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Do you think there will be a Deal or No Deal?


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So why would it possibly consider a European Army then.

If they were to actually consider it, it would simply be because EU nations and the US aren't on the same continent and don't have the same threats and agendas.
 
You are beyond help.

Time for you to go on ignore so I can filter out the unreasoned posts

Some people are unfortunately stupid and others just willfully.

And we don't want or need your help. We've been trying to tell you for centuries.
 
Mate, the fact you still believe there is an upside to Brexit confuses the hell out of me if I'm being honest, especially when you keep reminding us that you're a remainer who voted remain. What does this success look like and what needs to happen for this occur?
If you've already answered that question just link your post in response...

Is there? Speaking for myself I was hoping (like an idiot) that he'd actually, you know, do something, wrt avoiding this impending no deal brexit.

Yes. You are quite right on the way I voted. That was not because of any affinity to the EU it was simply because of the potential economic problems and I stand by this.

However, the UK has a habit of turning adversity into success.

The world does not end in March and I am reasonably hopeful that in the years to come we will not only recover but prosper.
 
Yes. You are quite right on the way I voted. That was not because of any affinity to the EU it was simply because of the potential economic problems and I stand by this.

However, the UK has a habit of turning adversity into success.

The world does not end in March and I am reasonably hopeful that in the years to come we will not only recover but prosper.
Yes Corbyn voted remain too, tell us more.
 
Yes. You are quite right on the way I voted. That was not because of any affinity to the EU it was simply because of the potential economic problems and I stand by this.

However, the UK has a habit of turning adversity into success.

The world does not end in March and I am reasonably hopeful that in the years to come we will not only recover but prosper.

I actually think this is true too. You need a drastically better standard of politician to have a chance in hell though. Someone who has an actual plan would be a start
 
If they were to actually consider it, it would simply be because EU nations and the US aren't on the same continent and don't have the same threats and agendas.

Don't you think that is a bit isolationist. Remember history.
 
Perhaps I haven't been clear. So:
We start with a European Army.
How do we move the troops and equipment?
We will need Air Transport.
How do we protect the Air Transport?
We will need an Air Force.
If we have a European Army and Air Force do we need a Navy?
If we have an Army and Air Force why should we pay all this money for NATO?
Remember. France has its own Nuclear capability.
Germany has a NATO commitment to provide a nuclear capability. This it currently does with its Tornado jets operating with USA supplied weapons.

All the time, Putin looks on hardly believing his luck.

The USA gets fed up with picking up the major share of NATO funding and says we are perfectly capable of looking after ourselves.
End of NATO.

All the time Putin looks on making his plans to then destabilise Europe.

Fiction? Just look at history....
.

It's not something I've thought much about and wasn't arguing pro or against but I was just wondering why you thought an all EU member NATO(or equivalent) would be seen as federalist whereas the current NATO isn't.
 
I actually agree with @Buster15 that a European Army (or at least what we conventionally mean by ‘army’) is a terrible and potentially dangerous idea.

Don’t agree with him on much else though.
 
I actually agree with @Buster15 that a European Army (or at least what we conventionally mean by ‘army’) is a terrible and potentially dangerous idea.

Don’t agree with him on much else though.

Why is it dangerous and terrible?
 
Why is it dangerous and terrible?
It depends on how it is constituted. I would have huge fears it would violate the doctrine of civilian democratic control of the military chain of command.

Even though I am strongly anti-Brexit, I do believe there is a democratic deficit in the EU - caused by language differences, low voter engagement and turnout, and opaque decision making structures - which is far from suitable to have decision making power over an army (again, I mean an actual army, not some kind of joint operational collaboration over national armed forces).

I also believe it would create two competing power structures within NATO, which would lead to the US pulling out.
 
Memories.:lol:

It was never really that abusive but I think it all got too much in the end for him having every argument shot down.
Didn't his mask slip on the immigration issue from memory? I'm sure another mod can correct me if I'm wrong, but pretty sure it was that.
 
It depends on how it is constituted. I would have huge fears it would violate the doctrine of civilian democratic control of the military chain of command.

Even though I am strongly anti-Brexit, I do believe there is a democratic deficit in the EU - caused by language differences, low voter engagement and turnout, and opaque decision making structures - which is far from suitable to have decision making power over an army (again, I mean an actual army, not some kind of joint operational collaboration over national armed forces).

I also believe it would create two competing power structures within NATO which would lead to the US pulling out.

The first point is something that you can say about every army in the world.
The second point is fair when it comes to turnout but absolutely wrong for opacity, we actually know what everyone voted for and how every institution work, everything is recorded. The EU is far less opaque than the member states.
The third point it would change absolutely nothing on that point, the US do whatever they want, whenever they want when it comes to defense.

Personally, I have no particular fear but I simply think that we are not ready for that step and we may never be. I have no argument outside of it.
 
It depends on how it is constituted. I would have huge fears it would violate the doctrine of civilian democratic control of the military chain of command.

Even though I am strongly anti-Brexit, I do believe there is a democratic deficit in the EU - caused by language differences, low voter engagement and turnout, and opaque decision making structures - which is far from suitable to have decision making power over an army (again, I mean an actual army, not some kind of joint operational collaboration over national armed forces).

I also believe it would create two competing power structures within NATO, which would lead to the US pulling out.

Why would the US pulling out be bad? Do we really want to continue forever cowering under America’s military shield (with all the influence and power that gives them over our own affairs)?
 
The first point is something that you can say about every army in the world.

It is much clearer when a military is under the clear command of the elected democratic leaders of a nation state.

Military alliances like NATO are fine, but an actual army under the command of a international body... to me that crosses a line.

The second point is fair when it comes to turnout but absolutely wrong for opacity, we actually know what everyone voted for and how every institution work, everything is recorded. The EU is far less opaque than the member states.

I was thinking more of the role of Advocate Generals. I’ve had to deal with their opinions in the past and the impact on regulation. I’m not a fan.

The third point it would change absolutely nothing on that point, the US do whatever they want, whenever they want when it comes to defense.

I don’t think the US would tolerate being in NATO alongside an actual European Army. I could be wrong, but I think it would be unacceptable to them due to the impact on command structures.
 
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Why would the US pulling out be bad? Do we really want to continue forever cowering under America’s military shield (with all the influence and power that gives them over our own affairs)?
The numerous articles on Sputnik and RT opining how great it would be if the EU formed an army and relegated the viability of NATO leads me to believe that it is strongly benefits Russia’s interests in Europe.
 
I think so, but can't be sure. But when he admitted his hero was Farage...
That's defo a red flag. As an aside, no idea why the likes of Paddy Power are 2/9 that there will be a deal. Only wish I shared their optimism. I really can't see how this impasse can be breached.
 
I don’t think the US would tolerate being in NATO alongside an actual European Army. I could be wrong, but I think it would be unacceptable to them due to the impact on command structures.

I struggle to see why we should care about what the US would tolerate and the US do what they want with or without NATO. Now of course as a french I don't really care about NATO and don't really know why we rejoined it 10 years ago.
 
That's defo a red flag. As an aside, no idea why the likes of Paddy Power are 2/9 that there will be a deal. Only wish I shared their optimism. I really can't see how this impasse can be breached.

Me neither, one of the major banks a couple of weeks ago had the chances of a no deal at 5%.

Something radical has got to happen pretty sharpish to prevent a no deal and I don't see where that's coming from.

The thinking must be surely the UK can't be that dumb, I wouldn't be so sure.
 
For what it is worth, I care about both parts of Ireland and have some sympathy with ROI due to its specific issued created by geography

Out of interest and regarding point C, do you recognise the issues and have a potential solution caused by the backstop proposed (NI specific), namely;

1) The potential indefinite nature of a backstop, as in the UK having no control on when it can leave it.

2) The proposal where NI would remain under EU trade regukations/ customs, essentially delegating it from the rest of the UK (essentially a surrender of sovereignty for part of the UK)

These are genuine questions, as it is two of the key reason (In my view) why that solution hasn't garnered support in the UK and needs to be revisited

Well mate you didn't answer a question i put to you earlier today but i'll do you the courtesy of trying to answer yours to the best of my understanding.

1) The potential indefinite nature of a backstop, as in the UK having no control on when it can leave it.

I'll preface this by saying i could be wrong but as i understand it. If/when the backstop ever came into play it would only be in place until the UK came up with a viable solution to the border problem that would preserve the GFA.

So with that in mind surely the UK government has total control over coming up with and implementing any possible solution and by extension when the backstop ends?

2) The proposal where NI would remain under EU trade regukations/ customs, essentially delegating it from the rest of the UK (essentially a surrender of sovereignty for part of the UK)

The people of NI had a referendum and voted overwhelmingly (around 80%) in favour of the Good Friday Agreement to have the right to choose Irish citizenship if they desired, to have no physical border with Ireland, to have many of the rights afforded to EU citizens guaranteed through the GFA. Not to mention the option in the future to have a referendum to decide whether or not we want to join Ireland and leave the UK.

During the 2016 EU referendum NI again voted to stay within the EU.

Plus are you aware that NI currently already has border controls in place for certain things like Livestock, Farming equipment etc that is transported from Britain? We also have some major legal differences from Britain.

Considering all that and the fact NI is one of if not the only place on the planet where people have the right to citizenship of two different countries. Whats the problem with NI being different to the rest of the UK?

Do you not think that dragging NI out of the EU and/or CU/SM and jeopardizing the GFA and the peace is a bigger issue than Northern Irelands 'sovereignty'.
 
I struggle to see why we should care about what the US would tolerate and the US do what they want with or without NATO. Now of course as a french I don't really care about NATO and don't really know why we rejoined it 10 years ago.
Haha, fair enough. Damn Gaullists.
 
Recent history seems to suggest they are determined to turn a success into adversity.

That is understandable but in reality Brexit and the events surrounding it are not typical.

After WW2 the UK was on its knees but recovered surprisingly quickly.

During the 1970's we were on our knees but within a decade had recovered.

We had almost no car manufacturing but within a generation became a major player.

Like most countries we were badly affected by the global financial crisis but have recovered (of sorts). We fortunately have our own currency and the ability to flex its value will be quite powerful.

I don’t believe we will leave without a deal and I believe that politicians and the country will be so battered that they will re-double efforts to make Brexit work. That I believe because I am proud of my country.
I don’t expect many to agree but that is my honest view.
 
The numerous articles on Sputnik and RT opining how great it would be if the EU formed an army and relegated the viability of NATO leads me to believe that it is strongly benefits Russia’s interests in Europe.

It would aid Russia, it would mean they weren’t facing the entire Western world in a single alliance. I think it would also aid Europe however and allow a new kind of peace. Europe doesn’t need to be a hostile power to Russia (as long as Russia respects territorial boundaries), and personally I have no problem with the traditionally paranoid Russian state feeling safer as long as a relationship develops that benefits both sides.

The Cold War was shit, and Europe was going to be the battleground if it ever kicked off. We’re a proxy to the US allowing them to potentially fight a cataclysmic war away from their own territory, and an occasional ally of convenience when they want to conduct war but don’t want to do it unilaterally. Nothing more.
 
The numerous articles on Sputnik and RT opining how great it would be if the EU formed an army and relegated the viability of NATO leads me to believe that it is strongly benefits Russia’s interests in Europe.

At last. Somebody who actually understands the risks.
Well done.
 
Well mate you didn't answer a question i put to you earlier today but i'll do you the courtesy of trying to answer yours to the best of my understanding.



I'll preface this by saying i could be wrong but as i understand it. If/when the backstop ever came into play it would only be in place until the UK came up with a viable solution to the border problem that would preserve the GFA.

So with that in mind surely the UK government has total control over coming up with and implementing any possible solution and by extension when the backstop ends?



The people of NI had a referendum and voted overwhelmingly (around 80%) in favour of the Good Friday Agreement to have the right to choose Irish citizenship if they desired, to have no physical border with Ireland, to have many of the rights afforded to EU citizens guaranteed through the GFA. Not to mention the option in the future to have a referendum to decide whether or not we want to join Ireland and leave the UK.

During the 2016 EU referendum NI again voted to stay within the EU.

Plus are you aware that NI currently already has border controls in place for certain things like Livestock, Farming equipment etc that is transported from Britain? We also have some major legal differences from Britain.

Considering all that and the fact NI is one of if not the only place on the planet where people have the right to citizenship of two different countries. Whats the problem with NI being different to the rest of the UK?

Do you not think that dragging NI out of the EU and/or CU/SM and jeopardizing the GFA and the peace is a bigger issue than Northern Irelands 'sovereignty'.

Very informative on point 2. The GFA/ NI Sovereignty issue is very difficult dilemma to solve - I really don't have an answer yet on what i would chose if it was one vs the other. I don't want it to get to that situation, so my preference is to have a temp agreement (broadly the status quo) to give everyone time to solve it. I refuse to believe that something so important is beyond a reasonable compromise, as long as there is the right political will

On the 1st point, some of the earlier proposals I read is that exiting the backstop is ultimately an EU decision. The onus on the UK coming up with something that the EU feels is acceptable, is no substitute for a sovereign decision and effectively leaves the UK trapped. That is not acceptable, hence my preference for a fixed term period to sort this mess out

What was your earlier question that you asked pleased? I may have overlooked it as I was getting 5 alerts at a time earlier when opening up Red Caf. I'll try my best to answer it