Forum menu
EU Referendum - are...
 

[Closed] EU Referendum - are you in or out?

Posts: 57310
Full Member
 

The whole thing is a ridiculous charade.

Asking the Irish (and therefore the EU) to sign up to an agreement overseen by a non-functioning Stormont assembly (so, by default; Westminster) that the DUP can veto at any time?

Yeah, right...?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:14 am
Posts: 13282
Free Member
 

When did you swap from out to in, Eddiebaby? And why? Just curious, being willing to change your mind is a quality.

I voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen. I was wrong.
I’m pretty certain I have mentioned this In this thread.
Since then I have certainly been called a racist a couple of times on here. The sheer nastiness on this thread at times equaled some of the language displayed by our ‘leaders” over the last few weeks.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:27 am
Posts: 7095
Free Member
 

Designed to fail, is it not.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:33 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The sheer nastiness on this thread...

I think the nastiness here is mostly born out of frustration. Personally brexit could be a life changing disaster for me and that makes it a very sensitive subject, so i try not to comment much.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:42 am
Posts: 3422
Free Member
 

Designed to fail, is it not.

Yep, as I said elsewhere, they're lubing us up to tell us it's all the EU's fault.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:49 am
Posts: 9118
Full Member
 

And people will lap that shit up as it is fed to them with a sympathetic media. Not wanting to be all JHJ, but that is the same media that either relies on the government for funding, or stands to make a tonne of money from the low tax, free trade utopia of the post-Brexit UK.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:58 am
Posts: 151
Free Member
 

I think the nastiness here is mostly born out of frustration.

No it's not. It's the same people who are nasty on all threads. This thread doesn't get diluted by as many normal people as other threads do.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:01 am
Posts: 584
Free Member
 

I watched this video,
Borris and Hedgefunds

I find it all very plausible...Hedge funds supported Boris bid of PM... they'll want their reward....


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:08 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

I agree with @eddiebaby … I can understand why people who are already being effected by this mess (family/health/work) can get wound up by people of the “no one will notice the difference” or “we just have to carry on with this because” persuasions… but let’s stop attacks on individuals… and also stop with the attacks on whole swathes off the population based on the words and actions of a few of them, ta.

Edit - Oh @5thElefant, you are cheeky. Your previous post was a perfect example of what we need less off. Dribbling indeed. Make the case for why Johnson’s funding isn’t relevant if you want…


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:08 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

There is still a bit of me that thinks Boris would rather leave with a deal this month than have to go to the polls either with No Deal mess unfolding, or fighting during an extension on a “my word is good, it’s those pesky whatever standing in my way”, and it’s only the DUP and the ERG preventing it. All it takes is for his proposals to be moved to NI staying in both Single Market and Customs Union, until the future trading arrangements/deals between UK&EU are agreed, and the EU and a majority of MPs will back it (and majority of people in NI, importantly). If he hadn’t kicked out those rebel No No Deal MPs… I could see it happening. Does he still have a way of getting that through? It’s the only way to avoid that extension (or No Deal) now. It’s also what May & the EU first proposed before the usual antiEU suspects torpedoed it. Those usual antiEU suspects without whom we’d now be out of the EU, in transition, and talking about the real deal, with NI in a stable position.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:41 am
Posts: 14916
Full Member
 

I voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen. I was wrong.
I’m pretty certain I have mentioned this In this thread.
Since then I have certainly been called a racist a couple of times on here. The sheer nastiness on this thread at times equaled some of the language displayed by our ‘leaders” over the last few weeks.

I wouldn't say you were a racist, but to be fair, your rationale for voting to leave the EU is pretty stupid in hindsight?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:58 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

Not stupid at all. When governments hold referendums there is always a “down with these people in charge” element to the vote. With Cameron putting himself front and centre in the Remain campaign (and Corbyn doing the opposite) there was always going to even more of this “vote of no confidence in the PM” thinking in play than normal. Add to this the suggestion that voting to Leave could result in a narrow loss for Leave being used to change our current position/arrangement in/with EU… and voting to stop a large Remain win wasn’t stupid, but in hindsight has ended up being damaging. One of many reasons why another referendum is not “just for people who voted Remain” as politicians keep claiming (but obviously, logically, don’t believe).


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:09 pm
Posts: 6422
Full Member
 

voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen

Couple I know did the same thing, so you are certainly not alone.

Personally,we are praying that my wife & her ex's house sale goes through, already gone down in price by £40k since brexit was voted for but if it sells we'll be mortgage free and resilient to any further economic shock.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

There is still a bit of me that thinks Boris would rather leave with a deal this month than have to go to the polls either with No Deal mess unfolding, or fighting during an extension on a “my word is good, it’s those pesky whatever standing in my way”, and it’s only the DUP and the ERG preventing it.

Whatever deal Boris can get will be a lot worse for the vast majority than we have today.
His only hope/escape really is to blame someone else.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:27 pm
Posts: 13282
Free Member
 

I wouldn’t say you were a racist, but to be fair, your rationale for voting to leave the EU is pretty stupid in hindsight?

Yep. But also in hindsight I should have stayed with my wife, stayed in my old job and maybe even stayed as a mining engineer. Buying a Zune was also a crap decision. And why did I ever sell my On One Fatty or ... insert loads of guitars, amps, keyboards here....

IN my 'defence' I really thought the vote would have been nearer 60:40 the other way. I was obviously misled by government propoganda that leaving was bad thing ... that'll never happen again to anyone will it?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:31 pm
 ctk
Posts: 1811
Free Member
 

Where has a house dropped £40k since Brexit?

£ has dropped but have house prices dropped that much?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:39 pm
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

House prices dropping in London and the South East. It would be all over the front pages of the usual papers if it wasn’t related to Brexit.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:41 pm
Posts: 2889
Full Member
 

They have if you actually want to sell it, in this stagnant market...


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:42 pm
Posts: 58
Free Member
 

There is still a bit of me that thinks Boris would rather leave with a deal this month 

I think so aswell, it would serve his ego well to succeed were others have failed. Getting concessions of the EU and getting it through parliment were May failed would please him greatly.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 12:51 pm
Posts: 13267
Free Member
 

I voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen. I was wrong.

**** me... You unthinking member of society.

Well thanks in part to you and others my life has been put on hold and my existence is on the line.

Yes, I'm angry


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think so aswell, it would serve his ego well to succeed were others have failed. Getting concessions of the EU and getting it through parliment were May failed would please him greatly.

He's no so stupid though as to want to own that deal.
Remember May's deal....who 'owns' that deal?
Every economic failure, loss of jobs, bare supermarket aisles, the first border shooting ... will be squarely Boris's deal

His only way out is to blame it on the "will of the people"


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:03 pm
Posts: 6422
Full Member
 

Where has a house dropped £40k since Brexit?

High Wycombe - just look on rightmove and see how many are listed as "price reduced on" £40k represents a 12.5% drop.

They have if you actually want to sell it, in this stagnant market…

Which is us, been paying two mortgages for last 3.5yrs (we were housing 7 family members) but circumstances have changed and want to offload heavily mortgaged house currently still in wife's & ex's name.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen. I was wrong.

**** me… You unthinking member of society.

Well thanks in part to you and others my life has been put on hold and my existence is on the line.

Yes, I’m angry

Whilst the anger is totally understandable, remainers (and people opposed to the current Tory government) need to latch on to people such as Eddiebaby. He's admitted it was a mistake on a public forum which majority disagrees with his views.

Find out the reasons for the change of mind and then put those reasons to other people who are on the fence/Brexiters.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:20 pm
Posts: 34975
Full Member
 

Yes, I’m angry

I seem to remember a thread of yours from a while back where you managed to get arrested for smoking dope and driving, putting your own livelihood at risk. I imagine, with hindsight, you regret that as well. We all make mistakes in life, what makes us "unthinking" is not learning from it.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:26 pm
Posts: 6929
Full Member
 

The housing market is pretty stagnant in my area - lots of houses for sale, but not moving and expect those that are selling is simply down to taking a price cut. Not helped by lots of new house building meaning over-supply suppressing prices - 5 bed detached exec homes mainly - clearly intended for migrant workers LOL


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:37 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

Thanks, Eddiebaby, if you've posted that before I'd missed or forgotten. You're not alone in changing your mind as the poll trends show:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Brexit/Post-referendum_opinion_polling:_Remain-Leave


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:38 pm
Posts: 13282
Free Member
 

He’s admitted it was a mistake on a public forum which majority disagrees with his views.

I'd be surprised if many on here disagree with my views. I'm pro-Europe, like foreign folk, have worked and lived in many parts of the world and see no reason to stop others having the same rights.
I was a thinking member of society - I was using my vote tactically. What I was, was in fact wrong in thinking what way the vote would go.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:39 pm
Posts: 78336
Full Member
 

Nobody has to explain themselves to you EK.

True, but it can't hurt to ask. That's kind of how discussion works.

He wants us out of the EU as much as Boris wants us out so he can continue the EU project un-hindered.

Sounds like a compelling reason to stay in then, does it not? So that we can have some influence on that?

I voted out as a protest vote against government arrogance attitude at the time. Never for one minute did I think it would happen. I was wrong.

It takes a big man to admit they made a mistake and I think you should be applauded for that at least. It's not the first time I've heard that people made a protest vote in order to give Cameron a bloody nose.

At this point, I don't really care who voted for what in an advisory referendum over three years ago. I'm sick to ****ing death of hearing about it. It's done and dusted, as the leavers like to remind us: we lost, get over it. We can't change the past and obsessing about it gains us nothing.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 1:48 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I don’t think we should be surprised Kelvin, that people are angry with those who voted for leave to stick it to the man/the lolz.

The information was out there that this would deeply affect peoples lives and those that still voted out for the above reasons did so out of a profound lack of empathy for those who would. There is no way you could ignore the warnings from remain unless you were already a true believer or wilfully ignorant.

If you voted out and realise this now, don’t paint yourself as a victim, don’t blame the government for it - that’s more of what led you to vote out in the first place. Just accept people will be pissed at you and your reasons for voting leave and move on.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 2:27 pm
Posts: 13282
Free Member
 

The information was out there that this would deeply affect peoples lives and those that still voted out for the above reasons did so out of a profound lack of empathy for those who would. There is no way you could ignore the warnings from remain unless you were already a true believer or wilfully ignorant.

AGAIN: I never wanted to leave. I never thought there was the faintest chance of it happening. I have empathy, I just didn't think it would be close, let alone close the wrong way.
Anyway, thats the last time I'll repeat this.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 2:41 pm
Posts: 8384
Full Member
 

**** me… You unthinking member of society.

I don't think you should be so hard on him alpin, after all maybe be he's a reformed Brexiteer in the same way as you are a reformed drugged driver. 🙂


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 2:43 pm
Posts: 34489
Full Member
 

I think eddiebaby being pretty brave & honest, well done sir!


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 2:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

AGAIN: I never wanted to leave. I never thought there was the faintest chance of it happening. I have empathy, I just didn’t think it would be close, let alone close the wrong way.
Anyway, thats the last time I’ll repeat this

The point that people will feel, rightly so, is that why risk those adverse outcomes for people for a protest vote - about something you didn’t even believe in anyway. There are plenty of other outlets - protest, rioting, joining a grass roots political party etc. There was still a probability that we would leave - voting out of protest was not an acceptable gamble in terms of risk.

Owning up and then blaming politicians or calling those deeply angry about the effects to their livelihoods “nasty” - is not truly owning up and is just as bad as people getting angry with leavers. Probably worse because at least remainers have genuine reasons for being angry with leavers.

As I said, accept that people have the right to be angry about people who made decisions like yours. They will then probably get over it.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 2:56 pm
Posts: 12651
Free Member
 

It only really matters if a million people voted as a protest and didn't really want to leave at all. If they were given a choice now it would no doubt be remain after seeing how their protest vote didn't quite work out.

Also, if protest is the intention it may be better to actually go out and protest or at least vote for a party other then the one in power that you are protesting about....


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 3:22 pm
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

How does that work in a referendum @Kerley?

Anyway, lots of people voted tactically in the way @eddiebaby did, accept they aren’t prepared to own that error and try and move on. Good on him. We all need to move on from talking about how and why people voted how they did in 2016, and talk about what should be done now… and when it comes to it, how we should vote when given a chance.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 3:33 pm
Posts: 19532
Free Member
 

No it’s not. It’s the same people who are nasty on all threads. This thread doesn’t get diluted by as many normal people as other threads do.

Most on STW are rather nice people but just getting too caught with their own ideals that's all. 😀

As for Brexit it will be No Deal whether UK like it or not as the EU bloke (Guy Verhofstadt holding the letter from PM BoJO) has mentioned that they would not accept any reheated ex-PM May's deal.

The question now is to see if EU will bow to PM BoJo demands and tow the line accordingly to accept that PM BoJo has hammered them well.

At home (UK Parliament) PM BoJo knows he has the upper hand for now entering the GE so the scenario is like this:

1. No Deal - Tories win "landslide" (majority), oppositions will be in the wild for sometimes.
2. Reheated deal - Tories disintegrate But no majority in the government and UK in lingering decline.

It looks like PM BoJo is riding the wave well so far by keeping the people guessing.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 3:35 pm
Posts: 4499
Full Member
 

It appears that Johnson has done a deal with the Hungarians to reject an extension. Which is why he's so confident about evading the Benn Act. We're so screwed.

https://twitter.com/ResistersLondon/status/1179715490748477440?s=19


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

It appears that Johnson has done a deal with the Hungarians to reject an extension. Which is why he’s so confident about evading the Benn Act. We’re so screwed.

Is there any evidence for this?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:28 pm
Posts: 28593
Free Member
 

Why else would they be there, kiksy?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:32 pm
Posts: 7095
Free Member
 

Of course Joris* will attempt to torpedo the extension law. Bribing one nation is a "perfectly legal" way to do so. Ethically and morally bankrupt, as expected.

I can't see any cast iron route to avoiding a no deal now unless The Fop Haired Fondle Denier * is stopped via VONC and the existing May deal is OK'd.

Nothing that requires an extension is guaranteed if Captain Feelythighs* can get one state to veto the request.

* Dominic


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:34 pm
Posts: 18004
Full Member
 

It's still "toe the line" chewkw.

So, let's say we leave on Oct 31st with no deal. What's the impact on the irish border on Nov 1st.

This?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Why else would they be there, kiksy?

Plenty of reasons, pre-emptive trade deals, Brexit related immigration talks , basically anything trying to get in early ,could even just be a scheduled thing from ages ago.

Not to discount it might be a veto thing, but without evidence seems a jump.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:38 pm
Posts: 3188
Full Member
 

I am angry too but I am confident that my wife will be able to stay in France.

I have no intention to come back and live in the UK but it was nice to have that option.
I know I will have to queue more to get in the UK, might loose some equity if house prices crash.

I wish no harm to the UK, but I want the EU to protect my interests and if it means the UK is screwed then so be it.
Friends who visit us in France twice a year voted Leave, parent of my wife voted Leave, I mean WTF???


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:39 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Why else would they be there, kiksy?

https://www.magyarhirlap.hu/kulfold/20191003-szijjarto-peter-boris-johnson-a-nepakaratot-igyekszik-vegrehajtani

The Foreign and Foreign Minister, who talks with several senior members of the British cabinet, including Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and Steve Barclay's Brexit Minister, has stated to the Hungarian media that Hungary's aim is to uphold an earlier agreement that Regardless of the form of Brexit, citizens' rights must be mutually guaranteed, whether they live in the European Union or in the United Kingdom.

The article seems to claim it mainly about expats and Hungarians living in the UK.

Could all be a cover up (as anything the government do now sadly needs to be heavily scrutinized ), but hardly a stretch that the reasons given in the article are true.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 5:42 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

Raab and Barclay there to talk about upholding immigrants rights, give over. Probably cheaper to buy a veto from Hungary than DUP votes.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 6:58 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Raab and Barclay there to talk about upholding immigrants rights, give over. Probably cheaper to buy a veto from Hungary than DUP votes.

Indeed. BloHard has already been found acting illegally in proroguing parliament, so committing borderline treason by bribing a far right thug into torpedoing this country shouldn’t be too troubling for him.

Makes you wonder, though. If this was all such a good idea, why do the powers that be have to break the law or engage fascist help to get it through?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 7:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Honestly, if Bojo gets a no deal by doing a deal with the Hungarians I am going to laugh....a lot.

The British won’t be able to blame anyone but themselves.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 7:37 pm
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

The EU isn't going to accept the deal anyway. If opposition MPs realise this then they'll vote it down, therefore forcing BJ to ask for an extension, destroying his electability (if polls are correct on that) and then clean up in the ensuing GA. Job done.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 7:43 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Is it too late for another referendum?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 8:43 pm
Posts: 44734
Full Member
 

NOpe. I expect one given that all bar one party have it as policy despite Swinsons grandstanding


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 9:30 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

However, organising a referendum in the next 28 days seems unlikely even if possible. I reckon Johnson is now working on getting one or more vetos blocking an extension by the EU 27.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 9:44 pm
Posts: 44734
Full Member
 

Its not needed to have it in the next 28 days nor is that desirable. Thats for the extension period.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 9:54 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

That’s if we get an extension.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 9:58 pm
Posts: 10334
Full Member
 

What happens to the Irish border mess if there is no deal?  Is the game that the EU are then obliged to implement a border so the resulting mess is blamed on them rather than the government?  Am I missing something because no deal seems to end up with the most horrible of messes and if that is the 'strategy' then that is incredible


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:01 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

If you think back to what EU leaders said about the current extension when it was granted then you should have real doubts about an extension. Macron said to use the time wisely, instead of which it has been squandered with no signing of May's deal, no realistic propostions for a deal that would satisfy the EU 27, no GE... non of the things the time was given for. In fact the British attitude has hardened and compromise is ever further away. The collaboration of just one of the 27 is all that's needed for Johnson to get the no deal Brexit he wants.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:02 pm
Posts: 33095
Full Member
 

If BoJo is "forced" to ask for an extension by Parliament or a judicial review, then it won't be seen as his fault by the Brexit die hard crowd - he may not be as unelectable as we'd like to think


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:02 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

In the case of no deal I reckon the EU will simply apply tarrifs on purchases by EU companies initially and perhpas exempt Ireland for the time it takes to come to an arrangement with a back-to-the-wall Britain. It's not the small cross Irish border stuff that will be targeted it'll be stuff that really hurts. A minor leak through Ireland will be ignored rather than set up a hard border, the big stuff is on company balance sheets and really easy to apply tarifs to.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Leffeboy, on Johnson’s proposal....

Some are even seeing it as a declaration of war.

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-gives-cautious-response-to-uk-boris-johnson-problematic-brexit-plan-jean-claude-juncker/


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:45 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

We will get an extension. It makes the EUs life easier to kick the can, and frankly at the moment we are paying in but our government is making no strategic decisions with the other 27 so the French are leading without counter argument.

The extension will be until mid 2020 as they will need it all sorted my the time they need to re-negotiate/ remove our rebate from their budget calculations.

Tldr: no to Alexander's deal, offer a long extension to parliament. They take it. Referendum mid january. video of Cummings using BJs head like a pig's leaked to the guardian.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 10:59 pm
Posts: 44734
Full Member
 

An extension in exchange for another referendum and / or election is in the EUs interest. I agree one to just defer decsions is not what they want but they know another referendum is coming

I wouldn't be suprised to see a second ref bill go thru before the deadline


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:03 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
 

the French are leading without counter argument.

If only! That would be ace but it really isn't the case.

Edit: I'd be pleasantly surprised, TJ, but surprised all the same.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

An extension in exchange for another referendum and / or election is in the EUs interest. I agree one to just defer decsions is not what they want but they know another referendum is coming

I wouldn’t be suprised to see a second ref bill go thru before the deadline

I wouldn't count on that after reading that politico article, it reads to me like they are ready for a showdown with Britain now.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:08 pm
 colp
Posts: 3323
Full Member
 

Don’t we all want an extension to take us into next year when the Tax Avoidance Directive starts to kick in?
Isn’t that the panic behind the Oct 31st leave date?


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Ahhhhh global Britain - ready to trade with the world.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-49907056

Drug exports restricted 'to protect NHS patients'

null

^^^ Pretty much my reaction to reading this. Good thing we bought a nice stock of contraceptives, contact lenses and other basic medicines.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:25 pm
Posts: 44734
Full Member
 

On the border in the event of "no deal"

the EU will have to erect a hard border immediately. They have to by law.
the UK will have to have a hard border because if they do not then every nation in the world will be entitled to have complete tariff free access to the UK because no border = no tariffs


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:29 pm
Posts: 7278
Free Member
 

Don’t we all want an extension to take us into next year when the Tax Avoidance Directive starts to kick in?

Still no

It is just another stupid conspiracy theory like the hedge fund one, spread by the ill informed.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:51 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

RE the Hedge fund "one", I'm not sure that Hammond would have risked being sued into the ground if there was nothing to it - but I'm open to hearing more mefty.

I think we at the point, in fact well beyond it, where remainers and anti-populists have to start fighting a disinformation war anyway. If we can't win, we can at least sow doubt and discredit Johnsons "man of the people" narrative.


 
Posted : 03/10/2019 11:59 pm
Posts: 7278
Free Member
Posts: 44734
Full Member
 

Mefty - actually both have good evidence for them. Your link actually shows that the EU anti tax avoidance stuff will come into force in 2020 aand will severly limit the UK and its dependencies tax avodence / evaision industry.

EU’s new “anti tax avoidance directive”, the last part of which has to be applied in member states by 1 January 2020 (although it’s unclear if they will still take effect if we leave with no deal at the end of October).

However, its purpose is not to reveal money hidden in offshore accounts.

The directive has five key legal aspects relating to:

limiting interest (capping the amount of tax deductible interest a company can have),
the rules around exit taxation (the taxes on companies when they leave a country),
the rules around controlled foreign companies (to stop the diverting of profits to low-tax countries),
general anti-abuse rules (to counter ‘aggressive tax planning’ that doesn’t necessarily break any specific rules), and;
rules on hybrid mismatches (when companies exploit the differences between countries’ tax systems).
Broadly, the new directive is intended to prevent corporate tax avoidance practices, and has been planned since 2015. It “aims to address situations where corporate groups take advantage of disparities between national tax systems” to reduce the amount of tax they have to pay.

In practice, this aims to tackle large companies shifting profits from the EU country in which they were made to a country with a lower tax rate or “preferential” rules. This could be another EU country, or a non-EU country.

So these policies are about tightening up “systemic issues” to do with tax law in EU countries, to make it harder for companies to practice what the EU calls “aggressive tax planning”.

Same as the hedge fund - its proven and admitted.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:07 am
Posts: 7278
Free Member
 

As I said spread by the ill informed


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:16 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

Er… didn’t you post the link?


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:21 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Mefty, that article seems a bit biased. Royal Mail has been hit by Brexit - Mr Crispin has been shorting companies that are vulnerable. To say that he's not involved because remain hedge fund managers are in on it is a bit deceptive - hedge fund managers of any political persuasion will hop on where they see the market going. That doesn't rule out Crispin playing political games to stack it in his favor.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:22 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Here is a counter argument by Bloomberg that makes a similar case to begin with - but then goes further and diverges, I'd rather side with Bloomberg than Forbes.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-10-01/brexit-news-here-s-what-the-hedge-funds-are-really-up-to

The fund team my wife works in seem to agree with the Bloomberg take.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:25 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

Who’s going to post the C4 Odey clip?


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:26 am
Posts: 7278
Free Member
 

Er… didn’t you post the link?

He doesn't seem to have understood it. He only partially quotes it.

Here is a counter argument by Bloomberg that makes a similar case to begin with – but then goes further and diverges, I’d rather side with Bloomberg than Forbes.

It is not a counter argument, it is a completely different one - no doubt there are plenty of people in the City who would like to see a new regulatory framework. But if it comes to believing the staunchy remain FT, who do have some understanding of how these markets work, and a lefty remainer like Coppola, compared to Byline who have never seen a conspiracy theory they don't like - it is not really much a competition.

Who’s going to post the C4 Odey clip?

Do they have one with David Harding as well, whose funds made even more I believe, he was of course one of the biggest donors to the Remain campaign?


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 12:49 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

It's a shit article Mefty - for example towards the end it attempts to obfuscate political lobbying by stating that the hedge fund bets don't exist - so therefore there is no political lobbying going on. That or the writers thinking is just muddled.

So this is yet another a tin-foil-hat conspiracy theory. But no doubt it will continue to run. Already, the opposition Labour party has called for an inquiry into Johnson’s “conflict of interest.” It is fair to say that financial backing from companies that hope to profit from a no-deal Brexit, even though there is no evidence that they have has yet placed significant bets to that effect, places Johnson under some psychological pressure to deliver what they want even at the expense of the best interests of the country. But if he is any good as a Prime Minister, he will resist this. And if he isn’t, then he shouldn’t be in the job.

The bolded sections are an attempt to obfuscate and misdirect the reader - away from the fact that Boris could well be being played like a puppet by his backers. The Bloomberg article is better, it starts out more or less the same - but doesn't end with the shit, muddled conclusion of the Forbes article.

The idea that hedge fund backers are betting on brexit might be a bit of a conspiracy theory, but really - what it amounts to is a clumsy attempt to explain what is actually potentially going on.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 1:02 am
Posts: 7278
Free Member
 

Make sure you stockpile the tin foil hats!!


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 1:16 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

Do they have one with David Harding as well, whose funds made even more I believe, he was of course one of the biggest donors to the Remain campaign?

Come on, do you not think we can see straight past that? Whatever happens, fund managers will do what needs doing to make money. That isn’t the same as trying to make things happen to make money off the back of them. Odey is playing key Tories in order to make money (at our expense).

Make sure you stockpile the tin foil hats!!

Make your point without being rude, if you can.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 1:27 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I tend to dislike conspiracy loons as much as any rationalist or scientist mefty - I just think it takes a leap of faith to think that political lobbying isn't going on. We know it does, it's been documented countless times.


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 1:27 am
Posts: 31036
Full Member
 

Odey was great in the C4 doc. Well worth watching.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/tories-at-war/on-demand/69801-001


 
Posted : 04/10/2019 1:30 am
Page 927 / 964