23 November 2010
21:4681356Well I have to confess that after a week of turmoil within the EU I am left with a deep feeling of anxiety.
It would appear that blue Barry and his band of brigands have today confirmed one of my worst fears.
It would appear according to an article in the "TIMES" that whenever an EU country gets into difficulties Britian must play its part and hand over our cash to help out. I suppose this is one of the long standing "benefits" promised to us by Ted Heath, way back in the seventies when he signed us up to this gang of shysters. This ,despite france & Germany giving us the big elbow at the time of
Norman Lamonts destruction of the british currancy. I suppose we can take some consolation that we have paid our rent on time to prince charles for the use of HIS land to train HIS army and keep HIS prisoners tucked up nicely in Dartmoor prison. A reasonable return on £1.2 million I am sure we all agree???
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
23 November 2010
22:1881370I think I am with you there, Jimmy.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 November 2010
22:2281372Jimmy - you need to get a few things right.
It was Labour who signed the agreement for us to contribute towards bail-outs, such as Ireland. Never fear though - Portugal may be next, not too much with their tiny economy, they might be followed by Spain, far to big to get bailed-out, that would mean the end for the Euro instead.
You are also hard on Norman Lamont as a matter of fact. John Major was the culprit who signed us up to the Euro forerunner, EMU. It was the rules that applied to EMU that Lamont had to deal with on that great day when we broke out of the EMU straightjacket to start economic recovery. It did cost us a few bob, but worth it for the recovery that followed and the lesson not to link our currency to the others. Besides, what it cost was a fraction of what Brown lost when he flogged off gold, against advice, at the bottom of the market.
23 November 2010
23:0281381Barry,
Oh dear!!
I find myself in a bit of a quandary I feel that I should disagree with you on principal, but on this occasion I cant.
You are quite right in your summary but I do not think I was being particulary hard on Norman Lamont as he was the man in the driving seat at the time, and if you like, his strings were being pulled by "interesting" John Major.
I fear as long as we have like minded thinkers like yourself??? we will never escape from the liabilities of the EU. Your party what ever you say bare sole responsibility for signing us up to the European debacle.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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24 November 2010
07:4281393Something I regret Jimmy. I also regret campaigning for a yes vote to remain a member of the EEC in the referendum.
That generation of Conservative who were responsible for our EEC entry through to Maastricht is now long gone, the only remaining one of which being Ken Clarke,. His pro-EU views cost him the leadership three times over the past 13 years.
24 November 2010
21:5581524Hi Barry,
You have thrown me into a bit of a quandary. I have always had you down as a hard hearted tory but here we are, you are admitting that your party got it wrong with regards EU membership. Why not go all the way and admit your tory overlords policies are about to screw the country. The last time we had so many protesters on the streets was back in the eighties when it was the working class getting a kicking from the Chingford skin head and his chums. Have to say when your government is finished with the students there will not be much opposition left for you to kick. The workers,that are left will be far to occupied chasing non existant jobs to spare the time for protest.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
24 November 2010
22:0081526Jimmy - you have to face the facts, the economy has been screwed up over the last 13 years. If you do not want us to go the way of Ireland and Greece (probably Portugal as well) then there must be masive public spending cuts.
My main fear is that Osborne is not cutting enough. I would like to see public spending cut fully by half (Defence only left alone)
Students can protest all they want, along with the rent-a-mob idiots and thugs that always join in legitimate protest to cause trouble. There is nothing new about that.
Hard hearted, me? Realistic is the word.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
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24 November 2010
22:1181530Barry, sorry! The Governemtn has drastically cut spending on warplannes and has frozen the Trident nuclear submarine and missile project, and did well in that
We have allies in Western Europe, and in other parts of Europe, and in America, and don't neeed all these first World War planes and all these nuclear submarines and missiles. There are too many of 'em!
Your views on severe spending cuts and hot full-time war machinary spending are not shared by the Government.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 November 2010
22:1881532dave and george know what they are doing here, all the protests are against nick and his fellow yellows.
the blues never said they would be nice to students.
portugal is mentioned here, the country came to a halt today over proposed spending cuts.
like a pack of cards they fall one by one.
i do not remember gordon or alistair being involved with them.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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24 November 2010
22:3781538The PIGS situation is worse because of the EURO but they too overspent for years building up deficits and high debt. It cannot continue and as you say, like a pack of cards they will fall. The big one, Spain, is the one to wait for, that will really be the end of the Euro.
Alexander - we have debated defence etc before. I am not speaking for the government but offering my views. I find it incredable the our public spending, at an horrific 53% of GDP, is double that of even Communist China.
Public spending is the problem - the enemy to a healthy economy.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
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24 November 2010
22:4281542Barry, the Government has decided that Council's must spend about 40 % less, and that these spending cuts must be introduced over the coming 4 years. And Gov. has decided that 500.000 public sector jobs must go anyway. The Government are doing a lot to reduce spending, it's hard enough as it is.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 November 2010
22:5081546spain seems to be holding out at present despite their high unemployment.
the euro bigwigs are all sporting the brown trousers for when the bubble finally bursts.
24 November 2010
23:4781553Barry,
Please re-assure me that if Portugal hit the skids your wise, all seing millionaires in the cabinet will bail Portugal out with funds from there own private fortunes and not from my hard pressed taxes!!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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25 November 2010
07:3981561The agreement Labour signed says we have to put our hands in our pockets Jimmy, so of course we will. Spain is another matter - that will be the end of the Euro and will damage the EU.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
25 November 2010
08:2781564barryw,rent a mob,pigs well wonders well i never,dose this include the over paid muggers of the goverment.europes problems are the results of greedy banks adopting the concervative policy of profit for greed.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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25 November 2010
08:3981568You carry on believing that Brian, I am sure the thought gives you comfort.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
25 November 2010
08:4181571barryw,it gives me great comfort that it annoys you.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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25 November 2010
09:0881577Here, here Brian
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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25 November 2010
09:3281580Am I right in thinking that all these Governments that have gone bust, may go bust (like Portugal and Spain) are socialist governments ?
Jean's daughter lives in Majorca, which is of course part of Spain and things are dire over there.
Money has been spent so wastefully there's none left, so they may go, before Portugal.
I hope not though, Spain is a big country and has its own internal separatist movements wanting independance from Spain and bankruptcy will be/is the last thing they want.
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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25 November 2010
09:5081587All these countries, whether they have had left or right wing governments, have been tied in to the European Big Government, High Spending way of doing things. Further hampered by membership of the Euro, tied to interest rates to meet the needs of the stronger Eurozone economies.