tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post6647452160768563720..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: Lead, don't followJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-12480662239454005932017-07-11T08:56:29.109+01:002017-07-11T08:56:29.109+01:00Ioan,
Let me start by saying two things - firstly...Ioan,<br /><br />Let me start by saying two things - firstly, I'd personally prefer the Norway option to Brexit - I'm not arguing against it per se as an option, and secondly, as even that first statement shows, there's an element of semantics in the argument here.<br /><br />I don't think that remaining part of the single market is a 'soft' Brexit because I don't think it's any sort of Brexit at all. It amounts, rather, to a decision to remain a member whilst forgoing all influence on decisions and regulations. Remaining a member whilst pretending not to be, and abandoning all influence, is a silly position to adopt, and most of those adopting it are doing so not because they think it's a particularly good idea, but because they're afraid of saying what they really think - which is that Brexit is a poor idea. And the point of the post was that if they believe that the better long term future is to remain, then they should have the courage to say so. I think history is on their side. The only reason for the existence of the 'Norway option' is that Norwegian governments have, by and large, wanted the country to be a member, but they have been thwarted by referendum results. It could, of course, be argued that that is a parallel with the UK's position, but the difference is that, in their case it was always a step towards something, whereas in the UK's case, it's a step away.<br /><br />Membership of the Customs Union, like Turkey, is not as good as membership of the single market in economic terms. But bear in mind that the reason for the existence of this particular halfway house was, again, as a step towards ultimate membership of the EU itself, not as a step towards the door.<br /><br />The problem with a binary referendum on a complex issue where the outcome of a particular decision was not only unclear but also the subject of deliberate lies and deceit is that people ended up voting for a variety of different reasons, and everyone ends up interpreting the results to suit their own world view. Having said that, I think it's difficult to argue against the proposition that three of the major planks of what leavers thought they were voting for were: control of immigration, an end to the jurisdiction of European courts, and restoration of full sovereignty to the UK Parliament. All of the so-called 'soft' options involve backtracking on at least one of those, and probably all three. <br /><br />Brexiteers will fight tooth and nail against any such backtracking, and will argue (rightly in my opinion) that to do so would be to go against the will of the people and not be a 'proper' Brexit. Those of us who would prefer such a 'soft' option should recognise the validity of that argument, and rather than argue about whether it is or is not Brexit at all, seek to persuade people that, if we're going to backtrack on those, the best outcome by far is to cancel Brexit. It's a clearer and more honest choice. Arguing for a so-called 'soft' Brexit perpetuates the idea that Brexit is a good idea and that the UK can be in both possessive and consumptive modes in relation to cake.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-25914756116776408172017-07-10T17:31:13.673+01:002017-07-10T17:31:13.673+01:00You can leave the EU and stay in the Single Market...You can leave the EU and stay in the Single Market (and be like Norway), or leave the EU and stay in the Customs union (and be like Turkey). Both are "soft brexit" options.Ioannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-66900792233485720582017-07-10T14:47:15.043+01:002017-07-10T14:47:15.043+01:00Un o'm hoff darnau o'r West Wing - gwers y...Un o'm hoff darnau o'r West Wing - gwers yn fan hyn dwi'n siwr<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7FJFuuvxpI<br />Penderynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08856650274196529023noreply@blogger.com