You have seriously understated the case. The level of public opposition would start with civil disobedience and a general strike. It would escalate rapidly from there.
Well, perhaps. But then I did use the adjective massive, twice and
bolded it for emphasis. I didn't suggest specifics of any opposition because that would be mere supposition. The repercusions
could include those which you suggest, but then they may not. That there
would be opposition seemed a reasonable certainty however, so I chose to leave the speculation out.
Britain has a strange relationship with Europe. We like our holiday in the Med. But we are emphatically not European. We are prepared to be friendly with the foreigners who live over the Channel, but we are not them.
Indeed, but that relationship is more pronounced in England that it is in the other components of
Britain. Further, I think the rampant xenophobia of the 80s and 90s has diminished, as reason has overtaken irrational fear of losing 'national sovereignty' to 'Johnny Foreigner'. Britain is also far more multicultural than twenty years ago. Not that that hasn't created issues in itself, but it is the case.
We joined the Common Market to trade, and while we were taking a nap the politicians created the European Union, without our agreement. The bridge too far would be the Euro.
Well, Britain joined what was the then 'Common Market' for a variety of reasons, trade being one. I'm not sure I entirely agree with your assertion about the EU having been created
without the agreement of the British people - I don't recall them being consulted to offer, or withold it. That's not quite the same thing.
Even if the Euro is going to avoid major problems (will Greece, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Spain all stay a part of it?) we don't want it. The argument is not economic but tribal, and not up for discussion.
Well, I beg to differ as it most clearly
is up for discussion and has been for several years now.
If there were a referendum on leaving the EU it is likely that Britain would vote to leave. The decision would be made on emotion not reason. In the middle of the present economic woes the logic would be that another economic problem is neither here nor there.
I think it might be a close call, but I doubt such a referendum would result in a vote to leave. Britain cannot survive on her own - I think enough people realise that to overcome what amounts to national nostalgia for what - a [supposed] period of greatness that hardly anyone alive can remember?
If the Conservatives are worried about their poll rating in the last few days before the next general election all they need is a speech which suggests leaving Europe and they will win by a landslide.
Well, that's easy to say but until the election is called, manifestos published and policies weighed against the prevailing economic situation it's just more speculation. A vocal anti-European stance is part of what doomed the Tories to such an extended period of political weakness.
There were of course many other factors, but campaigning on such a nationalist platform would only serve to take them one step [back?] toward parties such as the BNP and their ilk. I think they have learned that lesson well enough not to make such a mistake, at least I hope they have.
Whatever happens I hope Labour are out of power for at least the rest of this century.
Unlikely, and IMO such sentiments are undemocratic, as well as flying in the face of not only history, but British political culture. A strong oppostion is an essential component of any 'democratic institution', and extended periods in opposition tend to render political parties impotent, thus undermining the process.
The last Conservative government included individual politicians who behaved badly - and surely the next Conservative government will have the same problem By contrast the present Labour government has government sins.
I think that's a matter of interpretation, all Governments lie and all contain politicians who behave badly. The current Government is no exception, it has long extended it's welcome and will likely be consigned to the oppostion benches before too long.
You draw an intertesting distinction between the sins of individual politicians and those of a Government 'collectively' - at what point does the former become the latter - one bad minister ... two ... ten?
They lied to us about WMD in Iraq. They seem implicated in the use of torture. They have restricted civil liberties. They give honours for donations to the Labour party. They take donations through intermediaries. Ministers fiddle their expenses and don't resign. The Speaker is a partisan burke who dishonours his office. They have arrested an opposition politician who embarrases them. They have created a society with an out of control benefit culture. Labour should be finished, and I hope they are - lets have the Lib Dems as the official opposition.
Yes, the present Government has done these things but taking an objective viewpoint what Government has not perpetrated the same or similar actions? Certainly, the specifics vary in both scale and detail but are you seriously suggesting that (for example) Conservative politicians are above such things as 'expenses fiddling', refusing to step down in the face of scandal or accepting 'questionable' donations for parliamentary influence? What Home Secretary has not sought [to some degree or another] to subvert the judiciary to short term political will - quite often acting unlawfully in the process.
For someone who only recently created a thread bemoaning Governmental overreaching, I find it surprising that such basic political realities should be so conveniently ignored to make a politically motivated judgment.
If so, then I'd have to believe you're letting your political bias' cloud your judgement and/or memory, ar in denial or simply misinformed. In terms of the current administration - and to inject a little irony - Tory Sleaze was another of the key factors that saw Labour elected in 1997 - if you recall? Thatcher was forced to step down for [in part] her increasingly autocratic style and disregard for both process
and public opinion - Blair
should have met the same fate but he got lucky.
Take an in depth and objective Look at the last dozen or so administrations and you will find plenty of skeletons in all their closets.