The EU - we are on the home straight folks!

I can't go along with any set up that refuses to have the accounts signed of.I know whats coming next but I don't believe it

How is the second list a fair reflection of a nation's wealth? If parts of London were to declare independence, they'd be in that list.

Are you bad at counting, obieone? I count 9 in the top 20 in Europe on your second list.

European Union Conspiracy Britain on the Brink - YouTube

Can't you do links yet, practical?

Just found the video. Sorry, but I don't trust anything which starts off with 'Edward Heath, child killer and Paedophille'. I have no idea if he was, but how is that relevant to the EU? It looks suspiciously like yet another conspiracy theory video.

Just scrolled down the comments. Apparently it's all the fault of Zionist bankers and Muslim immigrants. Ahem!

fullfact.org/economy/ten-things-know-about-economic-models/

This is very interesting. It more or less says there is no way anyone can forecast what is to happen if we leave the EU.
everybody has different models, which are only as good as the data which goes into them. Forecasts are based on the economy as a whole, not how it is going to affect our families.
So in other weords, forecasts are just a basis to start deliberations on, not the holy grail of the EU argument.

In your link, obieone, I like the list of countries based on spending power. Even then, it's just an average.

Thanks for not putting a link on, then. I will not be seeking that one out, daphne.

dj, name the 9. I still say 7.

dd, I find your London thing a silly thing to say.

dj, it was you who listed Luxenbourg that is in the second list.
I have finally realised that you try and use figures to skew what you say. Big time.

Luxembourg
Norway
Sam Marino
Switzerland
Ireland
Netherlands
Sweden
Austria
Iceland.
All in the top 20 of your second list.

Daphne's London thing is not a silly thing to say.
Qatar owns
£1 billion of property on Mayfair.
35% of the top 15 most expensive skyscrapers in London, including 95% of the Shard
Caridges, the Berkeley, The Connaught
Whole of Canary Wharf, at £2.6 billion
Burberry's old HQ, sold to them for £65 million
The old Brazilian Embassy
Harrods
British Airways
20% of Heathrow Airport.

Could that be why Cameron still has not decided on the new runway? Qataris are friends of his.

Norway is not in the EU

Switzerland is not in the EU

San Marino is not in the EU

Iceland is not in the EU

Just watched McDonald on Peston. Talking about EU

His argument matched mine exactly with regard to the risk and economy.

Migration made absolute sense.

His opinion about what will happen if Brexit comes about is in my opinion correct.

This is the first time I have watched Peston -I was pleased to note that Peston allowed his guests time to talk and develop their argument.

Some of the richest countries in the world are very reliant on immigrants to fulfil the labour needs of their economies. Dubai is a classic example - the native population is small and wealthy but they could not have possibly built and could not possibly operate, that great big resort city in the desert, without massive amounts of migrant labour.
The Uk is also an economy that relies on immigration. To give an example, the computer software industry, a very important sector, struggles to get good quality staff. This is because we do not produce enough graduates with the skills to meet the needs of this industry. If you go to any software company in the country (north or south) you are likely to find a multi-national group of programmers. My experience is that about 40-50% of programmers are not born in UK. This percentage seems to have climbed over the years as UK universities fail to meet the needs of the economy. Without the immigrants this vital and valuable industry sector would stagnate and decline. Oh and if you try to recruit a specialist software tester and you get 50 applicants in, none of whom were Uk born, because we just don't produce them ourselves. This is my first hand experience, so I know of what I speak.

Gove has pledged to cut immigration to 10s of thousands. Who believes him?

OK Whitewave no need for me to post now - I agree, including with he Peston interview technique. The only thing I would add is John McDonald was very calm which made it even more of a joy to listen to.

Excellent description JessM I am happy to admit there are different sorts of migrant experience but the ones that upset communities are almost always the fault of the government not meeting the basic needs of an expanding community. Many are grateful that the gaps we have are being filled and keeping us moving forwards.

the not he

Obieone, you did not say the EU. You said Europe.

"5 in the top 20 are in Europe."

There is a difference. Maybe one of your problems is that you do not know the difference between Europe and the EU.

JessM, just about nobody is debating those sorts of migrants. You myst know that? I had the same conversation with another poster yesterday.

I am getting increasingly agitated by posters who post what looks like one thing, when they quite likely know it is nothing of the sort.

Double speak is starting to abound.
I have only just noticed haven't I? Others probably already know it.

Until, gracesgran, someone decides that we no longer need the migrants, but they are reluctant to go back where they came from.
To some people, migrants are treated as no more than commodities, to be used and then discarded.

You're getting confused, obieone? Someone who doesn't know the difference between Europe and the EU?

I am sorry durhamjen.
You are quite right.

I meant EU.
Of counrse I know the difference!

I think I said Europe as your post said Europe[you may have quoted that to mislead].

But yes,5 in the top 20 are in the EU
Only 1 in the top 10 is in the EU.

I have started a thread about it, as I think it is a very important point.

Obieone, my grandson's mother is Danish. So is my grandson. His mother has taught in our schools for over ten years. She came here to study, paid for by her government, and has worked ever since in education. You would not know by her accent.
She gets very annoyed and upset when people talk about there being too many immigrants in this country and they are taking our jobs and ought to be sent back home.
She gets incandescent when they tell her they do not mean her.
SHE IS A MIGRANT. How does she know they do not mean her? What sort of migrant do they mean?
I find that argument absolutely appalling and I feel ashamed of being British when I hear it.