Can anyone believe a word that comes out of this man's mouth?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....est-simplest-way.html

So Cameron says "a referendum is the "cleanest, neatest, simplest and most sensible" way to obtain the "fresh consent" of the British electorate"

'Fresh consent' what happened to the promise of a referendum last time, or why can't he give it us one now?

Does he think we are gullible enough to take him at his word? No we all know that this is just some more bait to try and get us to vote him back in power again.

If he really wants to have at least a slim chance of getting back in power the next time, he should be listening more to what the people want to see implemented 'NOW'.

[AB Editor]

Interesting results from AB poll suggest it's still a big issue with a lot of voters: http://www.theanswerb.../Question1176331.html

I think the coalition aspect of this government means it is unlikely to happen any time soon.

Cameron has made is place clear in the same interview - he doesn't want out, and he's not happy with the current status quo. He'd like to be a reformer.

[bazwillrun]

As long as we stay in whatever "reforms"/ concessions he may get, will be taken back one way or another by Brussels during future governments of whats left of this country when DC is long gone.

[anotheoldgit]

Yes that is quite interesting Ed, even more votes for BNP and Green parties than the Lib-Dems.

But according to the Telegraphs poll, 92.56% for a referendum and only 7.44% against.

[jake-the-peg]

A Telegraph Poll of a European referendum!

I'm rather amazed it isn't 101%

What next?

A poll in the Guardian on pay cuts for teachers?

A poll in the Socialist Workers Party on David Cameron's approval rating?

[modeller]

The EU reminds me of the USSR who claimed any one of its republics was free to change anything . Subject to one condition all the others had to agree !
Ditto EU on all the treaties . It doesn't matter what changes we want , we can't get them without everyone agreeing.
Maggie Thatcher was the only one who forced them to agree to our discount because she made it clear we wouldn't pay . Cameron could possibly do the same thing , refuse to pay our 40 million a day until we got what we want e.g. on the justice system and human rights. He won't ! He's no Maggie.

[Hopkirk]

Maggie was right about Europe - pity she didn't take further action, but I think the wets stopped her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tetk_ayO1x4

[AB Editor]

Does the commission still produce legislation to be voted on in the EU parliament?

I've always thought that giving the Euro Parliament some legitimacy would be useful in reformation of Europe. The commission in the state I remember it is the worst kind of old boys club.

[emmie]

the day we get a referendum on the EU is the day pigs will fly. Hold on to your hats just in case.

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

At lease one gets a poll, more than one would in the Soviet Republic of Britain, if some had their wish.

[emmie]

AOG, The European superstate headed of course by Germany. Isn't Angela Merkel in Greece currently, bet she will get a frosty reception from the Greek people.

[friedgreentomato]

I would believe him more the noooo labour - look at the state of the country because of brown and blair!!!

[Old_Geezer]

Are we wondering if the pot is blacker than the kettle ?

[pdq1]

The only way I'd believe the Tories is to hold the referendum at the same time as the next election. Maybe they will do just this as it will encourage voters to vote for the Tories.

The problem with these promises is they are given less priority and held towards the end of their reign if at all.

So I hope they go for the first option...I may be inclined to vote for them.

[LazyGun]

In Greece you are seeing the convergence of the consequences of many economic issues that were mishandled, badly, by the EU and by successive Greek governments.

Greece should never have been allowed to join the euro in the first place - the rules had to be amended in order for them to join. Successive governments from both the right and left of the political spectrum have borrowed far more than they should. They have been lax and negligent in tax collection.

To the list of those culpable, you can add the EU themselves - so eager for enlargement and the success of a common currency that they were willing to look the other way, and far too willing to advance money to Greece. And I have some sympathy for those who claim it was in the national self interest of Germany and their exports.

This same charge can be levelled at domestic private investors, international banks, and the IMF -all far too willing to lend money, at eye-watering rates, through sheer greed, knowing that much of their risk was underwritten through the EU desire to protect the euro.

I really cannot understand how Greece, despite the self-professed desire of the population to stay in the Euro, can remain. The austerity measures required to support that membership are viciously painful, and will scar generations. It will cost the various taxpayers within the eurozones billions to support their continuing membership, and the only people making profits will be the banks, who are effectively having their loans underwritten by the EU.

Everyone keeps saying that for Greece to revert to the Drachma would be even worse, but I do not understand how it could be...

[LazyGun]

D'Oh! Apologies - that last post of mine was meant for the thread on Greece and the Euro ! Sorry...