Well, at the moment you might be 'leaving' but the EU has called all of the shots during the so called 'negotiations'. So, old boy, the worst of both worlds for you is on track.

Regarding those that don't 'like' the EU, they've never understood the very basics of the EU, a very typical fear of change even if when it's for the better.

Even I didn't predict the number of u-turns that have been made so far and remember, many, many more still to be made during the next 18 months. Still, I'm impressed with the brave face you and your ilk are putting on despite many of the 'brexit' demands being pushed into the gutter by the EU. How long can you keep that face before it cracks?

Edited by europalace (20 Mar 2018 4.56am)

yeah, sure you're delighted, as delighted as that buffoon Jacob Rees-Mogg, who apparently is going to be on a boat in the Thames throwing in dead fish. Couldn't make that up if I tried, hilarious. If it was the French fishermen they would have blockaded Calais and all other channel ports in protest. That's real passion which is the big, big differentiator between the UK and the rest of Europe. It's also the reason why the EU group of 27 sovereign nations are walking all over the UK in these so called 'negotiations'.

Still, keep a stiff upper lip old chap, well for at least another 18 months.

Regarding 'Europhiles', not me, I just live in countries that give me the best quality of life that I can find. I discovered so many great places in continental Europe and in doing so, debunked many of the EU conspiracy theories that are rammed down people's throats in the UK. Currently in Thailand for a few months potentially eyeing up our next move for the family. We'll see, plenty of choices out there and always keep open minded to learn more about other countries by going and living in them.

Yep, hits a very big nerve with some on here I see by the predicted responses of derisive denial.

Immigration numbers won't change once we've left, they might just come from outside the EU (Africa, Asia etc).

In terms of control, we won't be getting much of that back either. The government seems to be keen to leave plenty of it vested in the EU (which we will have no say on) or give it away to US etc in return for questionable trade deals, or give it directly to whitehall departments and not accountable to parliament.

Not entirely happy about the transition deal I think we have given away too much. That said if this means we are out at the end of it I can live with it.

The key negotiation is ahead of us, what will the UK - EU look like post Brexit. That is when I will make my final judgement on May and Davis.

One more point

Maybe - but not a great time to be leading the Tories in my view.

In the year to September 2017 net immigration from the EU to the UK fell to 90,000, while non-EU net immigration to the UK was 205000. This is likely to continue both before and after the UK leaves the EU fully on 1st January 2021.
India has claimed as a part of any post EU trade deal with the UK they will require it to be easier for workers from India to move to the UK. The majority of Indians are Hindu or Sikh, but there are 172 million Muslims in India, far more than there are in the EU, so how does that square with your desire to stop Muslim immigration to the UK?

I used to be immortal

It's a small step nothing more.

It's about the principle of immigration and a rejection of governmental policy towards it over decades. If we had voted 'remain' people like you would no doubt be saying that it's proof that people didn't feel strongly about this issue.

As you say India is a majority Hindu country. Most of our Muslims come from pakistan and Bangladesh.

Culturally the typical middle class Indian who could afford to come here doesn't concern me that much. If he fulfills a skills base that our own workers can't and seriously wants to integrate instead of using us as an economic convenience then ok.

However, I strongly support the.....much stated principle of getting net immigration down to tens of thousands to a level significantly below the rate of house building in this country.

Anyone not supporting that is apart of the problem in my eyes.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Bit of a fuss this morning as the blue passport will be made by a French / Dutch company. As A Brexit voter I am OK with this. I voted to leave not to cut all ties with the world and if theirs was the superior bid so be it.

The British company were not happy but their spokesman was unable to explain why their bid was substantially higher and waffled that the government should take other things into consideration. (I think he meant we're British so never mind the cost we should have got it)

Hopefully the government will point to this decision as proof we intend to continue trading with our European partners.

One more point

The French firm was apparently £50m cheaper than the British.Do we pay the extra just to keep it in house?