Burnham - rejoin Europe in one shape or form?

Cant see it all happening myself.
For a multitude of reasons.

I mean the Rejoin Europe part.

I can, particularly with war looming.

That is one of the main reasons I cant.

These things take time.
A war means everything goes up in the air.
By the time that settles, things have changed. Sometimes out of all recognition.
And life has moved on.
Different people in power.
Different priorities.
Things become more nationilist[if that is the right phrase].
Countries know who they can rely on and who they cant.
etc etc etc

I think to the contrary, removing trade barriers becomes vital when there is a war, which cuts through the red tape to make decision making more speedy.

cuts through reed tape to make decisions more speedy

Casdon that is one of the problems with the EU as it is currently, red tape and the length of time for all member countries to agree on something/anything.

Travel between countries is off the agenda usually in time of war. Every country looks to its own borders and suspicion is high. I just hope that doesn’t happen but with the leaders around now it seems increasingly likely ( not including Burnham in this, I don’t see him as a warmonger )

Red tape cut specifically as in all the forms needed for trading, GG13 as in customs and relevant movement of goods across borders.
This is possible to do without the red tape of being an EU member.

Wyllow3

Red tape cut specifically as in all the forms needed for trading, GG13 as in customs and relevant movement of goods across borders.
This is possible to do without the red tape of being an EU member.

The only way I can see the U.K. establish free movement of goods and/or customs union with the EU is for us to accept becoming part of the Schengen Agreement/free movement of people.

Which in my opinion would be unacceptable in these days current world situation.

nanna8

Travel between countries is off the agenda usually in time of war. Every country looks to its own borders and suspicion is high. I just hope that doesn’t happen but with the leaders around now it seems increasingly likely ( not including Burnham in this, I don’t see him as a warmonger )

I guess you’re looking at Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Iranian government, and possibly China and North Korea?

In which case I very much agree.

GrannyGravy13

^cuts through reed tape to make decisions more speedy^

Casdon that is one of the problems with the EU as it is currently, red tape and the length of time for all member countries to agree on something/anything.

I gave up on the idea of "cutting red tape", when Thatcher tried it. And failed.

I think that was even before the much more widespread use of computers.
Which, as we all can remember, was supposed to almost do away with paper altogether!!

GrannyGravy13

^cuts through reed tape to make decisions more speedy^

Casdon that is one of the problems with the EU as it is currently, red tape and the length of time for all member countries to agree on something/anything.

20 years was the longest.
Can you imagine how much all those jollies cost us the tax payer.
For the majority of this time we were members.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48807161.

GrannyGravy13

Wyllow3

Red tape cut specifically as in all the forms needed for trading, GG13 as in customs and relevant movement of goods across borders.
This is possible to do without the red tape of being an EU member.

The only way I can see the U.K. establish free movement of goods and/or customs union with the EU is for us to accept becoming part of the Schengen Agreement/free movement of people.

Which in my opinion would be unacceptable in these days current world situation.

I don’t think you’re right there, a new deal was struck in 2025 to improve trading arrangements, and I see further expansion if that deal. We don’t need to rejoin the EU in all aspects. If you look at the categories in the 2025 agreement, you can see where further trading deals could be struck that would be beneficial to both parties.
www.google.com/goto?url=CAESZgHrOzAVo_qRm7aJDM9ZPMJYeny2yi00DvYmofarQ9fzcZz4HwvhNcP9LDOdtkXN8AXkqjpa5FYNjYORnNMC2maVx0J0qzjZlvnrquk71mkVs_kFvzyiRgN-zDZ9AKEp8g2e4uZA_w

GrannyGravy13

Wyllow3

Red tape cut specifically as in all the forms needed for trading, GG13 as in customs and relevant movement of goods across borders.
This is possible to do without the red tape of being an EU member.

The only way I can see the U.K. establish free movement of goods and/or customs union with the EU is for us to accept becoming part of the Schengen Agreement/free movement of people.

Which in my opinion would be unacceptable in these days current world situation.

'Free movement' was only ever free movement of EU citizens between EU states. It was totally misrepresented by Leave campaigners and still seems to be misunderstood. It was never about allowing asylum seekers and refugees to travel freely in the EU.

It is one of the EU freedoms which I really miss.

I don’t know if this is still happening or the eu has woken up to the corruption that was/is going on.

When I lived in Bulgaria I had several friends who belonged to a farming cooperative. They were given €20 million to upgrade the farm machinery. Not one new piece of machinery was bought.
EU officials came to check. When asked where they money had gone they did their classic Bulgaria thing and looked them in the eye and shrugged their shoulders.

Personally I think that AB shouldn’t have mentioned anything about the EU at this stage, it’s a gift to Reform.

Or not. I don’t know if you’ve seen this Oreo.
www.google.com/goto?url=CAESvwEB6zswFWT2P5XrnCaJ-_wb3vuIR_Ah3ByNePYzy1GYr2DjWaWWMl1Yw_i5tGqrCgg9NnAkIoEry6VY4MQppTHqjXJXa3_un4tYqN9RWY7YlLBIxsWjvpQMDIt59skxOIEumI2vlmY1OTUFOWSKNXnm1mCQdKgCbeTdEcMwz0RSYWcc1GqI21B8864TQV5AzqdeONhk_wcG2iKPJxh2ZaVHU6p9g6fx3lswCYnZIsB1RnWdRgBIHH-szUZC9sNc5Q

She makes some very good points I think.

Oreo

Other countries in the EU always went their own sweet way and didn’t toe the line, but the UK muggings always followed things to the letter of the law.
I don’t think we should return to the EU as having a referendum would be a disaster once again, it was way too divisive as it was.
Edging closer maybe in various ways but not re-joining.

This is often quoted but is it true? Anybody got evidence for this assertion? I mean the UK had opt outs and a special deal.
The idea that the UK followed all the rules to the letter and the dastardly foreigners ignored the rules when they felt like it is frankly ridiculous and only worthy of the Daily Mail or Sun.
Brexit has been a disaster, if it was great we wouldn’t be still arguing about it would we.
Whichever way it goes there is no doubt we need to be closer to Europe for our own ( and Europes ) good. The main benefits, trade and security.

Brexit has indeed been a disaster and increased red tape also. The UK has suffered and any successes and progress to a closer relationship with EU welcomed.

I think all parties should set out their position whether they plan to rejoin/and ways in which they seek closer EU relationship. Plus of course set out ways any party seeks to alternatively further distance the UK from the EU, e.g. to withdraw from ECHR.

Then the electorate can decide.

Fingers firmly crossed The worst days work ever when we left
Brexit was a total disaster

I agree BuleBelle. Many would agree the majority who voted were unaware of what the short, medium and long term consequences of leaving the EU.

Leaving ECHR without full and fine detail how it will be replaced- and what the short/medium and long term consequences would be has the potential to be an even bigger disaster than Brexit.

Bibedybop
Plenty of rule breaking by various EU countries went on and probably still does and was reported at the time.Sometimes the Eurocrats fined countries and sometimes they got a telling off but there certainly was rule breaking going on.

Oreo

Other countries in the EU always went their own sweet way and didn’t toe the line, but the UK muggings always followed things to the letter of the law.
I don’t think we should return to the EU as having a referendum would be a disaster once again, it was way too divisive as it was.
Edging closer maybe in various ways but not re-joining.

Please tell what advantages we have since Brexit ?!!
It means I can only visit my son and grandson for 90 days and then tot again for another 90 days ! They live in Germany.

I have no doubt that we, the UK infringed EU laws at times but nowhere near many other countries did/do.