Alan Marchwrote:
Trump is a wannabe dictator that goes against everything America stands for. Americans need to stand up to him before they lose their democracy. He is ignoring congress, the courts and the constitution.
I have to disagree with you on Brexit however. I am British and voted for Brexit. The reason being was nothing to do with nationalism, protectionism or far right politics. It was 100% about democracy.
For those that dont know the history, in 1973 the UK joined the EEC, the European Economic Community. This was essentially a free trading agreement. It was limited in scope and power and generally a beneficial situation for all involved. However terms were not good and a referendum was held in 1975 on the acceptance of renegotiated terms. UK citizens voted to remain in the "common market".
However, over the following decades, further agreements turned this into a political union where laws, regulations and political policy were being made in Brussels and implemented in the UK. The UK population were never consulted on this and never voted for it. Also, the heavy weight countries in the union dictated policy. Not just in laws, but agriculture and many other areas such as border policy.
So this was an issue of sovereignty. The EU was an unelected and therefore undemocratic foreign entity having massive control over the UK.
Not forgetting to mention the EU is a massive bearocratic inefficient money waster. The UK has poured billions into the EU (17 billion pounds in 2020) and had little input/control over how it was spent. The EU also repeatedly fails independent financial audits: The EU currently has a debt of 300 billion euro.
Of course there were far right activists who took advantage of the Brexit vote, but that's never what it was about for the majority.
Whilst there were obviously some negative impacts due to leaving the EU, 5 years on the UK is one of the strongest economies in Europe, especially in GDP per capita.
GDP is still growing whereas Germany's is contracting.
So really its not been the economic problem some make it out to be.
You will find that the majority of UK citizens have the attitude that they should be "in Europe, not run by Europe".
They want to be partners, allies and have close trading agreements but no political union. Laws and policy made in the UK parliament in the interests of the UK.
Those with vested interests may talk about going back into the EU, but the general population don't want any such thing. They do not want to be part of a federal Europe.
Currently it is the EU blocking closer trading agreements (which would be good for everyone) as they are making it conditional on things like freedom of movement (control over borders) etc. In other words, trying to maintain federal control of the UK.
🎤 In a candid interview on France 2, British music legend Sting didn’t hold back on his views about Brexit. Speaking with Laurent Delahousse, he called the UK's departure from the European Union “an act of madness,” adding that “we’re only just beginning to understand how foolish it was”.
Sting went further, declaring: “I want to return to the EU. I’m a European.” He emphasized the importance of unity in the face of global threats, saying: “We are the largest economic community in the world. We’re threatened by Russia, and perhaps one day by the United States. We must stay united.”
The interview also touched on his musical The Last Ship, which will be staged in Paris in 2026, and his reflections on the Cold War and current geopolitical tensions, including a pointed remark about Vladimir Putin’s disregard for human life in the Ukraine conflict.
🎤 In a candid interview on France 2, British music legend Sting didn’t hold back on his views about Brexit. Speaking with Laurent Delahousse, he called the UK's departure from the European Union “an act of madness,” adding that “we’re only just beginning to understand how foolish it was”.
Sting went further, declaring: “I want to return to the EU. I’m a European.” He emphasized the importance of unity in the face of global threats, saying: “We are the largest economic community in the world. We’re threatened by Russia, and perhaps one day by the United States. We must stay united.”
The interview also touched on his musical The Last Ship, which will be staged in Paris in 2026, and his reflections on the Cold War and current geopolitical tensions, including a pointed remark about Vladimir Putin’s disregard for human life in the Ukraine conflict.
FBOwrote:
I think we have to come back to Europe. For the military force for example. The tension is growing. We are in front of something we don't like.
I dont think that's the case, and Sting is wrong. Allies across Europe are all very capable of working together for common objectives, military and otherwise. We already do so. It does not require a federal Europe. Its simply a non issue.
There was nothing foolish about Brexit. The majority of UK citizens UK simply wanted back its sovereignty. It was about protecting our democracy. To stop laws and political policy being made by unelected beaurocrats in Brussels.
As I pointed out previously, the UK economy is not suffering in the way some like to make out. There are some industries that are seeing increased beaurocracy as a result, but that is just an example of the problems and protectionism that the EU presents.
Dip shit Trump still doesn't understand that American Citizens and companies pay his tariffs. Its a domestic tax on American citizens and companies. Foreign countries and companies do not pay his tariffs.
