Boris Johnson: Just What Is The Point Of The European Union?

[naomi24]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/mayor/boris-johnson-just-what-is-the-point-of-the-european-union-9022283.html

Well? What is the point of the European Union?

[emmie]

to dilute every part of one's nation till we won't be called the British, French, or German, but European, one law, obey or die. A federal states of Europe, one currency, one rule, one way of doing business. Take it or leave it, no ta.

[jomifl]

It gives all the 'little Englanders' something to agree on.

[VHG]

Well after two world wars that basically wrecked most of Europe and bankrupt a few of the European countries I think the politicians thought if we in Europe can all unite under one "banner" we are less likely to go to war again.

Plus of course a united Europe can compete with other "world powers" such as the USA and China.

So the politicians had some sort of Utopian ideal, but the problem is if you mix well off well developed countries (like Germany, France, UK, etc) with under developed "poor" countries then many people from the poor countries will gravitate to the richer countries.

It is a but like people living in Mayfair leaving their front doors wide open day and night and then being surprised when poor people coming into their hope and start helping themselves.

So the EU was a nice idea in practice but taking down the borders allowing unlimited access was a stupid idea and may well lead to some horrible "ethnic cleansing" in years to come (and yes I do mean in the UK).

[emmie]

i am not a Little Englander and never have been. Having said that i would like Britain out of the EU. And if you look at Boris's background, family, he has ancestral ties with many nations, not least Turkey. He is saying what many think, some will actively say so, some won't for fear of being lampooned as a Little Englander

[VHG]

Whoops a few typos above (pressed enter before proof reading)

>>>coming into their hope

Hope should be home

One or two other minor ones.

[dannyk13]

The original idea of a common market was a good one, but it has been hi-jacked by empire builders.

[emmie]

it was, but like good ideas they can get out of control. Men in suits have created this situation and men in suits better get us out of this mess.

[jomifl]

So, what is it that the EU has prevented everyone from doing? It made getting out of the UK a lot easier for me.

[youngmafbog]

Fine Jomi, then you stay out of it and let the rest of us who live here decide.

The EU is a pointless bureaucratic gravy train for the likes of Kinnock, Clegg and countless others (regardless of political persuasion before someone starts)

It drains us and floods us will laws that slow us down and immigrants our infrastructure cannot cope.

And for this we have to pay a handsome fee - to be told what to do.

Contrary to the scaremongering of the pro-EU brigade the UK could exist easily without it, and most likely in the long term far better.

Total madness.

[emmie]

one doesn't necessarily want to leave the country, one wants the country to leave the EU. Its a yoke around our necks.

[boxtops]

I voted in last time, I still feel the public at large was misinformed - I'd vote out next time.

[emmie]

i think we have been hoodwinked by some clever rhetoric and some very slippery politicians, who have nothing but their own interests at heart.

[anotheoldgit]

jomifl

/// So, what is it that the EU has prevented everyone from doing? It made getting out of the UK a lot easier for me. ///

And coming in, that is most of the trouble.

[Gromit]

The full article is here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/10533952/Add-the-EU-to-the-list-of-myths-were-brainwashed-to-believe.html

[mushroom25]

I always knew the "mobiles on planes" (referenced in Boris's full article)thing was a myth. "they may interfere with aircraft systems" we are told. If there was any possibility of that happening, mobiles would be confiscated at the gate. But they're not, and never have been.

[modeller]

Whatever the purpose ; the result has been to reduce everything to the lowest common denominator. Every regime in history has collapsed when trying to impose the one size fits all rule.

[jomifl]

ymf, I don't have a vote in the UK, you have to be on the electoral roll to vote, unlike in France where you have to be a citizen and to be one of those you have to be able to speak French. In the UK you can have the vote even when you can't speak English and that cannot be blamed on the EU.

[brionon]

United we stand-divided we fall ??

[ToraToraTora]

The purpose of the EU is to achieve what could not be done in war for 2000 years, subjugate Britain using our own idiots and apathy as weapons.

[mikey4444]

More to the point, what is the point of Boris Johnson ?

He is just keeping himself in the news, just like he did last week over the airport nonsense. He realises that he has to keep making up these sound bites, so that we remember who he is, when he makes a go at the leadership of the Tory Party. Its Boris being very Boris...no more and no less.