Europe - dare we hope?

Fingers crossed Whitewavemark2, we need to be close to our European allies in these unpredictable and dangerous days, but also because they are our neighbours with whom we have a shared history dating back many centuries, not all of it good but a shared history all the same.
Brexit feels like it belongs to a far distant time now when the world order seemed stable and steady. But times have changed and in order to survive we need to change too. Btw am not suggesting reversing Brexit, that would be far too costly and I certainly wouldn’t want another referendum, also I doubt the EU would want it either.

We need them more than they need us. Brexit has left us on the back foot.

Is a desire for collaboration with our European allies for the safety of all cherry picking?

I agree with you all. I voted remain, but, of course, understood that the majority did not agree with me.
In these increasingly volatile times, I hope that we have learned to look carefully at the countries with whom we ally ourselves.
A little re- positioning seems prudent.

Smileless2012

Is a desire for collaboration with our European allies for the safety of all cherry picking?

Not in general, but we - as usual - are asking for special measures particularly in the finance and car industries.

Look at what we gave up with Brexit! All because of our tendency to demand and winning special concessions.

I don’t think europe will be so soft this time around.

I agree, WWM. We won't get as good a deal as we had - it was so silly to let that go - but we have to be realistic. We shot ourselves in the foot with Brexit, and need to look at damage limitation now.

We are in a world with very large powers vying for position. We are a tiny country with dwindling influence, so separating ourselves from Europe made no sense to me. I will never forgive Camerforge closer ties, I really hope we take it.

We gave up so much, and that was on the majority who voted for BREXIT.
Time to get back what we can.

We can have big cooperation if we fall in line with their rules, it's in our court, how much are we willing to compromise. We have not diverged very much, the issue is regulation, do they trust our verification

Freedom of movement will be one issue, that will be an obstacle to many changes.

There will be obstacles. There will be advantages.
Time to get on with it.

Yes, the whole picture has changed since the vote. I think Starmer will tread a careful path but only good things can come out of it as a solution to our economic situation, especially now we feel more and more isolated from the US.

I think the reality check about our 'special relationship' is pushing us back to Europe.

Maremia

I think the reality check about our 'special relationship' is pushing us back to Europe.

Agree.
This can no longer be relied upon. Even when the next president is sworn in I think we have learned an important lesson here about putting our nation’s security before any so called special relationship that once turned sour could easily do so again.

I’m so hopeful that we’ll move back towards our strongest partners - the EU🤞🤞🤞

Brexit has clearly been a ten year disaster, making this country so much poorer. Even those who loudly promoted it, now don’t want to talk about it - tells you a lot really🤬

There’s never been a special relationship with America. Many countries think they have the same relationship with them. And it’s getting increasingly obvious just how many dodgy people were behind the Brexit campaign eg Bannon. And there’s probably a Russian link, too.

Another echo chamber here so I won’t spoil it but leave you to the joy of agreeing with one another. 😁

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Another echo chamber here so I won’t spoil it but leave you to the joy of agreeing with one another. 😁

Oh please don’t do that, I may not agree with you but is nice to have differing points of view. Echo chambers can get a bit boring.
😬

😁😁
Back later x

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Another echo chamber here so I won’t spoil it but leave you to the joy of agreeing with one another. 😁

Same here. Collaborate on defence by all means. It makes sense but I hope anything else is very carefully considered especially where Starmer is concerned with his dubious judgement and constant U-turns. It also makes a mockery of the referendum.

Europe is unprepared for war of any kind. It has happily lived off the back of US defence and US tax payers for years, now it has been found wanting, scared and it’s leadership is lost as to what to do.

Only Poland listened to Trump and have a credible defence.

Poland has Russia as it's next door neighbour, I think if we had Russia as our NDN we'd have spent more money on defence and would have a much stronger military. fwiw Poland increased it's defence spending immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 not as a response to Trump.

The peace dividend has allowed Europe to become bloated welfare states and to hide behind the nebulous concept of international law. The tide’s going out now and we can see who isn't wearing a swimming costume.

Spain seem to have good ideas.

Sanchez is useless.

Natasha Hausdorff spell out the correct understanding of "international law" What we have now is the political falsified version.

This conflict is NOT illegal. But what is illegal, are the boats bringing migrants.

Western nations have become fat and lazy on peace, cheap money and welfare. There was always going to be an accounting. Well, Here it is.