Referedum Contagion

French, Italian and Dutch voters want their own votes on European Union membership. And the euro. The continent faces a “contagion” of referendums (referenda? - DA). EU leaders fear a string of copycat polls could tear the organisation apart, as leaders come under pressure to emulate David Cameron and hold votes.
   The LEAVE campaign gave a considerable boost to German business leaders by saying it would be “very, very foolish” to deny the UK a free trade deal after Brexit. Head of the BDI (Markus Kerber), which represents German industry, said that 1970s-style trade barriers would result in job losses in Germany.

“Imposing trade barriers, imposing protectionist measures between our two countries – or between the two political centres, the European Union on the one hand and the UK on the other – would be a very, very foolish thing in the 21st century.”

In Italy, the anti-establishment Five Star movement on Tuesday declared it would demand a referendum on the euro. The party wants the euro to be split – one for the rich north and one for the (poor? - DA) south. The party’s leader (Beppe Grillo) has called for a full referendum on EU membership. He said:

“The mere fact that a country like Great Britain is holding a referendum on whether to leave the EU signals the failure of the European Union.”

Five Star won 19 out of 20 mayoral elections on Sunday, including in Rome and Turin, in a major blow to Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister. In France, Marine Le Pen, the Front National leader, last night called for France to have its own referendum on the “decaying” EU.

“I would vote for Brexit, even if I think that France has a thousand more reasons to leave than the UK.”

In the Netherlands, polls show a majority of voters want a referendum on membership, and voters are evenly split over whether to stay or go.

Brexit

The LEAVE result from the European Union is now well known and all the 'debating' has been done. With nothing other than unbalanced and overwhelming 'debating' (isn't that underwhelming? - DA), people can be psychologically brainwashed into accepting a view. Unless you are aware of the onslaught.
   The real consequences will become clear (what you really needed to know and probably within the next few days - DA) and Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will eventually (sooner or later) be invoked and the withdrawal mechanism actually started.
   Cameron may have decided to withdraw from mainline politics before the result was known, but now a good reason has been provided. LEAVE the EU... and THEN stand down. He'll be alright with the pension/rewards of leaving office. Living rent-free for 6yrs [2010 - 2016] (totally free of all costs and well looked after - DA) at 10 Downing Street. The Notting Hill residence will presumably become available. Interestingly, Cameron signed a mortgage agreement with HSBC on this £3.5m property on 15th June 2016. And being married into good connections. Possibly Sir John Major (wasn't that kept low key - DA) will get some sort of reward/honour/gong (could he ask: "what about me, me, me?" - DA). Any new PM will be chosen by MPs (NOT me, me, me?! - DA).

EU Referendum

Consider:

IN or OUT? Probably, there is never a situation that has a simple YES or NO. Staying at home and never going out is cheaper than doing the opposite - going out and spending money. But, never going out means you will NOT do the things you want to do that may not cost much if anything, like running or swimming. Window shopping costs nothing. Only going inside and buying something costs money.
   It's all about the third option - the one that nobody gets. Especially, politics. Compromise. Some of the ONE and some of the OTHER. And like any compromise, there are Winners and Losers. You will never hear a politician say:

I DON'T KNOW

only wittering on and saying a euphemism (uncharted territory? - DA). That's what they mean, but NEVER, NEVER say it.
   Osborne's 'punishment' budget will happen (that also affects the REMAINers and it was going to happen anyway - DA) and now he has a great lie reason/excuse to back it up. The democratic choice has been made by the British people - 52% LEAVE and 48% REMAIN (JUST over HALF!!! - DA). And the last person you want to talk about politics (welcome to the dark art of politics - DA)?

A (career) politician

ANY POLITICIAN

I wish the Camerons well. They know grief only too well and hide it well, too. Disability is an awful thing. Getting used to it? Perhaps. Getting over it. Never. To watch disability is difficult. To be disabled is difficult. It's not possible to say which is the more difficult. Just that it's difficult. Disability can be very diverse as well. One type of disability can be very different from another, each having its issues. Physical and/or mental/intellectual disability. Age. The amount of care necessary. There are many, many issues and it's difficult. And no amount of privilege can offset these issues, either. Managing emotions and doing a tricky job is quite remarkable. Really. It is.

Short Story

Possible short story

Have you ever noticed how an unoccupied table on which a cup and newspaper or book stand remains empty?
   Most people have such respect for a cup.
   And a newspaper or book.
   Nothing more is thought about this unoccupied table.
   If a case or bag is left unattended the chances are that a bomb alert will take place.
   Imagine a full cup left at a table (the contents may be cold - who will know?) with a newspaper or book. And a case or bag. Will a bomb alert still happen?

Or is the assumption simply

that the absent occupier will return?

David Kelly: Pathologist Verdict Of A Textbook Suicide

The naïvety or deliberate obfuscation in the explanation regarding Dr David Kelly's apparent suicide is quite incredible. The entire concept is that sinister activity led to Dr Kelly's death. The possible perpetrators of such a killing would be well versed in how to avoid detection.

If anyone bothers to actually look

The Hutton Inquiry

EU Referendum

Brexit - Post 23.06.2016

LEAVE or REMAIN
(a politically non-partisan view - DA)

A difficult decision even with good

(quality? - DA) information.

Who do you trust?

(the most! - DA)

Winners and Losers - which is which? - DA

Voting must be realistically and consciously decided. The only point that is known and easily verifiable is that a General Election is a regular opportunity to vote to change a government. This decision is a one-off and, effectively, there is no second chance. If you are NOT in business and are an ordinary voter (the majority? - DA) then the choice is possibly more about immigration and security issues. Trading/finance takes a back seat. Who is telling MORE of the truth? Actual lying is (realistically) unlikely - too much to lose IF found out, which IS likely.

There are risks in voting either way

Experts (? - DA), politicians (! - DA) and businesses BIG/medium/small are divided. People have to weigh up the risks and potential benefits of each course of action for themselves. It seems a simple choice so why do many people find this difficult?

The EU Referendum is important and a quality decision is essential.

To make a decision is easy and takes no time,

but to make the right decision takes a little longer - LB.

Unfortunately, the very public debate has confused the many. Be assured that you are not alone (absolutely - DA). Politics (and voting - DA) offers a stark choice - the ONE or the OTHER. In or Out. There is no third option. This is the problem. Both groups make good points and there are many voters who realise this. The issue is that those people do not realise that... they realise. This leads to their confusion.
   Politicians are what they are. Not necessarily untrustworthy, but they just ignore anything that does not support their case. They may be passionate though effectively mislead and misdirect. All reading from the same hymn sheet. The 'debate' is effectively between two people - each oppositely polarised.
   Should the people democratically decide to leave the EU then PM Cameron et al can just blame the people if things go 'belly up'. That will not happen overnight, but whenever and whatever doesn't work out (anything - DA) the comments are already too apparent. The script prepared. Already rehearsed. That something is said does not make it a completely true statement (or JUST True - DA). It is not necessarily untrue, but perhaps just incomplete information. The convenient part. This is the world of politics (an alien land for most - DA). Be very careful about what's said (especially unsaid!!! - DA). Rather like voting in a General Election: a vote is considered 100% in agreement with everything that a Party stands for. Chances are that you don't like everything, but paradoxically there is no sensible choice. It's all or nothing.


Voting Mathematics, Unfairness and Absurdity
Possible Cause?

Democracy

Politics

Why are passports needed to (legally) enter the UK if 'the free movement of people' is in force? The Schengen Agreement. The UK opted-out, so passports are a requirement.

UKIP presents a few interesting 'facts':

LEAVE

• trade negotiation won't take years, but 'within 48hrs'. The UK is the EU's most valuable customer
• trade by 137 countries with the EU happens without free movement of people (Norway, Switzerland, Canada and others). The UK is the 5th largest economy, and the EU's best customer. Strike deals with anyone, control borders and have a fair and secure immigration system of our own
• EU costs UK £55million every day (maybe - DA) in subscription fees and £150 billion a year in added costs. The UK is one of the EU's biggest funders
• food is £45 more expensive (monthly average for a family) according to the IEA. After Brexit, prices would fall by 8% "on day one", so predicts Prof. Patrick Minford (Cardiff University). The EU thinking of putting VAT on food, medicines and children's clothes (apparently - DA)
• the EU failed in Yugoslavia and provoked a war in Ukraine, can't control its borders or manage the migrant crisis. Security experts say that the reason a Paris-style attack hasn't occurred in the UK yet is because we are an island and can police our borders. We have the best security and intelligence services in Europe by far.

REMAIN

• Mr Cameron's renegotiations must be presented to the European Parliament for approval - after the vote (if successful). Can be rejected by 700 MEPs after a remain choice has been made. Some new EU laws are being held back until after the vote (apparently - DA)
• the EU is collapsing (no doubt about that - DA), the Euro doesn't work and its borderless regime is breaking up. The migrant crisis is overwhelming and European 'solidarity' is coming to an end.
• the betrayal of all the war dead (WWI and WWII) who gave all. Sacrificed themselves. The grief of the living. The hypocrisy of voting REMAIN and remembering the Somme. How can that ever be reconciled. Over 19,000 killed and some 58,000 casualties on the FIRST day alone. And that's just the British. They were massacred. Even today (1st July 2016), remains of the unknown are still discovered. It's awful.

On Feb 24th 2016, Greece withdrew its ambassador from Austria (the withdrawal of an ambassador creates an unusual diplomatic crisis, one which must be viewed in the context of socio-political developments in the region.

• the EU wants (needs? - DA) the UK's money and weight to try and shore things up and prevent other countries leaving (they only need a nudge from the Brexit camp - DA)
• under the Lisbon Treaty (2009) the EU is creating integrated European military forces - a 'common security and defence policy'. The EU Naval Force, EU Air Transport Command, EU Military Staff, battle groups and rapid reaction forces already exist, including British forces which will come under EU command. (Military of the European Union)
• a trade agreement being negotiated in secret between the EU and USA (TTIP) will open up the NHS to US corporations who will be able to sue for access to our health services (legally: cannot deny them - DA)
• the next seven states to join the EU will be Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Turkey has been 'fast-tracked' and will (hypocritically - DA) get visa-free access to the EU from this year (2016). Citizens of these states will have a right to settle in the UK.
• There is the obvious and a real gem of a rejoinder that WHATever and WHENever things do not appear to go as planned IN THE FUTURE, any successful Brexit (Grexit) result enables the government of the day to blame the voting electorate for the problem(s).

Consider:

Over a quarter of a million people migrate to the UK from the EU every year (relocate? - DA). This is the equivalent of a city the size of Newcastle every year. EU law means all members must accept 'the free movement of people' (that's how a Democratic Union must work, isn't it? - DA). Many immigrants contribute to our society. They also have an impact on public services. Experts (? - DA) disagree on the overall effect.

The EU is expanding to include: Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey (don't forget Bosnia and Kosovo - DA). When we joined, there were just 9 member states. Now there are 28, the most recent being Romania (2007), Bulgaria (2007) and Croatia (2013). Five more countries are in the queue to join, including Turkey, totalling 89 million people. When they join, they will have the same rights as other member states.

The EU has changed enormously since the UK joined the 'Common Market' in 1973. The EU has taken control over more and more areas (isn't this the meaning of Federal? - DA) such as our borders, public services and VAT. The need to prop up the Euro means that more and more powers (or is that an ego power trip? - DA) will be taken by the EU.

EU law overrules UK law. This stops the British public from being able to vote out the politicians who make our laws. EU judges have already overruled British laws on issues like counter-terrorism powers, immigration, VAT and prisoner voting. The new 'deal' David Cameron negotiated recently (did we/didn't we want it? - DA) can be overturned by the European Court after our referendum.


The EU costs us at least £350 million a week. That's enough to build a new NHS hospital every week (so they keep saying - DA). We get less than half of this money back and we have no control over how it's spent - that's decided by politicians and officials in Brussels, not by the people we elect (apparently - DA).

You don't have to be a member of the EU to trade with it. Countries across the world trade with the EU without being members of it. Switzerland is not in the EU and exports even more to the EU than we do. Some big banks and multinationals think the EU is in their interests. Small and medium-sized businesses think differently. Only 6% of UK firms export to the EU, yet all have to obey EU rules (law/directives - DA).

While we are in the EU, the UK isn't allowed to negotiate our own trade deals (what about? Looks like BIG/Government business only. NOT the small or medium-sized. Specious - DA). This means we currently have no trade deal with key allies such as Australia, New Zealand or the USA - or important growing economies India, China or Brazil. Instead of making a deal which is best for the UK, we have to wait for 27 other countries to agree it (all of them? Specious - DA). Most small businesses say that Britain should take back the power to negotiate our own trade deals which we cannot do inside the EU (is that ONLY those 'deals' that cannot be done inside the EU or any deal? Unclear. Specious - DA).

The 'landing' at Dymchurch started in Dieppe, apparently ('the free movement of people' within Europe? - DA) so where did the 'vessel' come from? It implies/suggests collusion between the people smugglers and local countries. Sadly, the victims could have no idea of the power of the sea. That they make such a dangerous trip (unknowingly - DA) is understandable, but praying on these unfortunates is not. Trading of the UK with the UK is never mentioned, neither is the betrayal of millions of war dead as a direct result of two World Wars. There is no official Federal Europe yet (10.06.2016). And we are now actively engaged in a second war in Europe. The first was financial (and who won that? Here's a clue: the first letter is a G... DA)

What is a War Crime? - Definition - List
International Criminal Court - Bemba
Nazi War Crimes The Last?
Blair

• Did you know that Angela Merkel is a PhD (from East Germany)
•  Dr. Gordon Brown
• How does a weak EU member state support itself and compete fairly - it uses the same currency (Euro) as the stronger ones? Value goes up and down by the moment (mostly down - DA)

24.06.2016

It was definitely close: nationally.

OUT or LEAVE = 52% against IN or REMAIN = 48% with an average 72% turnout. But it is still a result. It is now the possible first step towards the EU breakup. French, Italian or Dutch (or...) desire a chance (referendum). So, WHATever the future holds, watch this space. It's NOT the end of the world.

Just time for change