tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post7610378864980635120..comments2024-03-18T15:52:46.631+00:00Comments on Liberal England: Tim Farron sets out the Lib Dem plan for Britain in EuropeJonathan Calderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-49591902182881484592016-09-08T15:24:23.769+01:002016-09-08T15:24:23.769+01:00"Indeed, that would be the question on the ba...<i>"Indeed, that would be the question on the ballot. Voters should be allowed to choose between a new treaty with the EU (which might include commitments which they would find objectionable) and the so-called WTO option."</i><br /><br />That would be possible, but it's obviously not what Farron is advocating. He says:<br />"So when people are given that choice [i.e. in the second referendum], I intend to make the case loudly and clearly that we believe Britain should stay in the European Union."<br />http://www.libdemvoice.org/tim-farron-mp-writesa-liberal-democrat-plan-for-britain-in-europe-51770.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-20740449342528194882016-09-08T15:16:53.282+01:002016-09-08T15:16:53.282+01:00"In that context, Lib Dem policy looks like a..."In that context, Lib Dem policy looks like a reasonable alternative to the dictatorial secrecy emanating from No10."<br /><br />It's not reasonable at all, because once Article 50 is invoked the British government will not have the power to halt the process.<br /><br />That's not to say anything about the Leave case in the referendum we've just had was reasonable or honest. But, as you say, "We are where we are."<br /><br />By advocating a policy that is actually impossible to implement, Farron is simply making himself look foolish - and opting out of the crucial debate about what kind of relationship Britain should have with the EU in the future.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-22639412272286900322016-09-08T12:15:49.779+01:002016-09-08T12:15:49.779+01:00> The only choice will be whether to take the d...> The only choice will be whether to take the deal that's on offer,<br />> or leave without any deal at all.<br />Indeed, that would be the question on the ballot. Voters should be allowed to choose between a new treaty with the EU (which might include commitments which they would find objectionable) and the so-called WTO option.<br />Frank Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447989626809704972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-71473725073411902842016-09-08T10:38:19.113+01:002016-09-08T10:38:19.113+01:00Well, pretending to the public that we could simul...Well, pretending to the public that we could simultaneously choose an asymetric 'perfect' trade deal of our liking, block migrants, continue to drive down wages, spend more money on the NHS and see no change to esiting EU-funded projects was pretty stupid, in my book.<br /><br />There should have at least been the outline of a deal on the table. Without it, expecting the country to endorse a leap in the dark without further democratic review is well, expecting a lot of the popular trust in the executive.<br /><br />A post-Article 50 referendum is not ideal. But we are where we are, and a post-article-50 unconsulted back-room-stitch-up fait accompli, with said Article being triggered by Prime Ministerial whim rather than by parliamentary mandate, is so far from ideal, it's insane. <br /><br />In that context, Lib Dem policy looks like a reasonable alternative to the dictatorial secrecy emanating from No10.Matt (Bristol)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-26281278021066200642016-09-08T00:22:10.420+01:002016-09-08T00:22:10.420+01:00This policy of a second referendum makes no sense ...This policy of a second referendum makes no sense at all.<br /><br />If Article 50 is invoked, then legally Britain's membership of the EU will be bound to end two years later at most, unless there is unanimous agreement in the European Council to postpone Britain's exit.<br /><br />In those circumstances the British government cannot offer the electorate the option of remaining in the EU. It will be out of our hands. The only choice will be whether to take the deal that's on offer, or leave without any deal at all.<br /><br />Pretending otherwise is dishonest and stupid. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com