

MaizieD Wed 23-Jul-25 11:06:30

I have to buy a visa to visit my daughter and long queues to get into EU countries.

If you voted Leave, Milest0ne, that is precisely what you voted for.

We are no longer a member of the EU. We no longer have freedom of movement in EU states. We are being treated exactly like any other non EU member always has been.


The EU still considers us a cash cow even though we are no longer members.

Don't be silly. EU visas are remarkably cheap.

MaizieD Wed 23-Jul-25 11:09:11

Allsorts asks 'Why this consrant rehashing, going on about Brexit.'

Did she not notice that this thread was started by a fanatical Leave voter?

GrannyGravy13 Wed 23-Jul-25 11:13:19

The visa scheme ETIAS has been delayed yet again, so no you do not need a visa to enter EU at the moment.

UK citizens can use EU countries e-gates, with everyone else, as agreed between the EU and U.K.

MaizieD Wed 23-Jul-25 11:19:18

GrannyGravy13

The visa scheme ETIAS has been delayed yet again, so no you do not need a visa to enter EU at the moment.

UK citizens can use EU countries e-gates, with everyone else, as agreed between the EU and U.K.

We have something to thank the Labour government for, then...

escaped Wed 23-Jul-25 11:31:32

as an aside ......... Not the ETIAS, but the EES was being trialled at the French ferry port when I left France at the weekend. I think it comes in on October 1st. From where I was leaving and entering both countries it didn't make any difference at all. (They spend more time checking the flippin' dogs' paperwork than ours!)

growstuff Wed 23-Jul-25 12:11:50

fancythat

growstuff

fancythat

Of that, allegedly, [not officially verified] 15% is owed to China

So what?

I am curious to know if that is a genuine question?

You dont have to answer if you dont want to.

Yes, it was a genuine question. Why does it matter who owns UK debt? If, of course, it's true.

petra Wed 23-Jul-25 13:31:30

Casdon

petra

fancythat

Of that, allegedly, [not officially verified] 15% is owed to China

So who told you that, the bloke down the fish shop🤷‍♀️
The uk government doesn’t disclose which countries hold our bonds.

I think he swears he’s Elvis, so don’t trust him.

That’s good 😂

MaizieD Wed 23-Jul-25 13:34:37

growstuff

fancythat

growstuff

fancythat

Of that, allegedly, [not officially verified] 15% is owed to China

So what?

I am curious to know if that is a genuine question?

You dont have to answer if you dont want to.

Yes, it was a genuine question. Why does it matter who owns UK debt? If, of course, it's true.

Of course, we've been running a 'national Debt' for the last 300 years, sometimes a much larger one than we have at present. If we didn't have one, where would people invest their money for guaranteed income from the interest and absolute confidence that the country wouldn't default on the debt?

It's the only absolutely safe investment there is. It's not really a 'debt' as such, it's a guaranteed savings scheme.

fancythat Wed 23-Jul-25 13:55:16

growstuff

fancythat

growstuff

fancythat

Of that, allegedly, [not officially verified] 15% is owed to China

So what?

I am curious to know if that is a genuine question?

You dont have to answer if you dont want to.

Yes, it was a genuine question. Why does it matter who owns UK debt? If, of course, it's true.

They can have influence over you. Sway over you. A hold.
If they wanted to.

PoliticsNerd Wed 23-Jul-25 13:56:03

GrannyGravy13

The visa scheme ETIAS has been delayed yet again, so no you do not need a visa to enter EU at the moment.

UK citizens can use EU countries e-gates, with everyone else, as agreed between the EU and U.K.

It's good that, isn't it GrannyGravy13. Movement forward; how could anyone not be in favour?

fancythat Wed 23-Jul-25 13:57:30

MaizieD

growstuff

fancythat

growstuff

fancythat

Of that, allegedly, [not officially verified] 15% is owed to China

So what?

I am curious to know if that is a genuine question?

You dont have to answer if you dont want to.

Yes, it was a genuine question. Why does it matter who owns UK debt? If, of course, it's true.

Of course, we've been running a 'national Debt' for the last 300 years, sometimes a much larger one than we have at present. If we didn't have one, where would people invest their money for guaranteed income from the interest and absolute confidence that the country wouldn't default on the debt?

It's the only absolutely safe investment there is. It's not really a 'debt' as such, it's a guaranteed savings scheme.

Nothing is guaranteed. At all. But I do take your point.

I dont have such a problem with Uk owed debt.
Much more with foreign owed debt.

Eloethan Wed 23-Jul-25 14:58:32

I did, and do, think there are things wrong with the EU but, on balance, I prefer it to our present position and voted to remain.

I did have misgivings about an EU army but we have nearly always done what the US wants us to do militarily so we are not free of pressure on that front. The only person who seemed to stand up to the US was Harold Wilson who, thank goodness, didn't let us be dragged into the Vietnam War. I think being tied to the US is probably more dangerous than being tied to the EU.

I can't see how we have benefited since leaving the EU.

Claremont Wed 23-Jul-25 17:41:54

Allsorts

Why this consrant rehashing, going on about Brexit. Shame those that did not understand what they were voting for, I did my research and had no doubt we would be better out and making our own decisions. I did not want Labour in but we are stuck with them for a bit, they have broken most promises but we live with it.

There will be constant rehashing of Brexit as long as it is clear that it has damaged the country and economy very badly and continues to do so. Fair enough to rehash in those circumstances.

Your list of things that have got better, please?

growstuff Wed 23-Jul-25 17:50:52

fancythat Please could you explain why you have a problem with foreign owned debt. Do you have a problem with foreign investment in the UK?

Milest0ne Wed 23-Jul-25 18:02:40

MaizieD

^I have to buy a visa to visit my daughter and long queues to get into EU countries.^

If you voted Leave, Milest0ne, that is precisely what you voted for.

We are no longer a member of the EU. We no longer have freedom of movement in EU states. We are being treated exactly like any other non EU member always has been.


The EU still considers us a cash cow even though we are no longer members.

Don't be silly. EU visas are remarkably cheap.

I Did Not vote leave. My daughter in a Baltic country is grateful to belong to EU and NATO as that gives them a feeling of security against being annexed again by Russia.
In the EU ,I felt part of a larger family but now we are often made to feel pariahs

escaped Wed 23-Jul-25 18:18:10

Surely NATO forms the cornerstone of our security policy? And is of far more importance than an EU army.

LizzieDrip Wed 23-Jul-25 18:22:17

Maremia

There are so many benefits to chose from, the list is sooooooo long, that people just can't decide which ones to describe.
That must be why there is never a reply to,
'so how are we better off?'

Ah yes, that must be it Maremia.

Also, Brexit is obviously soooo great that those in favour of it don’t want to talk about it any more🤔 Perhaps they don’t want to be boastful about just how great it is.

petra Wed 23-Jul-25 19:53:23

escaped

Surely NATO forms the cornerstone of our security policy? And is of far more importance than an EU army.

I picture the committee meeting scene from The life of Brian when anyone mentions anything that relates to the EU organizing anything.
www.google.com/search?q=scene+from+The+life+of+Brian+where+they+are+trying+to+organise+the+groups&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:66fca5f2,vid:55fqjw2J1vI,st:0

petra Wed 23-Jul-25 19:55:43

LizzieDrip

Maremia

There are so many benefits to chose from, the list is sooooooo long, that people just can't decide which ones to describe.
That must be why there is never a reply to,
'so how are we better off?'

Ah yes, that must be it Maremia.

Also, Brexit is obviously soooo great that those in favour of it don’t want to talk about it any more🤔 Perhaps they don’t want to be boastful about just how great it is.

😴😴😴😴😴😴 Borrr………ing.

Allira Wed 23-Jul-25 20:01:40

escaped

Surely NATO forms the cornerstone of our security policy? And is of far more importance than an EU army.

I don't know how an EU Army would have worked anyway.

We are members of NATO and also participate in the UN Peacekeeping Corps.

David49 Thu 24-Jul-25 12:46:59

Sticking to NATO is the way forward whether or not the US is the lead member, we already have the structure. We are still going to need US weapons in the short term, Europe will need to step up and increase it own arms industry.

Grantanow Mon 28-Jul-25 12:04:28

It's noticeable that Farage has moved on from his support for Brexit (an obvious failure) to immigration. Simple opportunism. A disaster looms for the UK if he were to become PM.