It takes two to accelerate. That was the message from EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier following a dinner between British PM Theresa May and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels. The statement published after the dinner speaks of a joint desire to “accelerate” stalled Brexit talks, though nothing concrete was apparently agreed.
It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going if you’re driving round in circles. Both sides are growing increasingly frustrated with one another as the Article 50 clock ticks steadily down. The UK desperately wants to move on to discussing a transition deal and future trade relationship before businesses and government agencies have to start activating contingency plans in order to prepare for a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
If there is no transition deal in place by January 2018, the British government would need to begin spending on new staff and infrastructure (which would either mean a financial squeeze on public services or greater public debt) while the private sector would undergo possible job losses as companies relocate at least some operations out of the UK.
Meanwhile, EU negotiators worry that the British side has drastically misread the situation and, frankly, is living on another planet. In an interview with the BBC, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani recently slammed Theresa May’s latest €20 billion offer on the Brexit divorce bill as “peanuts”, adding that the British government needs to start being “realistic”.
The question of whether “sufficient progress” has been made to move talks on to the next stage will be decided by EU leaders when they gather in Brussels for a European Council meeting on 19 October. So far, the prospects of agreement to “accelerate” Brexit talks seem unlikely, with France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Angela Merkel reportedly calling for a tougher line.
Curious to know more about the Brexit negotiations? We’ve put together some facts and figures in the infographic below (click for a bigger version).
On 14 September 2017, we hosted – together with Euronews – a live YouTube interview with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. This is the second year in a row we have hosted the #AskJuncker event, and ahead of the interview we asked our readers to send us in comments and questions to be put to President Juncker.
We had a question sent in on Twitter from John, who asked: “Do you want a deal that is good for the UK and the EU? Or do you want the UK to suffer, discouraging others from exiting?” What would EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker say?
Is the EU trying to punish Britain for choosing Brexit? Does the Commission want the UK to suffer during the negotiations as a way to set an example? Or is Britain just discovering the harsh reality of Brexit? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
359 comments Post a commentcomment
No, the EU is defending its interests. If the EU sounds mean.. well, its because that is what international negotiations are.
EU interests also include continued trade with the UK, so why are they refusing to discuss that as well?
International trade can be a bitch
EU’s “interests” include ending democracy, spreading legalised corruption throught it and punish the UK as hard as they can so that all other members get scared to exist (which is what we actually should do).
Bollocks.
So the EU is defending its interests by making millions of its citizens unemployed ? That’s crazy even for Brussels. lol
No, its defending its interests by a) keeping the integrity of the single market b) Making the UK pay what it owes. c) Protecting Ireland. Shouldnt be too hard to follow.
So:
A) The UK wants to stay in the single market. It is the EU who’s forcing it to leave.
B) The UK owes nothing to the EU, specially not a ridiculous 60 bi fine of “future handouts” not made.
C) Northern Ireland is part of the UK. If the EU is not “protecting” Catalunya, spare me the talk about “Northern Ireland”.
PS: You should be ashamed of degrading my flag by placing it with that blue toilet paper.
Are you joking? The UK voted to “Leave” – they can leave the single market if they want. Its the UKs decision. c) The UK owes money for future commitments it agreed to pay, plus a long list of other things. Try signing a contract to buy a house, and then try to say you don’t want it, and see what happens. C) Do you even know what you are talking about? Its about the RoI/NI border, numpty. And its “OUR” Flag. And i quite like the blue EU flag, so Ill keep it.
A) The UK voted to leave the EU, not the single market. As you clearly do not know, the Single Market is composed by non member as well.
B) The UK owes nothing. The state does mot charge you your future IRS if you emmigrate does it? Your remark is clearly one made by a parasite.
C) It is about nothing. It is none of EU’s business. If the UK wants a border it is their country and thus they should put one.
PS: It is my flag. People that try to sell my country’s independence do not deserve it’s flag.
Keep your blue toilet paper. It is very handy to wipe your ass with it.
They are likening it to a divorce, if that is the case then a distribution of assets which the UK helped build up would be the case. Something of value in return for the portion of assets that the UK cannot physically take. Tit for tat mutterings in the press is not helpful and not really in the spirit of democracy
EU is mostly made up of debt and spending commitments, not assets
The EU has some very valuable real estate and wads of cash in the ECB…oh, and Junckers wine cellar,(if he hasn’t already drunk it all)
no. brexiters in uk, not uk, drive the negotiations towards hard drop out / failure, so they to have ‘reasons’ to blame eu
So EU’s refusing to allow a market negotiation before tge UK agreeing to pay a 60 billion morally unfair fine is not to blame? Right, nice lie lad!
So EU’s refusing to allow a market negotiation before the UK agreeing to pay a 60 billion morally unfair fine yet you say it is not to blame? Right, nice lie lad!
José Bessa da Silva there is no such thing
Who else is to blame?……….. to have 3 “red line” topics and refuse to discuss anything else until your demands on these have been met is hardly negotiating
You should read.
José Bessa da Silva show me what you read
http://observador.pt/2017/05/03/ue-acena-com-conta-de-100-mil-milhoes-reino-unido-diz-que-nao-paga/
José Bessa da Silva thanks. will check it via translator ( portugese? ) later afternoon and will comment.
Brexiters are destroying my country, blaming the eu, and those that wish to remain for the clusterfuck they have created. Throw in some xenophobia and national inequality exploited ruthlessly by some of the very worst right wing free market loons that are salivating at the prospect of a Singapore on the shores of the eu and these are the true people who benefit from Brexit. They are ideological lunatics, and if I had any kind of power they would be in jail for ruining my country.
@Jim Green
Bremainiacs are destroying my country!
They continually play the race card despite wanting the UK to stay in the all-white EU group!
They pander to the risible-cum-malevolent EU – a behaviour rather reminiscent of ‘battered woman syndrome’.
They lack resilience and are dominated by a whining glass-half-empty mentality.
People like you need to grow a ‘pair’ (ovaries or testicles) as your undemocratic, sycophantic, anti-working class rhetoric is destroying my country!
eu has it’s own interests now. there is no punishing here…
It was the British Government that initiated BREXIT , trying to undermine and divide the European Union , just as had being the case in the lead-up to the American debacle with the decade long Iraqi quagmire from 2003, during the ascension of Cyprus into the European Union on May 1 2004, which was provoked by the Turkish -British alliance in Cyprus against the Americans from 1950 , both opposing the ascension of Cyprus into the EU on May 1 2004 , with Turkey going a step further and threatening war against the EU on the ascension of Cyprus into the EU, which pushed the United States into the decade long Iraqi quagmire liberating the Kurds of Basur Kurdistan in the process and laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Sovereign Federation Nation State of Kurdistan , dissolving Turkey in the process, from the American overthrow of the dictatorial Baathist Regime of Saddam Hussein.
Brexit is a call for freedom and democracy. I would love to see my country do the same. The EU is a corrupt dictatorship and should fall like one.
You don’t need the UK to undermine the pointless EU, the resistance movement against the antidemocratic EU is now unstoppable. .
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/867385/Czech-election-latest-poll-Andrej-Babis-ANO-EU-eurozone-eurosceptic
It’s simple. I want a say in my destiny. Why be dictated to by an unelected super state? Become educated on the principles by George Orwell. Stand on our own two feet. Support others by demonstrating our self reliance. Thanks Europe, but no thanks. We remember. Gravy train, gold, hypocrisy, unaccountability, beurocracy, fiscal corruption, fantastic perks and pensions for coming aboard and towing the line. Big is ugly. I would rather keep my dignity and integrity than grow my belly fat. Pouring money into the eu drain. Individuality matters. Homogenousness versus diversity. Diversity wins every time for me.
“EU negotiators worry that the British side has drastically misread the situation”….you mean “the situation” that has been deliberately created by the EU in refusing to discuss anything until they get their own way?……yes, I imagine the British side thought they would be negotiating with adults… how wrong can they be
Before the referendum the leave campaign said they need us more than we need them. From what I can see it is clearly not the case. Our currency is suffering and living standards … people in the EU are just getting on with their lives.
@P
If the EU tries to screw the City of London over Brexit some pundits predict that there will be a global financial collapse ==> the EU WILL SUFFER!
Are you blaming the EU for defending its interests,Paul? This is the most hilarious thing I have read. Why did you think they would do anything else?
Karolina, I wouldn;t expect the EU to do anything else than defend it’s interests, but that is not what is currently doing. Everyone accepts continued trade is in the interst of the EU as well as the Uk, but they flatly refuse to discuss this until the UK promises a hugh divorce bill. That is not “defending” an interest, that is blackmail
Yes absolutely you are pushing
Please explain, without quoting the Daily Fail
ALL THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF OPEN BORDERS UK ?
SOON Will Be THE SAME WITH MANY COUNTRIES
LIKE AUSTRIA 🇦🇹 HUNGARY 🇭🇺 POLAND 🇵🇱 AND MORE
THE EUROPEAN UNION 🇪🇺 WANT JUST THE MONEY 💰 FROM UK 🇬🇧
When you cannot give an argument – turn CAPS LOCK on :D
Julius Piepalius there are many ways how you can understand
But The U.K. Voting out is because of Emigration Millions off emigrants went to U.K.
If you go and see England is look like Middle East
That’s is the reason why
That’s absolute bollocks tho. Immigration is just an easy target for failure to invest in proper ifrastructure. U.K. Has always been multicultural, we just have a terrible government, one of the most unequal societies in the world and an awful press. The eu is far from perfect but would have much preferred to stay in and argue for reform with progressive like minded countries. We just don’t have a progressive government, they are ideologues. The only good thing about Brexit is it’s shone a light on how corrupt and sick our country has become under this lot.
Jim Green perhaps that’s is true the government are corrupted specially THERESA MAY is not doing well she is to slow for the UK 🇬🇧 Of Course I good prefer Nigel Farage for Prime Minister
@Jim Green
Blithering balderdash!
Low-calibre immigrants from the EU meant companies did not need to invest in hardware/tech/capital-expenditure in the first place resulting in grievous wage compression for the UK workforce.
Additionally, it has been stated that more than 1,000,000 illegal immigrants have [via the porous EU] illegally entered the UK putting further pressure on UK resources and infrastructure.
The feeling I get from here in Scandinavia is that the Brexit movement is splintered about how they want the exiting to be and as such their negotiations goals are not defined and makes it harder to negotiate.
While you cannot blame anyone for wanting to get as much and give as little from any negotiation the EU has it a lot easier to identity what they want and to make counterarguments to Britain’s demands.
However there is no main goal, or even secondary, to punish the (English really) British for their choice, merely a need to make this either:
1. We win, you lose situation.
Or
2. Win-win situation.
This is the only viable alternative for the EU members.
This is not a negotiations for a new member that could potentially boosts all of our economies but a withdrawal from our Union and potentially from our inner market.
The EU just can’t accept a neet loss in this deal.
Brilliant
Thank you.
@Roger Bylèhn
I think your EU-win and UK-lose argument is a tad simplistic.
Based upon your support of the EU’s aggressive ‘Cold War’ attitude to the UK, IF the UK leaves, yes it will suffer for 2-3 years thereafter BUT I would hope that the UK would actively support [psycholgically and financially] small EU nations if they seek to leave the ‘HOTEL CALIFORNIA’ clutches of the EU.
The EU REICH must die!!
No. The UK is asking for something the EU can’t give.
Why can’t the EU give what they want? Oh, right, because the EU wants to punish and make them an example for all those that might think about leaving in the future.
Which is what exactly?…..nothing the UK wants has even been discussed yet
Want the UK wants will destabilize the single market.
No it will not. The only thing they want is access to it.
With access comes responsibilities such as observing the ECJ etc. Which May has ruled out. How can someone have full access and not observe the rules? I’m stunned that is point is lost on them.
No one knows what May wants about the Single Market because the EU simply refused to negociate that matter before Brexit happens. In other words…try again.
Doubt May even knows what she wants
“With access comes responsibilities such as observing the ECJ etc”
Actually there are plenty of countries which have free trade agreements with the EU that the ECJ has no influence over at all
The problem is with the UK as an ex-member, the EU is trying to force us to take excess baggage with us that other countries are not saddled with. This is one reason why a clean break “no deal” option is the way forward. This would then be followed by a trade negotiations from clean slate and with the UK being in trade deficit with the EU we would definitely get a good free trade agreement
@Paul – There is no country that has a free trade deal with the EU that gives the kind of access the UK wants without ECJ jurisdiction. EU-Canada doesn’t even come close. Based on TMay’s Florence speech, the UK wants the kind of access to the Single Market that EFTA members have, without having any of the obligations that EFTA membership would entail.
A free trade agreement with the EU is going to take years to conclude. It took 7 years to negotiate the EU-Canada deal, and (as I said) the UK wants a much more ambitious deal. If no transitional arrangement is in place, then the UK will switch to other markets. In the long run, maybe it will even flourish. But that process will be painful, and people will lose jobs, pensions will be cut, public services will be cut, taxes will go up, etc., etc.
If we go for “cliff edge” Brexit, then it will be painful. The UK will pull through, I’m sure. But we can’t pretend it’s not going to hurt (and it will hurt the market of 65 million more than it will hurt the market of 450 million).
@James – I don’t think anyone knows what the UK’s ambitions are for a trade deal and until the EU grows up and decides to start negotiations on the subject probably nobody will.
All we currently have is one lobby going on about how they want to keep full access to the single market (impossible without cancelling Brexit) and another saying we could survive in the worse case WTO scenario
The reality is obviously somewhere between but I still suggest our trade deficit with the EU means negotiating from a clean break condition would get the best deal.
From a negotiating point of view it is easier to have the trade deal you are aiming for and then have the EU propose the conditions they will attach to it, rather than inherit all the current conditions and try and negotiate away the ones you don’t want
@Paul – I’m worried that a disorderly Brexit without a transition deal in place will cause immense short-term damage to the economy. If that happened then the government would probably fall, and Labour would take their place and bring in a raft of economic policies that could soften the pain (again, in the short-term) but would almost certainly make inflation even worse.
It’s really not in anybody’s interests for the UK to bomb out of Brexit talks without a transitional deal in place. Everybody is saying that: The British government, The European Council, the Commission, even the bloody European Parliament!
To be honest, it was a massive mistake to trigger Article 50 before our ducks were all in a row. There was huge pressure to get on with things, but now the clock is really ticking.
@ James
James, all the recent headlines generated from the (very biased) OECD have been about how good they say it would be for the UK economy to have a second referendum and reverse Brexit. What is not broadcast so openly is that the same OECD predicts the UK will still have 1% growth in 2018 even with a hard Brexit. Not brilliant admittedly, but not a total disaster considering the same report only predicts 1.2% growth for Italy and Japan. Also unemployment would rise 1%, again not good news but certainly not the catastrophe some would want us to believe. ..and this forecast is for the year of actual Brexit, it’s logical to assume things will start to recover in the following years
We all should punish EU for what they did against our interests in all these years
And what exactly was that Alfredo?
I wanna know too. How has it harmed your interests ?
It obviously is.
No. The UK wants the cake and eat it too. And that cannot work with the EU…
EU’s negotiation is public while UK is still hiding its cards/or deciding what to do. A hard brexit is their (UK) goal, so there’s no punishment from EU
Is this the cake the UK has been paying for over the last 40 years yet is expected to continue to buy cakes for everyone long after we have left?
…and what you really mean is the EU’s demands on the UK are public, they haven’t done any negotiating
EU is the one refusing to negociate everything before the UK agrees to pay what it shouldn’t even be asked to pay for.
Eu tenho vergonha que no meu país ainda haja tanta gente ignorante sobre o que a UE é e faz. Somos realmente um povo de bananas acomodados.
@César Gonçalves
Are you part of the UK Brexit team as you seem to be very certain of yourself despite the EU repeatedly stating (JCJ, MB and other EU oiks) that the UK must be punished?
@Paul X
This is the cake that the Club Med countries have never nett summarily contributed over the course of their respective EU memberships and yet still rob slices and slice and slices of EU net contributor cake each and every day!
If you don’t want to pay the ticket you can’t go to the gym and make use of its equipment. Same goes for the EU: if you don’t want to pay your fee and you don’t want to respect the European laws you can’t have access to the Common Market nor travel freely within it. Actually, if the EU allows the British to have access to the Common Market and travel freely within it, it would be the final nail in its coffin. Why would the rest of the member-states pay their fees if the UK can have their same rights without paying it and without respecting the EU’s laws and directives? It would be the end of the EU.
The problem of your theory is that the EU wants to be paid even after the UK leaving the “gym”.
And why would we keep the EU if there is a better deal? Any smart person would see your last argument is just a ridiculous misplaced “european nationalism”.
Your analogy is not correct, for two reasons.
1/ of the 28 gym members, only 11 pay be in the club. The other 17 get paid,
2/ have the two benefits you cite (access to common market and free movement) ever come with a ‘fee’ that would be open to anybody who can write the cheque?
agree with you Marco
No José wants free access to the “gym”aka EU market… Norway and Swiss pay for the access as well!
However the money they shall pay now is to cover costs they agreed to during the membership… like investments or retirement for employees
Fabian, that is a lie. They haven’t even started negociation on that front because the EU refuses to do so before the pays for “membership fees” of that “gym”.
@ Fabian
You could be on the committee of Marco’s Gym…… that committee votes to buy some more equipment….now if you subsequently resign from the committee and quit the gym they don’t demand you to keep paying your membership fee just because you were part of the committee that made the spending decisions do they?
@Marco Bianchi
Pay attention!
The UK does not want the so-called ‘FOUR FREEDOMS’ [I refer you to a recent referendum] and too we don’t pay for free-trade!
The eu are doing what they always do when faced with what they percieve as an existential threat.
Whether thats the so called populist movements in the med ..or now brexit.
Their negotiating process is the same….block, threaten, obfuscate, delay…in the hope that the threat will go away.
In the past this has worked with electorates in NL France Ireland changing their minds…leaders in greece, portugal, italy and spain caving in to the dictats of the ecb (read frankfurt)
Their expectation is that the uk will follow suit….bouyed by the travails within the tory party.
However this is a dangerous move as it will make a “no deal” result more likely to the detriment of all.
The UK will survive and thrive…albeit diminished…the EU will be damaged…especially should the financial market be fragmented..increasing cost and systemic risks.
The leaders need a change of mindset….are they bug enough to do this ? We will see.
Are they big enough….
No
The EU is governed by bureaucrats who are concerned by extending their power. If they would succeed the EU would turn into a neoliberal capitalist nightmare. Just the way they deal with Bereit shows their childish emotional revenge schemes. Its so sad.
Show me a government not governed by bureaucrats
Do you know what a bureaucrat is? honest question, no sarcasm
Scott Lawson – especially ones not “concerned with extending their power”.
@Gabriel Orentas: The neoliberal and bureaucratic character of the EU comes to light by looking at its political strategies regarding trade agreements. Nick Dearden, Director of the World Development Movement, said:
“Nothing could more clearly show that these trade deals are a disaster for democracy on our continent. The European Union wants to stich this deal together behind closed doors, because if it lets citizens anywhere near it, it won’t be able to control the opposition. But the people of Europe will not have this corporate power grab imposed on them – we will fight against this decision, and we will defeat these trade deals.”
http://www.waronwant.org/media/european-commission-rejects-citizens-petition-against-eu-us-trade-deal-ttip
No
What’s wrong if they are?
No, i don’t think so. That’s the blaming or victim game played by Mrs. May & Co.
The victim is the UK and the other member-states. If you like to be Brussel’s slave that is your problem but that does not change the fact that Brussels is the criminal.
Ouça, escravo é você! Não argumente adjectivando as pessoas
Não foi um adjectivo, foi uma constatação da realidade. Adjectivo seria dizer que é um acomodado.
Já agora, argumentar exige muito mais que fazer uma afirmaçãozinha de café sobre “jogos de vitimização”. Se quer argumentos então comece por argumentar meu caro escravo masoquista (com adjectivação ;) )
😂
Is Britain trying to subvert the EU and prove it offers nothing to its members so that the whole structure crumbles down?
Britain has been giving to the other members for over 40 years, it has nothing left to prove
No.
Well the question is wrong , the question is if (UK) is with a dishonest Attitude with these talks. And i think so.
Is (UK) Making fun of EU? i’ m really Sick to hear about trade deal, before having finished the starting point of it, the condition of the divorce.
Maybe eu is not punishing UK , but they really deserve it!
So the uk deserves to punished because we dont want to be in the club anymore thats so childish its amazing germany can can kill millions of people and lay waste to half the continent and 50 years later have more influence over europe than anyone and thats ok no punishment required but we want to leave the club because its basically taking the piss out of us and making us pay for others and forcing massive over crowding on us so all our services are failing. And we derserve to be punished your a fucking child grow up trade for trade thats a fair deal and the eu still get the better end with how much we buy compared to sell but go ahead hail furer Merkel and junker see where that gets you
No, what is dishonest is claiming that the UK owes the EU billions of pounds whilst denying it has any right to any of the assets it has helped pay for over the past 40 years…that’s called theft
Why can’t the financial settlement be negotiated in conjunction with the trade deal?
The UK government agreed to the negotiation timetable on the very first day of talks.
No-one to blame but themselves.
@ Marc Couper
The timetable isn’t the issue….. the lack of any actual negotiation from the EU is…
On the face of it, Britain’s position is weak and getting weaker. I doubt it can afford to lose access to the EU’s gigantic market. It could quite easily become a third world country in a generation! So, yes, it will have to pay. In the end, what difference will it make if it stays in the EU or leaves? Either way, it is going to have to essentially use its monopoly money to pay to keep printing monopoly money. If it stops paying, the pound will collapse along with the UK’s property market. Then again, the pound has been historically significantly overvalued, mainly due to the huge amounts of hot international money being essentially laundered into the property market by the City of London. This has driven net immigration to uncomfortable levels, because if you are going to go to another country to work as a member of the underclass in order to send remittances home, you might as well choose a country that has an overvalued currency. So, one could say—let it collapse and the problem is solved. However, whichever way you look at it, the UK’s property-owning class loses, and it is not going to like that!
Why will Britain lose access to the EU’s “gigantic market”?……there will no doubt be trade tariffs but I hardly think there is going to be U-Boats patrolling the channel sinking ships full of UK exports
Never seen adults and learned people behaving in such a puerile and spiteful fashion in my life. It’s like observing a roomful of 5yr olds sans supervision. Disgusted.
While there is EU Brexit will hardly happen. It is the way things are designed, brexit is not beneficial to UK and its leaders know that well.
For sure not …the up noses britains decide or were forced to leave EU and now they are trying to leave without paying anything after receiving too much to build their f… predators caliphate
They have nothing to pay.
“leave without paying anything after receiving too much” clearly understanding the concept of a net contributor to the EU budget is beyond you
Brexit has been so far a a process of disarray and political backstabbing for the UK. Politicians like Theresa May and Boris Johnson jumped into the Brexit bandwagon for their own political gains.
On top of that, there is a great hypocrisy in calling Brexit a democratic process when it ignores key facts: The just ignore the will of two important nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland; Half of the British people does not want Brexit and, from day one, Brexiters have pushed hard to bypass parliament and avoid public scrutiny in an attempt to maintain all decisions regarding Brexit to a limited group of politicians close to May and Johnson. That is not democracy.
Brexit is also a process that has been characterised by the spread lies via social media and the support of loyal right-wing tabloids. Similar tactics are employed by the Trump administration in the US.
Brexiters never had a plan in the first place and the are just improvising as they go along. The consequences for Britain won’t be good.
So instead ignor the 52% that want to leave we stay because 48% want to urrr nob end think what your surgesting is its not democray if the result doesnt suit you pathetic child
Of course they are, threats & punishment are all the unelected European Politburo have to stop others from leaving.
Grow a spine, fella. How can the EU possibly punish Britain when Britain is so much bigger, better, and more powerful than the EU? 🤔
Brad Parker That is exactly why Brussels will fail. just as lunatic Europeans with a flag and a plan to unite Europe always done..
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/study-finds-uk-is-second-most-powerful-country-in-the-world/
Is that the new carrier without planes? :D
Radek Darthradi No, that’s one of the ‘two’ new carriers and of course there are no planes, they are not finished yet.
But don’t worry, we have more than enough cover to take on your pointless EU. :)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/04/20/000758E000000C1D-3822122-Defence_Secretary_Sir_Michael_Fallon_said_a_31billion_programme_-m-56_1475608090079.jpg
What’s the weather like in Moscow, Ivan?
Does the Kremlin pay well?
Of course the eu burocrats are guaranteeing their pensions for at least 2 generations because most eu countries contribute very little
I guess Nigel Farage would be very happy to now his pension would go that far
They can’t make it easy for the UK government, because then other member states will start questioning their own membership.
Brits are punishing themselves. There’s no spacegoat here
No. Hell NO
I like the physics in the caption. Very true. Unless you believe in inertialess drives. (technically I suppose you can accelerate with only 1 body, but it would be rotating instead of going anywhere. A metaphor?)
Punish? Whatch your language, will you?
The right word is torture.
I don’t care, they are leaving
I don’t know, but should
Trying to use them to scare all other members.
No UK was not ready for a brexit, UK still has no clue, the majority of people of UK do not want brexit, the parliament is in no position to pass laws with a minority government. The government can be defeated at any time.
The Majority voted leave so erm ….. think on that one
How’s things over in fantasy land?
The UK does “have a clue” citizens rights will be protected, it has put forward a proposal for the Irish border, and it has offered 20 Bn of my taxes to the ungrateful b’tards of the EU
Paul Muzza Ask a Brexiteer. I live in reality.
Regardless , we should leave today and any punishment would stop
Instead of uniting Europe the EU seems hell bent on splitting states to maximise its own self grandeur. Spain’s becoming more chipped than my Aunty’s vase and yet the notion of chip away states doesn’t bother the Eu so long as these break aways stay with them. Britain voted out and the EU are out to martyr the UK to scare the unfortunate remaining states tied up in a straightjacket. They live in the hope that the longer they linger the smell will split the UK with a few of the breakaways pleading to join Club E Eww. European nations are made to crumble while Russian vodka sales go through the roof.
That is an obvious yes if you know anything about it
Of course they are including a very clear bully warning to others
Is there any doubt ???? Commitments broken have to be payed !
No it is not. The uks expectations are completely unrealistic it is trying to leave pay nothing but keep the economic benefits. If it got away with this everyone would leave
Actually the UK’s expectations have not even been discussed, nobody is expecting single market access to be free.
But all that is currently on the table is a demand for the UK to pay a huge sum of money and get absolutely nothing in return.
How much in assets do you think the eu has bought with our money and it seems we not entitled to that back when we leave so we should give them the same nothing simple
No deal ! Period
Yes. They think other countries will follow. They are punishing the UK as a deterrent to others. If Germany or France leave, the EU will collapse.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Austria was next
UK kind of brought this on themselves, didnt they? :D
Ye your right should told them to pe off years ago most Europe would still be third world if not for us ha ha dive ball
UK has gained more from EU than the other way. And statistics prove that.
Nonsense!
@Ēriks Gasiņš
Please feel free to share these statistics, I can’t wait to see evidence of what has been impossible to prove for over 40 years
Ēriks Gasiņš 😆
EU dictature is the problem. Brexit was good.
Teresa May and her Brexiters are following with the EU the same policy that Trump wants with Mexico. They want their Brexit and they want the EU to pay for it. (Having the cake and eating it)
You are aware that may isn’t a brexiteer she was an advocate for a remain but this thing called democracy happened and 52% of the UK wanted to leave if your politicians aren’t doing what the majority of the people want is it really democracy
James Will you más be the only one believing that she is a Remainer. Her department was responsible for most damaging leaks for Remainers during the campaign. Her only campaigning was to pose for a Remainers photograph session. And when everybody was busy campaigning she was busy networking for the leadership.
Ha ha what a dive ball can’t what see Europe fall then we can tell you told ye so
What a load of dog shit you post
No, but they should respect the obligations they signed up for, that’s all. You can’t leave the table early and let the others pick up the check. Apart from that: let’s get this over with as soon as possible so we can focus on the future of the union again.
You clearly drink in the same bar as Juncker…..if you are one of the minority who have been paying the check all night for everybody else then you can get up and leave whenever you want to……. they certainly have no right to expect you to leave more money on the table so they can carry on without you
Y is it you Leach Europe the ones thinking we still owe money most off you 30 year ago did have pot piss in now you do thanks to us think you and most off Europe owe us
You might want to see what state the UK was in before we joined what would become the EU. We would have defaulted otherwise. Also, the economic benefits far outweigh what we pay into the EU.
“the economic benefits far outweigh what we pay into the EU” …that often quoted but never proven statement…..where was all the hard evidence of this during the referendum campaign?
The mere fact that the UK is begging for this trade deal is proof. And you are one of the beggars on this debate as well. If you can’t work out the benefits, which are too obvious, for yourself, you can;t be helped.
Karolina, the Uk is not “begging” for a trade deal all it wants is a bit of maturity and to be allowed to start discussions about one,(so does Germany but unfortunately the party line stops them)
So come on, give a list of these “obvious” beneftits and how they financially outweigh our present contributions?….if you have this data you should have given it to the remain campaign before the referendum, because none of them was able to put figures on it
It is a strange situation. There are plenty of people on the Continent who want to keep a good relationship with the UK, notably in Germany and Central-Eastern Europe. At the same time, the fact is the EU has been living in part on the back of British taxpayers, to the tune of several billion euros per year. That ought to give London leverage and make Brussels fear more belt-tightening and austerity. My impression is the British Government does not know what it wants, perhaps because the person implementing Brexit is someone who never believed in it. I trust a reasonable solution will eventually be found and have little doubt the UK will be a prosperous middle-power which many Continentals, despite all the kvetching, will still want to move to due to the failure of their own countries to create jobs.
Ofcourse ! As these EUTyranns keep Punishing the Greek people, for choosing on 5th July 2015 not to starve with Austerity.
In the UK, the public are sick and tired of this whole “Brexit” thing. The referendum was last year, and a lot of people seemed to expect the UK to have left immediately after the vote was concluded.
But over 40 years of integration cannot just be undone overnight. In fact, it could take a decade until the Brexit process is concluded and we’re all set up with a new relationship with the EU.
Decency? In trade negotiations? LOL! They have no obligation to do it if they don’t feel like it.
Well. To fulfill ones obligations is a basic decency. Our British friends seem as they have forgotten it.
It would also be basic decency for the EU to have a mature negotiation with the Uk on future trading relationship without first expecting to be promised a huge wad of cash
That’s exactly what those FUCKs are doing. They are sucking us dry
Sucking yourselves dry….
Leave go we don’t need you
No, the punishment narrative only exists to hide how ridiculous the initial statements around “easy deals” and “holding all the cards” were.
Definitely. …This shows how undemocratic the E.U. is and their policy.
Erm.. how is it undemocratic? We have voted, they are negotiating their terms and protecting their interests, as any organisation would and should.
Because their terms are expressed by people who have not been out there in a democratic way…For example.:mister Junker was the prime minister of a country that was and still is a fiscal paradise against the rules of the E.U… .He knows how to condemn the others and impose sanctions …but did he condemn what he was doing?Is he innocent?’Is he reliable ?
England was never reliable anyway.
Actually, they are demanding not negotiating…and if it was about their interests they would be keen to talk about trade as well…..it may not be an issue of democracy but it is certainly tyrannical
They know their interests very well, Paul. Rather than tell them what to do try and draw your conclusions based on their actions. Making a trade deal with the UK is not a priority for the EU. Making a trade deal with the EU is a priority for the UK. It was said prior to the referendum as well. But those who did not get it then will not get it even now that it is being played out.
The UK also knows it’s interests as well, it is not in our interest (or one of our priorities) to pay up a totally unjustified 90 Bn divorce bill…..but May (unfortunately) has moved slightly on this… but there has been no sign of any reciprocal movement from the EU….clearly the definition of negotiation is different in EU-speak
Betteridge’s Law: when the headline of an article is a question, the answer is generally “no”.
No, Englandandwales-shire made a stupid move that is hurting everyone involved, and they’re trying to deflect the blame to their bogeyman.
You have to remove incompetent EU officials, otherwise the EU will fall apart.
To late for that its on its way about time
Start with the religious fanatics in Poland…
Politician cannot be trusted to act fair & honest- all the time!
Since the EU is a legal entity (“company”) involved in a dispute with one of its client- be it a debtor or creditor nation- couldn’t any such unsolvable dispute be referred & settled using any of the following procedures?
* mediation,
* conciliation,
* arbitration,
“The Institute for Government’s” opinion- here:
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/eu-divorce-bill
The EU’s often used “Bruegel think tank’s” opinion- here:
http://bruegel.org/2017/03/divorce-settlement-or-leaving-the-club-a-breakdown-of-the-brexit-bill/
“The center for European reform’s” (ECR) opinion here:
http://www.cer.eu/sites/default/files/pb_barker_brexit_bill_3feb17.pdf
In the end, any agreed or arbitrated figure could be capitalized in the books & paid over an agreed length of time (e.g. long term loan, government bond, Euro bond) and the whole affair is settled quickly.
The EU’s Exit “clause 50” should be modified- clarified- reformed.
No party should be expected to pay cash in advance- only common within the “dark economies”, tax havens & Mafias!
Since they are making it difficult for indigenous nations to exit their colonial creation in Africa….EU, God willing….will continue to do same to them…..iseeeee
obviously
Cut the crap …Restore Democracy.
There is a nice story Peter Drucker once wrote. I am paraphrasing here, but it goes more or less like this: “A group of people is trying to make their way through the jungle, cutting trees with their machetes, they are all tired, sweating, beaten, but definitely determined. That is, until someone jumps on the top of a tree, looks around and screams: “Wrong jungle!!!” to which the guys all the way down responded: “Shut up! We are making progress”.
Just to be clear (trust me, some people out there won’t get it). The guy screaming at the top of the tree is the EU, and the guys “making progress” are the UK.
nice story..but might disagree about how you identify the characters!!
I’m one of those out there who doesn’t “get it”…and the simple reason is because as an analogy, it doesn’t bear any relation to what is going on
You could give it a bit more relevance by saying “someone grabs all the machetes, jumps on the top of a tree and screams your not getting them back until you have paid me 90 Bn Euros”
Yes. Britain has shown the EU is a putrid club.
Britain has shown for fifty years it was putrid, destroying every good project from the inside, then criticizing the failure…. go away. Nobody ever wanted you in. Don’tmake a drama now. We’re so releaved….
“Nobody ever wanted you in” actually the French wanted us in (eventually) but only so we could pay for their CAP……and guess what, 40+ years down the line and still the main thing the EU wants from the UK is our money..I can assure you you are not the only ones who are relieved
Yeap they are trying to make Britain an example for the other countries that want to leave the EU . They will make the process so diffucult and costly so the rest of the countries that are thinking a pontential “Buy Out” from the Union,should think twice…
I am getting tired of the EU stance on this. They say the UK ‘divorce’ offer of 20 billion is ‘peanuts’…well if this truly is a divorce then surely at a minimum the EU owe US money? After all we paid for nearly 25% of all EU funding. So we should own at least that amount in assets and infrastructure…all the roads, farms, research and investments that has been made with UK tax payers money…where is our rebate?…sorry but I was a remain voter but the EU attitude in all this has made me change my view…I want no deal now…walk away.
It was closer to 100 mill to begin with remember, I would not at all be surprised if we were trying to made an example of
I am ok if we forbid forever tp every British citizen to ever come one day on the continent. And we can shoot at sight…
Yes you would love to forbid British citizens….until you wanted rescued from Russia or anyone else who invades you. Then of course you would be begging for our help. I say any country not paying thier NATO obligations should not be in NATO. Another example of an organisation where we pay more than most…
It’s obvious.
Looking like EU is treating Catalonia. Yes indeed. Why can’t you just let them go?
The EU has let the UK go but the UK is not just going. It wants a trade deal. The EU is not obligated to give that to the UK.
@ Karolina, I think you will find there are other EU countries that also want a trade deal, the EU is not obligated but it will happen eventually
Yes
silly question. There is no need for the EU to punish the Brits. They punish them self enough. Having the 3 Brexiteers in their government doing the negotiations is really a tougher punishment than EU ever could impose.
No way , prior commitments cannot be neglected period
they don’t have too, the Brits are doing it themselves.
no too much ago thought brits made a very bad choice, no i’m not so sure….
No, but they should.
No, they are trying to scare others European countries.
Dismantle the EU and then Europe might get somewhere.
Where!
The EU is suffocating Europe. No European country is free without interference from the EU.
They are doing exactly what they said they were going to do before the referendum. The leaders of brexit persuaded 52% that they were bluffing…They’re not!
If only there was some kind of negotiation process and timetable that the UK agreed upon at the start.
Oh wait, that is exactly what happened. The Tories are hoping people are dumb enough to believe the EU are the badguys for progressing exactly how we agreed. As per usual, the British people to not disappoint on the “doing dumb shit” front.
Obviously.
Bilderberg, Le Cercle, Pan-Europa, EU, Freemasonic conflict :)
If UK wants to leave thats fine. Maybe EU will be better.
The Visegrad Group will choose EU or US? I dont know.
Free Europe from USA. Thats the most important.
EU is protecting EU interests, EU values, EU citizens and the the future of the EU!
The very purpose of its existence. It never said it would do anything else.
“protecting EU interests”…so people keep repeating, but continued trade with the UK is one of the EU interests, so why do they refuse to discuss it?
“EU values”.? not sure how you think these will change, EU and UK values will be the same pre or post Brexit, unless you are inferring there are some EU vaues that it forces on member countries that the UK will escape from?
“future of the EU”…agreed, and that is exactly why it is being seen to punish the UK
On the contrary
We all know that teenager, that starts crying when things don’t turn out his way…
UK: – I wanna go out!
EU: – Ok. Pay your part of the bill and go…
UK: – I don’t want to pay! And it’s cold outside! I want you to keep me warm.
EU: – Well the fireplace is inside. If you want to keep warm, you have to stay inside… And you still have to pay…
UK: – This is all your fault!
UK: – I wanna go out!
EU: – Ok. Pay your part of the bill and go…
UK: – But I’ve been paying you for over 40 years, where’s all the money gone?
EU:- That’s no concern of yours, you not getting anything back anyway
UK:- But why is the bill so big?
EU: – That’s also no concern of yours, just pay up or I won’t talk to you about anything else
UK: – Ok, I’m going out anyway, It’s summer and there’s a big wide world out there, feel free to stay indoors with the curtains closed with all the other miserable sods
Yes maybe they would like to have an advantageous deal with Britain. This is the war of Britain and Germany again, this time it is economic. Germany uses the EU members to control Europe and it is to its advantage.
No. You just can’t drop out of a club, ignore obligations and expecting a free ride.
and how exactly is the EU “attached ” to the US?….one of the main driving forces behind the EU since it was first conceived is France’s rampant anti-Americism
EU is significantly attached to US.
Do you know what Atlantacism is?
Charles De Gaulle tried to reduce American influence,
but his types are a minority.
the US was heavily involved in giving “help” to EU. Sending money, using CIA,
the US pushed the UK into the EU to resist prevent French-German domination.
the US has NATO bases around Europe. Many Germans dont want those bases.
US is not Europe. Get out with your troops.
Your Anglo Freemasonry is counter to majority of Catholics in Europe.
“US is not Europe” likewise “EU is not Europe”
Yes, US has always had a heavy commitment to Europe. it has continued to do so since it saved Europe’s ass in WW2 and has preserved the peace throughout the cold war
..and this is despite the EU and its anti-US sentiment
The mistake that the UK made was that it should’ve left first & negotiated after. If the two year period is filled with unreasonable demands, they’ll be plenty of other nations prepared to talk, who I might add, are already queuing up.
The problem the UK has is that it went into the exit period “wanting” a deal, making public it had a lot to lose..you don’t do that to the EU, that already believes it holds all the cards.
We want our money back dear UK !
Who is we and exactly how much did you give to the UK?
lol
What money back? The UK puts more money into the EU than it takes from it.
We want our money back dear UK !
We want our money back dear UK !
We want our money back dear UK !
We want our money back dear UK !
We want our money back dear UK !
it is fortunate that the German engines are reliable I will be whistled in my Audi for many years after Brexit
EU has been patient and reasonable.
The politicians representing UK, ….are hard Brexiters and want to destroy everything the union has achieved ( for workers’ rights, environment,….)
Hopefully, they ll understand that a good deal for BRitish and Europeans is far better than a “a bad deal” or ” no deal”
Negotiation is DIPLOMACY and MUTUAL BENEFITS not imposing on everybodyelse
Like blaming an ex-girlfriend for not giving you money after you dumped here just to go with a hooker.
Maybe you could just point out where the EU said if the UK dared to vote out they’d try and screw 100 Bn Euros out of us?
If demanding 100 Bn Euros before they are even prepared to start talking about a (mutually beneficial) trade arrangement is the EU being “patient and reasonable”, it’s difficult imagine what else they could do to if they chose to be deliberately obstructive?
the EU does NOT want to lose power/control ….. it is totalitarian
No. We’re just sending a clear message to voters *inside* the European Union: don’t listen europhobe &%#faces. You *can’t* have your cake and eat it. The Brits must be hammered, for educational purposes. And again, I am very sorry for the 48% of British voters who will suffer the consequences of the majority’s decision.
Let them go ,and quickly!
Is the EU trying to punish Britain for choosing Brexit?
Most definitely. We won the war. And we are winning it again. Of course they want to punish us. Always have done. But, the UK funds their expansionism. So, they have to be careful they don’t blow their opportunity to rule Coudenhove-Kalergi style. Which is what their leaders win prizes for facilitating. And can you vote them out? That is what you should be able to do in a democracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=335_2KhNQ9o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgL2CGDBYd4
Hard to understand why UK abandoned Europe, after fighting so hard to build it… Britain was the hero nation in the XX-th century, with a lot of effort and human sacrifice, and now just let all the “cake”, on a solid gold plate, to Germany?! Churchill is rolling in it’s coffin…
Why is it hard to understand?…. (despite what the uninformed on here like to spout), Brexit was not about what went on in the few months leading up to the referendum…Brexit was a result of decades of UK’s scepticism on the direction the EU is heading since we were first fed a load of half-truths back in 1975……if after 40+ years of this you eventually give the public their first proper democratic opportunity to express an opinion then it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone
Ironically, there are more british citizens punished after brexit will be effective than polish, romanian and other eastern citizens. Imagine that you all will need visas wherever you want to travel across the Channel. We only need that if we want to go to Britain and we will avoid that… So even tourism will have to suffer. Instead of coming to London for a City break, we will go elsewhere.
Even when a british football team will play in Champions League or Europe League you will need visas…
lol, the UK is currently on the list of 60+ countries that do not need a visa for the Schengen area………I don’t seriously believe the EU will remove us to sit alongside countries like Syria, Iraq, Iran etc who do need visa’s…….but as this topic is about punishing the UK who knows eh?
But, good for you, you’ll buy english chicken eggs from the grocery, not european, and only six not a dozen…
Is the EU trying to punish Britain for choosing Brexit?
When Juncker ludicrously told the British people they were a bunch of stupid runts, as they didn’t know what they were doing when voting Brexit. He committed his Hillary death sentence when she called the American people a ‘basket of deplorable’s.’
I wonder if he’s going to do as she did when losing the Presidency to Trump? Blame the Russians. LOL
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/869024/remainers-back-brexit-one-in-four-voters-change-mind-staying-EU
Big mistake. Very big mistake.
No, the members are just fulfilling the reasons why they joined, to promote their interests in unison. We are stronger together and the UK is alone.
The EU has 27 countries and a population of nearly half a billion people who to some extent or other profit from being a member.
The UK is a tiny island with a population of 65 million or so which has always thought itself better than anyone else. Too many in the UK cannot understand why everyone else doesn’t do things their way. Even when they do.
I am sorry to say their arrogance has cost them division, pain, the rise of right wing nationalists and the even higher rise of the power of the popular press, the bloggers and the ignorant who fill the British minds with twisted logic, emotionally loaded rubbish and soundbites from salacious headlines.
EU decisions, plans and reforms are deliberately misrepresented and the mainstream press is more and more discredited.
The place has become a basket case and all I can think of is rats overrunning the ship, chattering and gnawing with impunity at the decks that keep her afloat. I am sorry about that. It isn’t the place I grew up in and it has suffered a mutiny by pirates.
I left the UK a while ago an while I am sorry this is the case, I can only watch to see if anyone can put her back together. So far the only coastal light is Corbyn…
Please don’t make this shipwreck let this the EU unstable. Continue to stay and work together for the good of the EU. It is a safe haven against the rise of the right wing rats in a season of storms.
I was wondering why you were coming across as bitter and twisted. Then you say you have left the UK, and yet you still you want to put it down. What ever makes you happy. Thank you. I think diversity is strength. We have that in abundance. I have an aversion to bullies and the European Super State becomes more like one by the day. Our elected politicians may be corrupt with their duck houses and mortgages, but nothing on the scale of the ever increasing size of our neighbours. Size may count for some things. Remember E. F. Schumachers economic principle, Small Is Beautiful. I saw a band playing and the singer said between songs, what a silly little country this was, yet there he was selling his music here. One word ‘Hypocrisy.’ another is ‘envy’.
Yes of course they are, absolutely. Our EU overlords don’t want the rest of us to get any ideas. Their whole empire building superstate plan would be in ruins if others were to leave so they’ve got to make this as painful as possible for the Brits.
“suffer the consequences of the majority’s decision”….. that’s been the case since democracy was invented and people should just accept it and move on
Yes
The EU does what is best for the EU sorry if that sounds mean but give us one benefit of a successful Great Britain. They choose independence now they will need to pay the price for there decisions.
It all depends how you define “what is best”
What is best for the continued prosperity of the member states of the EU is for trade talks to get underway to protect the (net) EU exports to the UK market
What is best for the EU as a self interested totalitarian organisation is to place completely unrealistic demands on the UK. This prevents any sensible negotiation on other mutually beneficial topics taking place whilst making out the lack of progress is the UK’s fault.
Now which approach do you think is being used?
right
Ofcourse
What makes you think so? Since when empires don’t punish separatist regions?
Soviet Union did the same when Lithuania “left” union to show how it’s impossible for country to survive alone…
Oh no quick let’s find out the difference between cutting benefits and punishing!
Not enough! We need to make an example! If you get out of the EU, you’ll lose all the benefits, and we don’t want you as a partner any more! We need to show what a mistake they did! They will crawl and beg to come back! We need to fight the nationalism that brought Europe into a world war!
If empty threats are all your EU dictatorship have left then it has already failed. It was lunatics with a flag & a plan to unite Europe that started the last world war & it was Nationalists that stopped them, You are just repeating that mistake.
I think you need to open a history book…
Mi Gu
.
How does it feel to be ruled by Germany ….. again ?
Form changed, idea stays… Mi GU, you won’t certainly no more talking so dumb as the day the others milk-cows will leave your EU, little euronazi!
Ivan Burrows I don’t know, my country was never ruled by Germany!
Rémi Martin Can you please have a real argument? little xenophobic!
Rémi Martin coming from a French I would have expected some common sense… France is on the bankrupt wagon because of Germany but you support the Reich. The irony…
@Mi Gu
Maybe you should open a history book as well particularly when you bring up the subject of war. If you think that after all the sacrifice the UK made, financially and in human lives to save Europe, then for someone like you to say we should be “made an example of” is contemptible beyond belief
Once the UK leaves and takes it’s military might with it, I do hope in the future you don’t have cause to regret your choice of words about who needs to crawl and beg for help
Paschalis Bourletsikas please come to London
Paschalis Bourletsikas also, George is still waiting for that email you clearly never sent, you absolute delusional piece of shit
Zo zo, take your inferiority complex elsewhere… You claim my patriotism blinds my judgement but when anyone questions Germany, your panties are in a twist. Grow up! That’s between me and george so stay out of it and stop acting like a b*tch
Paschalis Bourletsikas …… the reich is not my country… it is an old part of history that does not represent me, it was a dark period of my family’s life that should not be taken for granted.
You use the words reich so blindly it hurts.
you can question a nation all you want but when you use umbrella terms like the ones you use which would essentially pigeon hole an entire nation in a negative light then you can expect all the criticism coming at you right now.
acting like a bitch, yeah? Mate you have no clue do you about the stain that has been left on your reputation as a friend, do you think George will ever want to talk to you again after how you’ve been portraying yourself? A no good, lost, delusional, racist, over empowered person who thinks people will wait on his time… of course, I am the one acting like a bitch.
you throw dumb shit on the internet because you have nothing better to do, no bloody life goals, just wondering around the internet waiting for the next best bit of bullshit you can reply to.
You have more hate in your heart then most people I know and that’s saying something.
and just on a side note, before you say stuff like France is bankrupt.. what’s happening in Greece again? and I can guarantee you, it’s got nothing to do with the “reich”.
have a lovely day.
Zo zo… I wouldn’t even waste my time reading all of that. Like I care about your emotions and what you feel. Realistically I don’t… Germany has always had the tendency of ruling Europe and they have found a great way without wars and that is money. Every scholar in finance & economics have stated this. It is well known when you see what agreements every state across the EU signs when regarding financial dominance in the EU. I highly doubt you even cover this nonsense “deeply” perhaps reading mainstream articles here and there you would assume Germany is innocent. Well if I was you start with the government of Sarkozy in France, and his relations with Germany and Merkel. That is how France went downhill, economically and Sarkozy loosing his seat. Then get a few books on Greece and it’s bankruptcy.
Paschalis Bourletsikas unlike you pasco, I read what people have to say, it’s the only way I find solace in knowing how inept you are when it comes to covering facts (or lack of)
You just proved my point brilliantly by acknowledging the fact you simply just do not care meaning your words will always fall on deaf ears, I guess that’s why you are the way you are, by simply ignoring the actual problems and only acknowledging what you want to acknowledge.
It’s also common knowledge that if you chase for a truth it will always be there.
criticising and demanding change is a democratic right, one we must safeguard and implement properly.. but not in the fashion that you go around things
Paschalis Bourletsikas your ignorance has no limits, as your lack of arguments…
No doubt about that!
There is a huge difference between cutting benefits and punishing.
And they’re doing both! I am tottaly sure that if it was the Greeks or Portugal to ask to leave they wouldn’t be with all this issues..
By the contrary… is uk trying to spread chaos on negotiations.. comanded by their bosses…
The chaos in the pointless EU was created by EU lunatics, they didn’t need any help from Great Britain.
“Chaos in negotiations”…I think you will find the major issue is that there is no actual negotiation going on…..for the uninformed on here (of which there seems to be many) insisting that your demands are met before you are prepared to start any talks does not equate to negotiating……though in retrospect, considering the mafia like methods of some of the more corrupt EU 27 governments, blackmail is probably an accepted political tool
No. The UK is just being unreasonable.
Considering the UK hasn’t been given the opportunity to discuss any of it’s future plans it’s difficult to understand how you conclude it is being unreasonable? …….or is simply refusing to cough up an enormous sum of money without justification and without the promise of anything in return what you would consider unreasonable?
NO. But UK becomes a 3rd country in relation to the EU. UK cant be in the club and out of the club at the same time.
A bit like Uncle Sam?
Yes it is.Surely will fail, because Britain is Great and present EU leadership is a bad team of low quality eurocrats
Yes and it s right
Yes and it s right
Yes and it s right
Yes and it s right
Is that a question DE?
Britain is punishing itself
Being free of a dictatorship is ‘punishment’ ?!
Britain is punishing itself
Being free of a dictatorship is ‘punishment’ ?!
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/11/london-wins-top-financial-center-title-once-again-as-gap-with-new-york-widens.html
Britain is punishing itself
Britain is punishing itself
No the EU is applying its regulations but Britain thought it can just leave without paying for its obligations. There is no free ride in this world and the sooner little Britain realizes this the better Brexit will be!
We can leave and pay your pointless EU nothing, see how long other Nations want to stay in the EU when the free money stops flowing. lol
Eh eh eh…dream on.
Ivan Burrows you are not even British so stop barking
They need to pay what they allreddy promice thats all they EU want.
not really sure if britains took a good decision, but it’s clear the eu wants to make britain to pay a high price…. also as a missage for all that wants to leave….
Yes, EU is trying to show to the world its power . Big mistake! Don’t try to be what you can’t be ! UK will remain a strong and credibil nation, but EU has long road to go to be a powerfull conglomerat!
No, it just sticks to its principles set out before the referendum – in is in and out is out. You cannot blame them for that.
Yes, but also its like in any civil case parties can claim for future loss of earnings provided the other party(us in the UK) had previously agreed to being locked into a contract agreement for a substantial period of the foreseeable future, thus breaking contract & therefore incurring financial penalties, if these penalties were stated in said “contract”. If nothing specific is stated in the contract an agreement will be reached based on inference & the spirit of the contract agreement.
Uk political class or Eurocrats are very similar.They play games in name of voters,pretending to respect voters will to justified themselves,when people doesn’t know really what are their best interests!
Brussels will try to stop others from following Great Britain to freedom, they will fail :)
It’s not “punishment” if they are just making them live with the choice they made. No one stuck a gun to the Brits head and said vote Leave.
Do we all really want a Europe full of borders between ourselves again United we are stronger
Then can you explain me why the eurozone is the enonomic zone with less increase in the world?
yes because we tend to discuss matters that are not importante instead of the importante matters
There is more to being “united” then just removing borders…… and far from being “stronger” removal of borders makes the EU much weaker with regards to security
Remi, because the euro is flawed in its design. Joint Monetary policy without joint fiscal policy was always a dumb idea. The considerations for forming the euro were always political never economics
Juncker und Dounmbcker :D :D
Rigth
Of course you are trying to punish
Britain will remain an (economic) empire whatever happens, history teach that…the others will “just make their cycle” and just collapse as always!
Outside of the union, they will not I am afraid
We hope it is
Fascism, Nazism, Communism and now Europeanism, different flag, different anthem but the same crazed lust to rule over Europe. You EU Europeans have learnt nothing from your history and are destined to repeat it. Meanwhile in Great Britain ‘the futures so bright we gotta wear shades 8| .
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/11/london-wins-top-financial-center-title-once-again-as-gap-with-new-york-widens.html
Ivan Burrows first the UK has to Exit, which is fat from done, most Europeans want you to leave, Brexit is so far creating way more problems to the UK than the rest of Europe, I would even say that for now Brexit has been a good deal for the rest of Europe because it diverted a lot of investments towards the continent. And it will continue.
EU not trying to punish, just trying to play by the rules, we did not force you to leave
@Fabrice Bordier
Can you share some evidence of all these “problems” the UK has had so far due to Brexit?
We hope it is
We hope it is
We hope it is
yes, they try to punish Britain – but, what was promised in the beginning?
was ist Junker.?
Don`t think so.
Actually it should.
The EU never fid work out from the beginning on, it created problems, and it was mentioned to be the first step to invasion of african people.
We hope so…you can’t have a cake and eat it….;)
Debating Europe, instead of putting the blame at the door of the EU, try to listen in to ‘their’ arguments on their hearings at their Parliamentary hearings sessions (and look also what they have been saying till this time). You don’t want to know the crazy shit they say about the EU, its institutions, and corporations. We should not be played with. THEY wanted out. Not uz. THEIR choice. Not ours. Now let them get out in a smooth and quiet manner. No fuss needed here!
No no no
Yes it is and we now see our so-called allies for what they are. The Germans can have them this time. They are no friends of ours.
Yes…definitely..
Behavior generates behavior.
Yes. That’s how it works. So that the next one thinks it twice. Crisis containment it’s called.
Bullshit
“punish” ??? why use religious jargon? action- reaction is what is happening. in any case GB was never in the EU. it was sitting on the fence doing its best to hinder it from developing.
I think Britain chose to punish itself by conducting this referendum in the first place and basically showing the middle finger to all the other members states . And let’s be honest about this . The bottom line of this referendum was that the UK didn’t want any more Europeans coming in the country. So for them to be playing the victim now I think is very unfortunate
this brexit thing is totally a disaster, for both parties
History shows alwayes same signs…. Churchill —China power— break of united ………. space and moments for reflecting needs…. nothing more
I would think so. But mostly they punished themselves by not thinking this through. Britain is going to enter a major recession.
Trying to find respect & authority
The EU is just trying to defend its interests and protect nations staying with it. It’s a fair negotiation.
The new 4th Reich aka EU is repeating WW2 through economy.
No. UK is punishing itself with no assistance from anyone else.
The EU is punishing the UK, why we will not join the European state which will come into affect over the next couple of years. Is this not what the NAZIS wanted all those years ago.
so for those who love Europe enjoy the state but leave us out of it.
Lots of morons here in the comments.
4th reich…EUSSR…wtf..
You go to a gym.
You pay a fee you get to use the gym.
You stop paying you stop using the gym.
The gym is not “punishing” you by not allowing you a free ride. Hope the EU INSISTS on freedom of movement to piss off the racist trash in the UK.Z
No freedom of movement of workers…NO..DEAL.
Yes. If being a fully integrated member of the EU is the gold standard everyone wants, why should it be a problem if we want a goods and services only arrangement like we used to have? My parents voted to join the EEC back in 75 on the understanding it was a trade and cooperation arrangement only. Made sense and it still makes sense. Nothing that has happened since has had the consent of the British people. For our trade and cooperation we have paid a heavy price and pushed into ever further integration which we are now told is ‘impossible’ to unpick. So it’s basically The Project, a United States of Europe, or get punished and told we can’t just trade freely with our nearest neighbours like we’ve done for 1000s of years. We no longer have friends we have a big bully on our doorstep who have said you’re either with us or against us. Macron is rubbing his hands with glee at what he can get for France at our expense, not very neighbourly. Angela Merkel threw open the doors to Europe unilaterally without the agreement of the EU28, was she sanctioned for this recklessness? No. Instead the EU tried to force us to take in our ‘share’ and accept masses of undocumented young male migrants, with dubious attitudes towards women, with no more right to be here than anyone else. And if we don’t like it we’re racists. The ECHR has just upheld a conviction against a woman accused of ‘hurting religious feelings’ apparently concerned about violent retaliation. So her speech has been criminalised in favour of an effective blasphemy law on threat of violence. Giving into bullies and abandoning our own principles and people. The EU has not said a word against this. For this alone my support for the EU has disappeared, it no longer protects it’s citizens, and it punishes dissenters. It is totalitarianism.
Change is tough at first as we in the UK have been incrementally controlled by stealth methods and shaking off our chains takes an effort that will give us our due rewards in the long run. Keeping long sighted serves us well. We are strong and independent and having much to offer the world without being drained of our strength by neighbours who don’t appear care judging by their actions.
Change is tough at first as we in the UK have been incrementally controlled by the use of stealth methods and so shaking off our chains takes an effort that will give us our due rewards in the long run. Keeping long sighted serves us well. We are strong and independent and have much to offer the world without allowing ourselves to be drained of our strength by neighbours who don’t appear care judging by their actions, except for their loss of income and self appointed power. Rise Britons.