Does Britain suck?

[monktus]

We don't want Blair and Brown either ora. Bear in mind that breaking up the union doesn't mean living in isolation. Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland would all remain within the EU and John Reid's visions of barbed wire and passports at the border are ludicrous (not to mention contrary to European law). While the EU isn't perfect either, as European citizens we're free to live, work and trade anywhere we want, and that wouldn't change in the event of the UK dissolving.

[reed]

Hey, this all sounds like France. At least this is one of the up and coming election debates....crime, immigration, etc..
Did you know that one of the largest influx of immigrants to France in the EC come from Britain. More an affair of good stock options, cash flow and taking over the place then economical/political problems like in Eastern Europe(Polish plumbers and Rumanian Tinkers, for example, although the eldorado for these folks, amongst others, is still the UK).
One only needs to look at realestate offices in Bergerac or Brittany or Province. They are all in English now. Direct flights from London to Pau for example are cheaper then Paris-Pau. And so forth.
I don't see the UK in such a dark light (smart move to not be in the Euro sphere though), but then again I don't live there. I just visit. One thing is sure "certain" Brits are moving to the continent in numbers. Good luck. Last one turns off the lights.

[monktus]

I don't see immigration as a problem reed. Scotland especially needs skilled workers, as does the rest of the UK, and those coming over from Poland, Lithuania and other countries are valued by our employers because of their strong work ethic. I was discussing this on another forum and somebody jokingly suggested swapping Britain's working class for Poland's. He had a point though, I don't want to tar everybody with the same brush as I know it can be hard to find a job and most of those on benefits need the help, but we have far too many lazy swines in the UK living off the state.

The things that will make me leave the country if they get worse are the erosion of civil liberties and high taxation for little in return. I view the dissolution of the UK as the best solution to these issues however I'm quite willing to jump ship and move to Ireland in the meantime.

[reed]

monktus
I don't see the immigration side either. I was trying to illustrate why folks are leaving the UK...whereas those from Eastern Europe and elsewhere are breaking their nuts to get in. This is a political debate here in France, thats all. I come from a country built on immigration so I have nothing to say. What I find amusing is the number of Brits "fleeing" their country.
Ireland is very "in" for young French workers, by the way. Good pay, less taxes (compared to here), great people. Like in Scotland and Wales.
I suppose the grass is always greener on the otherside of the fence. We all are tempted to push off and try someplace "better."
Not always easy. Cheers.

[monktus]

Ah I see, sorry I misunderstood you there.

[MrTAToad]

The problem is we're too entwined with Europe, and thus wasting our money. It also doesn't help that Blair prefers to help other countries and not England.

Aside from that its a pretty nice country to live in, especially if your in the country.

[monktus]

Just to remind you MrTAToad that UK != England. However much I dislike Blair and his administration, he is still Prime Minister of the UK, not England. Once the union is dissolved then I'm sure England could try and pull out of the EU if it wanted to, however it would be incredibly complicated and costly, and would basically be fiscal suicide.

[MrTAToad]

Last time I looked, he was still the Prime Minister of England. He's also the PM of the rest of the UK (unfortunately).

Note that England, excludes Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

United Kingdom (aka Great Britain) includes Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.