http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19568781

First the EC, then the EZ, then a federation of nation states. It's a natural progression, but one that I simply can't see working. Italians and Swedes, to take one example, are so different that I seriously wonder if they could understand each other. The problem is already evident in the EZ crisis, in which a clear gap exists between the Northern countries' perceptions and those of the Southerners. A selective federation, in which countries could choose whether to participate or not, would possibly be even worse.

And who would make the decisions? The Germans would be the most powerful nation, financially at least.

Along the same lines, would athletes be as excited to compete under the EU flag as they are their national flag?

The E.U has become an unaccountable quango passing truckloads of unnecessary legislation governing things as daft as the correct curvature of bananas. Economically it is utter folly to attempt a one size fits all solution, but worse still the social engineers of Brussels seem intent on obliterating expressions of national identity under the guise of fighting xenophobia. I would leave the E.U in a heartbeat if given the chance and I suspect many national referendums would result in a 'No' vote if taken today.

Along the same lines, would athletes be as excited to compete under the EU flag as they are their national flag?

i'm sure they wouldn't. the EU is a toddler. if it survives it needs to grow up. no achievements yet to be proud of. a lot of silly rules and even utmost stupid rules and regulations from extremely well paid parasites residing in Brussels. and the German suckers are paying for it. should Germany ever adopt taxation U.S. style, i.e. "pay wherever you dwell", i will submit my passport to the nearest German diplomatic mission with red felt pen remarks on all pages and use exclusively my Swiss passport

It must be nice being one of the 1%.

The E.U has become an unaccountable quango passing truckloads of unnecessary legislation governing things as daft as the correct curvature of bananas....

I get fed up with this old <deleted>. EU consumers should be protected from bandits passing any old plantain off as a banana. You wouldn't buy swedes sold as turnips (or vice versa, depending on from which side of the border you come) so why would you buy plantains instead of bananas? The fact is that most naive EU consumers couldn't tel the difference till their husband said "for goodness' sake woman, this banana's not even sweet!". Until you know why something was done, I suggest you restrict your criticism to pointed questions

SC

Back on topic, by the way, its slightly more than three hundred years since we last pooled our sovereignty, and I have no regrets regarding that - indeed I would like to vote, when the time comes, to retain that shared sovereignty, but I feel that there is no need to accede to a capital over the water - to a capital which has never benefited from a Scottish crowned head

SC

Back on topic, by the way, its slightly more than three hundred years since we last pooled our sovereignty, and I have no regrets regarding that - indeed I would like to vote, when the time comes, to retain that shared sovereignty, but I feel that there is no need to accede to a capital over the water - to a capital which has never benefited from a Scottish crowned head

SC

But now of course we have a German royal family and the next crowned head will be half Greek.

(Can't be sure of the paternity of the next in line of succession, though)

The E.U has become an unaccountable quango passing truckloads of unnecessary legislation governing things as daft as the correct curvature of bananas....

I get fed up with this old <deleted>. EU consumers should be protected from bandits passing any old plantain off as a banana. You wouldn't buy swedes sold as turnips (or vice versa, depending on from which side of the border you come) so why would you buy plantains instead of bananas? The fact is that most naive EU consumers couldn't tel the difference till their husband said "for goodness' sake woman, this banana's not even sweet!". Until you know why something was done, I suggest you restrict your criticism to pointed questions

SC

Back on topic, by the way, its slightly more than three hundred years since we last pooled our sovereignty, and I have no regrets regarding that - indeed I would like to vote, when the time comes, to retain that shared sovereignty, but I feel that there is no need to accede to a capital over the water - to a capital which has never benefited from a Scottish crowned head

SC

You know I have always been in favour of an Independence vote, but given the shambles that has been the building of our Parliament and now the unpopular mess that is the new tram I am inclined to rethink.

To close half of Gorgie Road....making my trip to the swimming baths more inconvenient may end up costing the SNP dearly should the vote be close....

Back on topic, by the way, its slightly more than three hundred years since we last pooled our sovereignty, and I have no regrets regarding that - indeed I would like to vote, when the time comes, to retain that shared sovereignty, but I feel that there is no need to accede to a capital over the water - to a capital which has never benefited from a Scottish crowned head

SC

But now of course we have a German royal family and the next crowned head will be half Greek.

(Can't be sure of the paternity of the next in line of succession, though)

I thought his Grandfather was Greek and the second in line, you got that about right!