Thought I'd start a new thread as this is going to be a major talking point this year...have not made up my mind yet...(unlike bucksfizz)....but thinking of voting for an exit as Europe is not doing Britain any good at all it seems....

Much as you might not like Trump he is right here ..

18. The world would be better off if Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddhafi were still in power. Trump told CNN that he believes the situation in both Libya and Iraq is "far worse" than it ever was under the two deceased dictators. While he concedes Saddam was a "horrible guy", he says he did a better job combating terrorists.

Tramp should blame his fellow Republican Bush then for that one.

So H/S what concessions did Cameron actually get?

Cameron's deal. There are a few technical items as well.

"The references to an ever closer union among the peoples are... compatible with different paths of integration being available for different member states and do not compel all member states to aim for a common destination.

"It is recognised that the United Kingdom... is not committed to further political integration into the European Union.

"Where reasoned opinions on the non-compliance of a draft union legislative act with the principle of subsidiarity, sent within 12 weeks from the transmission of that draft, represent more than 55% of the votes allocated to the national parliaments, the council presidency will include the item on the agenda of the council for a comprehensive discussion."

"It is recognised that the United Kingdom, in the light of the specific situation it has under the Treaties, is not committed to further political integration into the European Union. The substance of this will be incorporated into the Treaties at the time of their next revision in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties and the respective constitutional requirements of the Member States, so as to make it clear that the references to ever closer union do not apply to the United Kingdom."

The Council would authorise that Member State to limit the access of newly arriving EU workers to non-contributory in-work benefits for a total period of up to four years from the commencement of employment. The limitation should be graduated, from an initial complete exclusion but gradually increasing access to such benefits to take account of the growing connection of the worker with the labour market of the host Member State. The authorisation would have a limited duration and apply to EU workers newly arriving during a period of 7 years.

A proposal to amend Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social security systems in order to give Member States, with regard to the exportation of child benefits to a Member State other than that where the worker resides, an option to index such benefits to the conditions of the Member State where the child resides. This should apply only to new claims made by EU workers in the host Member State. However, as from 1 January 2020, all Member States may extend indexation to existing claims to child benefits already exported by EU workers. The Commission does not intend to propose that the future system of optional indexation of child benefits be extended to other types of exportable benefits, such as old-age pensions;

Measures, the purpose of which is to further deepen the economic and monetary union, will be voluntary for member states whose currency is not the euro.

"Mutual respect between member states participating or not in the operation of the euro area will be ensured.

"Legal acts... [between eurozone countries] shall respect the internal market."

"The single rulebook is to be applied by all credit institutions and other financial institutions in order to ensure the level-playing field within the internal market."

Of course a future Labour government might tear up the deal and go for federalism.

It's four years before Labour get near power, If at all.

But that's by the by, those So called 'reforms' need to be passed
by the commisioners and the Judges with a very real chance that
they will be thrown out, will come before any change in government...

I speak for the €uropean Kommission ... Trust me, all will be well !


(just keep sending the cheques)

in the long term, the vote is whether or not you (uk) want to become part of a federal europe where national gov'ts and courts will have little power

Maggie at Blackpool 1999.

"In my lifetime all the problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions have come from the English-speaking nations across the world"

It is hardly surprising that nothing has changed since then. With the notable exception of Holland, they haven't even been able to understand that best of all team games, cricket. The English-speaking world is still the biggest draw for immigrants, be that the US, UK, Australia etc. Who can blame those people for trying?

The problem is many from outside Europe do not want to assimilate once they arrive but instead want to continue with the customs from which they fled in the first place.

http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/670698/George-Osborne-business-leaders-SUPPORT-Brexit

This is where the problems will occur in the future iturama imo.

I swear to God that if our Dave talks to me about a reformed Europe again, I'll give him a Glasgow kiss. He's off again wanting to dismiss so called myths of the Brexiteers but starts his conversation every time with the greatest myth of all.

Apparently May is questioning should the EU include the next batch of countries to join , Montenegro ,Albania , Serbia , Macedonia and Turkey , as they have links to crime , organised crime and corruption and terrorism . Should suit old Merkel really , but I'm saying nothing just in case .

I suggest that some should leave the UK as they have links to corruption, criminality, terrorism, and organised crime!

On no Fred that sort of thing doesn't happen in blighty you know -):

It does at the Dog and Duck.

Letters: Britain’s competitiveness is undermined by a failing EU

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2016/05/15/letters-britains-competitiveness-is-undermined-by-a-failing-eu/

The EU is just a 'trade union for feather-bedded limo passengers', says Patisserie Valerie boss
Chairman of cafe group writes for The Sun about why a Brexit will 'unchain ourselves from a failing bureaucratic machine'

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/7153049/EU-is-trade-union-for-feather-bedded-limo-passengers-says-Patisserie-Valerie-boss.html

The ‘single market’ has failed British exporters

http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/the_single_market_has_failed_british_exporters?utm_campaign=cnew16_5&utm_medium=email&utm_source=voteleave

jimmy - fred will actually vote for once and vote for you to leave :-)