Should we try to bolster our friendship with Europe?

The author claims that the UK government “must unambiguously launch talks on a big, expansive trade deal with the EU coupled with a deal on European defence”.

Do you agree?

  • Nakedmole
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    19 hours ago

    If there just was a union of european countries to be part of, that would be perfect … oh wait.

  • @FelixCress
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    2019 hours ago

    UK should rejoin EU ASAP. Ideally 6 months ago.

    • *Tagger*
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      1217 hours ago

      I mean, ideally 5 years ago

  • @[email protected]
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    21 hours ago

    Should we try to bolster our friendship with Europe?

    I once had a girlfriend who started acting like a little bitch, created much drama and dumped me for no good reason. Then she tried to come back to me a few months later. Can you guess what I told her to do? It rhymes with “thereof”.

    Hint hint Britain.

    • @[email protected]
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      2320 hours ago

      Holding a grudge is for losers. UK is more than welcome to rejoin as far as I’m concerned, speaking as a Swede.

      • @makyo
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        1419 hours ago

        Agreed and I feel like people are sleepwalking on this. Between Russian agression and concerns from the USA and China - we shouldn’t just be welcoming the UK, we should be working hard to bring them back to the fold. If the EU want to keep living in a world where the EU is possible, they’ve got to start making stronger efforts to protect and shape it.

        • @[email protected]
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          214 hours ago

          I’d say anything’s negotiable, really. No need to limit ourselves from either side of the table.

        • @bitchkat
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          311 hours ago

          If you can take a ferry to the EU from Canada, you should be able to join.

      • @[email protected]
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        217 hours ago

        Well, I don’t care either way personally. I’m just saying, not everybody is ready to welcome them back, should they so desire.

    • @GraniteM
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      212 hours ago

      It rhymes with “thereof”.

      …clear…off?

    • @[email protected]OP
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      1221 hours ago

      The UK doesn’t need to necessarily jump straight back into EU membership. There are other ways we can work together with Europe. Maybe at some point the UK government will consider rejoining the EU customs union and/or single market.

      • @FelixCress
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        319 hours ago

        There are other ways we can work together with Europe

        Like EEA membership.

      • @[email protected]
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        21 hours ago

        There are other ways we can work together with Europe.

        My point was, Europe may not want to interact with a fickle country like the UK anymore than necessary again. They probably don’t need the aggravation.

        • @FelixCress
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          619 hours ago

          EU would definitely need a firm commitment this time.

          • @makyo
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            319 hours ago

            Yes and readmission should certainly include things that they didn’t insist on before, thing that made it easier for the UK to leave - common currency and the like.

        • @[email protected]
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          521 hours ago

          Who could blame them? Lots of European people take a “you made your bed, lie in it” attitude. When we were in the EU, we were in on excellent terms, which will no longer be available, which will be a hard pill to swallow for many.

          • @khannie
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            318 hours ago

            Not my view for what it’s worth. I’d happily welcome the UK back in.

          • @[email protected]
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            521 hours ago

            Lots of European people take a “you made your bed, lie in it” attitude.

            The problem is, lots of Europeans also think the UK shat their bed, then got up and left. That’s not easy to forgive.

            • @[email protected]
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              320 hours ago

              Made their bed, shat in it, and in many cases refuse to leave/accept it’s a bad situation. I can understand Europeans who won’t forgive. I was fucking heartbroken when I woke up that morning and found out Leave had won. I wouldn’t shut up about what a stupid idea it was, on social networks and real life.

        • @[email protected]OP
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          221 hours ago

          True, they probably don’t want more aggravation, but they may well be open to closer co-operation on defence for example, which the article mentions.

  • @[email protected]
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    -121 hours ago

    Ah, yes, continuing to prioritise economy over society, and even humanity, that’s sure to start working out (for anyone other than the billionaires in power) any fucking day now… 🙄

    • @TheGrandNagus
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      820 hours ago

      If your economy is in chaos, you’ll quickly find yourself unable to care for society.

      Healthcare, pensions, other benefits, infrastructure, schooling, law enforcement, fire services… the list goes on.

      And I’m not sure what you mean by continue to prioritise economy. The economy hasn’t been prioritised in a long while. Brexit, covid handling, slashing infrastructure spending, etc have been awful for the economy.

      The only way out of the mess we’re in is to make meaningful steps in improving the economy.

    • @[email protected]OP
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      720 hours ago

      We need a good economy so we can afford things like the NHS, but yes the economy ideally would benefit every Brit, rather than just a few rich people.

      • @[email protected]
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        19 hours ago

        No, we need to abolish capitalism so we can have free access to healthcare (and food, water, shelter), not to continue playing by the rules set out for us by those who profit from commodifying our basic needs and human rights.