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Euro-scepticism spreading in the British political system

Thursday, November 1st 2012 - 23:33 UTC
Full article 33 comments

Britain faces a crisis that could end with the world's sixth largest economy leaving the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg warned ahead of a showdown over budget spending with other states in the 27-member bloc. Read full article

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  • briton

    just to show argies we are fair,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Nick Clegg is a twit and a bloody euro donky,
    he loves the euro,
    and hates his own people, but dont tell him that, he gets upset and cries,

    he talks of saving money,
    yet wasted 100 million pounds on his little pet priject, only to lose,
    he does not want the people to have a referendum,
    the sooner this twit gets lost the better.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    Clegg is the most pathetic politician in Britain. To see his picture right above that of the glorious Cristina in the list of articles...yuk!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 01:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Teaboy2

    Loved it how he said those wanting an EU budget cut and repatriation of powers to the UK are the same people that want out of the EU, then repatration of powers would be a disater for the UK and we would still have to adhere to EU laws if we left the EU.

    He clearly knows nothing of history as we did quite well on our own with our own laws between 1066 and 1970's, and EU laws can not overule UK Laws when we would be an indepedendant soveriegn state outside of EU legal jurisdiction when we leave. Saying we would still have to adhere to EU laws is like saying Russia would have to adhere to EU laws, but i don't see Russia doing that.

    All Clegg is doing is scaremongering in a vein attempt to persuade people into sharing his pro Euro view. This guys is so out of touch with the public he even beats cameron and osbourne. The majority of us Brits want out of the EU. And when we do have a referendum they better not allow European immigrants the immigrated here under the EU, to vote on it either.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 03:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    For “Nick Clegg” please read “Laughing boy Timerman” Both are a joke, both have absolutely no idea about politics and both are an embarrassment to their country......... and both should crawl back under their rock.

    Clegg has been Came-moron's little b*tch from the moment he entered the coalition. The best thing he can do is...stop playing at being leader and let someone who knows what they are doing take over.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 07:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Boovis

    I live outside the UK but in the EU so don't really relish the idea of what effect the UK leaving the EU would have on my current career.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 08:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • DennisA

    “Britain faces a crisis that could end with the world's sixth largest economy leaving the European Union”

    One can only hope....

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 10:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Ken Ridge

    @ 3 Teaboy2
    I totaly agree.

    What is most annoying is that we 'the people' have not been asked, have a referendum and get the issue sorted once and for all.

    We can survive without the EU, they export to the UK and will still do so, so our export trade would'nt change that much. We should focus our trade more with Commonwealth countries & reduce trade with producers of cheap tat such as China.

    LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE Clegg & Cameroon WE WANT A REFERENDUM
    IT'S OUR COUNTRY!!!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 11:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    EU is an anchor around UKs neck get out while you still can save yourself!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 11:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    I'm all for a referendum.

    If being in the EU is so beneficial to the UK, then it is up to the politicians to persuade the UK population that it is so.

    In the 1975 UK referendum wasn't honest. They talked of a common market where trade would be easier, making products cheaper. Not once did the pro-Europe group mention the European Community, and the passing of sovereign powers to a bunch of unelected officials in Europe.

    So as far as I'm concerned, any treaty signed by any UK government regarding anything but the free trade of goods is non-constitutional, as they didn't ask the UK population if they could do that.

    That is why a referendum is needed.

    As I said, if being a part of the EU is so beneficial to the UK then the politicians need to stop treating the population as stupid and persuade them through relevant and intelligent arguments that it is so.

    I personally am undecided, but I do think that if the EU is to continue, then the power of larger countries like Germany and France, need to be curtailed. They seem to think that everyone in the EU should do exactly as they say.

    There should be elected officials from each member, and the President of Europe should also be elected by the people of Europe.

    In short, if the EU is to truly survive, it needs to become more democratic and less autocratic, and each member state should have an equal share of the say, benefits and responsibility of being members.

    If they won't do that, then the UK should get out while they can.

    If the UK cede from the EU, then I think other countries might too.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    There is NO valid benefit to Britain in being part of the European Union. I have tried, over a period of years, to get some europhile to explain the benefits. Once they've mentioned being able to travel freely, they have NOTHING! The EU costs Britain £53 million A DAY! Off hand, it's difficult to see how to make a country £20 billion a year better off at a single stroke. But there is more. The European Union coyly refers to customs duties on imports from outside the EU AND the Value Added Tax charged in each member state as “own resources”. The EU gets 75% of customs duties and a very small percentage of VAT (0.3%). But it's more money for the UK! And what has Britain to lose? Will the EU want to stop selling its goods to Britain? If they do, they will only be cutting their own throats. But there's more for Britain to gain. At a stroke, economic migration from the EU to Britain could be stopped. Migrants already in the UK could be required to leave. More jobs for British people. Savings in welfare benefits, housing costs, health costs! Britain only wanted a free trade area. Every “reduction” in British influence can be traced to the EU!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    10 Conqueror

    Exactly the point!!! Should we be spending 60Bn A year on membership to a club that, as far as I can see, tells us that our banana's arn't bendy enough? Or do we stop being a member of that club and plough the 60bn into helping our own country?

    The EU is old and tired and a corrupt institution.... One has only to look at Niel Kinnock's latest job to show watch a cancer Brussels has become. We should be out of it and making our own decisions. One's that are good for the UK, and not one's that suit everyone else BUT the uk.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • gustbury

    UK IS NOT THE SIXTH WORLD ECONOMY,NOW IS BRAZIL....!! UPS

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    The problem with Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems is that they never expected to be elected to govern. They have always spouted idealism without any realistic possibility of having to deliver on any of their promises. It must have been quite a shock when they had to face reality.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussie sunshine

    There must be some bnefits staying with the EU or else the British Government would have left years ago..... Surely somebody with a little intelligence can see this fact. I stay because I am getting something in return if not I would have left the EU Club years ago.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 12:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anbar

    Most of our business is with the EU and it wouldn't change one iota if the UK left the EU.

    However, I also live in a rural area that often gets by via EU subsidies and rural-advancement grants...because the UK government is so completely uninterested in the UKs rural communities and farming.

    If the UK left the EU then the complete annihilation of rural economies would soon follow.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussie sunshine

    Interesting that the UK wants to bail out but Scotland wants to join the club.

    Does this help the Scottish claim to independence??

    www.daily mail.co.uk/news/article-2225053/cuts-child benefits-million-families-illegal-EU-law-experts-warn.

    who would have helped these million families if they had not been part of the EU??!!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 01:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @16 Just a word of advice, The Daily Fail is the publication for racists, misogynists and xenophobes, but to talk about the cuts in child benefit....

    The only cuts are being made to high income families. I thought this sat well with the socialists posting on here. You have to understand the nature of child benefit and why it was introduced way back when. Then, the majority of women did not work and the men controlled all the income to a family. Historically, the child benefit was paid to mothers. This was to ensure they had money to feed their children if the father was less than generous to his offspring, or absent. This could, of course, span all levels of income families so it was paid for all families regardless of the father's income.

    The world is a very different place now, The equal pay act and progress in equal opportunities means that woman can and do earn good salaries. Women are not dependent on men for an income.

    We need to cut spending in the welfare system and this is one cut that is probably justified. Also, it is possible to appeal the cut if you can prove it would cause genuine hardship. Considering the benefit is being cut to household where ONE parent earns in excess of £60,000 ($90,000) and partially cut in households with income on excess of £40,000 ($60,000), I doubt there will be many appeals.Don't you think it is better to spend money on the genuinely needy?

    This actually plays into the hands of the anti-Europe supporters.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 02:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Teaboy2

    @16 the EU has no say over our benefits system. What cuts in child benefits thwe UK government decide on is up to them, not the EU. Its british taxpayers cash that covers the UK benefits system, not EU money. In fact we even pay child benefit to EU immigrant workers whos children still live in their home nations such as Poland. We should not have to nor should we be expected to do that. Thats why the EU is moaning, because it knows it will effect the families/children of Imigrant workers in other nations. But tell me, how many EU nations pay child benefits to British persons working in EU nations who's family and children are living in the UK? ZERO is the answer! So is the EU saying those countries are acting illegally too? Nope they are not, which says all there is to be said about it really!

    We also have the Magna carta that makes it clear, that we the citizens of this country are the rulers and the government and royalty are our servants. That means the EU can not over rule what we the citizens say!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 03:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conor J

    Good, death to the EU.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 03:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Let's get out NOW. End off.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 04:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    17 ElaineB

    You must have seen this article then:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2225987/Angela-Epsteins-furious-attack-Government-My-family-losing-child-benefit-just-earning-100k.html

    I don't think she got much sympathy!!

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    17 ElaineB

    “The Daily Fail” LOL

    Love it!!! Is that a name to add to the list?

    Along with “The Torygraph”?

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 04:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • british maid

    bad time for the UK...poverty and more poverty
    lol

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 05:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #13 I don't agree, the Lib Dems have always been the most opportunist and the nastiest campaigners of all the parties, they don't have the clear ideals either of (real) Labour or the Tories. No wonder that Blair considered reaching out to them until his landslide made that a moot point, or that his heir Cameron has so much in common with Clegg

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • China owns the UK

    see the UK Debt Clock
    lol

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 06:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @24 I don't see how you disagree with me, you just agreed.

    Cameron has nothing in common with Nick Clegg and that has become more apparent in time. Cameron regards Nick Clegg as his human shield, nothing more.

    @22 I try hard to avoid The Daily Fail. The founder's motto was 'Give them a hate-a-day'. They certainly give their readers what they want in that respect. : )

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 07:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    if we have to vote UKIP just to get out, then so be it,

    when we can lo longer make our own laws, throw out tererist from our own country,
    then its time to go.
    out out out./////////////

    mind you, just out of interest for argie bloggers,
    please feel free to take our place.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 08:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    I think Nick Clegg needs to remember just how pathetic the election results were for the Liberal Democrats the last time round. He is only in government because if a twist of fate, he has no mandate to speak for the British public. The sooner we get out of the EU the better. We can have the same relationship with Europe as Norway and Switzerland and just be members if the common market. Labour and Conservative know that the end if the road has arrived and this referendum can't be held off any longer.

    Just one more point for the Argy gloaters thinking this article is bad thing for the UK. You're wrong, we want out as soon as is practicable, it is a good thing. The Eurozone and the EU are destined to self implode and we are better off out now.

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 09:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussie sunshine

    I agree !! The sooner The Uk goes the better for Europe!!

    One can only get so much of these euro skeptics.........

    Nov 02nd, 2012 - 11:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    all those billions,,,
    insted of going to the EU ,
    it will come back to the UK .
    then we will have billions to spend on us,insted of bailing out them.

    Nov 03rd, 2012 - 12:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    @29
    Strange perspective for an 'alleged' Australian. Just for the record the Germans are desperate for us to stay, figure that one out!

    Nov 03rd, 2012 - 12:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #34 Well we certainly agree on the Daily Hatemail =) On the Lib Dems, we both don't like them, my point was I don't think they were ever really idealistic, even when they were irrelevant no-hopers (which they soon will be again, more than ever!)

    Nov 03rd, 2012 - 10:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @32 It is not really even a question of not liking them. In local government they do quite well but they are woefully ill-equiped to deal with national politics.

    The point I was making is that they made rash promises like abolishing tuition fees when they had no hope of being in power. By a twist of fate they acquired some power -albeit very limited - and had to face up to reality. It is easy to promise the earth when there is no chance you will have to make good on your promise.

    I do agree it is hard to understand exactly what they stand for; somewhere in the middle of the road.

    Nov 03rd, 2012 - 10:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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