Hell Richard, you would get killed in the rush!

"That would be an extremely brave decision Prime Minister" advised Sir Humphrey. Somehow, I don't think Dave does brave.

Hell! Even I would vote for them if they did that.

I'd even rejoin the electoral roll.

Vote Tory and on a renegotiation ticket which required Britain to remain in the EU - albeit on more favourable terms?


I thought that you wanted to invoke Article 50 - to facilitate and expedite Britain's total withdrawal from the EU - ie: trade yes but no to political input or Brussels influence whatsoever and as it always was before 1972.

Have I completely misread and misunderstood your intentions Richard?

Not 100% sure, but there is nothing stopping them doing it before the next election is there, why enter an election on a "cast iron" promise no one believes, when you can just do it now and be done with it. This would not break the "referendum lock" as no powers would go out, they would only come in.

Have I said anything different? Article 50 requires that we give notice of withdrawal.

However, we can't go back to 1972, unless you have a time machine. We go forward (because time does that) and deal with the political situation as it is now, not as it was 40 years ago. And that does mean coming to terms with a very large political bloc on our doorstep.

I wouldn't.
I simply don't believe a word they say any more.
They forfeited all credibility years ago -- Westminster weasels, the lot of them.

It's in both sides' interest to change the relationship without changing the situation. Our glorious leaders are scared stiff they might have to run the country again rather than just open the post and start inquiries into all and sundry. I'm assuming that the EU would still like to sell BMWs to our police service, and hang on to our utilities, railways and the bits of UK manufacturing they haven't yet moved to the continent. The only loss to them would be the annual subscription to the French farmers' hardship fund, otherwise known as our budget contribution - and I'm sure they would still want some of that in the same way they charge Norway for the privilege of "accessing" the protectionist racket known as the Single Market. That amount could be quite high and pitched to the voters as necessary to avoid the "disaster" (did you hear Ken Clarke and Humphreys agreeing with each other on that word the other morning?) associated with cutting all ties with the corpse formerly known as the EU. Think of it as "Technically, we're leaving but we're not really and we've got the best possible deal so everyone can be happy" Who knows - there may still be jobs for the boys available as someone will have to liaise with (suck up to) Euroland?

Something like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4K4xbyRMIM

Been thinking.

An elaboration on the exploding collar. Every MP has one fitted and once they get more than 70% negative votes from their constituents...