Europe, Referendum & Brexit (formerly Europe..IN or OUT??)

The EU have been pretty weak in dealing with member nations march towards fully fled fascism, Poland and Hungary in particular, it does raise a difficult issue in terms of where the non sovereign EU can have say/influence in the domestic affairs of its sovereign member states, that said they have been piss poor so far.

Part of me does not want to see the likes of Poland or Hungary expelled from The EU because there are a lot of people in these countries who do not agree with what is happening, Orban's party won 66% of MPs at the last election without even getting 50% of the popular vote & you would be punishing those who still believe in Liberal Democracy for the actions of their illiberal leader. That being said if Poland & Hungary did leave the EU by one way or the other I wouldn't be shedding any tears over them

^^ Control of an independent judiciary, Suppression of a free press/media (and therefore likely to criticise the government when they think they are wrong) are worrying moves and sadly never the prelude to a free and open democracy. In Poland it does seem as though there is more chance of this existing government being defeated unlike in Hungary where Orban is extending his grip on power and his anti immigration anti-semitic policies are a real threat to the people who oppose him.

Step back a little though and look at Johnson's government. Repeated attacks on the BBC and trying to dictate who they can employ. As for the Judiciary Conservatives have openly called for their power to be reigned in and even their ability to apply existing law in relation to immigration cases to be limited and their ability to hear cases on government overreach eg prorogation of Parliament to be curtailed.

Of course Johnson is also refusing to apply an International Treaty he signed (and triumphed about his ability) with the EU just to reinforce that he is no better than leaders of other far right regimes

^ Precisely SA. Johnson's attempts to utilise soft power to the max, particularly by placing favourable appointees in positions of such power, is straight out of the Trump playbook. If readers want an forum appropriate and particularly obnoxious example I suggest a look at the blatant manipulations ongoing to rubber stamp Paul Dacre as head of Ofcom.

Lord Frost has resigned so at least some good news today

And if you thought it couldnt get worse he has put liz truss in charge

(19-12-2021 19:21 )HannahsPet Wrote:  And if you thought it couldnt get worse he has put liz truss in charge

Serves her right for being a possible candidate for Tory Leader. Boris clearly thinks this will screw up her chances

Might upset the Brexiteers though as she voted Remain

Northern Ireland protocol

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood wants to “upgrade Brexit” by going back into the single market.

(02-06-2022 08:48 )Charlemagne Wrote:  Tory MP Tobias Ellwood wants to “upgrade Brexit” by going back into the single market.

He speaks a lot of sense as it would solve the Northern Ireland issue provide Free Trade in a true frictionless manner & stop this stupid “bonfire of regulations” nonsense.