Should Britain leave the EU?
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Should Britain leave the EU?
Debate current medical affairs
I know this is not a strictly medical discussion but there is a lot of talk about whether the British government will pull out of the European Union (or at least hold a referendum) and I thought it m
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Forums » Off duty » News & media » Should Britain leave the EU?
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Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 10:06 AM GMT
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 1444
First: 7/4/2011 Last: 21/5/2013 |
I know this is not a strictly medical discussion but there is a lot of talk about whether the British government will pull out of the European Union (or at least hold a referendum) and I thought it might be interesting to host a straw poll on what doctors think about it. There are vociferous arguments on both sides. Those for leaving the EU are tired of the ever creeping powers of the EU impinging on the UK’s laws and economy. Whilst those who wish to stay in the EU think it would be economic suicide to leave the EU and that we need to keep the partnership alive for trade and diplomatic reasons. I read a quote from Angela Merkel over the weekend, which said that Europe accounts for 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s GDP. This is quite staggering but is it sustainable with the rise of the BRICS countries? If Britain leaves the EU, it may be free from some of the laws imposed by the EU, but will we be cut adrift in other ways – would this be damaging for Britain? Is this an unnecessary distraction? And, what impact do you think it could have on health, if any? |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 10:40 AM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1266
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
Funny how the Tories want the UK out of Europe but not Scotland out of the UK. Anyway I voted "no" but it's precisely this type of little Englander anti-Europeanism that makes me more convinced Scotland would be better off as an independent nation within the EU. |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 2:17 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2047
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
America wants us in - ask your self why? First, they do NOT want a time expired colonial power hanging on its coat tails, a poor relation offering to support its policies in return for completely inequitable support for the UK. Just as the UK STILL makes jokes against the Germans, the French and the Italians that stem from WW2, there is a small but vociferous minority that thinks we are still an Imperial power. We do need to ally with other powers but to do so with the overwhelming USA would be ridiculous. The US knows it - why can't our Coalition? John |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 2:23 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 522
First: 6/9/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: Should Britain leave the EU?: Funny how the Tories want the UK out of Europe but not Scotland out of the UK. Anyway I voted "no" but it's precisely this type of little Englander anti-Europeanism that makes me more convinced Scotland would be better off as an independent nation within the EU. Posted by skyesteve That´s for the UK to decide, but I´d miss you !! Steve, is Scotland leaving the UK a realistic scenario ?? From a continental point of view, it seems an unusual idea. Most European countries are patchwork and a tendency back to "small is beautiful" is a bit retro to me. Germany, in Goethe´s time, consisted of over 1000 small kingdoms, dukedoms etc. My part of the country fought on Napoleons side ( most of the rest didn´t, as you know). After 1946, when the current state was formed, counties that didn´t like each other were made into federal states ( eg Baden and Württemberg). Although I do know some Bavarians who, tongue in cheek, demand that at least the southern part of their state would be better off joining Austria there are no serious efforts to achieve separatism. I know too little about the Scotland issue, and maybe it´s not the place to discuss this here, as Matthew already hinted about the EU Q, but I´d like to know more... |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 2:23 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 522
First: 6/9/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: Should Britain leave the EU?: Funny how the Tories want the UK out of Europe but not Scotland out of the UK. Anyway I voted "no" but it's precisely this type of little Englander anti-Europeanism that makes me more convinced Scotland would be better off as an independent nation within the EU. Posted by skyesteve That´s for the UK to decide, but I´d miss you !! Steve, is Scotland leaving the UK a realistic scenario ?? From a continental point of view, it seems an unusual idea. Most European countries are patchwork and a tendency back to "small is beautiful" is a bit retro to me. Germany, in Goethe´s time, consisted of over 1000 small kingdoms, dukedoms etc. My part of the country fought on Napoleons side ( most of the rest didn´t, as you know). After 1946, when the current state was formed, counties that didn´t like each other were made into federal states ( eg Baden and Württemberg). Although I do know some Bavarians who, tongue in cheek, demand that at least the southern part of their state would be better off joining Austria there are no serious efforts to achieve separatism. I know too little about the Scotland issue, and maybe it´s not the place to discuss this here, as Matthew already hinted about the EU Q, but I´d like to know more... |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 3:03 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1266
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
No problem Carolin. Firstly I do not look at the Scottish issue from a party political point of view (although independence would guarantee we never have another Conservative Party government which is in itself quite an appealing prospect!). I am not and never have been a member of any political party so no axe to grind from that point of view. I see Scotland as something of an "adolescent" nation. We criticise our parental neighbour (England) at every opportunity yet when we are asked to grow up, shed the chips we have on both shoulders and actually become an "adult" nation looking after itself and being responsible for itself people start running scared - classic adolescent behaviour I think you'll agree! I look with envy at sucessful small nations like Norway or Denmark - both small, wealthy, more equitable and stable and both very similar to Scotland in terms of geography, natural resources, cultrual history, etc. I think Scotland could turn out like that if it were to go it alone - that's what I hope. Of course there is always the risk we could end up a basket case like Ireland but I think that is unlikely for a nation responsible for so many inventions, innovations and ideas we take for granted in the world today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_inventions_and_discoveries We all ready have a separate legal system, judicial system, police force, education system, financial system (including currency), health service, civil service, land ownership legislation, local Government system, etc., etc. So why not just go the full hog? Will Scotland vote for independence? I don't think we will sadly. But if we do will we be better off? I think in the long term we may be but in the short term we may be worse off or make a mess - but at least then these will be our problems to solve and we'll have no-one else to blame and we can finally stand on our own two feet and call oursleves an adult nation. |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 4:40 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 522
First: 6/9/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
This is interesting. I thought Ireland was doing quite well at least until recently....of Scottish inventions I have heard , of course, during my one and only stay there - so there´s a lot in common with our "co-state" Swabia, famous for inventions, too. They don´t ask for separation, though. |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 4:58 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1266
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
I think perhaps the difference is that Scotland was a nation state for over 700 years prior to an undemocratic and unpopular union with England driven though by those whose really stood to gain from it (the aristocratic minority) in 1707. A bit simplistic of course but generally true. There are other developed nations where parts have similar aspirations to independence - Cataluyna in Spain and Quebec in Canada being current "hot" topics. I know it sounds barmy but I want independence for Scotland because I wish closer co-operation and integration with my European neighbours and it's quite clear we will never get that as part of the UK. I really think it could be a win-win situation all round, even for the other constituent parts of the UK. |
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 15/1/2013 5:22 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 68
First: 29/8/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: Should Britain leave the EU?: No problem Carolin. Firstly I do not look at the Scottish issue from a party political point of view (although independence would guarantee we never have another Conservative Party government which is in itself quite an appealing prospect!). I am not and never have been a member of any political party so no axe to grind from that point of view. I see Scotland as something of an "adolescent" nation. We criticise our parental neighbour (England) at every opportunity yet when we are asked to grow up, shed the chips we have on both shoulders and actually become an "adult" nation looking after itself and being responsible for itself people start running scared - classic adolescent behaviour I think you'll agree! I look with envy at sucessful small nations like Norway or Denmark - both small, wealthy, more equitable and stable and both very similar to Scotland in terms of geography, natural resources, cultrual history, etc. I think Scotland could turn out like that if it were to go it alone - that's what I hope. Of course there is always the risk we could end up a basket case like Ireland but I think that is unlikely for a nation responsible for so many inventions, innovations and ideas we take for granted in the world today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_inventions_and_discoveries We all ready have a separate legal system, judicial system, police force, education system, financial system (including currency), health service, civil service, land ownership legislation, local Government system, etc., etc. So why not just go the full hog? Will Scotland vote for independence? I don't think we will sadly. But if we do will we be better off? I think in the long term we may be but in the short term we may be worse off or make a mess - but at least then these will be our problems to solve and we'll have no-one else to blame and we can finally stand on our own two feet and call oursleves an adult nation. Posted by skyesteve Of course the EU may not accept an independent Scotland, or England (plus or minus Wales and Northern Ireland) for membership. The chances of such an independent nation needing a bale-out may outway any advantages to the EU of it joining
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Re: Should Britain leave the EU?
posted at 16/1/2013 6:47 AM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2947
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 29/4/2013 |
You used to eat cheap New Zealand lamb once and Australian butter. You had a Commonwealth of Nations which GB established and then forsook for another woman. We fed you during the war and your soldiers fought in Australian wool. We took post-war refugees by the millions. |
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