Forum Message

Topic: Re:Re:Reply
Posted by: Steven Rose
Date/Time: 11/05/26 21:46:00

I lack the expertise to question the OBR’s estimate of the economic cost of Brexit, or that of other economists, but I think it is fair to point out that all these estimates are not factual but counterfactual, based on supposition of what might have happened if the UK had not left the EU.

I agree that it is easier to trade with Europe than with the rest of the world where supply lines are obviously longer, but the assertion that trade with the fast growing economies of in Asia and the Pacific is unlikely to bring the same benefits as trade with the declining economies of Europe requires proof.

There is no evidence that Brexit has made it significantly harder to curb illegal immigration. For example, between 1 January 2019 and 1 October 2020, when Britain was still part of the EU, only 237  migrants who had crossed the Channel in small boats were returned to France. As to legal migration,  it is true that under Johnson’s premiership large numbers of people from the Asian sub-continent were admitted, but this was because of his relaxed attitude to immigration. It was a deliberate choice. Under freedom of movement the UK had no choice but to admit any EU citizen.

Independence , freedom to make our own laws and sovereignty may be intangible, Jonathan, but that does not imply that they are imaginary. Aren’t those the very values which motivate the Ukrainians, a cause which you have notably supported.

I think that sensible person would wish to improve trade with the EU. The question is what price the EU will demand in return for access to their markets. It seems that they are demanding freedom of movement, at least for young people, which is a red line even for Keir Starmer, though it may not be for whoever succeeds him. Such a move would precipitate a constitutional crisis given the result of the Referendum.


Entire Thread
TopicDate PostedPosted By
Reform - really not racist ...10/05/26 15:58:00 Michael Ixer
   Re:Reform - really not racist ...10/05/26 16:44:00 Ivonne Holliday
      Reply10/05/26 17:59:00 Sue Hammond
         Re:Reply10/05/26 18:23:00 Robert Wheeler
            Re:Re:Reply10/05/26 18:37:00 Ivonne Holliday
               Re:Re:Re:Reply10/05/26 19:00:00 Steven Rose
                  Reply10/05/26 20:10:00 Michael Ixer
                     Re:Reply10/05/26 21:11:00 Sue Hammond
                        Reply10/05/26 21:23:00 Michael Ixer
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply11/05/26 10:19:00 Ivonne Holliday
            Reply11/05/26 00:38:00 Michael Ixer
               Re:Reply11/05/26 11:59:00 John Hawkes
                  Reply11/05/26 13:12:00 Michael Ixer
                     Re:Reply11/05/26 16:10:00 John Hawkes
   Reply11/05/26 10:37:00 Michael Ixer
      Re:Reply11/05/26 12:14:00 John Hawkes
   Re:Reform - really not racist ...11/05/26 11:53:00 John Hawkes
      Reply11/05/26 12:44:00 Michael Ixer
         Re:Reply11/05/26 13:40:00 Steven Rose
         Re:Reply11/05/26 16:58:00 John Hawkes
            Reply11/05/26 19:59:00 Michael Ixer
         Reply11/05/26 17:57:00 Sue Hammond
            Re:Reply11/05/26 18:13:00 Lucille Grant
               Reply11/05/26 20:09:00 Michael Ixer
                  Reply11/05/26 20:30:00 Michael Ixer
            Reply11/05/26 18:20:00 Michael Ixer
               Re:Reply11/05/26 19:37:00 Jonathan Callaway
                  Re:Re:Reply11/05/26 21:46:00 Steven Rose
                     Re:Re:Re:Reply11/05/26 23:09:00 Jonathan Callaway
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 07:13:00 Robert Wheeler
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 08:05:00 Jonathan Callaway
                              Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 08:57:00 Robert Wheeler
                                 Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 09:31:00 Ivonne Holliday
                                    Reply12/05/26 10:01:00 Martine Guy
                                       Re:Reply12/05/26 10:53:00 Ivonne Holliday
                                 Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 09:34:00 Steven Rose
                                    Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 09:48:00 Ivonne Holliday
                                       Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply12/05/26 10:44:00 Steven Rose

Forum Home