IntenseDebate - BrianH13

22 minutes ago @ http://www.conservativ... - "Never forget that com... · 0 replies · +1 points

Stupid comment!

8 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - "One last chance" to d... · 0 replies · +1 points

Sure, it's a complex process, but "au fin du jour" the UK has a strong voice and much influence at many stages of any negotiations conducted by the EU.

8 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Thursday's Vote 2) Ang... · 0 replies · +1 points

Yes, regrettably the EU is a democratic set of institutions and your British MEP might have to work with others to effect change.

If you treat elections as referendums then you will always be disappointed (take a leaf out of the Swiss playbook and learn)

8 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - "Never forget that com... · 0 replies · +1 points

"... but the compromise we needed with the EU was in a proper agreement on trade and future co-operation, not to compromise Brexit...."

Perhaps. But the uncomfortable truth is that industry and the economy run in parallel to politics and it takes time to redirect a supertanker. May did her best to lock in the economic benefits we have derived from EU membership, as she realised that the "clean sheet" approach would be catastrophic for millions of citizens, whatever its intellectual logic.

8 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - "Never forget that com... · 0 replies · +1 points

"...opportunity for the new leadership to come to terms and compromise with The Brexit Party ..."

How do you "come to terms" with something that is not a party. has no members, and has no policy positions?

8 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - "Never forget that com... · 2 replies · +1 points

Thank you for reducing the negotiations to "horse trading".

As explained here 3 years ago, walking away is an act of gross self-harm (very little upside, lots of downside).

9 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Anthony Browne: Policy... · 0 replies · +1 points

Every UK local authority goes through the same annual panic to spend to the limit at year end.

It is not ideal, but no UK government has ever been serious about implementing multi-period funding plans.

9 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Anthony Browne: Policy... · 0 replies · +1 points

"perhaps... once we have left the EU ... Westminster will finally realise that democracy is well served by devolving powers to those that it affects...."

Au contraire. Westminster will breathe a sigh of relief and "normal service will resume".

Our membership of the EU provides an important counter to the excessive power in Westminster.

9 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Anthony Browne: Policy... · 0 replies · +1 points

"... devolution of decision making powers and the funding to implement them. This would undoubtedly be easier outside the EU..."

Evidence to date is to the contrary.

As you rightly observe, Westminster has fought tooth and nail over every aspect of devolution to Wales, NI and Scotland. And in the process it has consolidated its power over the English regions.

Outside the EU there is even less incentive for Westminster to disperse power and largesse.

9 hours ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Anthony Browne: Policy... · 0 replies · +1 points

"...At least if it is moved to Westminster it will be a lot more accountable ..."

Sorry, but that is the great democratic lie. If you believe that democracy and accountability gets stronger, the closer it is to the voter, then Parish Councils should be the most powerful democratic institutions in the UK.

Over centuries power has coalesced in Westminster. The brexit debacle has been driven relentlessly by those with a self-interest in perpetuating that power structure (to the detriment of democracy in Cornwall, Wales or even Scotland) as the EU was providing too effective a foil.

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