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....

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

Meanwhile, Boris is on manoeuvre's ..


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/19/exclusive-boris-johnson-allies-say-david-davis-old-become-tory/

Davis does have a good sense of humour and is less blathering than Boris. Both could do with a decent haircut however.

DD presents very well and intelligently
saw him on tv about a week ago and was duly impressed

On the question of age, both Davis and Corbyn are 68. Davis looks good for his age while Corbyn looks like Albert Steptoe in a charity shop suit. Reagan was almost 70 when he was inaugurated and he didn't do a bad job for the following 8 years.

churchill was 65 at the outbreak of WW2