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EU chief says UK cannot change EU-UK withdrawal agreement

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Ah, Brexit. The bad idea that just keeps getting worse and worse.

16 ( +23 / -7 )

“This is a matter of law and trust and good faith.”

The cabal of confidence tricksters, anarchists and vulture capitalists - that the good people of Blighty are getting royally Borised by - doesn't give two hoots.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

In their best plain English the Germans and French have told the Tories: "You can't move the goal posts, old sport! It's just not cricket, innit?"

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Boris is an embarrassment. He has shown that he is incompetent and is now breaking the trade deal that was there only practical way of dealing with the Northern Ireland border issue.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Each and every day since the vote, the EU bureaucrats have painted themselves into a corner with never ending yoyos, this-that, yes-no, and it continues. Not an ounce of constructive dialogue. Boris is da man,

-18 ( +5 / -23 )

Cue the music to the photo - 'Don't cry for me Argentina, the truth is I never left you....'

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

Sh1mon M4sadaToday 07:51 am JST

Boris is da man,

Well, if you're an Australian Trump/Hanson supporter who wants his country to be the 51st. state of the US then Boris would seem like "da man."

In the real world though he's an incompetent charlatan.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

I still don't really understand why the Brexit thing even happen. Why would they ruin their nation like that? Were things that bad before? To suddenly decide to go off on their own and screw up the whole EU is ridiculous even now when i look back at it. The deal they make with Japan isn't even that a big change. No matter what deals they make with other countries, it would still not be up to match with their dealings with the EU. And even if Japan give them a better deal, the EU will then also force Japan to make a similar deal or a better one.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

I still don't really understand why the Brexit thing even happen. Why would they ruin their nation like that? 

The short answer is it was a combination of racism and xenophobia mixed with a nostalgia for a more powerful Britain that is long past and will never be again. I vividly remember a UK born room mate telling me only half in jest "the Wogs begin at Calais dontch know ol' boy". You would have to know about the black faces inside British jam lids and their racist overtones to get the comment. There were a lot of Poles, Lithuanians and other people from poorer EU member nations living in the UK competing for work. Oh they spoke a foreign language, the horror! And they had different habits. There were also refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and other places admitted to the EU elsewhere making their way to the UK upsetting more conservative Brits and altering their perception of what it meant to be British in ways they didn't like. There was also some resentment that the EU had some policy making powers over the British Parliament. UK couldn't just do what it wanted to do all the time, they had to work with the rest of the EU. I think in time the UK will realize they had a better deal inside the EU than outside of it, but it will take time for the situation to work out before that becomes apparent. And of course I will now be savaged by all and sundry for what I just wrote.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Lets face it, BoJo and his cohorts like Gove and Farage, never had a damn plan, mainly because they didn't think they'd win the Brexit referendum. They've been making up things as they go along since day one, including alluding to the fact that the NHS would receive 350 million pounds a week. More chance of getting a complete wall between US and Mexico.

And what this latest debacle is telling other people is to never take these Brits seriously, never trust them or take them for their word. Backstabbing. And who criticized China on going back on their word on the Sino-British Joint Declaration? You think they're going to let HKers go live in Britain?!

Not one Brexiteer ever thought about the Irish border problem or that prices would go up. Who do you think works on the fruit and vegetable farms? You think everyone working in the NHS comes from the UK? Covid didn't hit BoJo hard enough. He's clearly learnt nothing.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Covid didn't hit BoJo hard enough. He's clearly learnt nothing.

There is evidence that Covid-19 affects the brain. Just saying ......

4 ( +10 / -6 )

The European Union consists of 27 member states.

Would Japan wish to Join, or USA, Russia, China, South Korea, Australia, Canada, all the South American Counties and States? None.

Norway, not a chance.

Could be a name change to Global Union.

So why?

Well I will leave that to late Tony Benn……  A true socialist.

Tony Benn – EU Referendum – EU Empire – Democracy – Brexit…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWnpbEMMsNw

Desert Tortoise, Benn not remotely a xenophobic racist, just a socialist democrat.

I wrote a thesis on Margret Thatcher, swivel eye monarchism.

Ursula von der Leyen, quote is a reference to Thatcher campaign to keep UK in the EEC.

It is a misrepresentation, this was Thatcher opinion on UK revoking the Treaty of Rome…Leaving the EEC

However, Margret Thatcher, came close to breaking treaty law….

BREXIT: We want our money back! Margaret Thatcher already warned EU exactly 40 years ago!

Take note of the Q and A’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNLVeAQvzn8

Speech to Conservative Group for Europe (opening Conservative referendum campaign)

https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/102675

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

"‘Britain does not break treaties’: EU president quotes Thatcher as she tells Boris Johnson he cannot change Brexit deal"

"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-boris-johnson-deal-eu-northern-ireland-von-der-leyen-thatcher-b451406.html"

This is clearly a matter of Law; no ifs no buts.

"Boris is da man"

Utterly pointless to even begin.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Well, if you're an Australian Trump/Hanson supporter who wants his country to be the 51st. state of the US then Boris would seem like "da man."..."in the real world"

All speculation and generalization, and no substance ^, you could at least put up 'some' semblance of rationale...

On the other hand. The EU is undemocratic to the core. The Monetary union is a complete failure. Wars still rears its ugly head. Individual rights are diminished even when compared to previous 'Imperial' rules. Diminishing pride in 'National Cultures', instead replacing it with region wide subservient to China and anything authoritarian....just a few examples.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Britain wanted to chart their own course and have electorate autonomy therefore decoupled from the EU. Cultural harmony does not necessarily mean "RACIST!" particularly where the "them" are of the same race (Polish, Romainian, etc.).

I see the EU wants very badly to discourage other "defections" by trying to penalize England but the fact is, a vote was taken, respect the people and not the top 1% for a change.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

@OnTheTrail - Spoton!

Jean Claude Juncker should heed his own words when it comes to separating Ireland from the UK.

"National Borders Are the Worst Invention Ever" - Jean Claude Juncker.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/national-borders-are-worst-invention-ever-says-ec-chief-jean-claude-juncker-a7204006.html

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

The short answer is it was a combination of racism and xenophobia mixed with a nostalgia for a more powerful Britain that is long past and will never be again. 

The misleading and simplistic answer is it was a combination of racism and xenophobia mixed with a nostalgia for a more powerful Britain that is long past and will never be again. 

You can be sure that the lion’s share of racists and xenophobes voted Brexit, but your ‘short answer’ is very insulting to the large numbers of others who voted Brexit for other reasons.

One group was those who shared the ideas of the late, great old leftie Tony Benn. Benn was without question the most eloquent and informed critic of the European Union of his time and opposed greater integration for democratic reasons. Would anyone call Benn a racist? He had more political knowledge and decency than Johnson, Rees-Mogg and Farage combined.

Another group was those who just wanted to throw a scanner in the works. Labour had basically deserted the working class and Labour got punished for this in 2010. ‘Screw the lot of ‘em’ was a common theme as the Labour, Tory and Liberal leadership told them to vote remain. When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.

I could go on here.

It’s also perhaps worth remembering that Farage couldn’t win a seat in a constituency chosen because it was the the most Eurosceptic in the country.

I disagreed with Brexit but your ‘short answer’ insults many.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Tony Benn.

“It is about democracy, and remember this, Members of Parliament are lent the powers of their constituents”.

“They must return those power undiminished at the end”

“It is not for Members of Parliament to give away the powers that were lent to them, because they don’t belong to Member of Parliament they belong to the electorate”.

Is that such a difficult concept to agree or believe in?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Tony Benn.

“It is about democracy, and remember this, Members of Parliament are lent the powers of their constituents”. 

“They must return those power undiminished at the end”

“It is not for Members of Parliament to give away the powers that were lent to them, because they don’t belong to Member of Parliament they belong to the electorate”

Ah, the days when political argument was at that level. I didn’t agree with Benn on everything but he was a wonderful mixture of honesty, principle and eloquence. He was also a great example of how to conduct a reasonable debate.

Much better than just calling people you disagree with racists or remoaners.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Peeping_TomToday  09:13 am JST

"‘Britain does not break treaties’: EU president quotes Thatcher as she tells Boris Johnson he cannot change Brexit deal"

"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-boris-johnson-deal-eu-northern-ireland-von-der-leyen-thatcher-b451406.html"

This is clearly a matter of Law; no ifs no buts.

"Boris is da man"

Utterly pointless to even begin.

Bozo, you da man but you had no plan. You had to have your way with Parliament, you made this mess, and it's blowing up in your face.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

You can be sure that the lion’s share of racists and xenophobes voted Brexit

I think that's now about the seventh time you have used this comment (word for word).

What do you mean by "You can be sure"?

Do you have any evidence to back this point up? I am trying to keep an open mind and I am genuinely interested to know.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The honorable Tony Benn was an earlier missed chance to reform and modernize Britain by steering the UK's ship of state away from the rocks of right-wing austerity and the swirling suck hole of Tory corruption and greed, but the number of voters motivated by "Lexit" was probably negligible compared to the those driven over the white cliffs of Brexit by the herd mentality engendered by years of xenophobic and anti-left brainwashing from the gutter press and the small-minded minions propping up England's decrepit, class-ridden society. Now, after decades of Tory and Tory-lite misrule, the UK has become a failed state. The duplicitous Brexit slogan of "Take Back Control" was never more than a transparent bait and switch, evidenced today as the time arrives to pay the piper, or else the Tories and their enablers will be taken to the woodshed by their EU partners who do not suffer clowns and fools like de Pfeffel gladly.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

As a sovereign nation, Britain should be entitled to put in place whatever new bills they felt needed to offset that one-sided withdrawal agreement!

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I wish my British brethren all the best going forward. They have chosen this course democratically, and the threats by out-and-out globalists like Barnier and Biden are enraging.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

You can be sure that the lion’s share of racists and xenophobes voted Brexit

I think that's now about the seventh time you have used this comment (word for word).

What do you mean by "You can be sure"? 

Do you have any evidence to back this point up? I am trying to keep an open mind and I am genuinely interested to know.

Let’s take a look at our most high profile/notorious/racist/xenophobic/rightwing nutters and jailbirds.

Nick Griffin

Jayda Fransen

Tommy Robinson

Benjamin Raymond

Hazard a guess at what their views on Brexit are. For a bonus point, guess the party of the people these comments came from:

”Most Nigerians are generally bad people”

”Well, I reckon most dogs are more intelligent, better company, and certainly better behaved than most Muslims”

“Bongo Bongo Land”

”...clear them ( Muslims ) off to the desert with their camels that’s their way of life”

I’ll give you a hint here. The party in question had links in the European Parliament to one group who thought Anders Brevik had ‘Excellent ideas’ and was defending civilization.

There is no need to get defensive here. I’ve already conceded that not all Brexiteers are racists, but the racist nutters are more drawn to Brexit than against.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Johnson and the Conservative Party were elected to pass the Withdrawal Agreement. UKIP stood all of its candidates down on the condition that the Conservative candidate declared that they would vote for it. The conclusion must be that the Withdrawal Agreement is the Brexit the British people voted for.

Simple explanations of Brexit do not give the whole story, but there was a huge divide between the young voting for remain and the old voting for leave. The majority of people who work (i.e. with a job to lose) voted to remain. A large majority of pensioners, especially lower class ones on the state pension, voted to leave. You can see some more info here.

https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2019/03/a-reminder-of-how-britain-voted-in-the-eu-referendum-and-why/

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The EU should never have expanded to include Eastern Europe, or at least not that quick. The east-west cultural and social divide and the economic disparity was always going to cause tension.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It will become interesting whether Japan will act on its trade deal with the UK learning that they might behave like South Korea not obeying international binding contracts.

On the other hand, concerning South Korea other nations don't give a s since it only affects Japan, maybe the same will apply to the UK. But interestingly both contries have their old blaming enemy to always accuse if something goes wrong in domestic politics.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If it was a SinCity game, and I was Europe, I would annex England, reunify Ireland, and make Scotland and Wales Independent EU states.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

If it was a SinCity game, and I was Europe, I

As long as I can play Marv...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let’s take a look at our most high profile/notorious/racist/xenophobic/rightwing nutters and jailbirds.

You highlighted a dozen individuals, but it I want to know how we "can be sure" that the lion's share of racist people voted for Brexit.

Can you provide any information such as a poll which shows us that most racist people voted for Brexit?

I am really trying to see how you've come to this conclusion.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Those Brexit negotiations already cost millions to both UK & EU.

No winner here.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Desert Tortoise. 'The short answer is it was a combination of racism and xenophobia mixed with a nostalgia for a more powerful Britain that is long past and will never be again.'

I fully agree. Not surprising it was the older generation to vote for Brexit who still believe in the British Empire. It was all about racism and xenophobia and no wonder hate crimes reported after Brexit soared to an all time high. The word 'foreigner' is still used as a negative connotation. British politicians should stop blaming the EU for their failed policies and grow up. Their colonial past was built on racism and slavery. Britain will have no role on the global stage and will become the poor man of Europe.

Brexitears..still proud?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Well stated, Jimizo,

I am a fan of Tony Benn Dairies, Against the Tide: Diaries, 1973-1976, among my favorites. Also Letters to my Grandchildren: Lessons for the Future.

The only reason I am an EU septic is the federalism, the lack of accountability, the secrecy, allowing the lobby group fraternity a free reign.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Can you provide any information such as a poll which shows us that most racist people voted for Brexit?

The page by Lord Ashcroft, as Tory as they come, I linked to says that people who were anti multiculturalism, anti immigration, anti feminism, and anti social liberalism overwhelmingly voted for Brexit.

By large majorities, voters who saw multiculturalism, feminism, the Green movement, globalisation and immigration as forces for good voted to remain in the EU; those who saw them as a force for ill voted by even larger majorities to leave.

I can fully understand not having any interest in other cultures, but seeing multiculturalism as a force for ill is still a large leap beyond that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

One group was those who shared the ideas of the late, great old leftie Tony Benn. Benn was without question the most eloquent and informed critic of the European Union of his time and opposed greater integration for democratic reasons. Would anyone call Benn a racist? He had more political knowledge and decency than Johnson, Rees-Mogg and Farage combined.

Anyone such as Mr. Benn who praises Mao as one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century is blind to reality and has such a warped view of the world that your argument regarding him is utterly discredited. Mao killed more Chinese than the Japanese. He attacked my own family btw. The Red Guards ran them out of the family home, ran Momma out of the classroom, made everyone live in poverty in the countryside and killed Momma's first husband. Tony Benn cannot simultaneously praise Mao and claim to value democracy. He was a phony (kind of like Bojo). And you bought his phony sales pitch.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The only reason I am an EU septic is the federalism, the lack of accountability, the secrecy, allowing the lobby group fraternity a free reign

If you think leaving the EU will change any of that you are delusional. Every elected government on the planet faces these same problems. UK is even worse because there are no guaranteed individual rights as one finds in places with individual rights written into their constitutions. A Britons rights are whatever the current Parliament allows. The British legal system is to be generally admired but the form of government is corrosive to individual rights. The proportional voting system leads to chaotic government and frequent paralysis. It has almost nothing to recommend.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The page by Lord Ashcroft, as Tory as they come, I linked to says that people who were anti multiculturalism, anti immigration, anti feminism, and anti social liberalism overwhelmingly voted for Brexit.

Being anti multiculturalism doesn't equate to being racist.

I can fully understand not having any interest in other cultures, but seeing multiculturalism as a force for ill is still a large leap beyond that.

What is your definition of multiculturalism? It doesn't mean the same thing to all people.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I am a fan of Tony Benn Dairies, Against the Tide: Diaries, 1973-1976, among my favorites. Also Letters to my Grandchildren: Lessons for the Future.

Socialism is completely incompatible with individual freedom and individual rights. The ability to buy, own and sell property are rights and are fundamental to individual liberty. Socialism, where the government owns all the forms of business and in many cases owns all land, is fundamentally opposed to individual freedom. It is to be condemned as are those who advocate for socialism.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The page by Lord Ashcroft, as Tory as they come, I linked to says that people who were anti multiculturalism, anti immigration, anti feminism, and anti social liberalism overwhelmingly voted for Brexit.

Being anti multiculturalism doesn't equate to being racist.

I agree.

Do you think racists generally oppose immigration?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Do you think racists generally oppose immigration?

Some do and some don't.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I am a fan of Tony Benn Dairies, Against the Tide: Diaries, 1973-1976, among my favorites. Also Letters to my Grandchildren: Lessons for the Future.

Socialism is completely incompatible with individual freedom and individual rights. The ability to buy, own and sell property are rights and are fundamental to individual liberty

Benn’s democratic socialism didn’t exclude the right to buy and sell property. He wasn’t a Maoist. Do some research.

His opposition to the EU was based on democracy.

The proportional voting system leads to chaotic government and frequent paralysis. It has almost nothing to recommend.

The UK doesn’t have a proportional representation voting system.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Would you care to elaborate how "the lion's share" of racists voted for Brexit? I am keen to know how you arrived at that conclusion.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Do you think racists generally oppose immigration?

Some do and some don't.

Do you think the major racist groups featuring the likes of Nick Griffin, Jayda Fransen, Tommy Robinson and Benjamin Raymond oppose immigration?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Do you think the major racist groups featuring the likes of Nick Griffin, Jayda Fransen, Tommy Robinson and Benjamin Raymond oppose immigration?

I don't think they actually do. I think they oppose immigration from certain countries or high levels of immigration. I don't think they oppose immigration itself as a concept.

I take it you are not going to clarify your point about "lion's shares"?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

whats Boris going to do force the EU to buy UK cars without tariffs LOL. EU can do that now with Japan.

seems like Boris thought leaving the EU would be better for them, EU is proving it isnt

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The British are about to learn a couple of hard truths; The first is that you cannot break your word without consequences. Second, Europe can live without them.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I don't think they actually do. I think they oppose immigration from certain countries or high levels of immigration. I don't think they oppose immigration itself as a concept.

The "Certain countries" line is inherently racist. White immigrants from developed nations are fine but they don't want anyone from one of those sh_t hole countries. Right? All those Jamaicans that were promised a home in the UK? Go! Don't want those dark people, not British looking enough. Some of you Brits ooze racism and don't even realize it. It reminds me of some whites in the US who will say they aren't racist right before using the N word. You can't see your racism but most of the world sees it clearly.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

All those Jamaicans that were promised a home in the UK? 

Who "promised" them a home in the UK? When?

Don't want those dark people, not British looking enough.

An asinine comment, given that Britain has been one of the world's most generous countries to immigrants and migrants. White British people are a minority in London these days, not to mention dozens of towns in the north, where people of colour are the majority and with vibrant Asian and African communities. Where do you live? Japan? LOL

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Anyone such as Mr. Benn who praises Mao as one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century is blind to reality and has such a warped view of the world that your argument regarding him is utterly discredited. Mao killed more Chinese than the Japanese.

Mao is one of the most important and notorious figures of the 20th Century but he was evil and rotten to the core. His personality cult pervades to this day and he is responsible for the deaths of millions of Chinese. His 'Cultural Revolution' even confused Communists outside of China. He did nothing beneficial for his people, zero.

Greatest? Not great. Horrible. Anybody who admires a man like this guy needs to get their head examined!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

UK can do whatever it likes, it's not in the EU, and it certainly doesn't need to listen to Biden.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

UK can do whatever it likes

Not when it signed an agreement

Nobody would trust Britain's signature

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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