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....

Reality dawning?

Germans will be fair it's the bloody French who will be awkward.

The difference between Germany and France is the workplace in France is ruled
by the unions, and so no matter what customers/business they lose they will still
be paid by France law, until the state goes bust..

i wonder if macron will manage to clip the unions' wings at all
they certainly need to be

UK government appoints Brexit backer as City minister

LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed Brexit supporter Stephen Barclay as "City minister" to oversee a financial services sector facing upheaval as Britain prepares to leave the European Union.

Barclay, whose formal title is economic secretary to the treasury, is likely to be responsible for financial services policy and the government's relationship with firms such as banks, insurers and asset managers.

Before he was elected to parliament in 2010, Barclay worked in financial regulation and then financial crime prevention at Barclays retail bank, according to his website. A lawyer by training, he supported leaving the EU at last year's referendum.

Banks, trading platforms, insurers and asset managers in London are already making plans to open new bases in other parts of the EU, fearing a loss of access to the single market after March 2019 when Britain is due to leave the bloc.

"His appointment comes at a time when the City's voice must be heard loud and clear," a City of London Corporation spokeswoman said.

Barclay's experience in financial services will come as a relief after his predecessor, Simon Kirby, who lost his seat in last week's general election, dismayed the sector for having too little knowledge of finance at a critical time.

"A good appointment to key role in HM Treasury," tweeted Mark Hoban, a former City minister who heads a City-based group looking at how financial services can adapt to Brexit.

The return of a minority government in last week's election has raised hope in the financial sector for a "softer" Brexit, meaning some access to the EU market would be maintained.

As City minister, Kirby had been stripped of his remit in overseeing the impact of Brexit on Britain's large banking sector, a role handed to Lucy Neville-Rolfe, who quit this week.

A finance ministry spokeswoman said the exact responsibilities of junior finance ministers had not been finalised.

Hammond flexes muscles over Brexit - BBC - Kamal Ahmed

It is the first significant reassurance to businesses that the government is ready to step in with extra financial support as the Brexit deal is negotiated.
The chancellor has made it clear to his allies he wants jobs and the economy to be the first consideration as Britain leaves the European Union.

His approach is described by some as a "soft" Brexit, meaning that the UK keeps closer ties to the single market and possibly stays within the customs union.
Even if that means making more financial contributions to the EU.
Softer approach

It is certainly different in tone from pre-election comments by the Prime Minister that "no deal is better than a bad deal".
At the Mansion House speech tonight, Philip Hammond will say that £48bn of funds from the European Union's investment bank will not be put at risk.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) provides funding for infrastructure projects across the EU, such as the building of the Crossrail train line in London, and tram networks in Nottingham and Manchester.

It lends at preferential rates to EU members and some thought the source of financing could be at risk as the UK approaches the departure date of March 2019.
But the government will now act as final guarantor for those funds if the EIB demands extra assurances on the financial viability of the projects.
The Treasury says it will use financing available from the British Business Bank to cover any shortfalls the UK faces.

Although the guarantee is likely to be welcomed by business - which has often felt locked out of the Brexit process - much more important is the tone Mr Hammond will strike in his speech tonight.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40283236

'We can't allow second Brexit' Eurozone must reform or more will leave, warns Spain

THE eurozone cannot afford another country to leave the bloc after Britain's groundbreaking vote to leave last year, Spain's economy minister has warned.

Aggressive changes are now needed across the single currency area to stop countries following Britain's lead, said Luis de Guindos.

The minister called for a closer knit eurozone with one treasury that can force economic and market reforms on to all member states.

The Brexit vote and Donald Trump's presidency are reasons why the eurozone must change, according to the minister.

He told the FT: “There are doubts about fragmentation at the world level and that means we are now more dependent on our own decisions.

“We cannot allow a second Brexit.

"We have to keep together.” ..........

http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/817581/Eurozone-latest-news-Reform-Brexit-Spain

shame it's come from the express, but if true, then i couldn't agree more

the very reason i voted "out" was because i could see no way that the eurozone would reform in any meaningful way if uk did not light the blue touchpaper by remaining in - ie we set ourselves up as something of the sacrificial goat
i know fred strongly disagrees, and that is certainly a valid position, even if not shared by all on this board

of course everything is now thrown up in the air, and goodness knows what will happen next

The minister called for a closer knit eurozone with one treasury that can force economic and market reforms on to all member states



A transfer union by any other name. Germany will never allow it, and you know why.

Macron what a stupid name , i keep thinking of a cash and carry outfit when i see it .

re - Germany will never allow it

Germany is the only one benefiting from the Union

why?
1 - Has the strongest economy with the best companies, and with the same currency the rest can not compete.

2 - No wonder that for years now, has a huge surplus balance of payment

3 - Germany’s current account surplus is out of control and very destabilizing for the rest of the EU

Lets Face facts...Germany has always wanted to rule Europe...Now they do....

Well is today the day at last or is something going to surface , i wonder .

David Davis is at it now so let's hope things pan out quietly and positively , please .

Dave is the best man for the job.

Yea. Bring back, Cameron.

The American Student who was jailed by the N Koreans has died , a week after being released , when you read what is believed they did to him for supposedly pinching a sign
makes your hair curl , and people talk about Guantanamo Bay .

Two wrongs don't make a right!

That confirms to me you are a total waste of space dear Freda .

...... but two Fredas and one wants to VOMIT