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Joining the Common Market

(10 Posts)
Luckygirl Wed 29-Nov-17 14:46:50

There was a very interesting item this morning on the Today programme (I think) that played clips from the period when we were applying to join the Common Market, and everyone was miffed that France was fighting tooth and nail to keep us out. We were, as always, the beggar at the door - plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!

It was interesting that DeGaulle did not want us as he thought we would not "play the game" - hmm. Maybe if the game had not changes so much, we would have been happy to play.

Luckygirl Wed 29-Nov-17 14:47:16

changed

BlueBelle Wed 29-Nov-17 14:49:25

Maybe he knew us better than we would have liked to think He was right though wasn’t he we never played the game from day 1

Welshwife Wed 29-Nov-17 14:52:18

You would think people would have voted to remain in just to spite them!!!

Greta Wed 29-Nov-17 15:15:10

It is interesting though, isn't it, that it often takes an outsider to see you as you are.

Luckygirl Wed 29-Nov-17 17:23:09

Yes - it was intriguing I must say.

lemongrove Wed 29-Nov-17 17:27:17

I did read that de Gaulle was an arrogant man, who thought he didn’t get the credit he deserved, especially from the war years.
Yes Luckygirl we could have played the game if it hadn’t changed so much, exactly!

gillybob Wed 29-Nov-17 22:31:38

I heard the item this morning on Radio 4 too Lucky and found myself shouting at the radio... (I was only born in 1962) "Okay so we eventually joined, but were we ever really welcome"?

Jalima1108 Wed 29-Nov-17 22:54:35

De Gaulle. A man famous for telling his fellow countrymen not to give up the fight against Germany - from the relative safety of London where we gave him sanctuary.
Then fighting to keep us out of the Common Market.

I suppose one could call him a pragmatist - or knowing which side his bread was buttered..

NfkDumpling Thu 30-Nov-17 07:29:28

Perhaps we should start a new Common Market. One which stays just that. A common market.