15 Jun 2016 07:45:12
Good morning Eds. Question for ed02 if I may? Totally unrelated to football.

At the risk of you saying
"not on this page", or "we don't discuss that",
I was wondering what your thoughts were on the EU referendum?

I don't particularly care what camp you're in, but you seem like a smart cookie and wondered whether you could give us your opinion on what would potentially happen to the economy etc if we were to leave the EU?

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I don't have a camp Mr T as I am not allowed to vote - so my view makes little difference. I know a people whose opinions I respect who are divided as to which way is the best way forward. The recent news that Britain will need to pay child support for immigrants will push many more in to the leave camp. And regardless of that, control of immigration sits as key to the Exit supporters. There are strong arguments to stay as well but it may well be time for change in Europe - not just Britain. If Britain were to vote to leave and then figure out how to do that in a reasonable timescale I would expect the populous of other countries to be demanding a referendum as well. Those with buoyant economies would likely vote the same way, those who rely on EU funding would likely not. To hold Europe together then, this could potentially result in an eventual shake up of the structure and the rules - removing trivial and petty laws and handing down the straight banana and "cheddar" cheese decisions off to the individual countries. In terms of the economy of Britain it is unclear as to what will happen - particularly with the money that is sent to Europe at this time. I would think the economy would be flat for a while in order for the trade side of things to be figured out. I doubt that the suggested boost to manufacturing would happen to any significant extent. So overall, if I was able to vote, I would want a third box that says something like "Stay and Take a Shot at Fixing It". The inconsequentialness of many of the rules and laws needs to be stripped out completely and the focus needs to be on the important factors. A tough call - and a decent question on a day when Liverpool seem to have been linked with less than 20 new players.}

1.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 08:28:57
I don't see why we can't stay in but have control of our borders? I'm voting out.

2.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 08:49:52
Out all the way for me.

The germans and the dutch want to control everything and strip us to a minimum.

Cameron tried to negotiate new deals earlier in the year and they practically laughed in his face.

I understand eds idea off staying in and fixing things but that ain't going to happen.

We stay in then we are going to carry on being crippled by more immigrants and bigger bills to the EU.

The only trouble is that we will be going into the unknown but there was nothing wrong with us before we joined the EU.

3.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 09:01:58
Expat now in Oz, but will an out decision effect work permits for players from Europe?

{Ed002's Note - It is not actually clear what would happen. There would certainly not be any overnight change but the eventual position would likely be a need for work permits and residence permits.}

4.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 09:07:23
Out for me as well, was fine before it all and will be after. Nobody knows how exactly it'll pan out if we leave but I don't think it'll be anywhere near as bad as the remain campaign rattle on about every single day.

All they're bothered about are their own pockets. They couldn't care less about the average British worker, we may as well be none existant. In our own country? This needs to change.

I actually think we'll come out. I can only hope so anyway. Could go on forever about it.

5.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 09:22:43
We survived two world wars i think we will be fine. The EU has been stripping the GREAT out of Britain for years. Out all the way!

6.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 09:39:39
I think one of the main issues is lack of information on the subject. it's extremely difficult to find a non-biased argument either for or against the vote, and all the information is really just opinions and predictions. People do not know what will happen, they can only forecast and assume. Most people I have spoken to have all said they don't know enough on the subject to cast a vote, which is pretty worrying. Only time will tell I guess.

7.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 09:53:10
Sorry Jurgen, most of our workers rights etc come from EU law, to the extent that Unions have been advising workers to vote to stay.

8.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:13:43
I am one of the undecided. The only piece of information I can add is if we were not in EU right now and we were voting whether or not to join I'm pretty sure it would be a majority no thanks.

Nobody knows what will happen if we leave. If we stay we know what will happen. Relatively stable economy with ever increasing demands on all govt depts due to increasing population.

I will most likely abstain and let the rest of the country decide. I just don't know.

9.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:20:10
@Ruthless you're right. I don't think people realise how many beneficial laws the EU provides. From employment, to environmental to quality control on food.

Also, without the EU, we give the chance for some racist, thuggish party like UKIP to run the country as they see fit.

10.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:27:51
I'm reminded of the old adage "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it". I'm with Ed002 on this. I'm not a British national, only a keen follower of the political scene. The key is that all voters must know both the pros and cons on any matter, and unfortunately, that is not always the case. It took years and years for (sometimes painful) integration. Will take years and years for (sometimes painful) separation. Is everyone ready for that?

11.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:31:24
Because we are part of the EU, any player of EU nationality will not need a work permit. But if the point of leaving is to close the borders, then that applies to footballers too and a French or Spanish player will need a work permit.

One thing to consider is what will happen with all the trade between UK and the EU, currently, no import or export duties and movement is easy. If you are an exporting industry, I would really fear for Leaving since anything your company sells to the EU will now cost more and have duties etc.

12.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:34:02
I will be voting out because the EU. I don't care about immigration if it's monitored correctly. It's proven to help the economy and to be quite honest, I like foreign people. At work i sit at a tabke with 5 people and only 2 are English. I on my left is a Portuguese man, on my right a Pakistani man, and opposite me is a Chinese man. All work, all speak perfect English, all lovely people. What I care about is that the EU want complete control of the European continent, and are now looking to build a European Army. All whilst making a very ruthless enemy in Putin's Russia.

Let the EU and Russia have their own little military stand off and political wars. I want no part of it. Plus we ship £53m a day into the EU and then get told that when we have disastrous floods we still aren't allowed to touch the EU's disaster fund!

We're like the EU's little cash cow and they are milking our economy dry, and then making threats regarding trade and jobs when we want to leave. Re-establish trade links with the commonwealth, re-negotiate trade laws for the EU. As Ed002 says, whilst that jappens we may initially see slight inflation, but once the leaving process has been smoothed out we will reap the rewards financially. But no more political unions please.

13.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:41:26
The EU probably cares more about workers than their British government, they ensure that things like maternity leave/ pay as well as workers rights are properly kept. People only want to focus on a few stupid laws they impose on us, not the majority which protect justice and prevent exploitation and corruption. Too young to vote unfortunately, but would vote to stay.

14.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 10:31:10
im voting out as well we need to have our own rules and not go with Europes rules, we spend something like 35 mill on child benefit to children who have never set foot in this country just because their father works here, and the wife and mother owned a cafe so they were not poor or needed the child benefit, i remember when Cameron tried to keep a payment we should have paid to the EU but with a default payment hangging over our heads he gave in, we give billions to the EU and then are happy when we get a rebate or even if we get a rebate this is the point that gets me, we send so much money over there and our NHS and schools are getting closed the rich politicians don't feel this in any way at all.

15.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 12:51:30
Anyone remember the capital of culture 2008? Remember how much money Liverpool got? Thatcher left the city to rot - it was EU money that helped build the city back up to its currently level. People have short memories, these talks of the EU draining money away from the UK are pure fallacy - we get loads of money in EU funding and, as numerous economist's have mentioned, benefit from the 'bloc' trading agreements we enjoy as a part of the EU. If we leave there is no guarantee of striking up amazing new trade agreements, far from it - it is expected to be very difficult, not to mention time consuming (trade agreements take years upon years to reach) . I just don't see any major benefits of leaving and in fact see more problems economically - this is not even mentioning the workers rights that will inevitable be eroded further should we leave the EU. I have seen no compelling argument for leaving which is why, I suspect, the focus has mainly been on immigration - it is a good distraction from the bigger, more important issues at hand.

16.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 12:56:18
Its funny how people see UKIP as racists yet when the SNP are pushing for independence there not.

Theres nothing racist about UKIP its about closing the borders too migrants who have no intension of working.

If you have a skill we need then come on in.

17.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 13:04:10
Be voting in as I don't really want the Human Rights Bill scrapped eventually. As well as working with the EU to work towards a better future than being left behind. To say we were fine before we joined, that was 1975 so obviously things would be different to the present day, it's a bit short-sighted for that to be a reason. Oh and the possibility of Boris Johnson to be PM with Michael Gove as his right-hand man, sends chills down my spine.

18.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 13:43:49
Not normally one for this sort of thing but have just read another of the hundreds of bremain vs brexit articles in circulation. Both of course full of exaggerated stats from both sides and both full of 'compelling' arguments on the economy. My issue is that most conversations from the leave camp start and end with immigration with not much in between. I am all for democracy and would never force someone's hand but really can't understand those voting on a single policy. At the end of then day all 3 major parties support bremain. We will almost certainly cause ourself economic harm when most people reading this are in need of stability to buy a house, pay for a wedding, think about kids etc. And as for the UK we are not the superpower we once were, and better utilising the EU and influencing it, than pretending to ignore it from across the channel.

{Ed001's Note - funny how the countries outside the EU have not struggled for stability, any more those within it. Your thinking is flawed and based on falsehoods spread by the media.}

19.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 14:39:01
Barnesybob

You say we are not a superpower yet we have the 5th biggest economy and predicted to go past Germany into 4th in the not so distant future.

Also London is the financial capital of the world so not to bad.

20.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 16:45:50
I'm not British (so have no vote) but I live and study here, and the thing that irks me most is when people say vote leave because the Parliament will regain its sovereignty and can pass laws that protect the same rights anyway. Whilst that is true, what government, especially the one that is in power now, would do such a thing? Remember, this is a government that wants to get rid of the Human Rights Act (and ECHR) and install its own Bill of Rights which, as proposed, leaves out major rights. I would not trust the Tories, nor would I even trust a Labour government to do what's right. Right now, voting remain is the best option out of two absolutely atrocious ones.

21.) 15 Jun 2016
15 Jun 2016 16:55:34
Ok sorry about that. I was wrong. I love the media.

{Ed001's Note - there is no right or wrong in this vote, some people will be better off in and some will be better off out but those outside of the EU are certainly not suffering from the stability issues that Greece, France and Spain are under....}