Going On The News Just Now

[emmie]

can someone, anyone explain what exactly is the fundamental reason we will still have to give the EU 39 billion - its going to be more than that according to the Live Commons debate, though i don't know how much more.
there is no link as such, i would just like to know.

[Jackdaw33]

The fundamental reason is that we still have this gutless hag as PM. Brutus, where are you when needed?

[emmie]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-46261924

[cassa333]

Because TM is an idiot.

Some would say it is simply what we owe and (if not legally) morally we should pay it.

I on the other hand think we should bill them for the projects we are going to be locked out of that we have paid into as well as our share of the wine cellars and buildings etc.

[emmie]

Jack
doesn't exactly explain, i would want her gone but she isn't, unless there is a vote of no confidence.

[emmie]

why do we have to pay it, what is it for?

[spathiphyllum]

Because brexit means brexit

[Hopkirk]

It is due to spending commitments we agreed to when a full member, and ongoing costs related to our time as a member such as huge pensions.

I don't think anyone in government seriously believes we can walk away and pay nothing.

[Mamyalynne]

https://fullfact.org/europe/eu-divorce-bill/

[Jackdaw33]

A vote of no confidence is in the pipeline, mark my words.

[emmie]

"The divorce bill is not binding until parliament approves the withdrawal agreement. "

So if they say no deal, does that mean we still pay this money>

[jim360]

Probably not all of it but even in a "no deal" scenario, some of it would still be owed. However, the knock-on consequences, to the UK's reputation and economy, would not be worth a £39 billion saving.

[Ellipsis]

Yes. It reflects our commitments.

A country that goes back on its commitments would find it hard to do deals in future. Also, as nationals of that country, we may find it encouraging that commitments to pay things to us, like for example pensions, will be honoured rather than reneged upon.

[ichkeria]

We could of course walk away and pay nothing but who would ever trust us again?

[DTCwordfan]

we will continue to have obligations if a no deal - could be more expensive.

On the other hand, if Italy goes titts-up and it's on the edge of implositon then we could write their debt off to us which is just about the same amount......On the other hand, they owe the French over 300 bln - so that could be devastating, the only practical solution is that the EU then creates its own debt mountain which would help Germany out as their current surplus is outside EU finance parameters - and this also justifies us doing a debt swap by write-off over Italy.

[cassa333]

It is supposedly for our share of projects we have signed up to and our ( ‘future’) obligations to pensions for UKEU workers.

It is in fact for nothing and they undoubtedly owe us money but TM is full of desperation to stay so have allowed the EU to write and dictate the withdrawal agreement.

[emmie]

Ickeria
i don't know, but its an awful lot of money that could be used for example the NHS, social care, young people, the list is endless.

[Jackdaw33]

I find it very depressing to see so many people on AB so keen to kiss the EU's Rse.

[emmie]

Dtc sounds complicated, not sure if i can get my head round that..

[cassa333]

Most of the world (Economically) is watching this. If we walk away and pay nothing with a full explanation of why the rest would understand that.

However to capitulate and pay over the odds and the world will look on and know the UK is a soft touch and every con man government will do its best to do the same.

Stand strong, hold your nerve and prove your worth rather than trying to buy it but get no return.

[hereIam]

^ Me too ..