Should Britain now join a "North Sea Union"?

As a German, I have no interest in such a union to include Britain.

I however have entertained the idea before of northern European countries to split from the EU and become more integrated. These would include the Benelux, the Germanic and the Nordics and possibly France.

I think you're thinking of a split in the Euro, eg, a 'Euro North' encompassing Germany, the Benelux and Scandinavia and a 'Rump Euro' covering the rest. France couldn't continue to be part of the Euro North without facing the same difficulties it currently does as it is heavily outgunned in competition with Germany. It's clear that France should either return to the Franc or else go in with Southern Europe.

This seems to be wishful thinking on the part of the PM of Flanders, I suspect there's a desire there to avoid having to be in a Europe completely dominated by Germany.

Hence why I said possibly France. Culturally I feel we ought to integrate more closely, but as you say economically there may be reasons against this.

I would strongly support such an idea if we are on a trajectory to leave the EU, but a North Sea Union is unlikely to happen.

@inhuman Why wouldn't you want it to include Britain? The idea being proposed is largely based on economics (and I think he also mentioned defence). He isn't proposing deep political union, which in that case I could understand why you would want to omit Britain, at least to some extent.

I would strongly support such an idea if we are on a trajectory to leave the EU, but a North Sea Union is unlikely to happen.

@inhuman Why wouldn't you want it to include Britain? The idea being proposed is largely based on economics (and I think he also mentioned defence). He isn't proposing deep political union, which in that case I could understand why you would want to omit Britain, at least to some extent.

The majority of your country has shown clear nationalistic and overtly patriotic tendencies. No thanks.

And well economic union without political union is difficult to say the least.

Well I don't know how much you've been watching the whole referendum debate but pretty much half the country don't want to leave at all. A majority did vote to leave, but it was only small, so please don't think everyone fits into that category (also a lot of those voting to leave just wanted the EU to be an economic rather than political entity, not necessarily nationalism). It makes sense for you to keep as close economic ties as possible, particularly for your automotive industry.

And not necessarily, you only really need a model based on the EU single market but without the centralised policy making beyond what is needed to maintain trade. Having free movement and no tariffs is a good way to start this, and since all of these countries are relatively on-par in terms of development and wages there won't be any mass immigration from one country to another (like from Eastern to Western Europe), so immigration concerns will be at a minimum.

I beg to differ.

It was a small majority yes, but majority nonetheless. 52% of those that bothered to vote. And as I said above that is irrelevant. This economic union would never happen without political union so those Brits would again rebel.

But what I'm saying is that any political ties can be kept to a minimum, there only needs to be political union so far as to maintain economic ties. It is very possible to do as free trade agreements exist around the world and are successful. There is no need for political union over trivial matters under such an arrangement, only those that uphold the single market.

If the alternative was trading tariffs then, taking emotional bitterness aside, it would make sense to do this. Just for the record, I'd completely understand other EU countries not wanting to cooperate with Britain following the referendum, but all I'm saying is that this proposal could work well if there was the political will for it to happen. And I do think it's immensely important that 48 out of every 100 people you meet on the street voted to remain, because that shows that there is still a strong will in Britain to remain 'European', which you seem to be implying most people don't (and I mean most as in a large amount of people).

Yes; like the Hanseatic League of old

But all those countries that you mention in this possible union, they have a population that wants more integration with neighboring countries...

And I see what you mean, but it's still enough people to make a fuss and constantly whine. And sorry it's not our job to cater to the minority of your country.

As a German, I have no interest in such a union to include Britain.

I however have entertained the idea before of northern European countries to split from the EU and become more integrated. These would include the Benelux, the Germanic and the Nordics and possibly France.