David Cameron's Europe Speech

[BBMmk2]

Well oiur PM has finally given his speech on our future in Europe.

People say it will affect growth and jobs but what is the reality?

If we do go out, we dpo not really know what will happen, untill we do?

[Resurrection Man]

Well oiur PM has finally given his speech on our future in Europe.

People say it will affect growth and jobs but what is the reality?

If we do go out, we dpo not really know what will happen, untill we do?

If I was asked to vote I'm not sure which way I'd go. Gut feel tells me that the UK population would probably vote us out.

[Flosshilde]

I have no idea what his strategy really is. He seems to expect the rest of the EU to expend time & energy negotiating revised membership terms with him, but with every possibility of it being a waste of time if the referendum he has committed himself to results in a vote to leave the EU. (But has he actually made a commitment to abide by the result?)

[Flosshilde]

If I was asked to vote I'm not sure which way I'd go. Gut feel tells me that the UK population would probably vote us out.

Apparently the latest poll indicates a small majority for staying in. But that's now - anything could happen in 3, 4, 5 or more years time.

[BBMmk2]

My main concern is immigration to this country from woithin other EU member states. It has become another country since all this has happened?

[Richard Tarleton]

Apparently the latest poll indicates a small majority for staying in. But that's now - anything could happen in 3, 4, 5 or more years time.

Apparently we'll be voting on the basis of whatever deal has, or has not, been worked out in the first two and a half years of the next parliament, if a Conservative govt is returned, so it's doubly hypothetical at the moment

[Mr Pee]

Apparently we'll be voting on the basis of whatever deal has, or has not, been worked out in the first two and a half years of the next parliament, if a Conservative govt is returned, so it's doubly hypothetical at the moment

The very fact the Cameron has promised a referendum and Millibean has ruled one out makes the return of a Conservative government much more likely; as to the details of what may or may not be worked out, time will tell. I am glad that at last we will be given the chance to vote on our membership. I just wish it was happening sooner.

[Flosshilde]

There was a vote on membership - just before we joined. If the next referendum says we should stay in, how soon after that should there be a third referendum?

[amateur51]

The very fact the Cameron has promised a referendum and Millibean has ruled one out makes the return of a Conservative government much more likely; as to the details of what may or may not be worked out, time will tell. I am glad that at last we will be given the chance to vote on our membership. I just wish it was happening sooner.

I doubt that Dithery Dave isn't

I'd like to think that he's thought this through but with over two years to go to the next election, with Farage & all Dave's anti-Euro back-benchers to contend with, it could be a very bumpy ride with many a surprise along the way

[Mr Pee]

There was a vote on membership - just before we joined. If the next referendum says we should stay in, how soon after that should there be a third referendum?

The whole structure and concept of the EU has changed beyond recognition since that original vote. It is a totally different animal now.

[Serial_Apologist]

The Tories want out of workers' protection rights and environmental policies enshrined in EU legislation, and create a neoliberal UK economic zone for multinationals to cherrypick profits from unhindered by either of the above. I'm not keen on some of the other EU stuff that uses antimonopoly to prevent countries from supporting their indigenous industries or protecting them from being exported by selfsame multinationals, any more than I am for its setting EU over national law determination; but we have to remember it is not renegotiation for these issues that Cameron is waving the flag, or UKIP wants out.

[scottycelt]

Anyone who thinks any Government will take us out of the EU is living in cloud cuckoo-land.

As in the 1970s the leading politicians of all three major parties know it would be an absolute disaster for the UK if we were not part of the European mainstream.

Cameron is taking a big gamble here. He knows perfectly well that we must stay in the EU (he almost said as much) and he is risking everything on getting 'a better deal'.

I'm sure I heard something on the news today that Merkel is willing to compromise on some UK demands. If that is true Toff Dave has a sporting chance of pulling 'a deal' off and going to the people ... let's just hope the economy is in a reasonable shape when he does ... but as in Ireland if the vote goes the wrong way another will be held until the right result is achieved. Fortunately, there is no way we are quitting the EU ... Uncle Sam wouldn't approve for a start (we are by far her top European 'spy') so we can forget the silly fairyland idea!

[Serial_Apologist]

Am I right in thinking Britain could be evicted from the EU if a government unilaterally ignored EU laws and then refused to pay the fines for so doing?

[amateur51]

The whole structure and concept of the EU has changed beyond recognition since that original vote. It is a totally different animal now.

The whole structure and concept of the Commonwealth has changed beyond recognition since it started but we're still in there.

Maybe we should have a referendum on that too, tho we might have to wait til Betty's gone

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Cameron is taking a big gamble here. He knows perfectly well that we must stay in the EU (he almost said as much) and he is risking everything on getting 'a better deal'.

Indeed; this whole thing is mainly for domestic spin - to face up to UKIP's challenge to the Tories, and (as MrPee pointed out) to say to the Electorate at the next Election "If you want a Referendum, you've got to vote for us" in the hope that this will get him enough votes to dump the LibDems. (Well, as far as the latter is concerned, he won't be the only one, of course - which is why UKIP poses such a threat to him that such a "gamble" is necessary,)