Quote Originally Posted by Legs View Post
It seemed fairly clear there was a broad consensus for a remain vote until the count was in.
But hey, dreams of empire eh
Dreams of Empire? No, just a more expansive worldview. That's not the only reason people voted out, but it's one.

Rubbish. Take healthcare as an example. Do Australians get the same free access to the NHS as British citizens do.
If you are a resident in the UK you receive access to the NHS.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/he...e-from-abroad/

Conversely, you do not receive the right to vote, even as a permanent resident. My father is denied the right to vote, for example. On the other hand, Commonwealth citizens in the UK even on students visas are entitled to vote in all elections AND referendums.

Practicalities is what matters
While this may be true in terms of making agreements work the reality is that, in democracies, sentiment decides policies at least as much as practicalities.

I assume you agree there are more short-term benefits to remaining in the EU and more long-term uncertainty? A lot of people who voted OUT agree with that.

No they don't. Britain doesn't have napoleonic law, Btritain doesn't have an elected upper house, neither is its upper house based on regional issues. And New Zealand doesn't even have one.
Which of these countries uses Napoleonic Law? You are referring to the Province of Quebec? You are suggesting that Scotland and Wales don't operate the Westminster System because they are unicameral? It's patently obvious Britain has more politically in common with Austrlaia, New Zealand and Canada (probably in that order) than with most EU countries - such as France, or Italy, or Greece.

Pie in the sky with a side order of conspiracy theory?
No - it's generally accepted that the EU is a project all about rebuilding the Pax Romana - it was a big thing when Greece joined because it was the first time the EU expanded out of Charlemagne's realm into the "East". It's also why Turkey's joining is a long term goal. I'm not talking about Legions, Eagles and an Emperor, I'm talking about peace, prosperity, one currency, one government, one military.

All of that's written into EU treaties or being actively discussed right now (especially the military aspect). Above all the EU is a dream of the restoration of the Pax Romana.

It's a noble dream, to be sure.


But since it would be a matter of governments what are these governments interests.
All of them are very tight on immigration aren't they.
After the Brexit resul the Australian Prime Minister pretty much straight away said Australia wanted a trade deal with the UK - you can bet that includes freedom of movement. The Canadian Trade Minister was straight out with "do you want to know about out Trade Deal with the EU, see if you want it as a model?".

Such a pact would be an easy sell in the UK and, as noted above, is popular in the other three countries. Democratically elected governments are concerned with the practicalities of getting elected.

How does that work with relation to other commonwealth countries? Are you going to make two seperate commonwealths?
Besides which, given these nations concerns over importing burdens onto their health service how is that going to work?
There are already multiple levels to the Commonwealth and interest groups. a Trade/Movement deal between four of the biggest economies isn't going to change that.

Rubbish, immigration or emigration from outside the EU has always been under the remit of Westminster.
Trade is not, Freedom of Movement (the elimination of a Visa System) is part of trade, it cannot be negotiated in isolation, that would be very impractical.

Any luck finding your imaginary scripture which you need to support your claim in that topic?
Nice dodge. If you wanted to know you would have cited the passages to support your argument so I could pull them apart.

Pie in the sky it is then. fanciful notions based on ilusory sentiments not reality.
Well done you manage to do a textbook confirmation.
Maybe you need to be, you know, nicer to people?

I posted statistics showing that the idea of freedom of movement within the Commonwealth is becoming increasingly popular, and is much more popular that the EU is in the UK. Nothing you have written refutes that. My Thesis is that, given the popularity of this idea it's pretty much guaranteed to happen. Probably in less than 20 years, possibly in less than five.

One thing the Referendum proved is that, no matter how loudly they like to demonstrate young people don't actually vote. That means their opinions aren't important in a democracy, because they'rte opting out of the decision-making process. I rather hope that, now, they will understand that "democracy" means YOU go out and vote and not assume that other people agree with you.