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by pjc50 2941 days ago
> When Britain exits the EU

This is looking less and less certain every day, not helped by the fact that the government has absolutely no idea what it wants or how to achieve it while increasing numbers of people point out that the "no deal" option results in total chaos: food shortages within a week etc.
2 comments
pjmlp 2941 days ago
I still believe even if happens, UK will eventually end up in a situation similar to Norway, Switzerland, with bilateral agreements, not changing that much in practice.
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fwdpropaganda 2941 days ago
Out of interest, why do you believe that?

I have no strong opinion either way. But I was wondering if your belief isn't motivated more by your familiarity (with those scenarios) than anything else.

Personally I would note that in those examples you mentioned you have freedom of movement, which to me seems isn't a politically unacceptable solution in the UK.

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pjmlp 2941 days ago
Not sure.

Yeah, I am familiar with those scenarios, which kind of allow those countries to benefit from EU agreements without losing too much of their independence, in comparison with other European countries.

I am also regularly in the UK, and for many people it wasn't clear what being outside EU meant regarding European companies with HQ in UK.

Having such agreements would allow a kind of win-win situation, leaving EU while allowing many of those businesses to stay in UK.

That is just a personal opinion, in any case I don't have any vote in UK matters.

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AnimalMuppet 2941 days ago
Off topic, but: I thought it was certain? That is, I thought that, once Britain invoked Article 50 (?), they were out in two years, guaranteed, no stopping the process, with the only question being what the new situation would be. Is there a path from here that doesn't result in exit?

I agree that the government doesn't know how to achieve anything positive out of the situation...

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detaro 2941 days ago
It seems like if UK and EU agree (which institutions exactly is a good question) the Article 50 notice can be revoked, at least there's lots of support of that opinion around: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_from_the_European_U...

Maybe it can be done unilaterally too.

Even if that weren't the case, I think it'd theoretically be possible for EU and UK to have an exit agreement retaining full cooperation, the UK leaving and immediately applying for membership again. That process could be quick, if everyone (which in this case would involve all member states) agrees about it... but could also be a point where some governments might try to strip the UK of privileges from it's current membership.

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