In fact you shouldn’t even step out of the EU, as the EU formally, untill there’s a constitution, doesn’t even exist. It would be very simple, and democratic. Tony Blair on his own can say “ok, we’re leaving.” He doesn’t even need parliament’s approvement I think. Brussels is only giving guidelines. The EU itself can’t punish you. But France, Germany, Spain can ofcourse, and will.

And Flood or Minidoh one last argument. You say “we have to pay a lot to the EU”. I think you’re referring to the agricultural troubles from the past few years. Well, everyone had to give in. But before WWII, when there were economic interests endagered, countries just went to war. Didn’t the Dutch three times defeated you in the 17th century for this purpuse (trade) only? Through Brussels we can work it out more civilised. But I can already imagine people are thinking we’re using British pounds here on the continent to subsidise waffle factories etc. That’s just not true. In fact, the economic policies of the EU are more Anglo-saxon than continental. It’s mostly “socialist” countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands who suffer from the biggest reforms. Hence the reason why Rafarrin’s gov’t has been so unpopular lately. So it’s really not the British only who have to give in. The EU is lets say, the least evil of all evils :p

It will also help if the power of the EU lays in the hands of the commission AND parliament and not the council. The EU is now so unpopular because it’s more a forum where countries can take revenge (for example Fr/Ger vs Britain for the Iraq war) rather than a universal and rational institution where the interrests of Europe as a whole are regarded.

Originally posted by Flood
No venom in this – just that you said it and then didn’t justify your statement.
What do you mean?

Flood.

ID-cards to start with?

The EU didn’t do something about it? Yes, the commission did want to, but the heads of state (council of ministers) refused. It’s as much France’s, Germany’s, Spain’s, belgium’s fault as it is the UK’s. But Brussels is not the money-absorbing tyrant you want to make of it. First of all, throughout history, countries will always have to pay to other countries, wheter this is done bilaterally or through an organised organ like the EU, what makes the difference. And the EU institutions itself, OK, it’s true, the eurocrats do earn a lot, probably too much, but this is not even worth mentioning compared to the billions of euro’s that are circulating into the EU every day. I can understand you don’t really like the idea of giving up national interrests, but doing the opposite is a stap back in history. I’m not even talking about a politically united Europe, which is still a Utopia, but the EU as it is right now, an economic zone. Too important to break it up.

Thanks Interflug. I also believe that the current anti-EU trend has more to do with a fear from the continent rather than rational thinking. Hastings is still in everyone’s fresh memory :p

But some things should better be decided in the national capitals than in Brussels anyway. Therefor this constitution is needed. But saying the EU didn’t make trade easier, cheaper and more comfortable is just utter utter crap. In the eighties the UK was actually a problem area in the EU, Germany was the giant then. And when Germany is now in some troubles, which has more to do with the integration of the DDR than with the state of the economy itself, suddenly, the UK (or some people in the UK lets say it this way) feels themself to good for Europe. Last time I was in Britain, I noticed the UK could learn a lot from the nasty ol’ continent. Breaking up the EU would be a stap back into time. I can understand people are very critical about the institutions, I am so myself. But the idea of a Europe without economic blockades, how can you oppose that :confused:

And the asylum-seakers. Well, you say it yourself. Things could be avoided by having a well guarded European frontier. I don’t want to sound too arrogant, but these asylum-arguments, I find it a bit populist. Sorry, but there are more problems behind that.

Pinkpop too says Arthur. I thought I heard Pukkelpop, in (Belgian) Limburg. But indeed, May 30th, in the Netherlands too.

And here’s the full list … start licking your fingers, music lovers. I ordered my ticket already … 4th of July. 😉

http://www.pixiesmusic.com/live_04.php

I hoped the Dandy Warhols would also be there. Unfortunatelly.

Some news for you fans …

Here are the dates

Sunday 4th july they will be in Werchter (Belgium) so for all ya friends in the low countries (Arthur).

http://www.goformusic.be/en/agenda/concertnew.asp?id=702