EU Referendum in the UK

So right now, MP's in the UK are debating a motion to hold a referendum that could see the UK leave the EU.

Although I would rather not see a referendum because there is a strong chance the masses would vote to leave the EU, In the end I have to agree that if the people want one, they should have it. Democracy and all.

I personally wouldn't mind the UK leaving the EU, but according to David Cameron it would hit us pretty badly in terms of businesses in the country. I generally do believe that most of the British people want to leave the EU, but we will have to wait and see. Though both David Cameron and Ed Miliband don't want to leave the EU, since it's not in the best interest of the people in the United Kingdom, but i doubt that. Renegotiating United Kingdom's position in the EU is in the best interest of most politicians, either it's Labour or Conservative, Lib Dems......most probably.

The fact that both the major parties support EU membership means that a referendum will not happen anytime soon.

Even if the motion passed?

There are around 60 or so Tory rebels who have experessed their intention to vote in favour of a referendum. That's out of 306 Conservative MPs. Couple that with Labour and the Lib Dems, who will almost certainly vote against it, and you can see why the odds don't look good.

More's the pity.

It didn't pass, in case anyone was wondering. Just as well, judging by the sort of people who wanted it.

Even if it had passed it was only a resolution, not binding at all.

Seriously though, we need more integration with Europe, not less. A massive majority of our exports are to Europe and so are much of our imports. Not to mention collective security. Although I agree as a political union it has its flaws and needs reworked we still need to be in the Union to have a voice in its policy.

We need to push for serious reforms..maybe not now..but when the Euro crisis dies down. The UK is predicted to eventually have the largest population in the EU, we should take advantage of it.

I had heard Germany. At any reforms are diffinately neccesary, but pulling out is just a lose lose situation for Britain.

So, most of you are from the UK I gather.
I'd like to pose a question for you: how come, at least generally speaking, the UK despises the EU but absolutely wants to govern in which direction it should go?

The People despise the EU but its the Goverment that want to stay.

I don't know about half the stuff that happens in the US and Europe

Because we don't want someone we dislike to choose our direction for us.

Then why not go back to the 80's kind of stand the UK had on the EU, which was ignoring it entirely and pretending it isn't even there.
Your current stance is frankly kind of like being a dick. The dick that doesn't like anything and complains about everything and when asked for alternative just says even worse things.

I think considering the amount we put into the EU compared with the amount we get out of it, namely a deficit of around 50 millions euros, we're entitled to act like dicks. It's just as well we never joined the euro, otherwise we might be in the sort of mess that larger economies such as Italy now finds itself in, thanks to the gross thievery of a certain other EU member state who shall remain nameless.

50 million Euros isn't that much to be honest. Nowhere near enough to act like dicks.

Personally I think the tabloids and misinformation/lack of education on the EU has taken its toll too. Not the main reason but one of them. I wouldn't be as bothered with the UK leaving the EU as long as I could still move between EU countries easily and the UK became more like Norway or Switzerland, focusing more on the development of the nation as opposed to getting involved in international affairs. It's only a matter of time before people start questioning the UK having a permanent seat in the UN Security Council anyway.

I think considering the amount we put into the EU compared with the amount we get out of it, namely a deficit of around 50 millions euros, we're entitled to act like dicks. It's just as well we never joined the euro, otherwise we might be in the sort of mess that larger economies such as Italy now finds itself in, thanks to the gross thievery of a certain other EU member state who shall remain nameless.[/quote:3t8bmrff]
*cough* Greece *cough*.

The greek people should not suffer for the actions of the capitalist class and its government.

They shouldn't have shorter working days and earlier retirements either if they want to be a part of the EU.

They shouldn't have shorter working days and earlier retirements either if they want to be a part of the EU.[/quote:iqsa1eid]
If you honestly think that was the major issue, blame the capitalist class for being unable to keep the greek people down without excessive benefits.