The UK says goodbye to the EU

[sabrelady]

The Bermudan independence referendum of 1995 was a referendum held in Bermuda on 16 August 1995 over whether Bermuda should become an independent sovereign state or remain a British Dependent Territory. On a voter turnout of 58.8%, 73.6% voted against independence, and 25.7% voted in favour. Following the decisive referendum result, Sir John Swan, in favour of independence, resigned as Premier of Bermuda.

The Cayman Islands have been connected to the United Kingdom since the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. From that time until 1962, Cayman was linked to Jamaica as a dependency. In 1962, Jamaica chose to become independent, but the Cayman Islands decided to remain a British colony. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently discontinued the use of the term "Dependent Territory" and the Islands are now called an "Overseas Territory." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office appoints a Governor, whose responsibilities cover a number of areas including: National Security, Foreign Affairs, Police, Immigration, the Passport Office, the Postal Services and other portfolios such as Broadcasting, District Administration and Civil Service.

Interestingly, there is very little desire amongst Caymanians for the Islands to go independent. Caymanians do not have to look far to see what happened to other Caribbean nations which went independent. Before independence in 1962, Jamaica was the most influential country in the Caribbean and an economic powerhouse. Now poverty, unemployment, high inflation, political corruption and a garrison style political structure are considered problems, despite recent efforts to confront the issues. Another example for Caymanians is the independence of the Bahamas in 1973, which is commonly acknowledged as the catalyst which kick-started Cayman's banking industry and spurred an economic boom.

Some simply are satisfied w the status quo- it IS their choice.

[dented146]

Sadly, it is virtually impossible to have a Europe all living under similar political and social constructs. Northern Italians are completely different in their thinking from Southern Italians who are far for Socialistic. Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights has prevented England from deporting hundreds of foreign born criminals because they claim family ties to people in England. Should the EU be making these types of decisions for the various countries? It is ridiculous.

The only thing more ridiculous than this vote was the notion in the very beginning that these diverse countries and cultures could ever put aside centuries of history and successfully live under one set of rules. Some people will blame the current influx of immigrants and certainly they had a huge impact. But it seems to me that mostly they just shined a light on a system collapsing under the weight of cultural differences. The EU can not control people's feelings any more than they can make the people of Greece behave like the people of Germany.

[SNAFU]

 Right or wrong it was their choice. If they voted without knowing the consequences then they are out of luck. Very much like we will be should the Short fingered, Cheeto faced, ferret wearing Shitgibbon gets elected. (Thank-you Scotland!)

[sabrelady]

SNAFU- I liked "weasel headed fukknugget" more tho" polyester c0ckwomble" is not without its charms .

[javero]

Brexit: Spain calls for joint control of Gibraltar

Also, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's term expires at the end of the calendar year.  A name that comes up regularly as a possible successor is that of Susana Malcorra, the Argentine Foreign Minister.  Argentina is a member of Mercosur, a South American trade bloc with historical ties to the EU.  It's my understanding that Mexico and Chile are the only 2 Latin American nations that currently have trade deals with the EU.  I wonder whether Britain will need to negotiate a trade deal directly with Argentina, completely bypassing the EU, and whether Argentina will make a play for the Falklands (aka Malvinas).

Malcorra expresses worries about impact on ongoing Mercosur-EU trade negotiations

 

[madbrian]

Boris Johnson has withdrawn from consideration to be the next Prime Minister.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brexit-leader-boris-johnson-rules-out-bid-to-be-next-british-pm_us_5774fc00e4b042fba1cf2e4e?section=

[songanddanceman2]

What a moron, he leads the campaign to leave then jumps ship to let others clean up his mess.