Jean-Claude Juncker has been sounding off his thoughts about the UK leaving the European Union. The date for the UK to leave is March 2019 and if anyone doubts this will not happen then they must not be in touch with reality. Juncker has stated that Britons "will soon" regret voting to leave the European Union and that the "Wind is back in Europe's sail".
Juncker plans to hold a meeting in Romania in March 2019 the day after the UK leaves the European Union. The meeting will concentrate on the best way forward for the remaining 27 nations of the EU.
Unemployment across the EU is down so this is one of the sweeteners that must be music to Juncker's ears. Also, Juncker seemingly with a spring in his step announced the EU would be doing future trade deals with New Zealand, Australia and also the USA.
Nigel Farage pours scorn on Juncker
Well, known anti - European Nigel Farage has been sarcastically making fun of Juncker's words. Saying to a pro - Brexit audience "I think you will regret it" but did he mean that we the British will regret it or the EU with the UK not being a member anymore?
It is most probable from Farage's words that he was indeed being sarcastic about the fact that Britain will regret leaving the EU like 'a hole in the head.' The question who stands more to lose once the UK is gone from the EU is indeed worth speculating on.
Britain certainly gave its fair share to the EU financially but we also got a lot back in the funding of community projects for example. The government says once EU law becomes British law workers rights, as one example will be preserved. But the fear of the opposition parties is whether workers rights will be protected as they were under EU law.
Also, the government can cherry-pick what EU laws it wants to keep and throw away those it doesn't like.
Obviously, Jeremy Corbyn has called this a "power grab" which is why what EU laws are kept and thrown away should be a cross party choice - not left to the right wing hot heads that surround Theresa May in her cabinet.
Juncker's optimism
It is understandable that Juncker would be up beat about the European Unions future or is he just being hopeful? How much of a financial hole will the exit of Britain leave in the European Union? The fact is that we were one of the chief financial contributors, if not the top financial contributor to the EU. Is this why the EU is seeking trade deals with the USA, New Zealand, and the United States.
Is the European Union doing this to find a replacement for the UK financially once we are gone? If this is the case will these other nations be able to step up to the plate as it were?
What about those other European nations who may feel they want to hold referendums and leave like the UK?
There are also other nations who wish to join the European Union but it seems Turkey will not be joining anytime soon.
One thing is certain for both the UK and the EU: once separated. their future is in their own hands and dependent on the good will of other nations and trading blocs.
