Comedy Central, John Oliver and BREXIT

[colinian]

I'm not sure why Britain would want to rejoin the EU -- for rules by the unelected bureaucrats and techocrats in Brussels? for extra-territorial justice under the laws of the EU?

For economics and trade? Well, there's the pesky fact that according to balance of trade statistics, the remaining EU countries sell more to Britain than Britain buys from them. So putting up barriers to trade will do more harm on the continent than in Britain. And the continent has more unemployment and a stagnant economies than Britain does and needs the trade with Britain.

I don't think time is on the side of a second referendum, unless passport controls on British citizens visiting the continent drives people to the polls.

Here's a reason why Britain might want to rejoin the EU: Many major companies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia have their European headquarters located in the UK for the English language advantage. With the UK out of the EU, the benefit of being located in the UK is diminished. Instead, other locations like Ireland and an independent Scotland will become attractive as Britain becomes less so. Ireland is currently in the EU, and an independent Scotland would apply for membership. That leave Britain, no longer the UK (Britain except for Wales and Northern Ireland), on the outside. This was discussed in an interview on MSNBC cable night before last.

There was also a discussion about the EU forcing Article 50 on the UK. They said that Angela Merkel is pushing for speedy action on Article 50.

Colin

[Nigel Gordon]

There was also a discussion about the EU forcing Article 50 on the UK. They said that Angela Merkel is pushing for speedy action on Article 50.

Colin

Yes, Merkel wants the issue out of the way and the UK seen to be getting a very bad deal before the French Presidential Elections. She is terrified that Maria LePen will use Frexit as a major campaign issue in the election which could result in a French referendum. The thing is Boris Johnson has stated that he will not invoke Article 50 until the terms for the separation have been agreed, at least in principle. There is a good chance he will be the next PM of the UK if the ABBs don't stop him. (Sorry ABB stands for "Anyone But Boris").