British expats react to David Cameron’s ‘non’ to the EU

One of the major differences between the UK and Europe is political education. The average Brit requires something quite drastic to drag him/herslef away from beer, football, the X Factor or "Soaps" Short of a nuclear holacaust nothing will get them to focus on anything of intellectual value. The French on the other hand debate avidly fully aware of policies, strategy and necessary action. But, times are changing. Cameron and Osborne who between them appear to be hell bent on destroying what Thatcher started, has probably overplayed his hand. That object of desire of most Brits House prices, are falling steeply except for London. This means that the handy piggy bank the mortgaged house, cannot be used to buy flash cars, holidays abroad, useless electronic gadgetry and wide screen TVs. No government has survived house depreciation in the UK or the financial penalties that accompany it repossession and bankruptcy. Cameron can no longer blame the Euro, the last labour government or anyone else. He has managed in less than 18 months of ideological cuts to almost put the patient (the UK economy) beyond recovery. Unemployment continues to rise despite Cmeron and Osborne banging on about the Private Sector replacing jobs lost. Try explaining that to an IT specialist with 20 years experience on a good above average salary who can only find a part time job paying the minimum wage; or to a university lecturer faced with the same choice because of cuts. THe UK has not yet come out of recession, and by all accounts looks as though it will go deeper into recession and probably into the worst of all worlds, stagflation. The cost of basic commodities continue to rise, fuel costs continue to rise, energy costs continue to rise. These rises coupled with the cost of funding unemployment benefits and the loss of revenue from VAT, NHI and income tax, together with severely reduced spending tells its own story. The austerity program is not working. Cameron is a typical right wing ideologist, a sight worse is the Chancellor who's economic incompetence knows no bounds. The bleeding dry of the middle and working classes in the UK will continue for a little longer. Using the veto by Cameron will be the final nail in the coffin for the Tory party,the rising unemployment costs, failure to invest and damage to the financial institutions will eventually take their toll of this inept blinkered ragtag government. I was in France a little over a week ago near Pau. The difference between Pau and any City in the UK is refreshing. Pau today is like the UK used to be 30 plus years ago. People smiled, families chatted in restaurants, strangers gave bonjour. Speak to a stranger in the UK today, at the best you get a surly snarl, at the worst you could end up being assaulted, no one shows respect or politeness. Perhaps the French will understand when I say I am now more ashamed to be English than at any other time in my life. I apologise to Europe for the antics of our childish schoolboy politicians, but please don't judge us all the same way, we are part of Europe and wish to play an active part and contribute to the effort required to making Europe a prosperous group of countries capable of balancing the unbridled power of the USA.

So, If Cameron and the Eurosceptics succeed in removing the UK from the EU, how will your expats feel about going though the immigration process, and obtaining visas and work permits? Will they avoid it all by becoming citizens of an EU country such as France?

Britain is not a member of the Euro zone and has no rights or responsibilities for the Euro. It follows that the Euro group have no rights to interfere with British Fiscal policy. The politics of the Union are dubious when the Commission has not an audited account in its history it is unreasonable that they can demand larger contributions. The UK pays its dues to the IMF and that should be sufficient for the Euro zone as many of its members do not contribute to that fund, yet receive the to the benefits. We have already contributed a large amount to the Irish republic without ant obligation to do so whilst Germany fails to meet it's obligations to the Euro zone and is looking for an escape route which has no risk for them. The morality of their approach is the greatest danger to the Euro.

Of course the U.S. prints funny money (that we don't have) for Europe because we're again bailing out the big U.S. banks. Common sense and morality be damned. Or as someone said to me recently, the rich have no country. Soon, none of the rest of us will have any country, either--no food, no clothing, no shelter. I previously thought capital accumulation was the answer but after the MF Global robbery, I see even that isn't possible. I'd say head for the hills--but what hills? Sprechen sie Mandarin?

I totally agree with Iain Black, very blunt and straight to the point, trust me, and time will tell, The French will be the biggest loosers once the euro collapses. Basically The Germans are leading the race, The French, Im not convinced the really want to be following the Germans!!! wait until the latest bailouts prove to be unsufficient, and big economies start to collapse needing more bailouts!! does anyone think The French will put their hands in their pockets and shellout again???? noway, They will blame the Germans!!! not theselves and may be the third conflict will start!!! at that point they will turn around and ask help, from who, emmmmmmmmmmm difficult to answer I think!!! may be The Brits will come to the rescue!!!!