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Brexit is the only way to bring EU reforms : Comments
By Vince Hooper, published 26/5/2016Thus, Brexit should be seen as a first step to reforming the EU that cannot be achieved through its chaotic undemocratic channels.
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Posted by Armchair Critic, Thursday, 26 May 2016 1:32:37 PM
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There are certainly some deep problems with the political and economic structure of the Eurozone which are holding most of its members back. But Britain is not in the Eurozone and unlikely to join it. I think it's now safe to say that unless and until those problems are fixed, it's certain not to join the Euro. So most of the arguments here are irrelevant.
But the making of these claims does highlight one overlooked benefit of Brexit: Europe is very often used as a scapegoat for domestic political problems. Brexit would improve accountability by removing the ability to do this — though in the first few years, Brexit itself would become the scapegoat. Brexit would not be catastrophic but it would be costly. Bremain is the better option for Britain, and also better for bringing EU reforms because Britain is their strongest advocate. Posted by Aidan, Thursday, 26 May 2016 2:13:03 PM
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Despite Turnbull's recent claims, Brexit would certainly benefit Australia.
A British exit would allow the UK to sign a FTA with Australia and once again open the British market to Australian goods. It would also allow for relaxed immigration controls between the two countries. Australians currently find it extremely difficult to live and work in the UK without an EU passport. Greater freedom of movement between the two countries would benefit both Australian and British nationals. Although it's no longer fashionable to recognise or celebrate Australia's British heritage, the fact remains that Australia's institutions, dominant culture, language, literature, economic, legal and political systems and, yes, people are largely derived from the British Isles. These are important ties worth renewing. Brexit would allow Australia to restore a relationship that has been disrupted by Britain's EU membership. James Bennett has written about the potential of a post-Brexit CANZUK (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK) arrangement. He notes: "A CANZUK association (which could take many possible forms, looser or tighter as circumstances dictated) could, from an Australian point of view, be understood as an expansion of the Trans-Tasman arrangements for trade, finance, defence and free movement of people to include Canada and the UK. As individual agenda items, such types of co-operation are already under way or in discussion in various areas. The AUKMIN series of defence ministerial meetings has become regular and useful. Royal Navy personnel made redundant by budget cuts were taken wholesale into the RAN—there are not many other services from which Australia would contemplate such a move. London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has proposed a Labour Mobility Zone between the CANZUK nations giving Trans-Tasman-like free movement. A Facebook petition for such free movement, backed by no money, publicity, organisation or famous name received over 90,000 signatures in a few months." https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2016/03/ten-questions-australias-future/ Posted by drab, Sunday, 29 May 2016 6:21:50 PM
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Aidan: "Bremain is the better option for Britain, and also better for bringing EU reforms because Britain is their strongest advocate."
Depends. Britain will find it very difficult to control its borders and regulate migration flows while in the EU. I suspect concerns about immigration, in particular Angela Merkel's recent impromptu welcome party, are fueling the Brexit movement. Posted by drab, Sunday, 29 May 2016 6:35:16 PM
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drab, I repeat: Europe is very often used as a scapegoat for domestic political problems. Your example is a case in point. The EU does not control member countries' border security. Movement of non EU citizens is beyond its remit. If both countries were willing, Britain could relax immigration controls within Australia immediately.
Posted by Aidan, Monday, 30 May 2016 2:37:35 AM
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What's the UK and Canada planning to trade with us?
Sharia Law? If these are the kinds of laws they make in their own countries then I don't want any free movement of their people here. It's time to make a stand and get rid of the union jack that's desecrating our flag as well. Replace the damn thing with a prawn on a BBQ for all I care, just get rid of it. Posted by Armchair Critic, Monday, 30 May 2016 7:21:04 AM
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Perhaps we need a BREXIT to rattle the cage and force reformation in the EU.
The original concept of a common market, a Euro trading block was working but trying to create a single state by eliminating borders and blending national identities is not going to work. Posted by wantok, Monday, 30 May 2016 7:52:43 PM
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I support Brexit because I want to see adequate rental prices. The Guardian predicts a fall in rental prices if the UK votes to leave the EU (http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/19/rents-property-values-drop-after-brexit-landlords-house-prices-eu-referendum). On the other hand, professional brokers (https://tranio.com/) believe that an exit from the EU would not affect the demand/supply imbalance on the real estate market and even if property prices drop 5%, it won’t mean anything for such a hot market like London. Anyway it is obvious that the crisis will not be solved until we change something.
Posted by ChuckNorris, Wednesday, 15 June 2016 10:47:01 PM
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At 1:41 PM Australian Eastern Standard time on the Brexit Referendum "BBC says Leave has won"
this is with about 80% of votes counted: see http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe This result will be good news for some rightwing politicians (like One Nation) here in Oz. Also makes international politics more interesting for moi. Posted by plantagenet, Friday, 24 June 2016 2:00:21 PM
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This following documentary provides plenty of info and it makes it all pretty easy to understand.
http://youtu.be/UTMxfAkxfQ0