Brexit - A German perspective

[Herbert Anchovy]

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to Germany by a UK client of mine who was visiting a number of their clients in the country. It inevitably turned into round after round of hearty meals and boozing while also watching the Rovers game at Sunderland!

Inevitably talk turned to Brexit and I have to say it was quite fascinating getting a German view of it. In a nutshell, they seem to be gutted we’re leaving. Out of all the EU countries they felt the closest to the UK. They saw their relationship with the UK as possibly the most powerful in the EU & considered us as a partner state Theres now definitely an uncertainty about what Germany’s future role can be. One things for sure, they really don’t trust the French and a few said they’d wished the French were leaving rather than us!! They saw the UK & Germany’s role as jointly keeping some of the other nations in check. Poland and Italy in particular seem to cause some concern; Poland as its now going to be required to ‘pay their way’ much more and Italy because of its veering to the right.

Interestingly, while most of the guys we were with felt Brexit was a mistake, they all ‘got’ why the UK wanted to leave. They just felt that we should remain and try to  change it from the inside rather than walk away. They each felt that there were areas the EU could and should change. Immigration, the disparity in contributions from member states and concerns with increased political union were raised, however they all thought that none of these should have been catalysts for leaving.

One guy provided a fascinating view point though. He just said ‘ You’re an island race with an Island race mentality. I’m surprised that you joined in the first place.”

Very interesting stuff

[Sprotyrover]

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to Germany by a UK client of mine who was visiting a number of their clients in the country. It inevitably turned into round after round of hearty meals and boozing while also watching the Rovers game at Sunderland!

Inevitably talk turned to Brexit and I have to say it was quite fascinating getting a German view of it. In a nutshell, they seem to be gutted we’re leaving. Out of all the EU countries they felt the closest to the UK. They saw their relationship with the UK as possibly the most powerful in the EU & considered us as a partner state Theres now definitely an uncertainty about what Germany’s future role can be. One things for sure, they really don’t trust the French and a few said they’d wished the French were leaving rather than us!! They saw the UK & Germany’s role as jointly keeping some of the other nations in check. Poland and Italy in particular seem to cause some concern; Poland as its now going to be required to ‘pay their way’ much more and Italy because of its veering to the right.

Interestingly, while most of the guys we were with felt Brexit was a mistake, they all ‘got’ why the UK wanted to leave. They just felt that we should remain and try to  change it from the inside rather than walk away. They each felt that there were areas the EU could and should change. Immigration, the disparity in contributions from member states and concerns with increased political union were raised, however they all thought that none of these should have been catalysts for leaving.

One guy provided a fascinating view point though. He just said ‘ You’re an island race with an Island race mentality. I’m surprised that you joined in the first place.”

Very interesting stuff

A polite bunch no reference to 'Der insel Affen',what where their thoughts on the vast influx of refugees Merkel took in? What did they have to say about the shocking state of their,Army,Airforce and Navy?

[BigH]

Hmm.

Germany is an example of a nation that has shown the way to come to terms with an episode of national manipulation - 1930s Nazism - that duped millions of people in its own country into believing it was a way out for many - the future even - but which ultimately led to disaster; an epic war and catastrophic side effects (e.g. the holocaust). When the dust settled, the German people had that collective 'what have we done' moment. Never again.

Now, I wouldn't for a moment suggest that our departure from the EU will follow anything like a similar trajectory but, as an episode in duping millions of its own inhabitants through national manipulation into 'believing' in a vacuous project that can never deliver, Brexit is up there.

The debate's done on this for now Sproty. Happy to have this discussion again in 10 or 15 years time. One of us will be right.

[BillyStubbsTears]

That "what have we done" thing.

Come back in 5 years time and see what public opinion is on this topic.

[idler]

A chap that goes dancing at the same hall as us was born in Germany but became a naturalised British citizen after marrying. He can't believe wahat we have done. He has two sons both born here that have now got German passports to make travel easier. One son works in Alicante and says they are building a special passport facility for the Brits after our leaving. Will can't even think of a German passport as he became a British citizen it's not allowed.

[Axholme Lion]

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to Germany by a UK client of mine who was visiting a number of their clients in the country. It inevitably turned into round after round of hearty meals and boozing while also watching the Rovers game at Sunderland!

Inevitably talk turned to Brexit and I have to say it was quite fascinating getting a German view of it. In a nutshell, they seem to be gutted we’re leaving. Out of all the EU countries they felt the closest to the UK. They saw their relationship with the UK as possibly the most powerful in the EU & considered us as a partner state Theres now definitely an uncertainty about what Germany’s future role can be. One things for sure, they really don’t trust the French and a few said they’d wished the French were leaving rather than us!! They saw the UK & Germany’s role as jointly keeping some of the other nations in check. Poland and Italy in particular seem to cause some concern; Poland as its now going to be required to ‘pay their way’ much more and Italy because of its veering to the right.

Interestingly, while most of the guys we were with felt Brexit was a mistake, they all ‘got’ why the UK wanted to leave. They just felt that we should remain and try to  change it from the inside rather than walk away. They each felt that there were areas the EU could and should change. Immigration, the disparity in contributions from member states and concerns with increased political union were raised, however they all thought that none of these should have been catalysts for leaving.

One guy provided a fascinating view point though. He just said ‘ You’re an island race with an Island race mentality. I’m surprised that you joined in the first place.”

Very interesting stuff

It's a pity Merkel didn't listen to them.

[SydneyRover]

A chap that goes dancing at the same hall as us was born in Germany but became a naturalised British citizen after marrying. He can't believe wahat we have done. He has two sons both born here that have now got German passports to make travel easier. One son works in Alicante and says they are building a special passport facility for the Brits after our leaving. Will can't even think of a German passport as he became a British citizen it's not allowed.

Idler, was he talking about just Axholme or the whole country?