The Eu Has Given It's First Response..

[Togo]

To our letter of intent. Oh dear they immediately go into hard ball mode. Or is this a loose cannon just firing off in a fit of pique?

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/news/first-eu-response-to-article-50-takes-tough-line-on-transitional-deal/ar-BBz0yZz?li=AAmiR2Z&ocid=spartanntp

[New Judge]

The negotiating table she refers to, Eddie, is the one that will be set up if and when the 27 get their proposals together. (I say "if" because the EU is not well known for its speedy decision making).

[Old_Geezer]

One usually has to give a little from our opening gambit, so shouldn't our skilled negotiators ask for more ? Otherwise we might be counter-offered less than the USA, Japan, and China.

Anyway I thought their first response was to try to pull the wool over the eyes of the naive and UK youths by offering them so called "EU citizenship" in the hope of convincing them it's good to let an external group run their country for them, and getting them to believe that an EU superstate was the natural way to go.

[naomi24]

Eddie, that's because she's a remainer at heart. See my post at 22.00.

[Zacs-Master]

NJ, are you positive there's something specific in article 50 which says we can even join the table?

[douglas9401]

Theresa, Boris and David will give it their very best to get a deal for Britain.
Sadly, their best ain't much.

[Jackdaw33]

I have to disagree with you there, Naomi. If TM was a remainer at heart then I'm a Dutchman. Given her high position in government she really had no choice but to reluctantly side with Cameron. As it was widely expected that Remain would win this would have been political suicide to do otherwise, and would have ended her career. She declared for Remain but did precious little to advance the cause. I am willing to bet that she danced a little jig when the result was announced.

[Old_Geezer]

Got bored reading that article. If genuine then it contains a lot of drivel. I got no further than where it stated that the EU would not do any negotiation because the UK is making deals with other countries. They still think they can remain in 'control freak' mode then. Well if they want a lose/lose situation by refusing to negotiate on behalf of their industries then that will be their choice. Bye bye Europe. Good luck holding the pieces together.

[naomi24]

Jackdaw, maybe.

[EDDIE51]

naomi, you have just raised a point that I have pondered ever since May became PM.
May was firmly in the 'Remain' camp until the result of the referendum was known.
She is recorded as saying 'Leaving the EU would be catastrophic for the UK (not certain of the exact wording but catastrophic is close) just days before the referendum.
So she is not 'Speaking from the Heart' in fact she does not even believe what she is asking for, and the EU know it!

[cassa333]

What benefit would be get from funding future projects just because we agreed they could go ahead now?

If there is no benefit then we don't pay for it.

Although I don't like the term divorce because it isn't a divorce it is us leaving a wasteful, inefficient somewhat corrupt organisation. But if you want to use divorce then in any such situation you split the assets and from then onwards cut your cloth accordingly.

Not burden without benefit surely!!?

[naomi24]

Eddie, I didn't say she is speaking from the heart.

[Jackdaw33]

She is not speaking from the heart she is speaking from the brain. By very skillful posturing she has landed herself the top job.

[ichkeria]

I think you're right Eddie and in a strange way I think this explains her 'tough' stance. She is trying to convince herself as well as pander to the hard liners. I'm kind of thinking we'd have been better off with Michael Gove, god help us, who is a seriously intelligent and in many ways radical politician whose Brexit credentials are well known. But who ironically might have adopted a more rounded approach. Theresa May comes across to me as particularly spiteful towards the progressive ministers of the previous government I think we can the Cameron government that) largely it seems in the grounds that they were 'posh'

[Zacs-Master]

Sounds a lot like the Brexiteers are lining up excuses that if we come out of it with a carp deal, it will all be TM's fault.

[jno]

likewise, May has lined up Boris and the rest.

[Togo]

Fear not you faint hearts. Great Britain has a proud and noble track record when it comes to dealing with Continental despots and would be masters. What we need to learn now is how to deal with is the "enemy within", they who because of fear, or for more subversive reasons, would condemn Great Britain to the dustbin of history. All we have to fear now is the fifth column that have spent lifetimes selling us down the river, and for their own gain, trashing the UK and it's achievements.

[naomi24]

'Out' with no strings attached will do for me.

[ichkeria]

lol Togo you are a card :-)

[jourdain2]

Why is everyone so scared? Toughen up, people. May is starting from a possibly too reasonable starting position - all she needs to do it stick to it. Look to the future and the possibilities, please, and thank anything you wish that we are not tied to the decaying monolith of the EU.

[Jackdaw33]

I have given my first response to the EU.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=google&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimjbXK2_zSAhUIG5oKHZHjCmQQ_AUICygE&biw=1093&bih=510#tbm=isch&q=two+fingers&*&imgrc=g_vcGIfMvttn9M: