>> even you seem to have no more than
>> condemnation for those of us who see this result as catastrophic self-sabotage, and no vision
>> of the route to a brighter future. Am I being unfair?
Not wilfully, but the continual framing of the argument "so, what's the plan the?" in previous postings is the fabled straw man, which no sensible debater will accept.
But let's not be sensible.
The plan if we stay in is presumably to continue to use our "seat at the table" to further the interests of Britain, e.g. inter alia to avoid direct calls for funding when the euro crisis hits Italy, Spain and Portugal, to negotiate a tenable position if and when the EU further develops towards fiscal and polictical union, to continue to support NATO, to encourage others to do so by allocating 2% of GDP to its funding, and to resist an "EU Army". You might also add some unspecified controls on migration since that won't go away, either for the UK or for some other members I suspect.
(I can't remember whether you are among those who think all the euro collapse talk is just crying wolf. Mervyn King for example believes that a Euro collapse is inevitable unless a country is in effect formed within Europe to form a fiscal union.)
The plan if we leave will perforce be much the same as if we remain, but the UK will have a freer hand outside than in. For example, within the EU the UK has to negotiate its liability for euro bailouts - out, the UK can choose. We will have absolute discretion on whether we participate in an EU army, which may well stop it happening and reinforce NATO. The money that the EU provides under CAP, regional support, and community projects will remain in the UK, which can choose where it goes.
I have not mentioned trade and the link to free movement. The "plan" is the same as the EU's which is to agree new rules. It is a mutual concern. I don't know what else you expect anybody to say at this stage. It is the EU's own process (which I suspect could be modified as a result of its being tested) that no negotiations can take place unless Article 50 is triggered.
Of course there is uncertainty. The exit rules were designed that way, not deliberately as a deterrent to leaving but as an incentive to members to resolve their differences within the EU.
I need to do something else for a while. I see Leadsom has just bailed, which I regard as progress as it removes the leadership hiatus. I see also that sterling has firmed slightly.
Last edited by: Manatee on Mon 11 Jul 16 at 12:42
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