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After Brexit: UK leaves EU but what's next far from certain

44 Comments
By JILL LAWLESS

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A wonderful day for the UK! We get back our sovereignty. We no longer have to prop up weaker, failed European countries. We can protect our fisheries and borders properly. So many benefits. It's so funny watching the BBC sour-faced presenters having to present something they clearly hate. It's been great teaching all my Japanese friends about why Brexit is good for the UK. Can you imagine Japan in a political and economic union with Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea?! Onwards and upwards!

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Voted leave in 2016, and on the day of the result, I thought that it was certain that remain had won. I was astounded that the result was for leave. Three and a half years later, I am almost equally shocked that Brexit has been allowed to happen by an establishment that is thoroughly opposed to it.

Whether you support or oppose Brexit, this is the most important event in British history since the end of the Second World War. I am sure that in the future, the 23rd June 2016 will be seen as the day that the tide turned against globalism.

If Northern Ireland and Scotland want to have their own referendums on UK independence, I support their decision to do so.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

This is exactly me! 'Voted leave in 2016, and on the day of the result, I thought that it was certain that remain had won. I was astounded that the result was for leave. Three and a half years later, I am almost equally shocked that Brexit has been allowed to happen by an establishment that is thoroughly opposed to it'.

It won't be so bad after things settle down. If Canada can have a trade deal with the EU that doesn't include freedom of movement, I'm sure we can also do that. 'CETA does not involve Canada paying into the EU budget or signing up to EU rules on the free movement of people in return for increased market access'.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

The English sparkling wine tastes great!!!

We need to concentrate our resources on trading with the rest of the world, a far larger and growing market than declining EU. Britain is an outward looking country with historic links across the world which now will no longer be stifled by the restrictive rules of the protectionist and centralist EU.

Remain voter on the radio, “we now need to get on with it and get it sorted”

Now back to the bubbly!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Well done, ye plucky British. Utopia awaits and all that.

And the good news doesn't stop there with Irish unity and Scottish independence waiting patiently in the wings.

All in all, a momentous occasion with more to follow.

Go raibh maith what.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Agat, not what!

But seriously, this is genuinely good news. The UK no longer can influence Europe and it is now beholden to the US and other uncertainties... Exciting times, no?

Feel sorry for my friends who will have to deal with the fallout from some of the more bigoted British and of course, feel sorry for the British who's freedom of movement will be restricted...

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Out of the EU and yet not out. Meanwhile this Brexit hangover will cast a pall of uncertainty over the UK and the celebrations of the benighted minority will gradually turn to pangs of remorse as they sober up and realize the self-inflicted damage they have wrought. The Brexit limbo can be expected to result in further social instability as a growing majority realize they have been shafted by the lies and obfuscations of the public-schooled elite that concocted and sold them the Brexit snake oil. Tory incompetence and mismanagement of the transition period will then leave the country no choice but to go knock, knock, knocking on the EU's door.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

It is, indeed, a great day to be alive. 48 years ago, 13 people were shot dead by British paras in the Bogside. We hope that there will eventually be justice for them.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

After Brexit: UK leaves EU but what's next far from certain

My personal recommendation would be CANZUK- Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK signing a FTA with open borders. In a nutshell, extending the Trans Tasman Travel agreement to the UK and Canada would give us Canzuk.

Just to clarify, I was a remainer. But I also am a supporter of closer European integration and I am a supporter of the idea of a United States of Europe. However, I realized that would have been impossible with the UK in the EU, so Brexit is actually a good thing.

I believe with the departure of the UK the EU can continue on with closer integration. That is a good thing. We need a superpower that isn't totally insane. A European nation state, in my personal opinion is a good thing.

For me personally as a british citizen, given the choice of open borders with Europe vs open borders with OZ, NZ, and Canada, I personally would choose the latter.

So here is my position in a nutshell- if Canzuk happens, brexit will be the best thing for the british people. If it doesn't, it will be the biggest disaster ever to befall the UK. As for the EU, in the long run, Brexit is a good thing because it will enable the EU to move to closer integration- which is a good thing.

My humble opinion (and I am aware that many of you will disagree and that's ok)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A true union of European nations has always been a ridiculous notion. They are too different to allow themselves to be controlled by a cadre of elites who expect every individual to conform to their idea of good citizenship. It’s like a replay of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The US could use its own breakup. The animosity and rancor in America is getting “progressively” worse and worse.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

They are too different to allow themselves to be controlled by a cadre of elites who expect every individual to conform to their idea of good citizenship

Lol, that wasn't a dog whistle, it was a frikkin wolf whistle.

Am wary of those who include birds of prey or wolves in their monikers.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Remember who benefits from a weaker EU.

Russia.

Now, more than ever, the EU must defend itself against Moscow and it's satellite, Washington.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Congratulations to Britain on taking your country back from the EU. Welcome back to sovereignty and control of your own destiny. May you prosper as never before.

Now, more than ever, the EU must defend itself against Moscow and it's satellite, Washington.

Washington is not a satellite of Moscow. Where do you get this stuff?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

It's been great teaching all my Japanese friends about why Brexit is good for the UK

I gave an honest answer and said I don’t know if it will benefit the UK in the future.

In the short term, the Tories shaping post-Brexit is a sickening thought.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Did you teach them that Britain will soon be asking Japan for a trade deal in the hope, but definitely not the certainty, of getting terms equivalent to those it already had as a member of the EU?

This is something that has worried me for a long time about Brexit. No Brexiteer has ever given me a convincing argument that the UK will be able to negotiate better terms.

Perhaps someone here can convince me.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Washington is not a satellite of Moscow. Where do you get this stuff?

It's unfolding before our very eyes.

If people choose to be myopic about it, fine. But it can't be ignored forever.

Welcome back to sovereignty and control of your own destiny. May you prosper as never before.

Presumably you will equally be welcoming a free Republic of Ireland and Scotland?

Do you think Sinn Fein will form part of a coalition next week?

That means they will be in government in both Leinster House and Stormont.

Even if the usual civil war parties do well, there are big changes ahead and something that the British can't ignore.

Unless you're not interested in democracy and freedom?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

PM Bozo is already rolling back on the election promises less than two months after winning it. Liars and cheats, the whole tory bunch.

I remember the days when the Tories were pretty unashamed and honest about dividing the country into us and them and telling us there was no such thing as society.

This shower led by Johnson could slither under a door.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Feel sorry for my friends who will have to deal with the fallout from some of the more bigoted British and of course, feel sorry for the British who's freedom of movement will be restricted...

Yes, the curtailment of our freedom of movement seems a strange thing to celebrate but there are so many strange things about Brexit.

Back in the UK at Christmas people I spoke to about Brexit were most concerned about the removal of their freedom to live and work EU countries, the imminent destruction of the NHS, the privatisation of what few assets the country still possesses and the total lack of any credible plans for renegotiation of trade treaties.

Like Jimizo above, I have never heard a persuasive argument to explain how leaving the EU will allow the UK to negotiate better with the EU, the US, Japan, China and so on. When asked, Brexiteers just waffle on like Farage, spewing out cliches about sovereignty and freedom, without any concrete ideas at all.

So many benefits. It's been great teaching all my Japanese friends about why Brexit is good for the UK

And yet you don't list any. Also, you claim to be both British and a paid up member of the NRA. In all my life I've never come across a British NRA member, even among family members who went shooting. Interesting.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Back in the UK at Christmas people I spoke to about Brexit were most concerned about the removal of their freedom to live and work EU countries, the imminent destruction of the NHS, the privatisation of what few assets the country still possesses and the total lack of any credible plans for renegotiation of trade treaties.

Aye, the NHS is a huge concern. All this flag waving is going to disappear once the fuss dies down and reality sets in. And of course, once the hardcore leavers realize that this isn't a new age of utopia, fingers will be pointed. At convenient scapegoats, of course.

And the 2 elephants in the room will still be ignored by the most fervent of supporters (some of whom are American, bizarrely enough).

And yet you don't list any. Also, you claim to be both British and a paid up member of the NRA. In all my life I've never come across a British NRA member, even among family members who went shooting. Interesting.

Yes, there's a level of uncertainty about some of the, er, supporters here.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The turkeys voted for Christmas and they got it. What a valiant fight against the "establishment" and "elite", who have done them up the behind. Suckers.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It's the dawn of a new Error.

So Boris Johnson plans a light show that will "focus on" Northern Ireland and Scotland? To celebrate what, their departure from Great Britain?

Brexit is a catastrophe.

So foolish and so self-destructive.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Apparently, some of the usual far right suspects were observed around Parliament Square with Anti-Soros stuff, QAnon placards, Tommy Robinson t-shirts and... yes, Trump/MAGA hats. They went down Whitehall to have a go at peaceful protesters and were shouting "traitors", "scum" and "paedophiles" at them.

So this is what utopia feels like.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

We now enter the reality stage of Brexit. It's time to see if the promises of the Leave campaign, better trade deals, more jobs, more money for the NHS, etc. come true. The leader of the Leave campaign is in charge with a huge majority, so its all on them now to deliver. If they cannot, there is no-one else to blame.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Britain says it wants a “Canada-style” free trade agreement with the EU covering both goods and services.

Canada has very limited access to the EU for the provision of services. There is no "passporting" of financial services. The UK is mostly a service economy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So Boris Johnson plans a light show that will "focus on" Northern Ireland and Scotland? To celebrate what, their departure from Great Britain?

Great Britain is an island. Northern Ireland is not part of it. It is, currently, part of the UK.

And unless someone takes an exceeding strong pair of scissors to it, Scotland cannot leave Great Britain.

Both NI/6 counties and Scotland, however, can leave the Union.

It's not a matter of it, it's a matter of when.

So, let Johnson shine on, the crazy diamond. He's bound to bring us freedom, whether he intends to or not.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Bung-a-Bob-for-Big-Ben’s-Bongs

Lol.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It's funny reading the comments from the YET STILL bitter remoaners!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

It's funny reading the comments from the YET STILL bitter remoaners!

It's funny how one can be British and an NRA member.

And one still hasn't given any reasons for why Brexit is good for the UK. You tell your friends, so why not tell us?

As for propping up "weaker and failed" countries, I do hope you're not being bitter about Scotland and the 6 counties who will eventually leave the UK?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Presumably you will equally be welcoming a free Republic of Ireland and Scotland?

Off they go! if they get the votes, that is.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The Maastricht Treaty turned the UK electorate ,hardening political attitudes away from continued EU membership. The Maastricht Treaty paved the way for a route map towards federalism, and full political integration. Not remotely in UK interests.

The photo above is evidence enough to demonstrate the illusion that mechanisms exist for EU citizens to hold decision-makers effectively accountable. Not one of those Bureaucrats can be held directly democratically accountable to the people.

I doubt UK EU will find a compromise to effectively negotiate a trade deal.

I understand Canada’s Farming sector has highlighted a number of pinch points within CETA               

Canada’s farmers struggle to reap gains from EU free trade deal

https://www.ft.com/content/c72634da-2006-11ea-b8a1-584213ee7b2b

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Off they go! if they get the votes, that is.

Scotland and the 6 counties voted in favor of remain.

Ireland was partitioned 100 years ago. Do you think that was democratic?

I see there's still no opinion about next week's elections. Could it be, like so many Trumpists and those who seek to weaken Europe, that they haven't a clue about Brexit and countries like Ireland...

The same loud voices have been cheerleading Brexit all along & yet can't explain why.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I do hope you're not being bitter about Scotland and the 6 counties who will eventually leave the UK?

Not at all. I couldn't care less.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I do hope you're not being bitter about Scotland and the 6 counties who will eventually leave the UK?

Not at all. I couldn't care less.

It's only fair, after all - Brexit voters got to vote; let Scexit voters get their vote to decide for themselves as well

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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