Maybe this has been asked before, I don't know, but was just wondering what the position should be of the UK towards the European Union and the USA?
Under Tony Blair, there was a very, very close relationship with the USA, even slavishly so it could be said. This seemed less so under Brown, likewise now with Cameron.
As for the EU, geographically it is nearer to the UK and it is a large trading partner however the fact that the UK also trades with other countries shouldn't be lost site of. Also, to tie yourself to closely to one wider organisation might not be the best thing as when things go wrong you don't have as much room for manoeuver. Countries in the single currency (which admittedly the UK isn't), can't go for, say, devaluation if they hit hard times.
Thoughts?
What should be the position of the UK towards a) the European Union and b) the USA?
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medicinehat1
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:27 pm
What should be the position of the UK towards a) the European Union and b) the USA?
medicinehat1;1322527 wrote: Maybe this has been asked before, I don't know, but was just wondering what the position should be of the UK towards the European Union and the USA?
Under Tony Blair, there was a very, very close relationship with the USA, even slavishly so it could be said. This seemed less so under Brown, likewise now with Cameron.
As for the EU, geographically it is nearer to the UK and it is a large trading partner however the fact that the UK also trades with other countries shouldn't be lost site of. Also, to tie yourself to closely to one wider organisation might not be the best thing as when things go wrong you don't have as much room for manoeuver. Countries in the single currency (which admittedly the UK isn't), can't go for, say, devaluation if they hit hard times.
Thoughts?
Having burnt our bridges as far as trading with the Commonwaelth is concerned and tied our future to the EU it would be suicidal for us to cut those ties during the current economic downturn.
On the other hand, keeping the Pound gives us some freedom of manouver and converting to the Euro would be equally bad at this point on the basis of cost to country, cost to commerce, cost to the individual and loss of independent fiscal policy.
Under Tony Blair, there was a very, very close relationship with the USA, even slavishly so it could be said. This seemed less so under Brown, likewise now with Cameron.
As for the EU, geographically it is nearer to the UK and it is a large trading partner however the fact that the UK also trades with other countries shouldn't be lost site of. Also, to tie yourself to closely to one wider organisation might not be the best thing as when things go wrong you don't have as much room for manoeuver. Countries in the single currency (which admittedly the UK isn't), can't go for, say, devaluation if they hit hard times.
Thoughts?
Having burnt our bridges as far as trading with the Commonwaelth is concerned and tied our future to the EU it would be suicidal for us to cut those ties during the current economic downturn.
On the other hand, keeping the Pound gives us some freedom of manouver and converting to the Euro would be equally bad at this point on the basis of cost to country, cost to commerce, cost to the individual and loss of independent fiscal policy.
What should be the position of the UK towards a) the European Union and b) the USA?
not sure anymore,,,I fear a big rift is coming between the UK and America as we (UK) become more Liberal and the USA becomes more conservative,, I hope I am wrong.. as for the EU,,, I personally feel no affiinity towards that 'big bad wolf'....sooooo,,, back to the commonwealth I suppose...I actually feel that Blair did us more harm with USA, EU and the World than anyone... He, it appears,, had a crucial role in the release of the Lockerbie bomber...and separated us from Europe on the Iraqi war....
What should be the position of the UK towards a) the European Union and b) the USA?
We need to stop deluding ourselves there is any kind of special relationship with the USA and start taking care of our own interests. With Tony Blair, ah well I would like to see him in jail along with all the MP's that knew he lied to them and still didn't have the guts to speak out.
Our biggest trading partner is the EU, it's one of the major economic trading blocs on the planet and we can't afford not to be involved. The EU can survive without the UK it's debatable the UK would survive without the EU. We would still have to obey European directives and the like with no say in what they were. You could probably say goodbye to all inward investment if we pull out. Yes we do trade with other nations what a pity successive governments have forgotten that to trade yo actually need to produce things. Surely no one is still daft enough to think we can survive as a service economy? I remember the UK going on bended knees to the EEC to gain membership when we could have been right there at the outset.
Our biggest trading partner is the EU, it's one of the major economic trading blocs on the planet and we can't afford not to be involved. The EU can survive without the UK it's debatable the UK would survive without the EU. We would still have to obey European directives and the like with no say in what they were. You could probably say goodbye to all inward investment if we pull out. Yes we do trade with other nations what a pity successive governments have forgotten that to trade yo actually need to produce things. Surely no one is still daft enough to think we can survive as a service economy? I remember the UK going on bended knees to the EEC to gain membership when we could have been right there at the outset.
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Clodhopper
- Posts: 5115
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:11 pm
What should be the position of the UK towards a) the European Union and b) the USA?
A) We should have joined way back. It was the malice of De Gaulle that kept us out at first and we've struggled with that relationship ever since. Now? I think we need them and they need us.
B) Good friends. Sometimes it seems we have got to the state where we don't really trust the USA, and the USA seems to wonder why they are bothering about us. I trust the American people far more, but a lot of them still seem to regard Britain as the Old Enemy. It's worth remembering that no two countries have achieved what we (Brits and Americans) achieved in WW2 - no two countries have EVER merged their military and industrial efforts so closely and made it work so well. I suspect Afganistan is having an effect. Don't yet know what the overall effect will be, but I did note that the US was prepared to accept British military leadership (if only for a few days) while they sorted out their political issues. That's unusual for them.
B) Good friends. Sometimes it seems we have got to the state where we don't really trust the USA, and the USA seems to wonder why they are bothering about us. I trust the American people far more, but a lot of them still seem to regard Britain as the Old Enemy. It's worth remembering that no two countries have achieved what we (Brits and Americans) achieved in WW2 - no two countries have EVER merged their military and industrial efforts so closely and made it work so well. I suspect Afganistan is having an effect. Don't yet know what the overall effect will be, but I did note that the US was prepared to accept British military leadership (if only for a few days) while they sorted out their political issues. That's unusual for them.
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