Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Boris Johnson's EU reform list for Cameron to stop him voting for exit
by Rowena Mason Aug. 6, 2014

Boris Johnson has presented David Cameron with a shopping list of EU reforms that would be needed to stop him from voting for a British exit.

The London mayor said he would campaign to stay in the EU if Britain was able to manage migration, repatriate home affairs, social and environmental legislation, scrap the common agricultural policy, and annul the commitment to ever closer union in the treaty of Rome.

Launching a report on the issue, Johnson said the best option would be for Britain to stay in a reformed EU but leaving would also come an "attractive" close second.

The report, written by his chief economic adviser, Gerard Lyons, sets out clearly that it would be best for the UK to stay in the EU. It also warns that the shock of leaving "cannot be overestimated" and could seriously harm the City of London.

"There would be some considerable uncertainty," the report said. "Some may view it as a liberating experience and be positive from the start but the likelihood is that the bulk of the economic, business and financial community would view it as a great unknown. For many aspects of the London economy, the day after any no decision in the referendum would be little different in economic terms from before, especially for those focused on the domestic economy. The financial market impact, however, could be very different."

Johnson acknowledged that there could be a "scratchy" period of uncertainty for three to five years if Britain chose to leave. But he said he believed that this was surmountable and argued there was no need to be scared about leaving.

"The whole EU question is no longer as pivotal to our future as it was," he said.

Johnson insisted that both his "head and heart" told him it was better for the UK to stay in a significantly reformed EU after a referendum. However, he also made it clear he considered the reforms he was demanding ambitious.

This became apparent when Peter Wilding, the director of British Influence – a group campaigning for the UK to stay in – told him seven out of the eight recommendations in the Lyons report were already favoured by the leadership of the European Commission.

But Johnson said he did not believe any of his proposed reforms had been agreed and he did not think the negotiations Cameron is to undertake would be easy.

"I suspect, if I may humbly suggest, perhaps it is not going to be quite as simple as that," he told Wilding. "If we can knock out social and environmental legislation, if we can knock out the common agricultural policy, if we can repatriate powers over global justice and home affairs, if we can manage migration ourselves, if we can genuinely complete the single market in services, then maybe, maybe we're going to win this argument. In which case, I would be all too happy to campaign for a yes.

"Which, by the way, shows the wisdom of David Cameron in leading this argument. How curious it is, therefore, my friends, to hear from some of the gloomy-doom-poppers that we'll never get a deal, that Britain hasn't got a hope… And now you're telling us this morning that it's virtually a done deal, well that's fantastic news if it's true."

Johnson also said he wanted a clear timetable for reform of the EU, which Cameron has not set out so far.

Taken from: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/06/boris-johnson-david-cameron-eu-reform-list-stop-vote-exit

Whats a done deal?



"Which, by the way, shows the wisdom of David Cameron in leading this argument. How curious it is, therefore, my friends, to hear from some of the gloomy-doom-poppers that we'll never get a deal, that Britain hasn't got a hope… And now you're telling us this morning that it's virtually a done deal, well that's fantastic news if it's true."

Which seven out of which eight?

This became apparent when Peter Wilding, the director of British Influence – a group campaigning for the UK to stay in – told him seven out of the eight recommendations in the Lyons report were already favoured by the leadership of the European Commission.

Here they are:

In the Lyon's “The Europe Report: A win-win situation” the case for reform is made as being clearly in the long term interest of the EU as well as the UK. The reforms that are needed include:

• Accepting the case for economic reform: This makes the case for unlocking the barriers to growth both in the UK and EU in order to boost innovation, investment and competitiveness. The poor economic performance and weakness of demand suffered by the EU would be addressed alongside reform of the supply chain.

• Halt the process towards ever closer union: This would be the greatest challenge and may require a new treaty. It links directly to the issue of EU competencies and requires a willingness on the part of the Commission to show that the direction of travel in Europe is not just moving towards integration.

• A timetable for reform: a clear timetable for reform should be identified focusing on the relationship between the Eurozone and non Eurozone countries and also on The Single Market.

• Reforming the relationship between the Eurozone and non-Eurozone: this is key to adding greater weight and protection to the City, which should remain Europe’s financial centre whether the UK stays within the EU or leaves it.

• Completing the Single Market and address issues in services, in movement of people and in regulatory intrusion: This has to be a central part of reforms. The idea of movement of people needs to change to take into account the fact that the expansion of the EU to the east has resulted in huge variations in income levels. It is important to ensure there is continued free movement of people with the appropriate skills within the EU but that needs to be seen alongside the sensible economic need to discourage benefit migrants.

• Sector specific reforms: Given the importance of the digital economy a case could be made for having a Digital Commissioner and removing barriers to digital infrastructure improvements. There is also a legitimate case for the UK having a fully recognised ‘Luxembourg Compromise’ over financial services legislation and regulation. A clear aim should be to cut out unnecessary, complex and intrusive regulation. EU social policy also needs to be considered particularly in terms of avoiding increased regulation, which adds to the cost of employing people and can hit small firms hard.

• General areas of economic reform: there are also some general areas of economic reform including halting unnecessary regulation and further reforming the EU budget.

• Non economic areas for reform: Non-economic areas of interest may prove to be as important in any referendum as the economic ones. A key issue is the future relationship between national and European law, and the case for re-establishing the supremacy of UK courts in some areas.

Hazy one.

"Maggie and her kiss of death."

Not sure which would be the worse a kiss from Maggie or Theresa.

Forgot there would always be the hairy one!

Ah, the wish list from heaven EL.


Fair enough, so it's out we go, cos theres no way the €uroburgers will go for those conditions.

Max,

The UK won't be leaving the EU unless you and countless others ditch any notion of voting UKIP and vote Tory. I know Cameron's a bit greasy, but that's the only way you'll get the referendum you crave for.

Exec,


As far as I can see 7 out of 8 of those proposals are routinely discussed and modified.

As far as protecting London financial services are concerned, I doubt there is a chance in hell of ongoing protection of some of its money laundering activities.

If UK opts out then more of the financial services will move to Europe with tighter rules on "flows" of money and money washing especially in and out of the UK.

A cut-price NHS revolution would be Ed Miliband’s biggest gamble

Labour knows that health and social care should be merged, but it can’t agree on how


Usual suspects and arguments can be found here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/11013816/A-cut-price-NHS-revolution-would-be-Ed-Milibands-biggest-gamble.html


But the real star of the article is this very nice looking woman (or at least it is for me)

Hilary.

Cameroon is more than a bit greasy, he's absolutely slathered in the slippery stuff.

Even if he gets in, it will make no difference, as his policy is to stay in the €U whatever the outcome of the supposed negotiations. (his words)

A Message From The Headmaster
Issue 1371



Hello, girls!


And boys, obviously. But this has been a week of exciting changes in the staff room and in a radical change from my previous appointments policy I’ve promoted a number of staff to senior positions who are not Old Etonians. They can’t be – because they’re women! And I am really looking forward to learning all their names in due course – and not just when I want a cup of tea! Just joking of course, calm down, dears. The ladies in the staff room will obviously bring more than a cup of tea. Some biscuits would be nice. No, just kidding.

All of the women, from Ms Thingummy to Ms Whatshername, have been appointed entirely on ability, and not just their ability to look good in staff photographs and the school prospectus! Another joke, girls, you’ll have to get used to this kind of banter in the staff room! (Particularly as, for all the fuss about this, there’s only five of you.)

We’ll sort out the fine details of your appointments later, ie what subjects you’re going to teach and how you’re going to teach them.

Also, don’t worry about what you’ll be doing in the next academic year, because it’s all been planned out. And here’s a glimpse of what your busy schedule holds...





Think you can handle that? So, time to roll up your sleeves – unless you’re wearing a sleeveless halterneck, Ms Oneonthetelly, or a swimsuit, Ms Otheroneonthetelly. Thanks to all the dads who’ve already asked for a new staff calendar, to hang alongside the SamCal 2014!

D.C.

What are the chances of Russia walking into Ukraine and calling it a failed state?

Seemingly no resistance or military help from USA or NATO and sanctions being laughed at!

I suggest sending Captain Wavy Dave in a Captain Marvel outfit.

That should frighten them.

Probably be refused as an attempt of an illegal immigrant.

...

Interesting comment!

"Britain's trade performance over the past two decades has been worse than any other country in the G7, with a shortfall of nearly £40 billion in goods exports in the past five years alone. In a new report that lays bare the gap between the UK and its competitors, Royal Bank of Scotland found that goods exports were only 4 per cent higher last year than they were in 2008. If the UK had kept pace with global exports, that figure would have been 16 per cent higher — a difference of nearly £37 billion. - The Times"

Fred.

Whats does The Times know about economies?

If they had looked at the house price index, they would have seen that everything is hunky dory.

Have not posted on here for ages due to it being the Fred thread, (shame because it used to be a very good platform for views and opinions till Fred took it over) but I though this video on You Tube might be of interest.

It is long but if you go to 21 mins in and then to 35 mins in it is in my view excellent.

I am very passionate regarding leaving the EU hence my post, but I won't be monitoring this thread.

http://alturl.com/t2ovv

It certainly is not the Fred Thread, Fred like anyone else as the right to post here within the rules and regulations of the Money am board, just like anyone else.

The fact that he gets up and is active is not a case for other posters to knock him nor are his beliefs.

Anyone can post on this thread about anything they like to debate or bring to the attention of others. Become active like Fred, dont knock him because he makes use of the facility.

If you dont like a posters style its simple SQUELCH.

greekman

Thee is a simple solution to reading this thread. I have Fred filtered for the last few months. I am not aware of his posts and the thread has become far more sensible.

i don't actually filter fred, but i almost never bother with his posts and for that matter, rarely with friend sticky's, as they are both boringly predictable, as is hays all too often

Obviously, Fred has a doctor's appointment this morning.

Before he comes back I will just say, "I don''t like Fred's coloured cartoons. In fact I absolutely hate them and I think they are gross."

I do like cartoons from Matt. They are usually right on the button and highly appropriate for what is going on in the world around us, which does include the the political world.

Fred: Would you mind changing over to these and start posting Matt cartoons? They would be much more entertaining and if you do, then you will get a carrot from me. eg.