MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Merkel appeals to UK voters: “I personally wish for Great Britain to stay part of the European Union”
Angela Merkel broke her silence during the referendum campaign to warn that Britain would find itself isolated and weakened in trade talks outside the European Union. The German chancellor, who has not commented since David Cameron named the referendum date in February, said that a place at the bargaining table for the single market and international trade deals were reasons for Britain to remain in the EU on June 23. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesWhat a load of crap.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 08:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0“If you think of trade agreements ... one nation by itself will never be able to achieve such good results”.
And yet it is countries like Australia that have free trade deals with both the US and China. Australia and New Zealand have also managed to create most the benefits of the EU without the drawbacks.
Going it alone works well.
Merkel appeals to UK voters: “I personally wish for Great Britain to stay part of the European Union”
Jun 08th, 2016 - 09:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0This is great news...........for those wishing to leave.
First she sends in the attack dogs and that didn't work and now comes the sweet talk. All they ever want from us is our money and subservience and there's not one that doesn't hate us for our success and business acumen. All the intelligent ' leave voters ' realise the Eu is creating a Fourth Riecht which should go down well with many in Argentina !
Jun 08th, 2016 - 10:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0Going on the way that Merkel handled the muslim invasion of Europe, if she wants the UK to stay, then the UK should get out of Europe, very quickly.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 11:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0@1 Yes, but the UK is 9th largest economy in the world (5th largest National and 2nd largest in the EU) whereas Australia is 19th. I get your point and we would still be able to trade but would not have the muscle of being in a larger trading block.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 11:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0We are also not considering all the preferential trading deals/intelligence sharing. And one of the key reasons our financial market is so attractive to investors. Why do you think so many billions have been taken out during this time of uncertainty?
No doubt at all that we would survive - after the years of adjustment that both sides agree would see an initial slump. But I cannot see the long-term advantages and no one seems able to articulate them. Of course we would still trade but would we still be 9th in the world? Would our financial markets be as attractive to outside investors?
If you look at who supports us leaving including Trump and Putin one has to wonder about their motives.
@2 I am no fan of Merkel or the behaviour of Germany in profiteering from countries that should never have joined the Union because they couldn't afford to. But if you were to talk to people in Europe they see things differently. “The U.K. always gets the extra sausage” is how they view our negotiations.
I completely understand the feeling of loss of control that people talk about. No one likes to think they are being told what to do, especially by 'Johnny Foreigner'.
Is the European Parliament an out-of-control gravy-train? Yes, we know it is. Even Farage has his nose in the trough. There are not even accurate figures on how many people are working there. It needs reform.
So far I still can't see how we will be better off other than in some abstract way of being 'more free to make our own decision' but poorer in reality.
Putting this out there for debate.
I had a lot to do with EU Customs legislation and CAP and have had personal experience of it's working. The UK would grumble and argue over legislation BUT when they ratified it, it was scrupulously applied, often to the detriment of the UK.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 12:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I had to deal with Customs matters for large international companies who also had factories in other member states. When I applied the regulations I was told that we don't have to do this in the Netherlands or Eire. They let us do what we want ! When I queried this, they were correct ! They even went to the Scottish Secretary and threatened to close down their operation and transfer it to Eire and the Netherlands. I then asked them to get a letter from the Management of both locations to confirm what they had said. At this point they decided not to take it any further as they might be required to comply if it went to the EC.
Same with the CAP policy. Mythical olive grove subsidies being paid for groves that had been dug up in the 1930's. Butter being exported from Holland to the UK and then bounced around to which ever country had the biggest subsidy.
The pig carousel from Eire to N.Ireland to attract a subsidy, and then smuggled back across the border again only to repeat the process.
With countries like Italy, Greece and Spain involved, what do you expect.
In fairness this happened 20 years ago.
@5. Admit it, you're scared. Clinging to your EU comfort blanket. Try these thoughts. Whatever problems we have originate in the EU. We could have any number of trade agreements if we didn't have to comply with EU rules first. Yep, that's what we have to do at present. And a fair chance that the EU External Action Service will stick its nose. Ever read James Bond novels. The Soviets had an External Action Service as well. Didn't they call it SMERSH for short?
Jun 08th, 2016 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Do we have to be 9th? Isn't it about how things are inside our country? If manufacturers and producers can't sell their goods because people can't afford them, wouldn't it make sense to reduce the prices? Wages might come down, but then, with lower prices, people wouldn't need as much money.
I want you to remember how we get to the prices we have to pay today. EU producers and manufacturers want a certain amount of money for their goods. Remember the butter mountains and wine lakes? Because the EU producers demanded “acceptable” prices and the EU paid them. Then it had to get the same amount of money from the consumers. What should have happened was the French, Italian, Spanish producers being told to make their operations more economic. Instead of bowing to the CAP.
Try looking at more problems headed our way because of our European “friends”. It started with the Italians breaking the law. Who told them to go out into the Mediterranean and pick up migrants? Who told them they could issue tons of “temporary” documents and then release the migrants to spread across Europe? Who told Merkel she could also break the law by welcoming more than a million migrants? What happens when, around 5 years from now, all these migrants start being issued with EU passports and heading for Britain. Are you just going to sit and hope for 5 years that they won't want to come here? But, if we LEAVE, they CAN'T come here. It's called forethought. And that's before you can start worrying about the largely muslim Turks.
@7 You can do better than that. Pathetic playground whining of “You're scared” should be followed be nah,nah,nah, naah, nah.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 01:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Having a strong economy makes us all wealthier, safer and stronger. Run along.
Elaine,
Jun 08th, 2016 - 02:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I liked your argument at @5. It was very, very interesting.
You mentioned the EU “needs reform”. Do you really think that huge political machine can make any meaningful reforms? You likely are confident it can make reforms.
If the other people of the EU see things differently concerning the UK's complaints, and those other EU people must outnumber UK people by quite a bit, are they really going to readily agree to the reforms the UK would like to have?
When, at the very latest, do you think these reforms will for sure be in put in place? How many years? Will they be real reforms, or just the token minimum action? Should the people of the UK wait for 15 years just to see at the end of that long time that the reforms they wanted didn't happen?
Even in the event that the EU doesn't fix any of the things you think need fixing, do you want the UK to remain a member?
@9 You know what, I think there should have been a third question. Something along the lines of 'Do you want to leave if the EU does not agree to reforms'. Of course, it would never be an option but it might have been a lever.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 04:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think by holding the referendum we have weakened our negotiating power on reform. The only way there can be reform is if there is a Europe-wide protest by voters for change in the European Parliament. I don't think the will is there amongst the MEPs who all have their noses in the trough.
If we leave will have given up the right to complain about it - though our financial commitment will not end immediately. If we remain I think we have weakened our position. Though a lot of the threats by EU members are based on fear. If we leave they will be wondering who will breakaway next.
What is definite is that the EU do not want us to leave. What should have happened is that they agreed to some reforms before a referendum was called but we blinked first.
I honestly have not made up my mind but I want to be convinced we will be better off outside of the EU. We are definitely wealthier and stronger as a member despite the irritating negatives we endure by being members. I just don't see we will be better off leaving.
To clarify: Reforms are not the only consideration.
“You know what, I think there should have been a third question. Something along the lines of 'Do you want to leave if the EU does not agree to reforms'. ”
Jun 08th, 2016 - 04:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It may be that an out vote will provide the impetus for the EU agree and achieve required reform. A second referendum?
From what I have seen the issues for UK citizens are very clear. It seems people want to have an influence over UK laws through a democratic process which doesn't exist as far as EU directives are concerned at present. And there is a lot of concern over the rate of immigration which is causing various problems. The fact that a referendum even exists means that many British people must be unhappy and want to leave the EU.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 05:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why is it so difficult to decide how to vote? You are either happy with the status quo, or not.
Well that must be at least ANOTHER 2% boost to VOTE LEAVE!
Jun 08th, 2016 - 05:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0AND, I see from the Telegraph yesterday that the Conservatives who are left in the remain pit after a LEAVE vote are going to go against the wishes of the voters and use their majority to STOP the enactment of the decision!
Not only that but several 'senior' bankers and a lot of serious businessmen consider that if remain win the EU will DEMAND the UK joins the Euro and you can imagine the argument, can't you?
“You WILL join our great monetary system your citizens have voted for the EU, why are you resisting?”
So, if you DON'T want the Euro VOTE LEAVE!
Come on Saint ElaineB, you want to be considered the equivalent of a man but haven't got the balls (literally) so show us you have the strength to VOTE LEAVE! You know it makes sense.
@11 If wishing made it true….. No, I think there will be one referendum and that is it.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 05:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@12 “Why is it so difficult to decide how to vote? You are either happy with the status quo, or not.” No, it is more complex than that. One can be unhappy with the status quo but even more unhappy with the alternative.
@13 Creepy Chris the Pervert. You are a moron.
“you want to be considered the equivalent of a man ” That shows you in all your misogynist glory. Women ARE equal to men without having to prove anything you piss-dribbling old fool.
You couldn't talk me out of a burning car so piss off and bully your wife a bit more.
“ If wishing made it true” For clarity - it was not my wish, but an observation.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 06:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“No, I think there will be one referendum and that is it.”
Prior events indicate other possibilities.
“On three occasions – Denmark on the Maastricht Treaty, Ireland on the Nice Treaty and Ireland again on the Lisbon Treaty – voters have initially rejected an EU treaty only to vote in favour of it in a second referendum. Based on research conducted in Denmark and Ireland.”
http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2015/10/19/asking-the-public-twice-why-do-voters-change-their-minds-in-second-referendums-on-eu-treaties/
“We are definitely wealthier and stronger as a member despite the irritating negatives we endure by being members. I just don't see we will be better off leaving.”
“Wealthier”, perhaps - but that is not paramount to all. “Stronger” - speculative. “Irritating negatives”. I would suggest that free movement and migration are a little more more than “irritating” to a significant number.
@ElaineB
Jun 08th, 2016 - 06:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I started out as a reluctant Remainer but the stat that worried me most is that Europe is the only continent that has not grown in the last decade. By 2030 it is estimated that the EU will have shrunk to 17% of global GBP. Remain will keep us tied to a shrinking economy and block us from trading freely with the growing ones. So in the long term we either need to transform the EU - which is literally impossible as Cameron couldn't even get a cosmetic change through without it being watered down - or, Leave and look outward to the growing economies. With France now more Euro-sceptic than us then the EU may fall apart regardless.
@15 I don't see free movement and migration as a problem. As I have pointed out we in the U.K. take more advantage of it than any other European country. And I am concerned that illegal immigration will increase when European countries don't have our membership as a reason to hold migrants wanting to get to the U.K.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 06:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@16 Good and interesting points well made. I think is we vote to Leave we will start something but given the tragic state of the French economy (they really are the elephant in the room of European economies) I don't think they can afford to leave. Others may and I think that is why Germany is hopping up and down at the prospect.
The referendum game a catchy little song
Jun 08th, 2016 - 06:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0a much watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBz6y6ZrmD8
so in the last couple of days, according to the remainders and there friends,
the Germans threaten us and call us deserters, we will be punished say the French,
the Falkland's and Gibraltar will fall, France will invade the channel islands
Scotland will go UDA and invade us , aliens will land at dover and turn us all into brainwashed europrats,
WW3 and the apocalypse will be upon us, The USA will abandon us, the japs will longer sell cars , great Britain will disappear ,
the UK will be run by the greatest coalition in history with multiple prim ministers taking turns, Cameron , corbyn major , Blair Salmon and sturgeon
and merkle,
one thinks that millions would vote leave just to see this miracle take place,
or the biggest joke in history as it may well turn out,
still its only my opinion and a light hearted one at that.
“And I am concerned that illegal immigration will increase when European countries don't have our membership as a reason to hold migrants wanting to get to the U.K.”
Jun 08th, 2016 - 06:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is a matter of concern, but your response would seem to indicate that we endure membership on the basis that EU (France in this matter) - may derogate their border responsibilities ?
@ 14 ElaineB
Jun 08th, 2016 - 07:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Women ARE equal to men without having to prove anything you piss-dribbling old fool.”
That statement just shows how insecure you are, all the women I have employed didn't need feminism to bolster inadequate performance - unlike you they didn't have any.
Please do us all a favour and go back TO wherever you feel you have 'your success' because it certainly isn't on here.
VOTE LEAVE!
Apparently according to ITV today,
Jun 08th, 2016 - 07:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0another boat was stopped and taken to dover and handed over to the authorities,
nothing on the BBC,
it seems that some are still confused abt working rights , holiday pay and holidays,
as it turns out, these were agreed before we entered the EU and thus are cannot be removed unless the government removes them,
one thinks the people would not allow this,
besides that government is conservative and run by Cameron at this moment it time,
one cannot see him removing them, can you lot..
@19 No. Just discussing the point. There are many issues to consider not just one.
Jun 08th, 2016 - 07:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@20 Stop embarrassing yourself. Your mental deterioration is rapid and visible to everyone.
The UK Govt had to bring in emergency legislation to extend the register deadline to Thursday...midnight after the Voting register site crashed Tuesday evening...Tens of thousands couldn't register their details....
Jun 08th, 2016 - 11:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Political observers have said that many of those who could not register were younger voters who tend to support the remain camp.”
So there you have it...the Young....whose future it is...tend to support the Remain camp....
....and all the old Nationalistic Fogeys....
Well...we know what they are saying...don't we everybody...;-))))
BTW....Voice is in.....;-)
Did I really refer to myself in the third person....I'm becoming Mr. Think...
@23 “Political observers have said that many of those who could not register were younger voters who tend to support the remain camp.” I didn't hear that but young voters are traditionally late to the game.
Jun 09th, 2016 - 07:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0I did hear that some 400,000 people had tried to register causing the crash. Both camps are very keen to extend the registration time because it is such an important decision for the future.
23 Exactly right, the younger you are the more likely it is you will vote remain according to YouGov. Its amazing that so many younger British people arent registered to vote. Does it indicate they arent that interested?
Jun 09th, 2016 - 08:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/eu-referendum-polls-divided-age-11418114
Younger and more naive? Older and wiser? Does this hold true?
I personally will not be voting. Not because I don't have views on the subject but because I think it is not right, at my age,to commit the younger generation to a future in which I will have very little part. I think that nobody over 65 should be allowed to vote in this referendum.
Jun 09th, 2016 - 09:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0I am reminded of the words of the song “universal soldier ” in the “flower power era”...
“It's always the old who lead us to the war, it's always the young who die.”
@25 “Younger and more naive? Older and wiser? Does this hold true?” No, I think the younger generation has a different view. Young people tend to be more open-minded and see themselves as world citizens. IMO
Jun 09th, 2016 - 12:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@26 That is a fair point.
In discussions with friends a trending subject has been that the more educated are likely to want to remain. I am not sure about that generalisation but today a poll stating that is true came out. To be honest I think there will be a poll confirming every view point.
@10. “A Europe-wide protest by voters for change in the European Parliament.” There you go again. La la land. How many voters do you think know enough about the European Parliament to protest that it needs reform. You want to get a motion for debate to be on the EP's agenda? The European Commission sets the agenda. And the EC likes things just the way they are.
Jun 09th, 2016 - 05:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0When the LEAVE vote comes in there will be panic. Research the fact that's only in the last couple of weeks that the EC has started making contingency plans. They thought the Remainders would sweep the board once the EC trotted out its threats. Surprise, surprise, we Brits don't like being threatened. Now it's the turn of the Merkel charm offensive. Unfortunately, too many people can see Germany's 1 million migrant time bomb. It will explode in 5 years as the EU passports get handed out.
We may have it tough for a while. But then nothing worth having gets handed to you on a plate. Go with a bit of arithmetic. In the EU we are constrained by the wants of 27 other countries. Outside, we could trade with 178. The only rules being their terms and ours. That 6.9 billion potential customers. So what if we can't complain about the EU if we don't trade with it?
If we're wealthier and stronger as a member, how come the eurozone isn't as wealthy and strong? The reasons are simple. The EU is basically protectionist and centralised. But, over a thousand years or more, Britain isn't. It made its way by free trade and by encouraging entrepreneurs to go out and make the best deals they could. If you think about it, before the EU we were a member of EFTA. Right in the middle of that acronym is Free Trade. We were conned into thinking we'd be joining a bigger and better EFTA.
@14. The thing is, Elaine, that the threats are coming out again. The latest is that Parliament will ignore the will of the people. Imagine the reaction. The London riots will be nothing. The gates at Downing Street trampled. Westminster in flames
Parliament will not ignore the will of the people. What a load of nonsense. The result will be honoured whichever way it goes.
Jun 09th, 2016 - 06:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 026
Jun 09th, 2016 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is important that you vote...
If you want to support the younger generation then vote to remain...because that is what the younger generation prefer...
Your vote will cancel out a bigoted nationalists vote...
Tell your grandchildren that in this historic referendum...you were there with your important vote to support them....
Stand up and be counted Clyde....
...and convince the wife too...;-)
No one really knows what the young or those who avoided registration for years will vote,
Jun 09th, 2016 - 07:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0but it would be interesting if the government could tell who voted for what,
big brother in action perhaps,
the remain have today wheeled out two old codgers
major took us into the ERM and saw it crash, and thousands lost their homes and jobs,
and Blair lied abt WMD and took us into an illegal war,
talk abt batman and robin,
still,
we all have time to fasten your seat belts because this is going to be the Best free helter skelter ride you will ever see.
and by the way, im voting Out.
#30
Jun 09th, 2016 - 10:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are making the assumption that staying in is the best course of action, others take a different point of view. As to what the young prefer, it appears that many still cannot be bothered to register to vote
No one can say what the effect on the UK will be if we leave. In many ways it will be out of our control. It will depend on our trading partners and world wide speculators if we have an easy time or not..
As I said, it will affect the next generations much more than me so I will abide with either result for better or worse rather than have the arrogance of committing them to a course of action that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
You obviously do not know my wife. I have given up trying to convince her about anything. If she disagree then nothing will shift her.
@30 Who are you to call anyone a bigot ?
Jun 09th, 2016 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its a binary referendum either in or out & you have just labelled approx half of the UK bigots. Far from being bigots, I would suggest that a vote to leave is by far the more patriotic expression of confidence in Britain and its people (All of its people).
Nor do you speak on behalf of the young - the young tend to be idealists, age tends to temper this idealism with experience. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Tell me the problem to which an undemocratic EU is the solution. This week Britain has been threatened by unelected bureaucrats if it should democratically decide to leave the EU !!!
I do not respond well to threats & nor do I want to remain part of any organisation that would issue them.
33
Jun 10th, 2016 - 12:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0Stop trying to fool people....you are not a Scot...you don't have a vote...
You are not in the UK...
Your grasp of the English language leaves a lot to be desired...
Clyde's vote would cancel out one bigot....that is a fact!! I didn't mention anywhere that Clyde's one vote would cancel half the UK population...or that half the population are bigots...
My vote will cancel out Conquerors....another bigot bites the dust...
Where are you....?
I'm near Dunoon...THE UK and I have a vote...
You are window licking...mind your biz....
Where are you.......
Please say Scotland, so that I can visit to see if you are telling porkies....
What are you Canadian....?
Yeah...you're Canadian...
@34 Voice - how do you manage to get everything so wrong - its uncanny ?
Jun 10th, 2016 - 12:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0Where are you...
Jun 10th, 2016 - 12:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0You dare not say...
You are not in Scotland...
Just because great great Grandpappy gave you a Scottish name....doesn't mean you are a Scot....
Sound like a Canadian to me....
Always desperate to belong...
Remind me of Troy Tempest....always desperate to belong...
No vote for you....
Voice My post @ 35 told you everything you need to know but just for you, I am not Canadian. However, I have never met a Canadian I didn't like & never found them desperate to belong either.
Jun 10th, 2016 - 01:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0@37 McGregor,
Jun 10th, 2016 - 07:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0l'll second that.
Never met a bad Canadian, although they must exist.
No one nationality is perfect.
37
Jun 10th, 2016 - 09:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0....and yet you still feel the need to defend Canadians...
....and yet you are posting after 2am...UK time, even I had gone to bed...
It's not what you say that gives you away...
It's what you don't say...
You are not in Scotland...
You are not in the UK...
You are a wannabe...
http://m.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10026411.Focus_on_Ford__The___80m_EU_loan_for_Ford_s_Turkish_Transit_plant/EU
Jun 12th, 2016 - 01:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Greetings from Angela ?
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