The problem from the EU's perspective is that the current deal is already a careful compromise, and the backstop is the result precisely of Teresa May's red lines. You can't just unpick that part of it, and given the chaos in the UK political system any further compromise is unlikely to be enough either - since the UK doesn't know what it wants. There was a fairly clear signal the other day that the cost of reopening negotiation would be May abandoning at least some of her red lines - such as agreeing to join the customs union. Presumably she'd also need a stable mandate from Parliament as well. But that seems to have been ignored.
Saw a good analysis today. People expect the EU to blink because they often will renegotiate deals or do what is necessary to find compromises. However that is usually in the cause of unity between internal parties. When it comes to external parties the EU has been willing in the past to walk away when an insurmountable impasse is reached.
Given the economic data from the EU I can see room for a temporary compromise, with just France and Ireland causing issues, as the last thing the EU wants right now is more economic disruption, and given Germany's economy seems to be dallying with recession, Merkel isn't going to be wanting anything for the AfD to take advantage of. I think the Apple tax appeal is still ongoing with Ireland? So I'm pretty sure something could be arranged there, and I think Macron would take anything concrete at the moment. We're not going to see any movement on this for weeks yet, May's 2 week self-imposed deadline must have had them laughing away in Brussels, they'll just wait it out to see if May and Parliament blink first.
pardon me for asking but exactly what the fuck does "intransigence" mean? It very well might be the answer to Forbin's unexplained buzzing noise in his car.
It means unwillingness to compromise. The DUP are themselves legendary for it. Also www.dictionary.com is your friend.
It's 2019, for Pete's sake; you don't ask people questions in this day and age! Use Google, for crying out loud!
yes I can look up words I don't know - maybe I like people to tell me in their own words because they don't even know for sure what the word means! Seriously who the fuck uses a word like that in daily conversation?
Another day, another defeat for Teresa May. The way I see it, there are three possibilities at this stage: The UK caves and votes for the current deal, possibly with some extra legal reassurances about the backstop. Article 50 is postponed and negotiation go on. The UK leaves with no deal. Fortunately I have an idea that might focus minds. In the event of no deal, there needs to be a hard border in Ireland with checkpoints and so forth. I think that as this is an EU border it needs to be patrolled by Europeans rather than just Irish troops. Specifically, German troops should be invited to man the border with the UK. Lets's see how the ERG handles that idea.
Most of us? Actually having a neutral third party oversee the whole deal might actually be a good idea if it's workable. I don't think people are remotely taking the danger posed by a hard border seriously enough.
Isn't the Brexit deadline coming up in like 6 weeks? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This space reserved for @Zombie
It's fairly obvious after May backed down that there's going to be a delay. Although not sure how anything will change in 3 months or so. We'll be right back where we are.
It Brexit is half the shitshow it appears to be, why wouldn't they put it up to another vote? Or just cancel it before they create Venezuela 2.0 and food runs out, like some are predicting might happen? John Oliver spoke about those Brexit boxes being sold this past week.
Given how much of a disaster this is turning out to be that scenario's an increasingly likely one. No deal just can't be allowed to happen. Uhuh, you know when you realise that something is a bad idea it's the done thing to change your mind?
Coming back to this, since you think the matter is decided can you clarify the referendum results. A lot of the current problems are being encountered because no one can agree on exactly what the Brexit vote wanted. Was it for a hard Brexit? Soft Brexit? I have even encountered some Brexit supporters claiming it was a vote for a no deal exit. If you can demonstrate which of those the vote was for the British parliament would greatly appreciate your insight. Also can you let us know at which point a referendum on the matter would be ok in your view? Given that the current Brexit arrangements may end up violating the Good Friday Agreement (itself something that was backed by a referendum) it seems like Brexit supporters are not ideologically opposed to referendum questions whose consequences may impact on previous ones.
These insinuations that the people voting to leave didn't know what they were voting for are condescending at best.
Cool, I've talked to Brexit supporters (who I know from the real world) and have had them tell me they wanted a soft Brexit, hard Brexit, and no deal Brexit. If you can clarify which of them is right that would be very helpful.
It may be insulting, but that does not mean it is not true. There are a lot of stupid voters and voters who vote for destructive options for revenge (AKA trump voting).
Welp, the 18th Amendment has banned alcohol in the United States forever. I guess we can never have a fucking vote on it ever again because Captain X thinks it's stupid. How do you even have the brain matter to jerk off onto your pillow?
"Hey guys, do you want pizza for dinner?" : "yeah" : "nah" *slightly over half the room says they do* *Spends two years negotiating with the pizza shop what can be delivered in the available time and cost* "Alright, I've got us a bunch of half and half Hawaiian Supremes with cheesy crust" "What? I thought there would be a gluten free option" "I'm vegetarian..." "It's not pizza unless it's cooked in a wood oven and should only have sauce and cheese. Maybe fresh oregano at a stretch..." "for fucks sake, make your minds up...." "The shop closes in 20 minutes, there's no way to work out an order that meets all these requirements..." "Gluten free!" "Vegetarian!" *Is already rummaging in the kitchen saying he'll make the damn thing himself* ... ... "If we can't make our minds up we'll end up with the shittiest possible pizza." "Do we actually still want pizza, there's other options..." "Shut up, people were clear, PIZZA MEANS PIZZA" *accidentally burns down kitchen*
You forget the whole thin crust vs thick crust, NYC vs Chicago thing. (Oh yes, we Merkins would totally argue over shit like that. In fact, we'd go to war over that.)
