Euro at Seven-Month Low After French Vote

1. Who decided the UK was a lone wolf? We had a hard enough time getting in with De Gaulle in the 1st place, we weren't exactly recieved with open arms. Do you not think that when people in Britain say "everyone has a different culture, social and economic opinion and circumstance so what is the point of trying to ammalgamate and agree on everything" that maybe it IS because we're different and not just because we're trying to disrupt the workings of the EU?

2. The UK doesn't have a written constitution. Even at that, 4 (you forgot Ulster) demographically small nations with relatively the same culture, socio economic circumstances and political identities is much easier to make "work" than a full continent.

3. As I said, countries look after their own interests first and foremost. I do not give a shit about what someone on a farm in Estonia is upto and I'm pretty sure they don't care about me. I don't see the point of "forcing" us to have a social conscience about stuff we could care less about. Your mileage may vary but if you claim to care as much about some random stranger in another country as you do your friends, family and fellow countrymen then I call bullshit. I have no problem with weaker states becoming stronger providing it doens't infringe on us but I do not agree that we are morally obligated to help them in any way or form and I shouldn't be expected to care about their well being either simply because they are EU member states.

4. a 700 page constitution will do nothing but increase beauracracy, red tape and clutter in Brussells IMO.

5. I was making the point that there is no need for Europe and the US to be as close now except for trade and political links. Unbalancing that could have very negative consequences. Stating that the EU needs to be stronger to counter-weight the US and China (which I've already pointed out is not a problem in the 1st place) is NOT global solidarity it's Europe trying to be the big man by default.

6. Europe is already united.... has been for about half a century. This constitution does not change anything about the make up of the EU....

7. You do not need to use the word idiot to imply that people with a particular opinion are foolish.

I don't know what's such a big deal here. I am of the opinion that the general European sight on UK's attitude towards the continent is somewhat special. That's all.
Of course we are different, but as humans we are as well just the same. The point is not to destroy our differences in culture or what ever but to find our commonalities.

I did not forget Ulster, I was just giving an example and I am aware that your kingdom is based on three papers.
But what do you think made those different small nations relatively the same? Ok, the geographical factor is quite huge for your island, but I believe it is also caused by the unity set on paper. If you were four separated states and someone would wnat to unite them today, you could say the same about it like what you say about the EU now.
It's just because you know it no different.

We won't come together here. I think you take this from the wrong side, somehow. It's not that *I* need to care more about someone on a farm in Estonia. It's not about I and THEM, it's about WE and US. Balancing things out will sove a lot of problems, everone cooking their own soup won't. Weaker states becoming stronger WILL infringe on you. If you don't like this, doing it together is the way.

Of course it isn't but I never said it should outweigh the US and China. It should not be about rivalling but about connecting. I may remind you that my beliefs aim at an eventual cosmopolis.

Then why vote against it?

No, I don't and I won't. :P

France have voted no

the Dutch are going to follow suit.

It's not a case of every Sun reading muppet in the UK just being stubborn and wishing for the good old days of the empire. If one of the main powers behind the EU rejects it (one which is mainly regarded as pro- EU on mass to boot) and one of the major nations also rejects it then you've got to take notice or at least accept that there's widespread dislike of the idea.

I study the politics of european integration (pretty much the history of the EU), Western European politics, 20th century western european history and 20th century russian history. It's fair to say i'm well informed on the EU and not just some fool opposing it for no other reason than the paper I read tells me to vote no.

Or maybe they're just not getting the idea at all. It seems it has also been a way to expres their dislike of the way things are in France at the moment. People keep mixing things up.

You may be well informed but you're incredibly biased as well :P

Being informed tends to lead you into making more educated decisions on subjects. i'd rather listen to a mechanic tell me what he thinks is wrong with my car than a binman.

France are voting no, the Dutch are also going to vote no, several countries have voted no on adopting the Euro in referendums. That raises flags to me. There is a reason for all of that and I'm not entirely convinced you can all lump them into the "people are ill informed and just voting No with no real reason" category.

In France a great deal of the people who voted "No" made that desision based on the issues which had nothing to do with the new constitution of EU.

The curent government in France isn't at the peak of their popularity and most people voted against Chirac or Jean-Pierre Raffarin. They got the result they wanted, Raffarin is now out of the government.

Also, french doesn't want Turkey to be a part of the EU, also a reason why they voted for no, even if that matter didn't have anything to do with the new constitution.

In one way I am actually happy that France voted for "No" because it raises up the important questions about the way EU works and how we could improve it in the future.

Teemu

The problem with public votes is that people rarely take the time to find out who or what they're voting for. This vote was no exception.

Ice

1.484 euro to the pound at closing today apparently.

Hopefully it'll be over 1.5 when the Dutch results come out tomorrow.

i'm not racist

Very true, unfortunately: first exit poll shows 63% against, 37% pro constitution.