Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?

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  • View Poll Results: Should we renegotiate the EU treaty to control our own immigration policy?
    Yes a country should be able to control its own immigration
    17 80.95%
    No I like more immigration it makes me feel more at home
    4 19.05%

  1. internetguru's Avatar
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    Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    It seems obvious to me that we should have control of our own borders, so should we renegotiate our deal?
  2. Tamora's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    Renegotiation is next to impossible. The 26 other member states would need to agree to changes to the relevant treaties. If European politicians agree to changes to accommodate one country, other countries will want stuff changed too. Treaty negotiations are such a tortuous process that politicians don't want to re-visit them, so it won't happen anyway. We either put up with it or we leave.

    Any politician who holds out the hope that he'll renegotiate a single comma on a treaty is not worth listening to.
  3. internetguru's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Tamora)
    Renegotiation is next to impossible. The 26 other member states would need to agree to changes to the relevant treaties. If European politicians agree to changes to accommodate one country, other countries will want stuff changed too. Treaty negotiations are such a tortuous process that politicians don't want to re-visit them, so it won't happen anyway. We either put up with it or we leave.

    Any politician who holds out the hope that he'll renegotiate a single comma on a treaty is not worth listening to.
    Couldn't Britain say "let us control our borders or we will leave" that will force them to say yes. They have far more to lose than us.
  4. steve78's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    Couldn't Britain say "let us control our borders or we will leave" that will force them to say yes. They have far more to lose than us.
    You're absolutely right. Those who say we would lose out if we left the EU are ignoring the fact that they are the beneficiary in the relationship. They sell far more to us than they buy. Putting tariffs on our goods would be an act of madness.
  5. Maker's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    Couldn't Britain say "let us control our borders or we will leave" that will force them to say yes. They have far more to lose than us.
    Everyone knows that is an empty gesture and make the UK look foolish. Negotiations are about what is possible, not to look like idiots.
  6. Maker's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by steve78)
    You're absolutely right. Those who say we would lose out if we left the EU are ignoring the fact that they are the beneficiary in the relationship. They sell far more to us than they buy. Putting tariffs on our goods would be an act of madness.
    Countries within the EU can't impose tariffs against other EU countries. Thats the whole point of the EU.
  7. internetguru's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Maker)
    Everyone knows that is an empty gesture and make the UK look foolish. Negotiations are about what is possible, not to look like idiots.
    I'm sure most people of other western European countries such as France and Germany would also like to be able to control their own immigration, as such we certainly would not appear foolish.
  8. Maker's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    I'm sure most people of other western European countries such as France and Germany would also like to be able to control their own immigration, as such we certainly would not appear foolish.
    EU countries decide on immigration, if you don't like it, get elected into office e.g MEP and change it.
  9. A Mysterious Lord's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    We had the opportunity to in 2004 but the government (along with Denmark) decided against it.
  10. internetguru's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Maker)
    EU countries decide on immigration, if you don't like it, get elected into office e.g MEP and change it.
    K.
  11. Herr's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    Couldn't Britain say "let us control our borders or we will leave" that will force them to say yes. They have far more to lose than us.
    That would be shooting yourself in the foot.

    Plenty of jobs either directly or indirectly rely upon UK being part of the EU for free movement of goods.
  12. Tamora's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    Couldn't Britain say "let us control our borders or we will leave" that will force them to say yes. They have far more to lose than us.
    We could, but first we'd need to elect enough MPs who want to do that and then they'd need to be members of a party that wanted to. Most MPs appear to be more interested in climbing their greasy pole or simply staying on the *right* side of the more powerful people in their respective parties.

    Sorry, renegotiation is realistically a non-starter.
  13. Tamora's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Herr)
    That would be shooting yourself in the foot.

    Plenty of jobs either directly or indirectly rely upon UK being part of the EU for free movement of goods.
    You'll be telling us next that 3 million jobs depend on us being EU members. :rolleyes:

    A country need not be in the EU to be a part of the Single Market and lots of countries not even in the EU have beneficial trade relations with EU member states. Can you think of a reason why this would not apply to an independent UK? We'd be in a very strong position in trade negotiations. Anyone can look at our trade balance to see that!
  14. chefdave's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    Yes, we should renegotiate our terms and enter into a free trade deal with the EU along the lines of Norway or Switzerland. There's no need this to persist with a failed political union that nobody wanted and nobody voted for.
  15. Herr's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Tamora)
    You'll be telling us next that 3 million jobs depend on us being EU members. :rolleyes:

    A country need not be in the EU to be a part of the Single Market and lots of countries not even in the EU have beneficial trade relations with EU member states. Can you think of a reason why this would not apply to an independent UK? We'd be in a very strong position in trade negotiations. Anyone can look at our trade balance to see that!
    If it could be done, can be done and isn't as simplistic as you make it out to be, it would have happened long time ago if it was indeed beneficial to do so.
  16. Herr's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by chefdave)
    Yes, we should renegotiate our terms and enter into a free trade deal with the EU along the lines of Norway or Switzerland.
    Quite possibly the worst suggestion ever.
  17. Tamora's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by chefdave)
    Yes, we should renegotiate our terms and enter into a free trade deal with the EU along the lines of Norway or Switzerland. There's no need this to persist with a failed political union that nobody wanted and nobody voted for.
    But who is "we"? It certainly isn't Cameron, Clegg or Milliband.
  18. Tamora's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by Herr)
    If it could be done, can be done and isn't as simplistic as you make it out to be, it would have happened long time ago if it was indeed beneficial to do so.
    No, it wouldn't, not when you have internationalists in charge of countries who aren't interested in acting in the interests of the people they are elected to represent. And anyway, what does it matter to you being in non-EU Switzerland?
    Last edited by Tamora; 03-04-2012 at 21:25.
  19. zippyRN's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by internetguru)
    It seems obvious to me that we should have control of our own borders, so should we renegotiate our deal?
    the UK is outwith the 'Schengen' area and therefore can maintain full control of it;s borders should it choose to do, requiring adequate identification from any and all travellers

    visas and grants of indefinite leave to remain are in the hands of National governments and unless and until an immigrant gains citizen ship of an EU state they are still subject to the rules regarding their original citizenship with regard to travel and settlement elsewhere within the EU .

    so perhaps you need to do some research.
  20. zaliack's Avatar
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    Re: Should we renogotiate our EU treaty so that we can control immigration?
    (Original post by chefdave)
    Yes, we should renegotiate our terms and enter into a free trade deal with the EU along the lines of Norway or Switzerland. There's no need this to persist with a failed political union that nobody wanted and nobody voted for.
    Germany hasn't started another war yet, so I'd call the union a success.
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