Should Britain become closer and take a bigger part in the EU? Why do you think so?

Answer 1

Yes because we have to much influence from the USA, leading to higher crime rate, more taxes going on prisons and bombs rather than useful things and a less educated mature society.

Answer 2

In his book "The World We're In", Will Hutton provides a very compelling argument in favour of the single European currency, arguing that it has the potential to buffer countries within the European Union from the pressures of the international markets and thus provide an environment in which social and political progress is more possible.

He illustrates his argument with historical examples from France and Germany of how the freedom of movement of capital can have a disastrous effect on a country that is attempting to underake any policy change to encourage long-term investment or more social commitment. Such a policy necessarily affects the interest rate of the country and hence the exchange rate of its currency against others (especially the dollar): this then becomes a concern for investors, who see the dollar value of their investment in the country decrease in real terms, and so a huge degree of capital flight can occur, thus defeating the original intentions of the policy in the first place. The establishment of a single European currency provides much more of a guard against this kind of thing. Even if a single country within the Union is experiencing a time of hardship, which would cause an increase in the exchange rate of a local currency on the international markets, the effect on the overall Euro exchange rate would be balance out by the other member countries, and hence the risk of capital flight is lowered.

He also argues that a strong European currency would provide a much-needed counter to the dominance of the dollar in world trade. A great deal of the profits of, for example, the major oil-producing countries in the world are held in dollars, because of its unique position as a dominant, stable international currency. This money is then heavily invested in US companies to reduce exchange rate risk, which has a very significant benefit to the US economy. The existence of an alternative stable currency in which money could be invested would force the US onto a more level playing field in the international community.

A conspiracy-minded reader might want to look at the correlation between the countries who are members of the "Axis of Evil", and the countries who have recently considered moving the profits from their oil industries from dollar-based accounts to Euro-based accounts...

Answer 3

No way. There's nothing to gain for the UK. Europe are flushing all their ill's down the Channel Tunnel and we are quietly taking it.

We have spent the last 60 years getting closer to Europe and whilst there has been a peace dividend, we are being taken for a ride. We have more in common with the USA and I would rather form Trading alliances with the USA and Austraila than France and Germany.

The truth is they won't let us take a bigger role because they want to control it all themselves.

Answer 4

Tough choice....erm NO. I just think 'Mainland Europe' vs English thinking and politics is way too different. I feel England acts as a buffer to the EU's decision making, preventing any fast-tracking of laws thats could lead to 'buyers remorse' later on down the line.
Saying that....the british government isn't doing to well in the decision making games are they, at the moment.....

Answer 5

Would the UK be able to foster better relations with China and India in the EU or out of it? Would the UK be better able to build on the present relationships with the US and Australia in the EU or out of it? Does the UK carry equal weight in policy making with France and Germany?

I don't know my answer to your questions, but these are the considerations that would help me reach an answer.

Answer 6

no, we will loose sovereignty and independence and fall victim of an intended dictatorship

think of the proposed constitution...whos laws do you think will be prioritised? not ours! we will have to abide by german and french and belgian laws that bare no relevanceto our own country.

We will have to follow their economic and political systems

and a joint defence force is just a joke!

we are britain we are not just some state in a super-structure...we should find our own way forward and do ti our own way... not under the thumb of people who were born out of a coal industry and decided to expand because power tasted so good!

Answer 7

may be, there should be a United States of Europe. China is becoming more powerful by the year, one day to equal the USA, who it seems, owes China billions of $.

sovereignty doesn't mean much with a Jackboot on your throat. Ask any iraqi

Answer 8

No. we should keep the £. The only thing i want to see further european integration for is to tackle the issue of global warming and poverty in africa.

Answer 9

No, this is where political correctness & human rights laws come from that are extreme