UK/EU - Osborne says EU treaty veto helps protect UK interests

Usually have opinions on these kinds of things, but I have no idea what to think of recent events. Can't even get a toe-hold. I do support full integration, just love the idea of "Europe"...but it is odd to see something like this happen in such a short period of time with so little engagement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16122895

Well, I didn't vote for this bunch of toffs, crooks and fools. And I'll never, ever think of voting Lib Dem again. And I think it will be very bad both for the UK and the EU, of which I am proud to have become a citizen.

Where it says "UK interests" substitute "banks" to make it more accurate.  For even more accuracy, change it to "banks run by extremely wealthy men who went to school with members of the current Tory government".

It definitely makes me feel unsettled. I'm here as a Swiss citizen, so for me it hits a bit closer to home as my residency is tied to EU treaties. Not that I think they'd sever those kinds of ties - they'd be foolish to (and just think of all the British expats that would be impacted, there would be mutiny!), but it does sit quite uneasy with me. By stepping out of this part of things, they're relinquishing control more than they realise.

I look forward to the time when I can become a British citizen, so I can make sure at least one person never votes Lib Dem or Tory

From what little I know of it, it really did seem like David was just trying to protect his bank friend's interests. It seems like the EU was trying to create stronger financial regulation and David goes and opts out. How is that in our best interest?

How is that in our best interest?

These are Tories, remember. With a cosmetic dressing of Lib Dem idiots (who will be toast come the next General Election). When did they ever do anything in our interest?

I don't know. Would it haven been in the UK's interest to lose sovereignty and allow their banks to be run by Brussels? I think that would have made me more nervous!

I don't know. Would it haven been in the UK's interest to lose sovereignty and allow their banks to be run by Brussels? I think that would have made me more nervous!

It's not as simple as that. We live in a connected world. The idea that some kind of imaginary "sovereignty" will save the UK from world economic forces is a dangerous one. It always seems odd to me how many Euro-sceptics seem to see threats to the UK's "sovereignty" emanating from Brussels when they are oblivious to the much greater ones coming from another (opposite) direction (i.e. when Washington snaps its fingers they roll over and allow their tummies to be tickled). Just my opinion.

just been dinking around the site and noticed this thread , american`s  would probably not see the problem with a fully intergrated europe. but i know as an english man the vast majority of people would vote against being intergrated, if there was a referendum. the powers that be know that if they should even think of it they would be voted out as soon as possible by a huge majority in fact it would probably cause riots. hence the prime ministers stance. 

just been dinking around

Hmmmmm.....

just been dinking around the site and noticed this thread , american`s  would probably not see the problem with a fully intergrated europe. but i know as an english man the vast majority of people would vote against being intergrated, if there was a referendum. the powers that be know that if they should even think of it they would be voted out as soon as possible by a huge majority in fact it would probably cause riots. hence the prime ministers stance. 

I agree and I am an American that has been educated by a very intelligent, broadminded Englishman.

Well, I thoroughly don't agree and I think the numerous spelling mistakes and weird punctuation spell "troll" (someone playing devil's advocate).

What does it matter, it is all opinions and we all have them.

Well, I thoroughly don't agree and I think the numerous spelling mistakes and weird punctuation spell "troll" (someone playing devil's advocate).

They've been active on the site before, so calling them a 'troll' based on their spelling and grammar is more than a little rude. Even non-trolls, such as myself, can disagree with you. The UK would never leave the EU (nor should they), but this idea of the United States of Europe doesn't jive with me nor with a lot of other people.

The UK would never leave the EU (nor should they), but this idea of the United States of Europe doesn't jive with me nor with a lot of other people.

I agree.  I'm not anti-Europe at all, and I'm certainly not anti-bank regulation.  But I would prefer us to regulate on our own terms (even though I realize that's unlikely to happen).  It just seems too much to sign up to that.

The pundits say the UK will be marginalized.  I'm sure they said that when we didn't join the Euro too, but I think most people are now glad that we didn't join.  I guess we'll see what happens.  It may be a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't.