EU negotiations special

We all need to realise that the future of the EU is political and monetary union and we don’t want either. What we have had and what we want in the future is to have our cake and eat it and this has caused lots of upset within the EU and we are seen as fighting our cause for the UK and not for the EU. The time has now come to be 100% in or 100% out ! Vote In means we are ruled by a Foreign power in Brussels Vote out means we are 100% in control of our destiny. We cannot have a bit in and a bit out as we have done over the years. I don’t want to be ruled by a foreign power, I’ll vote out.

Alistair Christie, Sleaford, UK

This article explains very well, several important business factors in the hugely critical EU In/Out decision facing each and every UK citizen right now.

For example, the UK’s world-leading expertise in new green technologies and the huge opportunities new emerging markets presents UKplc in meeting these economies’ urgent need to “catch-up” the west in terms of development.

But taking the long view on an integrated EU, I’ve been pessimistic from the outset: Politically, this will end in tears.

We have seen how so-called partners do nothing to help save their friends’ sinking economies/currencies, leaving leading strong-man Germany to do the bailing out. And how fences soon go up on borders when too many foreigners threaten to overwhelm a nation. This is not the behaviour of partners, this is because the EU is not really a harmonious family with a common agenda. Every EU member has it’s own problems, strengths, needs, priorities.

Could we not take up the big chance for lucrative long-term new technology contracts just as easily as non-EU members, and receive serious, substantial seed-bed funding from outside the EU? I have enough faith in the markets, and our dynamism to believe that we could.

Liz Gill, Norwich, Norfolk

Michael Gove’s article on why we should vote to leave the EU is the only one I have read so far which makes me seriously question my inclination to remain in the EU. I am not a Tory but someone politically adrift thanks to Jeremy and his buddies. I will never, after more than 50 yrs loyalty to the Labour Party, contemplate voting for the current rabble he leads.

I don’t agree with everything Michael Gove has done or said but he is undoubtedly an honest man of principle who is voicing an opinion he passionately believes in. I am not saying he has changed my mind but he has certainly given me much food for thought. I applaud him as a politician with integrity and the courage to stand up for what he believes.

Patricia Dexter, Nottingham, UK

While I am not a Tory voter anymore,nor one who favours Cameron, I find it good to read your statement over intent to vote NO in the EU referendum. I should like to take this chance to say well done Michael Gove for being a man of principle on this subject, for being honest and outspoken, I recognise this as brave honest and possibly career damaging in his relationship with the prime minister. Thank you, Sir, for your outspoken stand, well done.

John Priest, Cannock, UK

Michael Goves’ statement via Capx is one of the clearest straight forward pieces of work I’ve ever read from a politician. It leaves you with no doubt of his views and beliefs. I can’t disagree with one word he has said. Bring on our independence as soon as possible.

Robert Middleton, Warwick, UK

As far as removing corruption we have our own brand that needs sorting out first. Equally, I can’t think of any law made in Brussels that contravenes any made in this country, there have been many instances in this country where an appeal to Europe’s law maker would have resulted in justice instead of a miscarriage of it. The most high profile was the Birmingham six but there have been many more.

The sudden prick of Gove’s conscience would have nothing to do with his demotion from Education Secretary, combined with the fact he is unlikely to get further up the greasy pole. Then again if he become the standard bearer for the Out brigade and the gamble pays off there will be calls for Cameron to stand down and who will be the knight in shining amour to jump in to his shoes?

I think he is a back stabbing opportunist. I doubt that this will get published.

Ken Mainstone, Chafford Hundred, UK

I am no fan of Gove, especially after he wreaked havoc on the education system. But I am interested to know his thoughts behind his decision to back leaving the EU, other than furthering his own political career.

I am split over the decision to leave the EU, as I am a property owner in France, to which I intend to retire to in 10 years or so., and am looking for answers to help make my decision.

I absolutely agree without any doubt, the UK must make its own laws and decisions, for the good of the UK, and if that means leaving the EU to regain control, then that’s what we must do.

But Can anyone actually say for sure, how the UK and its people will be treated by the other EU countries if we decided to leave? My fear is we will be held to ransom by the likes of France, where simple things like traveling, will be made so much more difficult as a direct result. Its no secret France is well known for its “hatred” of the UK. Would they help the UK regain its freedom like we did for them, or would they want us chained up to the rest of the weak and pathetic countries that make up the EU?

We hear a lot about regaining control over our laws and borders, but I would really appreciate an honest and frank assessment on what could happen to property owners and expats living abroad, if we left the EU. As a baseline, this should include such topics as, banking, pensions, travel and benefit type payments.

Stuart Masterton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK

I wish we had a similar State Secretary for Justice in the Netherlands. Being a full member of the Union, I only see the political influence of our own parliament being reduced in favor of the unions parliament. We traded in our Dutch root values, traditions and laws by European rules I never voted for. We are getting involved in conflicts that are played down or denied by a weak and divided European Union. The European Union should have remained an economic cooperation context (EEC). Everything Michael Gove says I can only but recognize and acknowledge. It will give a struggle initially but I think the UK is just better off without a membership. Strength and wisdom for all voters.

Bart Meijer, Centre-Val-de-Loire, France

My goodness, it would be a foolish person not to see what is going on with the present system that covers the EU and Great Britain like a blanket of smog slowly choking all those freedoms and creativity that created the the successes of earlier civilisation .
Get out and breath fresh air again and get going.

John Noppert, Sydney, Australia

Many people seem pleased with Mr Cameron’s negotiations with the EU on frankly the least of our worries, i.e. benefits of new migrants and the celebrated “brake”, the non-ever closer union concept. As for his scaremongering about our security, a Mr Springer on the BBC yesterday said that the UK co-operates on matters of security, mostly with the US, Canada and Australia and maybe France but very little with other member states within the EU.

I am more worried about the timing of the Referendum because all these “concessions” that Cameron has supposedly got will not be passed (if they are not rejected outright) by the European parliament until well after our much-vaunted In/Out the EU Referendum, by which time the truth will emerge. And that may be a very different “truth” than is put before us by Cameron at this time.

Also, the elephant in the room, and which has not been discussed at all, is the fact that both Cameron and Osborne are in favour of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. This is a major fact they omitted to tell the British public. By still being within the EU, we would automatically be party to that treaty and our businesses will once more be subjected to even more taxes, regulation and protectionism when the US comes on the trading scene. This will inevitably affect jobs, especially in the less developed countries and result in more poverty, migrants, refugees, etc just as the EU has killed development in countries in Africa that for so long were without the EU trading bloc.

This makes the offer of an In/Out the EU Referendum a farce and deceitful in that it has not even been discussed openly by this government, or where it stood on a monstrous treaty that will affect all of our lives for generations to come.

Janet Tanner-Tremaine, Romsey, UK     |    @T21Jan

And now for something completely different

Thanks for the continued storyline on Sideways the movie and Sideways the London play. Living in Texas, I’ve now been to Santa Ynez every year for the last ten years and will never stop.

Mike Salinas, Houston, USA