I'm perfectly aware that the EU had predecessor's. In fact, here is a direct quote from my previous post:

"Since anyone born before 1970 has lived during the whole existence of the EU (established in 1993) and also a very large chunk of EU's immediate predecessors' history (withthe EEC/ECSC formed in the early 1950's)."

(EEC = "European Economic Communityn" and ECSC = "European Coal and Steel Community", in the previous post I assumed you would know this but now I'm not so certain)

It should also be noted that it was during the late EEC/ECSC era, especially in the 1980's that trade with the USSR INCREASED not decreased. The west wanted their oil and gas! In fact in 1987 the USSR was granted observed status in the GATT accords http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Agreement_on_Tariffs_and_Trade, and then the EEC went even further and in 1988 signed a normalization agreement. In other words, just before the creation of the EU, Europe was welcoming USSR trade and relations. This is the exact opposite to the relationship between the EU/USSR you're trying to portray.

But of course, unless you're a complete moron or lived under a rock, anyone who is 40+ years old should know this. If you somehow missed all this- trying googling "Gorbachev", "Glasnost", "Perestroika", etc.

And lastly, to reiterate, the idea to make Europe/a region of Europe more closely united is definitely NOT new- it has been around for millennia!! There have been many various attempts all over the place. Sometimes upstart hotheads gave it a go by force but also there have been peaceful treaties of unions.

thinkabit,

There you go again telling us that you have no working knowledge of history.

Best if you stick to your vocational trade type stuff like the shadyminister does and don't try mixing with those who know about the Arts things like history, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, philosophy, etc.

That's a good boy; now off you run and watch your cricket on TV.

SR and Pauliar,

What you have quoted were polls from a few weeks ago when much of the media outlets in the UK were predicting doom from a no-deal Brexit. However, after Johnson's coup of the century where he has got just about everything he wanted from the trade deal the initial indications are that his popularity has received a tremendous boost and the remoaners are now looking more than a little stupid.

Essentially,
the UK has still tariff and quota-free trade with the EU,
can now develop free trade arrangements with the other 85% of the world economy,
dropped the roughly AU$15bn annual net contributions to the EU coffers,
Regained control of the UK's fishing rights,
removed the yoke of the ECJ arbitrary judgements,
Regained control of its borders
etc.

It is far better than I expected and puts the UK in a stronger position than it was before.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Your sycophantic adoration for your authority figures is kinda sweet but you don't get to rewrite this mess into any shining achievement for your man Boris. He got played beautifully especially by Macron whose shutting of the borders 5 days out put the wind up Boris so severely his enthusiasm for a no deal quickly evaporated.

As to fishing Boris had wanted 80% of the catch in UK waters to go to UK fishermen right from the start. The EU said 18% with increases annually. Boris said non-negotiable 80% or shove it. The EU said fine, no deal. The deal finally done was for the UK to get 25% along with the EU prescribed increases.

This is what you are lauding as regaining control over their fishing rights?

You really are a scream.

What other masterful strokes do you think your man has managed?

"As to fishing Boris had wanted 80% of the catch in UK waters to go to UK fishermen right from the start."

Should read: "As to fishing Boris had wanted 80% of the EU's catch in UK waters to go to UK fishermen right from the start.

Oh and here is what the market analysts are saying;

JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s chief U.K. economist, Malcolm Barr, offered a different assessment from the British government.

“The EU appears to have secured a deal which allows it to retain nearly all of the advantages it derives from its trading relationship with the U.K., while giving it the ability to use regulatory structures to cherry pick among the sectors where the U.K. had previously enjoyed advantages in the trading relationship,” Barr said."

Lol.