Here's a thread which I'm calling "Everything you need to know about the EU and Brexit", so that when I inevitably realise I've forgotten something crucial, I'll embarrassingly tag it on the end.
Is the EU democratic? There are 4 main decision-making bodies:
European Council: Heads of Government of 28 countries
@EUCouncil: National Ministers
@EU_Commission: 28 officials appointed by European Council
@Europarl_EN: 750 directly elected MEPs
European Council: Heads of Government of 28 countries
@EUCouncil: National Ministers
@EU_Commission: 28 officials appointed by European Council
@Europarl_EN: 750 directly elected MEPs
We have 73 out of 750 MEPs in the European Parliament.
That means that despite being one of 28 countries we have roughly 10% of the voting weight of the body that ultimately decides all* EU law.
(*in tandem with the @EUCouncil)
That means that despite being one of 28 countries we have roughly 10% of the voting weight of the body that ultimately decides all* EU law.
(*in tandem with the @EUCouncil)
The UK is not part of the Common Asylum policy so our refugee policy is completely under our control. The power of the EU is set out in the treaties so no changes can happen without our say so.
On sensitive issues like defence, taxation etc. we can veto.
On sensitive issues like defence, taxation etc. we can veto.
This diagram explains the power relationship between the various EU institutions and how your vote shapes every single part. 
Compare that with the position Brexit would leave us in. Forced to copy EU laws but having no say over them.
In fact, at @OFOCBrexit, we've asked Brexit voters what they think of that and...
So why would we copy EU laws? Why don't we just make our own laws?
So what do we need to do to be able to compete in Europe after Brexit?
But why don't we just forget Europe and focus on countries in continents that are further away?
(Correction: India's just in an FTA with ASEAN)
(Correction: India's just in an FTA with ASEAN)
What circumstances led people to vote for Brexit?
Lack of jobs, investment and prosperity in non-metropolitan areas, leading to a massive disconnect between Westminster and real people, fuelled by a political system that doesn't represent the people.
Lack of jobs, investment and prosperity in non-metropolitan areas, leading to a massive disconnect between Westminster and real people, fuelled by a political system that doesn't represent the people.
Which parts of the country would be most affected by Brexit? Those that voted for it...
But what about the issues that really matter. Isn't EU immigration killing the NHS? No, because EU citizens are a net benefit to our doctor-patient ratio.
But won't the NHS have more money if we don't have to pay it to the EU?
But aren't citizens from other EU countries a burden on our other UK public services?
Less so than UK nationals and they actually provide a net benefit. And even if they were a burden, that wouldn't be the EU's fault ⬇️
Less so than UK nationals and they actually provide a net benefit. And even if they were a burden, that wouldn't be the EU's fault ⬇️
Nigel Farage lied when he told us the EU forces us to let EU citizens come here, live off benefits and clog up the NHS:
What does Brexit say about the sort of country we want to be?
How does Scotland Fit into it?
How does Northern Ireland Fit into it?
Can Brexit actually happen without screwing up Northern Ireland?
No.
No.
Can Brexit be stopped? Yes
How? We need to talk to each other better:
How do young people feel about Brexit?
Even more against it than we were in 2016. But please by all means, listen to them for yourself:
Even more against it than we were in 2016. But please by all means, listen to them for yourself:
Then in November, when the negotiations are over and we're faced with a bad deal or no deal... we need to be sensible and pressure our MPs to follow suit.
A public vote is needed so that you can decide whether the government's deal is good enough for your kids' futures.
A public vote is needed so that you can decide whether the government's deal is good enough for your kids' futures.
