Yeah Starmer & Lammy look fit to take on Trump...
They must have sore knees by now but still they're enjoying the Trump & Vance company.

The size of the UK economy is more of a risk than an advantage to the EU as we've seen during the years the UK was a member: they were always half in half out & undermining the EU.

Have seen anything to suggest that has changed in the last few years?

Well I haven't.

So why did you come up with the size of the UK economy?

You clearly thought that provided the UK with leverage.

Too big a task it seems but apart from that: yes.

Yeah and after the Leave vote Google told us the most asked question in the UK was: " what is the European Union ".

You can't fix stupid so it seems even after 9 years.

You started well... then exceptionalism creeps in... again..

Will you & the rUK ever learn? Probably not.

Agree 100%.

It is even worse if a country with a big economy (such as the UK) doesn’t follow all of the above…than if it is a far smaller economy…say Hungary.

If, but only if, the U.K. can ever make that full commitment to European peace and solidarity it would be welcome. But not because of the size of its economy.

The test of an applicant is not the size of its economy, nor just being rules-compliant, but its commitment to the values and the purpose of the EU, which go way beyond making money. A large country that views the EU in transactional terms is actually a disruptor, not an asset.

First the UK needs to work on becoming an attractive partner.

Entitlement/exceptionalism will not be tolerated again.

Then the UK needs to qualify.

For now the EU is stronger without the UK. Though for the UK it is a disaster to have moved itself to the very fringe of Europe.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Right that 🤡 can go do one.

Labour is toast!

The UK also needs to understand and embrace the fact that the EU is so much more than just a large market…until that happens the UK will not belong in the EU.

" We're not Reform UK " will be the next stop but I'm not sure they'll manage that either...

They're copying Farage policies rather quickly.

My expectations of Labour were low, but they have vastly under-shot them. Their main sales point was "we're not the Tories" but it has become more and more clear that was their only sales point.

Recent polling figures indicate my feeling is widely shared.

Scotland’s NHS was built on fairness and equality, yet Westminster keeps the door open to privatisation.

Only independence can guarantee it stays public, free and protected.

Read Clare Haughey’s article here: www.snp.org/only-indepen...

So what does it say about the IQ of 30%+ of the voters if we take a look at the polls?

The house is on fire .... let's call the arsonist....

#ScottishIndependence and #IrishUnity will have a cathartic impact on the English. They will be 100% better for it but it could take a generation to recover.

If you want to go off and live in Spain, you have to meet the obligations that go with that. There are two ways.

Firstly, your state can meet them for you (even if you don't live there)

So things like ensuring European law is applied, taking part in committees, budgetary contributions

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The continued and almost constant obsession with Europe and what the EU are doing that the Brexiters seem to have is ridiculous

You won, get over it !!!!!

Why are people coming back to these points?

If I can Google it you can Google it... unless it's all about " special treatment ".
In that case it's over before it's even started.

Problem is the UK cannot be trusted re implementing the euro at any point in the future.

The £ is clearly an important reserve currency so the EU cannot take risks here imo.

Part of EU law is the euro so trying to stick with the £ however smartly executed is wrong.

I wouldn't be surprised if Farage goes all Longshanks and tries to shut down the Scottish Parliament.

Exactly what I'm talking about. Starmer should be hanging Farage out to dry, telling him the delays and checks are down to his Brexit.
Go after Farage. Let him defend Britons being exposed to EES and Etias.

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Ah.. you did say something about Scotland but not in the same post.

And you know why Scotland doesn't get a second indyref.... don't you?

You forget to mention Scotland...

We don't "enable" candidates to join. They want to join and they work towards that, or they don't. They make that case for themselves. The terms are know.

Given how much of a. disaster it was last time round, including attempts to destroy the euro, blackmail, suíng the union,, and running a problematic financial centre in London, I see no chance of an application without a formal commitment to the euro up front, backed up by real political commitment