London's Boris Johnson backs Britain leaving 28-nation EU

[NongKhaiKid]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

Absolutely spot on !

Cut the crap Boris, applauding Cameron for what he achieved in limited time and not wanting to go against the party and David, you see this as your big chance and won't let anyone or anything get in your way.

[Pdaz]

It just gets better...

Vote to leave !

We finally get shot of the EU

Dave gets replaced with Boris

The Jocks get independence

What's not to like ?

Vote to leave !

[Krataiboy]

Boris is the Donald Chump of British politics. The news that he is going to be leading the "Out" campaign will be music to Cameron's ears.

[wabothai]

If Britain leaves the EU, it will be the bleakest day in British history since they lost the American colonies.

At least the leave will slow the efforts towards a one world government.

Who knows Cameron's second agenda?

[brewsterbudgen]

Boris is the Donald Chump of British politics. The news that he is going to be leading the "Out" campaign will be music to Cameron's ears.

Bumbling Boris, gorgeous George Galloway, the vampiric Gove and the fool Farage - it's quite a team!!

[Rancid]

Noticed that the security bogeyman has now been rolled out. UK military leaders state that leaving the EU will create a security problem, blah, blah, blah.

That didn't take long to get the fear campaign up and rolling.

[brewsterbudgen]

Noticed that the security bogeyman has now been rolled out. UK military leaders state that leaving the EU will create a security problem, blah, blah, blah.

That didn't take long to get the fear campaign up and rolling.

There can be doubt that UK's security will be better within the EU. Why would military leaders lie?

[kinmaew]

He is a f***** idiot.

Ol Blighty needs to stay in the EU so poms can buy land in Spain and elsewhere.

Keep the bloody pound its the best. End of story.

[Grouse]

I suspect that Boris might have seen this chart:

Which shows that the UK is the 3rd largest contributor to the EU budget. That is about 4% of the overall budget or about 5 billion Euros. Now that may be a small figure compared to the benefits of belonging to the EU, but it is a large enough amount to get people's attention!

Current figures can be found here.... with a bit of clicking around:

http://ec.europa.eu/budget/figures/interactive/index_en.cfm

28 counties? 4%? 5th largest GDP in the world? Third largest contributor?

Sounds entirely reasonable to me.....

[jesimps]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

Not sensible like that Livingstone chappy hey?

[emilymat]

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 09:07, said:

If UK leaves the EU within months Scotland will leave the union. England (maybe Wales) will then have to renegotiate 40 years of laws and treaties to maintain any semblance of trade with europe. People with property in Europe will have to renegotiate both the ownership and their rights of residence. Those with jobs in Europe will have to get new visas.....those who rely on Europe for food and wine will have to wait for taxes and duties to be re-allotted, those with foreign cars will find they all have import duties. the NHS will be completely dismantled all labour laws will be re-written to the advantage of employers and the UK diet will consist of boiled mutton and turnips.

Sturgeon made this claim yesterday.

You might want to check out the comments sections in the Scottish press. She has made a grave error in judgement.

The vast majority of commentators disagree with her claims that Scotland should be a part of the EU in the event of a Brexit.

I watched her interview on the Andrew Marr programme yesterday. She said she believes a Brexit by the UK as a whole, with Scotland voting to stay, would trigger a referendum. There's nothing new here as this is a mantra the SNP have been running since they lost the referendum. It raises some interesting issues though.

If you're Scottish and believe in independence then do you vote to exit the EU to 'trigger' the referendum ?

But.....If too many Scots did that then Scotland would vote to leave the EU, and the UK might vote to stay!.

How hard does Nicola S campaign for a 'remain' vote, given she says she is passionate about not leaving?.

Essentially, as with Boris, this forthcoming referendum is not about what's best for Britain, but what is best for internal political futures.

One thing I can agree with Nigel F about, is that we wouldn't be having this referendum if it were not for the percieved threat of UKIP in the couple of years run up to last years general election

[jesimps]

Good, finally he does the right thing. Get rid of that old ball and chain called EU.

And possible a smaller country to boot. I fully expect that Scotland will have another referendum on succession - both because of unfulfilled promises and because of a change of status of UK as a whole.....

Get rid of the EU and the Jocks at the same time? Nobody has THAT much luck.

[brewsterbudgen]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

Not sensible like that Livingstone chappy hey?

I think most people would agree that Ken's terms as mayor were certainly more sensible than bumbling Boris'.

[jesimps]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

You're another of those people who lives in a workhouse under the Tories, used to be fed with a silver spoon under Labour.

Sooner you realise that politicians are ALL rich ka moi regardless of party or upbringing, the better.

Edited February 22, 2016 by jesimps

[StevieH]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

that's exactly what it is, a stage-managed show to big himself up as the next leader of the conservative party and suubsequently prime minister. it's all about boris himself, he doesn't care about the people, the country or anything else.

the impact on workers' rights alone is reason enough for the UK to stay in the EU. they want to scrap the human rights act for pity's sake, how could anyone agree with that?

[SgtRock]

emilymat, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:26, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 10:53, said:

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 09:07, said:cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 09:07, said:

If UK leaves the EU within months Scotland will leave the union. England (maybe Wales) will then have to renegotiate 40 years of laws and treaties to maintain any semblance of trade with europe. People with property in Europe will have to renegotiate both the ownership and their rights of residence. Those with jobs in Europe will have to get new visas.....those who rely on Europe for food and wine will have to wait for taxes and duties to be re-allotted, those with foreign cars will find they all have import duties. the NHS will be completely dismantled all labour laws will be re-written to the advantage of employers and the UK diet will consist of boiled mutton and turnips.

Sturgeon made this claim yesterday.

You might want to check out the comments sections in the Scottish press. She has made a grave error in judgement.

The vast majority of commentators disagree with her claims that Scotland should be a part of the EU in the event of a Brexit.

I watched her interview on the Andrew Marr programme yesterday. She said she believes a Brexit by the UK as a whole, with Scotland voting to stay, would trigger a referendum. There's nothing new here as this is a mantra the SNP have been running since they lost the referendum. It raises some interesting issues though.

If you're Scottish and believe in independence then do you vote to exit the EU to 'trigger' the referendum ?

But.....If too many Scots did that then Scotland would vote to leave the EU, and the UK might vote to stay!.

How hard does Nicola S campaign for a 'remain' vote, given she says she is passionate about not leaving?.

Essentially, as with Boris, this forthcoming referendum is not about what's best for Britain, but what is best for internal political futures.

One thing I can agree with Nigel F about, is that we wouldn't be having this referendum if it were not for the percieved threat of UKIP in the couple of years run up to last years general election

Agreed.

The SNP want Independence from the rest of the UK. That has always been the case and it will not change. I cannot understand the SNP logic in being Independent from the rest of the UK but remain in the EU. Being a member of the EU in no way means being Independent, it means the exact opposite.

The comments sections in the Scottish Press clearly show that people do not agree with her assertion that the Public in Scotland wish to remain in the EU. It is not just one newspaper, it is all of the ones I read the article on.

Roughly 55% against 45% voted to remain in the UK. I believe that this figure would have been reversed if the SNP were also advocating being free of the EU.

For sure, it is always politics first and the public far behind. That is never going to change until the whole political system is scrapped and thought out again. Farage and UKIP certainly had their part to play in bringing about this referendum. I really think the real reason it was offered was because Cameron never thought for one second that he would have won the GE outright. He probably thought the best he would have got would have been another coalition and that was his get out of jail free card for calling it off.

It is being reported in some of the press that his much vaunted benefits deal is going to be taken to the EU Courts, as it is possibly illegal.

You should also have a read at some of the analysis and observations in the EU Press over this '' Deal ''

I posted some of them in this thread.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896734-camerons-eu-reform-deal-gets-mixed-reactions-from-britons/

[cumgranosalum]

RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 10:53, said:

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 09:07, said:

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 09:07, said:

If UK leaves the EU within months Scotland will leave the union. England (maybe Wales) will then have to renegotiate 40 years of laws and treaties to maintain any semblance of trade with europe. People with property in Europe will have to renegotiate both the ownership and their rights of residence. Those with jobs in Europe will have to get new visas.....those who rely on Europe for food and wine will have to wait for taxes and duties to be re-allotted, those with foreign cars will find they all have import duties. the NHS will be completely dismantled all labour laws will be re-written to the advantage of employers and the UK diet will consist of boiled mutton and turnips.

Sturgeon made this claim yesterday.

You might want to check out the comments sections in the Scottish press. She has made a grave error in judgement.

The vast majority of commentators disagree with her claims that Scotland should be a part of the EU in the event of a Brexit.

The SNP has been staunchly supportive of remaining in the EU long before last year's referendum. Since that time, they have seen their membership increase to levels unprecedented even for UK wide parties. It seems that the majority of Scots don't share your views, regardless of what the right wingnuts have to say on the comments sections.

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

Cameron would probably resign after presiding over such a double disaster (Conservative and Unionists as they were).

This would leave the ultra right in the driving seat. Any election without Scotland would result in a Tory majority.

England's ability to find nations to sign treaties with would be seriously flawed, we'd just have to take what we can get and end up pouring any other money into supporting the US wars out of desperation.

under a right wing govt any minorities would be more militant and radicalised and civil unrest and terrorism would increase.........the only people who make will be those who sell stock and then invest elsewhere....leading to a crash in investment in English industry.......

Edited February 22, 2016 by cumgranosalum

[Baerboxer]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

Yep. The court jester himself.

But don't forget he's another Old Etonian rich boy. Part of the establishment. That clown act is well rehearsed and puts many off guard.

[RuamRudy]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

You're another of those people who lives in a workhouse under the Tories, used to be fed with a silver spoon under Labour.

Sooner you realise that politicians are ALL rich ka moi regardless of party or upbringing, the better.

I guess it is the difference between those who lose their principles along the way, and those who never had any to start with.

[Baerboxer]

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

Cameron would probably resign after presiding over such a double disaster (Conservative and Unionists as they were).

This would leave the ultra right in the driving seat. Any election without Scotland would result in a Tory majority.

England's ability to find nations to sign treaties with would be seriously flawed, we'd just have to take what we can get and end up pouring any other money into supporting the US wars out of desperation.

under a right wing govt any minorities would be more militant and radicalised and civil unrest and terrorism would increase.........the only people who make will be those who sell stock and then invest elsewhere....leading to a crash in investment in English industry.......

Typical SNP rhetoric. The majority voted "No" to leaving the Union. But we'll ignore the promise not to have another one for a generation. And now we'll pretend that if we held one today we'd get a landslide because our policies and politicians are so wonderful. We'll demand to stay in the EU, and they'll simply let us. We'll demand to keep the pound, and they'll simply let us. We'll dictate the terms of our independence and they'll simply let us. We'll find someone else to blame for everything instead of Westminster eventually, but they should be good for the foreseeable future.

The UK belongs in the EU and should play it's full part in trying to make the EU successful - not simply leave and give in to the Germans who want nothing more than to dominate and rule all things European; or the deceitful French who really do believe the German's will let them co-rule. And Scotland, which has always punched way above it's weight, belongs in the UK. making sure the UK is good for all citizens, not just the rich S E England lot or Tory public schools alumni.

[SgtRock]

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:

RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:

The SNP has been staunchly supportive of remaining in the EU long before last year's referendum. Since that time, they have seen their membership increase to levels unprecedented even for UK wide parties. It seems that the majority of Scots don't share your views, regardless of what the right wingnuts have to say on the comments sections.

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

You do not have a grasp of what the word Independent means. You cannot be Independent and an EU member, it is an oxymoron.

Under the current criteria for EU membership, Scotland would not qualify for EU membership. It would also be blocked by Spain and probably a few others.

But don't let facts get in your way.

Favor ? Epic fail.

[elgordo38]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

I got to admire a guy that rides his bicycle to work. Are you right and all the Londonites are wrong??

[elgordo38]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

Look around you and read a newspaper the world is full of vampire politicians. As a retired expat if they keep on shafting me and us I will need a financial transfusion soon. No Cola, higher taxes living abroad, no interest on my savings no offshore medical insurance. They are sucking us all dry. OOps sorry had to modify forgot a do nothing embassy.

Edited February 22, 2016 by elgordo38

[soalbundy]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

makes more money than you though

Is that how you judge a person's contribution to society?

No, just stating a fact, calling someone a clown who has made the use of his talents to make a lot of money and gain a high position in society seems rather strange, unless of course the person calling him a clown can up the stakes.

[RuamRudy]

Boris Johnson more clown than a mayor

makes more money than you though

Is that how you judge a person's contribution to society?

No, just stating a fact, calling someone a clown who has made the use of his talents to make a lot of money and gain a high position in society seems rather strange, unless of course the person calling him a clown can up the stakes.

He is hardly a self made man. Old Etonian, descendent of King George II, lifetime of privilege. I cannot help but wonder if he were born a coal miner's son would he be where he is now.

[cumgranosalum]

The referendum is nothing more than an opinion poll and possesses no authority or legal status.

Nothing will happen unless there is an Act of Parliament. That is how the UK legislative procedure works

The UK cannot leave the EU unless Parliament votes to do so.

If Parliament finds itself set against the People, as Charles the First found himself set against Parliament, we may find ourselves regretting that Mr Cameron ever made his vote-grabbing promise.

...and the EU has to agree too.

[RuamRudy]

The blonde buffoon stages his very own media circus to ensure that he is the star of the show. That was not about the EU, that was simply Boris staking his claim to be the next PM. Just what the UK needs, another over-privileged vampire to bleed the populous dry.

Look around you and read a newspaper the world is full of vampire politicians. As a retired expat if they keep on shafting me and us I will need a financial transfusion soon. No Cola, higher taxes living abroad, no interest on my savings no offshore medical insurance. They are sucking us all dry. OOps sorry had to modify forgot a do nothing embassy.

I don't disagree at all, but I particularly despise being screwed by rich people who only achieve office because they came from privileged backgrounds. At least the ordinary people who screw us over, in general, got to their station in life through actually being useful at some point in their lives.

[cumgranosalum]

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

Cameron would probably resign after presiding over such a double disaster (Conservative and Unionists as they were).

This would leave the ultra right in the driving seat. Any election without Scotland would result in a Tory majority.

England's ability to find nations to sign treaties with would be seriously flawed, we'd just have to take what we can get and end up pouring any other money into supporting the US wars out of desperation.

under a right wing govt any minorities would be more militant and radicalised and civil unrest and terrorism would increase.........the only people who make will be those who sell stock and then invest elsewhere....leading to a crash in investment in English industry.......

Typical SNP rhetoric. The majority voted "No" to leaving the Union. But we'll ignore the promise not to have another one for a generation. And now we'll pretend that if we held one today we'd get a landslide because our policies and politicians are so wonderful. We'll demand to stay in the EU, and they'll simply let us. We'll demand to keep the pound, and they'll simply let us. We'll dictate the terms of our independence and they'll simply let us. We'll find someone else to blame for everything instead of Westminster eventually, but they should be good for the foreseeable future.

The UK belongs in the EU and should play it's full part in trying to make the EU successful - not simply leave and give in to the Germans who want nothing more than to dominate and rule all things European; or the deceitful French who really do believe the German's will let them co-rule. And Scotland, which has always punched way above it's weight, belongs in the UK. making sure the UK is good for all citizens, not just the rich S E England lot or Tory public schools alumni.

You seem unaware that things have moved on since the referendum..opinion in Scotland is now much more in favour of independence (note the SNP in Westminster too) and I doubt if anyone will want the pound after we leave the EU. As for "staying" if the the UK moves out Scotland will ask to join as a newly independent country from outside the EU.

As for your phobia of Germans, you might need to know that WW@ ended a while ago.......we've moved on there too.

[RuamRudy]

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:

RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:01, said:

The SNP has been staunchly supportive of remaining in the EU long before last year's referendum. Since that time, they have seen their membership increase to levels unprecedented even for UK wide parties. It seems that the majority of Scots don't share your views, regardless of what the right wingnuts have to say on the comments sections.

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

You do not have a grasp of what the word Independent means. You cannot be Independent and an EU member, it is an oxymoron.

Under the current criteria for EU membership, Scotland would not qualify for EU membership. It would also be blocked by Spain and probably a few others.

But don't let facts get in your way.

Favor ? Epic fail.

Those aren't facts, but merely your suppositions, the same tired old arguments that remain unanswered from the Scottish referendum. Even the experts couldn't settle these questions at the time.

[SgtRock]

RuamRudy, on 22 Feb 2016 - 14:57, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 14:18, said:

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:

cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:cumgranosalum, on 22 Feb 2016 - 13:53, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:

SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:SgtRock, on 22 Feb 2016 - 11:13, said:

Yes, of course, you have no idea of who they actually are, but they must be rightwing nutters.

Stock answer for those that have no argument to make.

If the SNP had campaigned on an out of UK and out of EU ticket, IMO, it would probably be still negotiating Independence.

Some people have a warped interpretation of Independence, and by no stretch of the imagination can being a member of the EU be construed as being Independent.

You don't seem to hve much grasp of what's happening in Scotland. any independence referendum now would lead to a landslide in favor. Scotland would then negotiate EU membership. This would of course be easier with England outside the EU.

You do not have a grasp of what the word Independent means. You cannot be Independent and an EU member, it is an oxymoron.

Under the current criteria for EU membership, Scotland would not qualify for EU membership. It would also be blocked by Spain and probably a few others.

But don't let facts get in your way.

Favor ? Epic fail.

Those aren't facts, but merely your suppositions, the same tired old arguments that remain unanswered from the Scottish referendum. Even the experts couldn't settle these questions at the time.

I would suggest that you familiarise yourself with these:

http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/policy/conditions-membership/chapters-of-the-acquis/index_en.htm

Then come back and tell me that it is supposition on my part.

When you have done that, then in your own words, you could try explaining why you think being an EU member can possibly be considered as being Independent.