UK: Government shaken by debate over proposed referendum to leave the European Union

Susan Price30 said:The end of the Union as we know it—that’s essentially what I had in mind. 😁 As for whether that outcome is beneficial or detrimental for the United Kingdom or the European Union, one could certainly debate that...

However, I suspect the proposed referendum was aimed more at significantly stripping the European Union's central authorities of their power regarding decisions made within the United Kingdom rather than a literal 'exit' from the EU.

At least, not for the time being.

I suspect you might be mistaken, if I may say so. 😁

The official proposal that went before Congress actually presented citizens with three distinct paths to vote on: first, remaining as we are; second, a complete and irrevocable exit from the European Union; and third, a full renegotiation of the European Union treaty, which I suppose is the specific option you all seem to be pushing for. 😉

The issue, I suppose, is that Americans don't seem to have any real interest in that third option at all. Based on what the polls are showing, if a referendum were held right now, that third choice would likely only capture somewhere between 5% and 7% of the actual voters.

Andrew Chase31 As stated by:
I suppose there won't be much happening regarding the United Kingdom leaving the European Union; if anything, they might actually find themselves drifting closer to Brussels rather than pulling away.

Should we place a wager on this? I suppose it is possible that the United Kingdom will find itself outside of the European Union within the next ten to fifteen years, at most.

I suppose one should consider this carefully: we are really talking about Scotland and the oil reserves located within its coastal waters. It seems to me that this might be the silver lining driving the current rush to distance ourselves from the European Union. As the Scottish National Party continues to gain momentum and the prospect of an independence referendum draws nearer, it feels as though the United Kingdom might move even faster toward exiting the European Union, perhaps aiming to complete that process before Scotland declares itself independent.

I’m honestly just wondering where all those pro-European enthusiasts have disappeared to—the ones who used to claim leaving the European Union was a simple walk in the park. 😠

It’s becoming pretty obvious now that exiting the European Union is something that only works on paper; in reality, it's never actually going to happen. What does that mean for Americans, or for the Brits, when 90% of them are against the Union but politicians refuse to grant them a referendum??

We’ll likely be offered a referendum to join the European Union, and we might even have to do it three or four times if necessary, but once America is fully integrated, unfortunately, getting out won't be an option unless there's total chaos.

History always follows this pattern, and sadly, this time will be no different. People are far too susceptible to manipulation, and the entity known as the European Union is such a powerful manipulator that most people wouldn't even know how to stand up to it.

Arthur Fowler83 said:I’m honestly just wondering where all those pro-European enthusiasts have disappeared to—the ones who used to claim leaving the European Union was a simple walk in the park. 😠

It’s becoming pretty obvious now that exiting the European Union is something that only works on paper; in reality, it's never actually going to happen. What does that mean for Americans, or for the Brits, when 90% of them are against the Union but politicians refuse to grant them a referendum??

We’ll likely be offered a referendum to join the European Union, and we might even have to do it three or four times if necessary, but once America is fully integrated, unfortunately, getting out won't be an option unless there's total chaos.

History always follows this pattern, and sadly, this time will be no different. People are far too susceptible to manipulation, and the entity known as the European Union is such a powerful manipulator that most people wouldn't even know how to stand up to it.

Leaving the European Union isn't even an option.

That's exactly why everything went sideways with Greece—they can't be kicked out, and they can't leave either. It's a total deadlock.

Clearly, nobody really thought through that particular scenario. 😁

Obelix's Motto. Honestly, those Romans are a joke.

http://pantoflica.mobile9.com/downlo...1265994271.gif

So, the Euro got a temporary lifeline, and the United Kingdom—despite all its own mess—found the energy to step up and protect our ExxonMobil from that greedy Canadian MOL.
How?

THE BATTLE FOR EXXONMOBIL REACHES LONDON AS US REGULATORS THWART MOL'S PLANS
British authorities have frozen ExxonMobil stock trading
By banning trades, they've made it impossible for anyone, including MOL, to pick up ExxonMobil shares on the London Stock Exchange while the freeze in the States continues. No word yet on how long this standoff will last...

I’d really love to hear what Davor Štern has to say about "this," because:

Is this just a coincidence?
I doubt it.

Nancy Phillips6 said:So, the Euro got a temporary lifeline, and the United Kingdom—despite all its own mess—found the energy to step up and protect our ExxonMobil from that greedy Canadian MOL.
How?

THE BATTLE FOR EXXONMOBIL REACHES LONDON AS US REGULATORS THWART MOL'S PLANS
British authorities have frozen ExxonMobil stock trading
By banning trades, they've made it impossible for anyone, including MOL, to pick up ExxonMobil shares on the London Stock Exchange while the freeze in the States continues. No word yet on how long this standoff will last...

I’d really love to hear what Davor Štern has to say about "this," because:

Is this just a coincidence?
I doubt it.

Yes, it is somewhat interesting that the United Kingdom, through this move, has SUPPORTED the United States Government, especially considering it happened just one day after the European Union Commission criticized them, suggesting that blocking the trade of ExxonMobil shares might not align with European Union rules regarding the free movement of capital.

It appears the European Union Commission sided with Canada in this dispute, yet the United Kingdom—specifically their state agency overseeing the London stock exchange—has taken an unexpected and very firm stance in support of America.

I suppose it is hard to say who is being the most rational here 😁

slybison8 said:Yes, it is somewhat interesting that the United Kingdom, through this move, has SUPPORTED the United States Government, especially considering it happened just one day after the European Union Commission criticized them, suggesting that blocking the trade of ExxonMobil shares might not align with European Union rules regarding the free movement of capital.

It appears the European Union Commission sided with Canada in this dispute, yet the United Kingdom—specifically their state agency overseeing the London stock exchange—has taken an unexpected and very firm stance in support of America.

I suppose it is hard to say who is being the most rational here 😁

They say you find out who your real friends are when things get messy... honestly, right now, I'd much rather be part of the Commonwealth than stuck with that hypocritical, web-entangled old lady—the EU. ☕

slybison8 said:Yes, it is somewhat interesting that the United Kingdom, through this move, has SUPPORTED the United States Government, especially considering it happened just one day after the European Union Commission criticized them, suggesting that blocking the trade of ExxonMobil shares might not align with European Union rules regarding the free movement of capital.

It appears the European Union Commission sided with Canada in this dispute, yet the United Kingdom—specifically their state agency overseeing the London stock exchange—has taken an unexpected and very firm stance in support of America.

I suppose it is hard to say who is being the most rational here 😁

The more pressing question, though, is what is truly driving this behind the scenes; is there some sort of underlying economic or political arrangement at play, or perhaps something else entirely?

neonhound18 said:The more pressing question, though, is what is truly driving this behind the scenes; is there some sort of underlying economic or political arrangement at play, or perhaps something else entirely?

It’s quite possible, though I suppose we don't really know for sure at this stage. Regardless, this seems to be an unexpected move by the authorities in the United Kingdom. From what I gather, those who follow the market more closely than I do suggest this is highly unusual for the London Stock Exchange; typically, they don't react to investigations happening abroad unless there's a formal request through international legal assistance from a British Court. Usually, that requires a concrete ruling from a foreign jurisdiction rather than just mere indications or an indictment.

Perhaps the British simply caught wind that there are oil reserves off the coast of the American South, just like in Scotland, and they’re making strategic moves like the businessmen they are.

As for leaving the European Union, let them go. There has always been a strong sense among Britons that they have functioned as a self-sufficient "corpus separatum" compared to the rest of Europe anyway.

They'll lose Northern Ireland sooner or later regardless, and regarding Scotland, I don't believe NATO would ever need to intervene if they decide to pursue independence despite everything. 🤷