Brexit.

[Innula Zenovka]

When the Euro was introduced there were countries that did not take the euro as their cuurency. Seven countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden) are EU members but do not use the euro.
Later on in history is decided that all new members have to commit to the euro.

From the Schengenvisa site:
"In order for a country to become part of the EU, the same must meet all the membership criteria, otherwise also known as ‘Copenhagen Criteria’. The main criteria are the free-market economy, a stable democracy and the rule of law, and the acceptance of all EU legislation, including the euro."

There is, I think, some flexibility about when you adopt the Euro, though - - the UK would have to commit to adopting it at some point, but not immediately on accession. I can't remember the details offhand, but I know the EU specialists I follow online (lawyers and trade negotiators, mostly) seem to think that, while the EU may be flexible about when the UK would have to adopt the Euro, free movement is non-negotiable.

But all this is a long way in the future, as I keep saying, and we just don't know how things will look in fifteen or twenty years' time.

 

[Sid]

Flexibility yes, that depends on the economic situation in that specific country. but no flexibility to delay until goes no more (Saying yes, but meaning no).

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Actually any sane country at the moment should reject the idea of using the Euro as currency when wanting to join the EU. The Euro, as it is right now, is quite flawed and implementing it brings a lot of problems with it. Just like what happened to Greece and Italy when introducing it.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/10/joseph-stiglitz-the-problem-with-europe-is-the-euro

A Croatian I talked to was really looking forward to the price of everything going up but earning power not. YAaAaAaAY.

 

[detrius]

When the Euro was introduced there were countries that did not take the euro as their cuurency. Seven countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden) are EU members but do not use the euro.
Later on in history is decided that all new members have to commit to the euro.

From the Schengenvisa site:
"In order for a country to become part of the EU, the same must meet all the membership criteria, otherwise also known as ‘Copenhagen Criteria’. The main criteria are the free-market economy, a stable democracy and the rule of law, and the acceptance of all EU legislation, including the euro."

I don't know... if Brexit has taught me anything, it's that the EU is actually quite willing to negotiate - and also really good at it.

They could for example let Great Britain keep the pound if Northern Ireland and some overseas territories like Gibraltar and Anguilla make the switch to the Euro.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

I don't know... if Brexit has taught me anything, it's that the EU is actually quite willing to negotiate - and also really good at it.

They could for example let Great Britain keep the pound if Northern Ireland and some overseas territories like Gibraltar and Anguilla make the switch to the Euro.

Wouldn't the currency in Gibraltar be a question for the Government of Gibraltar? I ask because I do not know.

The question of the currency in NI would be sensitive, to say the least, and I think the Irish government would, quite rightly, veto the idea of NI being forced to adopt the Euro while the rest of the UK retained the pound, as, I am sure, would the British government -- it would be far too dangerous and probably contrary to the Good Friday Agreement.

By the time the UK is ready to re-apply, I think NI will be close to uniting with the Republic anyway, thus solving the currency problem.

 

[Sid]

I don't know... if Brexit has taught me anything, it's that the EU is actually quite willing to negotiate - and also really good at it.

They could for example let Great Britain keep the pound if Northern Ireland and some overseas territories like Gibraltar and Anguilla make the switch to the Euro.

As someone living close to two borders (Germany and Belgium) I can tell you, that the euro is a blessing. I'm in the neighboring countries on a regular basis. In the past it was always calculating when in a shop on the other side of the border. One Belgium Franc was about 5.5 Dutch cents (Guilder cents back then) A German Mark was 1,12 guilder. And then there was the constant hastle and costs of currency exchanges at the bank.
Often I had two or three currencies in my wallet.

If Britain does or doesn't take the euro as their currency is no big deal really for daily consumer trade. It is an island, one doesn't hop over for a few hours.
But: Being part of the euro zone has to do with solidarity between the countries of the EU too.
When Greece was in financial trouble, the euro zone could help out. Same when Spain and others had troubles. The euro zone kept interest rates extremely low, bought loans by the billions. That way the stronger economies like Germany and NL helped the weaker ones.
If Britain stays out of the euro zone it is easier for the country to say "not our beer". We have seen it from Poland and Hungary over the last years.
When in the zone, one has to be constructive, it is in the end about your own currency then.
NL was against the special aids for Greece first, but in the end we gave in, because of that reason.

And personally I think, it would be a very bad start for a reentry of the UK, to put that country in the special snowflake seat again.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

As someone living close to two borders (Germany and Belgium) I can tell you, that the euro is a blessing. I'm in the neighboring countries on a regular basis. In the past it was always calculating when in a shop on the other side of the border. One Belgium Franc was about 5.5 Dutch cents (Guilder cents back then) A German Mark was 1,12 guilder. And then there was the constant hastle and costs of currency exchanges at the bank.
Often I had two or three currencies in my wallet.

If Britain does or doesn't take the euro as their currency is no big deal really for daily consumer trade. It is an island, one doesn't hop over for a few hours.
But: Being part of the euro zone has to do with solidarity between the countries of the EU too.
When Greece was in financial trouble, the euro zone could help out. Same when Spain and others had troubles. The euro zone kept interest rates extremely low, bought loans by the billions. That way the stronger economies like Germany and NL helped the weaker ones.
If Britain stays out of the euro zone it is easier for the country to say "not our beer". We have seen it from Poland and Hungary over the last years.
When in the zone, one has to be constructive, it is in the end about your own currency then.
NL was against the special aids for Greece first, but in the end we gave in, because of that reason.

And personally I think, it would be a very bad start for a reentry of the UK, to put that country in the special snowflake seat again.

My main concern about the Euro dates back to 1998, when Eddie George, then Governor of the Bank of England, caused considerable controversy by defending high interest rates thus:

The Governor of the Bank of England, Eddie George has provoked outrage with his comment that job losses in the north were an acceptable price to pay for curbing inflation in the south.

Mr George was quick to add that while rising unemployment in the north-east is undesirable, "monetary policy can only target the economy as a whole, not particular regions or sectors, however uncomfortable that reality might be."

BBC News | Talking Point | Is unemployment a price worth paying?

I understand his point, but it made me realise that, since setting interest rates for a single country, the UK, was so problematic, it must be even more so when trying to set interest rates for the whole of the EU.

 

[Sid]

Being part of the EU and the euro zone means to benefit from a huge internal market and being part of a big global player. But it also means that each participating country has to give up some of its national interests at times and has to put the EU first.
To be honest I think that the UK thinks (and always has thought) way to much in terms of Britain first to be a member of the EU.
I think finding ways to work as closely as possible together again is a better solution, for now and in the future, than the UK reuniting with the EU again.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Random idea: various indigenous groups the world over buy some castles in the UK, turn them into museums to the cultures who bought the castles, and put signs at the gate: "You are a guest on (culture) soil."

And wait for the shrieking. (Both outrage or amusement.)

 

[Innula Zenovka]

 

[Bartholomew Gallacher]

Breaking news: Boris Johnson is the new columnist of The Daily Mail! Well, exactly the type of newspaper a white trash swashbuckler person like him belongs to..

Boris Johnson unveiled as new Daily Mail columnist

It was the front page tease that got the whole of Britain talking. Who could the 'erudite new columnist' announced on the cover of today's Daily Mail possibly be?

www.dailymail.co.uk

There's also an official tweet, but some of the comments are hilarious:


The Mail could have saved themselves £1 million quid and created a more coherent article by emptying a couple of cans of Alphabetti Spaghetti onto the floor. Total cost: £2.50 #WordSalad

No thanks, I need to trim my toenails. It is much more important and useful than reading a potential pack of lies.

Do one about that floppy haired liar who was too much of a coward to confront his fate and ran away wetting his not-very-often pulled up pants. Dare you.

The Mail is the gutter press. Johnson is well placed there. Thankfully, his life in politics is finished

 

[Free]

There's also an official tweet, but some of the comments are hilarious:

>> Read Boris Johnson’s first column NOW here


Read? Its not just a series of pictographs?

 

[Tirellia]

Random idea: various indigenous groups the world over buy some castles in the UK, turn them into museums to the cultures who bought the castles, and put signs at the gate: "You are a guest on (culture) soil."

And wait for the shrieking. (Both outrage or amusement.)

Many castles in the UK are already owned by indigenous peoples. The English, Scots, Welsh and Irish. But apparently we don't count.

 

[WolfEyes]

Many castles in the UK are already owned by indigenous peoples. The English, Scots, Welsh and Irish. But apparently we don't count.

I think they mean more like the Picts or one of these later tribes:

BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: Native Tribes of Britain

Explore our map showing the major Celtic tribes who lived in Britain at the time of the Roman Conquest

www.bbc.co.uk

Possibly even the Celts that originated in Europe.

Image credit: Celtic Ireland in the Iron Age: the Celts


Except they are tribes from other countries, not the UK. Like if the Cherokee were to buy a castle and move in.

 

[Sid]

Very interesting article from Prof Öberg in eastangliabylines.co.uk.

It underlines what I have thought all the time. Re-joining will not happen in a jiffy.

 

[Sid]

>> Read Boris Johnson’s first column NOW here


Read? Its not just a series of pictographs?

I think I can live without those.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Brexit to blame for soaring inflation, former Bank of England boss says: ‘We told you so’ (msn.com)

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Very interesting article from Prof Öberg in eastangliabylines.co.uk.

It underlines what I have thought all the time. Re-joining will not happen in a jiffy.

We could try asking the Netherlands to come and take over. Worked well enough in 1688/9.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Read the full thread, please, about Jacob Rees-Mogg, another Brexit grifter and cosplayer who, like Johnson, no writer would invent as a character, since if they did he'd be dismissed as too obviously a parody

 

[Sid]

Summary: Don't trust a man who is named Jacob Rees-Mogg.