london1967 | Entries tagged with europe

I know a couple who argues constantly. No-one really knows why they are still together.
There is no mutual love and not even affection: one is considered by the other mean, calculating, guarded and affected by a superiority complex that prevents real friendship; the other is seen as an overfed, greedy whore of Babylon who can never be satisfied.
They've been arguing over power and money for many years and, personally, I am quite fed up with it.

So, please please please dear government give us a referendum on the EU.
I don’t even care about the outcome any more but at least everybody in this country will finally stop moaning about Europe and shut up once and for all!
Thank you.

Current Location: London, WC2H

Today we interrupt the normal transmission of flowers, cakes and photography for a short political broadcast.

It's election day here in the UK: a number of local councils and the European Parliament.

The election today may also spell the end for the Labour government, in full crisis after the expenses scandal (which, it must be acknowledge, involved MPs from all parties).

It is almost certain that the Eurosceptic parties will get lots of votes and even that the first MEP for the racist/homophobic/fascist British National Party will be elected.

I have always been fascinated and somewhat amused by the ambivalence of most British people when it comes to the European Union.

The UK Independence Party says it all in its name: many think that the UK is not an independent country any longer and are quick to point the finger at Europe for anything they don't like here.

Good job that we kept the pound or my ears would be tired of hearing people moaning about the euro.

The UK government itself has always been very reluctant to embrace closer European integration; for instance they didn't sign up to the Schengen Agreement that allows people to move around 25 countries without passport control and, by doing so, stopped Ireland from joining. (Even Switzerland - a non-EU country - recently joined!)

But what causes this reluctance to be a fully fledged member of the Euro club?

Well part of it is that we are on an island (albeit rather a large one); and part, I believe, is down to the glorious history of the country: it's difficult to rule one third of the world without growing arrogant.

(And that reminds me of a discussion I once had with an ex-colleague of mine. He thought that the Great in Great Britain referred to its past glory and eminence. He was rather shocked to hear that it is just a geographical term to differentiate it from Bretagne/Brittany).

Despite being very much pro-Europe, I think that the new government - whether it's later this year or next year- should really call for a referendum not just on the Lisbon treaty but on the EU membership.

Then, whaterer the outcome, no-one will be able to complain.

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: London, WC1A

When I am bored at work, I often daydream about places I've visited.

Here's the "summary" of my European and American trips:

create your personalized map of europe

create your own personalized map of the USA

Time to go East perhaps?

Outside of Europe and the USA, I've only been to Israel and Turkey (and, of course, the UK - after all here they always talk of Europe as if they were not part of it).

Current Mood: bored
Current Location: London, WC1A

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23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

From 'La Mole' to Penge

Not always a smooth journey

Entries tagged with europe

Strange bedfellows

Europe? Maybe.

Daydreaming

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October 2016

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