Forum Topic

Farage admits it on BBC Radio 4

Farage on BBC Radio 4 this morning (at just a little after 8.44am, according to my PC):-"the withdrawal agreement, it's so bad that we may as well stay members of the European Union".Right you are.

David Ainsworth ● 2626d15 Comments

He was being sarcastic.

Sue Hammond ● 2626d

Many a true word is spoken in jest.

David Ainsworth ● 2626d

I thought he'd made a similar comment on a previous occasion. Yes, he's correct, any deal we do as a third party country is likely to be worse than being a member. We will have to sign up to EU standards without having a say in drafting them. For example, to process the data of EU citizens, which is vital to UK businesses, the UK will need to comply with any changes to the GDPR but won't have a say in agreeing them or implementing decisions.

Michael Ixer ● 2626d

NF is correct of course because the Withdrawal Agreement (with or without the Irish backstop) is not a proper Brexit. It betrays the will of the people in the 2016 referendum.

Mike Harris ● 2626d

How many Leavers genuinely believed that they were voting for a no deal Brexit?  None of the politicians campaigning for Brexit told us it was an option.  “Easiest trade deal in history”, “Norway option fine by me” (Farage), smooth orderly exit, transition agreement, you name it we heard them all. No deal Brexit at huge economic cost?  Don’t remember being promised that. “Will of the People” is one of the most misused phrases out there currently.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2626d

"No deal Brexit at huge economic cost?  Don’t remember being promised that. “Will of the People” is one of the most misused phrases out there currently.""Bait and switch" is the phrase that should be used.

David Ainsworth ● 2626d

Every Leaver without exception, that I know meant leave without a deal in the full understanding that the EU block would be furious and punitive at the start.  It was always clear there would be no deal of any sort.  After all recall the contemptuous treatment Cameron received when begging for a slight improvement in terms.Eventually they would have cosied up to us again, after all in business matters holding a grudge is not profitable.  After 2 years everything would have sorted itself out and we would not be chained to a failing out of date trading block.The Agreement as stands is a stitch up designed by the EU to punish us for ever without any prospect of escape, much as wrong doers used to be displayed in stocks at the centre of the village as a deterrent to others!Politicians promoting leaving the club as easy was stupid

Jenny Featherstone ● 2625d

'Every Leaver without exception, that I know meant leave without a deal'Really? I'm sure leavers aren't as stupid as you paint them that they welcome a no-deal which was not on the ballot  paper. The leave campaign promised the sun, moon and earth and basically that  the EU would bend over backwards to help us leave. As you say, those politicians who made such statements were (indeed)stupid. 'much as wrong doers used to be displayed in stocks at the centre of the village as a deterrent to others!'Now you sound like JRM in the 18th century.

Lucille Grant ● 2625d

Lucille. I remember talking to some leavers who thought we could just !eave and full back onto WTO rules. They didn't seem to have thought through things like residency, freedom of movement (neither had Patel), border checks and just in time for manufacturing (well Raab and Barker haven't either), the Northern Ireland border, food and drugs imports, data processing approval, ... Ignorance is bliss?

Michael Ixer ● 2625d

Precisely this Michael.

Lucille Grant ● 2625d

I have to admit that l’m really enjoying the government's insisting on another vote in Parliament on an early general election because it didn’t like the result of the first one. Aren’t you?

Richard Carter ● 2624d

Yes, Richard, it made me smile too.Also, as published on the BBC News website on 4 September:"There is only one purpose in denying this motion [the election]," says Conservative Desmond Swayne."And that is to ensure that the British people have no say whatever over what takes place at the EU Council on 19 October."This annoyed me more than make me smile.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2623d

Johnson says he'd rather die in a ditch than seek an extension to Article 50.Well, I'd prefer the latter of course, but if it was the former, I think I could cope with it...

Richard Carter ● 2623d

The ditch he refers to no doubt  is near Heathrow?  What intrigues me (if/when there is an election) is whether  Boris will lose his own parliamentary seat in Uxbridge. Although they voted Leave (56.36%) they have  swung more in favour of remaining apparently and his  constituents aren't thrilled with his performance in proroguing parliament with 1800 signing a petition against. Also a letter in which they state "We, your constituents, are horrified by your willingness to impose a 'no deal' Brexit on our country – and your decision to suspend our cherished parliamentary democracy in order to achieve that."We are appalled that you have unfairly sought to involve our Queen in the implementation of your politically partisan plans. It is completely wrong of you to involve her."The hundreds signing the letter fear that a 'no deal' Brexit will cause huge economic and social damage:"We are disgusted that you are playing Russian roulette with our nation's (and our continent's) future by endangering millions of people's livelihoods and living standards."Roll on November. Has any sitting PM lost his parliamentary seat before?

Lucille Grant ● 2623d

Lucille. I was discussing this last Sunday with a friend who is a Liberal party member. We wondered if he would attempt to move to another, safer, constituency. Of course, since then a number have become available but would he want to stand against a strong independent candidate?

Michael Ixer ● 2623d