this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2025
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UK Politics

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Should we try to bolster our friendship with Europe?

The author claims that the UK government "must unambiguously launch talks on a big, expansive trade deal with the EU coupled with a deal on European defence".

Do you agree?

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[–] Nacktmull@lemmy.world 42 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

If there just was a union of european countries to be part of, that would be perfect ... oh wait.

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 25 points 3 days ago (1 children)

UK should rejoin EU ASAP. Ideally 6 months ago.

[–] Tagger@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago

I mean, ideally 5 years ago

[–] futatorius@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago

That's an excellent idea. Undo Brexit, and strengthen NATO so it can survive the inevitable Trump back-stab.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

Should we try to bolster our friendship with Europe?

I once had a girlfriend who started acting like a little bitch, created much drama and dumped me for no good reason. Then she tried to come back to me a few months later. Can you guess what I told her to do? It rhymes with "thereof".

Hint hint Britain.

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 28 points 3 days ago (4 children)

Holding a grudge is for losers. UK is more than welcome to rejoin as far as I'm concerned, speaking as a Swede.

[–] makyo@lemmy.world 16 points 3 days ago

Agreed and I feel like people are sleepwalking on this. Between Russian agression and concerns from the USA and China - we shouldn't just be welcoming the UK, we should be working hard to bring them back to the fold. If the EU want to keep living in a world where the EU is possible, they've got to start making stronger efforts to protect and shape it.

[–] Eril@feddit.org 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Agreed, but none of the goodies they had last time around. Take it all or leave it 🤷

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

I'd say anything's negotiable, really. No need to limit ourselves from either side of the table.

[–] Arghblarg@lemmy.ca 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] bitchkat@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

If you can take a ferry to the EU from Canada, you should be able to join.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 3 days ago

Well, I don't care either way personally. I'm just saying, not everybody is ready to welcome them back, should they so desire.

[–] SleafordMod@feddit.uk 15 points 3 days ago (2 children)

The UK doesn't need to necessarily jump straight back into EU membership. There are other ways we can work together with Europe. Maybe at some point the UK government will consider rejoining the EU customs union and/or single market.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

There are other ways we can work together with Europe.

My point was, Europe may not want to interact with a fickle country like the UK anymore than necessary again. They probably don't need the aggravation.

[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Who could blame them? Lots of European people take a “you made your bed, lie in it” attitude. When we were in the EU, we were in on excellent terms, which will no longer be available, which will be a hard pill to swallow for many.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Lots of European people take a “you made your bed, lie in it” attitude.

The problem is, lots of Europeans also think the UK shat their bed, then got up and left. That's not easy to forgive.

[–] The_Che_Banana@beehaw.org 6 points 3 days ago

Still, it is better to forgive but not forget. The deals that lie in the future will....should benefit EU more and will have to have safeguards against parties in power throwing tantrums for selfish gains.

[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

Made their bed, shat in it, and in many cases refuse to leave/accept it’s a bad situation. I can understand Europeans who won’t forgive. I was fucking heartbroken when I woke up that morning and found out Leave had won. I wouldn’t shut up about what a stupid idea it was, on social networks and real life.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Not my view for what it's worth. I'd happily welcome the UK back in.

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

EU would definitely need a firm commitment this time.

[–] makyo@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Yes and readmission should certainly include things that they didn't insist on before, thing that made it easier for the UK to leave - common currency and the like.

[–] SleafordMod@feddit.uk 5 points 3 days ago

True, they probably don't want more aggravation, but they may well be open to closer co-operation on defence for example, which the article mentions.

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

There are other ways we can work together with Europe

Like EEA membership.

[–] GraniteM@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It rhymes with "thereof".

...clear...off?

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 days ago

Exactly! 🙂

[–] SplashJackson@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago

CANZUK cough cough

[–] ShareMySims@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Ah, yes, continuing to prioritise economy over society, and even humanity, that's sure to start working out (for anyone other than the billionaires in power) any fucking day now... 🙄

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 9 points 3 days ago

If your economy is in chaos, you'll quickly find yourself unable to care for society.

Healthcare, pensions, other benefits, infrastructure, schooling, law enforcement, fire services... the list goes on.

And I'm not sure what you mean by continue to prioritise economy. The economy hasn't been prioritised in a long while. Brexit, covid handling, slashing infrastructure spending, etc have been awful for the economy.

The only way out of the mess we're in is to make meaningful steps in improving the economy.

[–] SleafordMod@feddit.uk 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

We need a good economy so we can afford things like the NHS, but yes the economy ideally would benefit every Brit, rather than just a few rich people.

[–] ShareMySims@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

No, we need to abolish capitalism so we can have free access to healthcare (and food, water, shelter), not to continue playing by the rules set out for us by those who profit from commodifying our basic needs and human rights.