It’s The Latte Latte Delta Tea Break 2018

[delta]

Haven’t said it this year but I am not a Christmas person . Enjoyed it when kids were young but at present no grand children . As for Christmas records . Grrrrr. Only 6 days to go and days get longer . 😀

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by bauble

I agree with the sentiments expressed Peter, however, I can think of a few choice words that would also sum up the EU in much shorter form.

Nice to see Mrs May having a go at the pickled Luxembourger today. Probably all a bit too late though.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by delta

Haven’t said it this year but I am not a Christmas person . Enjoyed it when kids were young but at present no grand children . As for Christmas records . Grrrrr. Only 6 days to go and days get longer . 😀

Don't worry, after your six day countdown the next target will be the length of time before Easter Eggs appear in the shops!
(Plus I have some sneak preview news: DFS are going to be announcing a sale!)

[John Elwin]

There's a Meteo France warning for snow & ice in various regions tomorrow. However, the more enlightened commenters are suggesting it is a government plot to distract the gilets jaunes & that it will probably be artificial snow!

Cynicism is alive & well...

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Actually I don't find it boring since I've studied it and worked with it for many years. I do find the constant remain/leave carping tedious; we voted, so let's leave.

The problem is that instead of being a trading institution the EU imposes regulations which then have to be ratified by each state as law (usually by Act of Parliament in the UK). States may derogate for a short period but after that they must implement the regulation. Hence it is imposing its will via the back door, since it can't do it in a similar way to the only other Federal Country which is the USA.

It is an unelected institution and therefore must either be an NGO or a business. To get around this problem it has a "parliament". Can anyone honestly say what the European Parliament does, apart from ratify the regulations prepared and issued by the Commission?

I understand your point of view and know your opinion won't change but for the benefits of others who might be bothered to read this, there are details that are often misunderstood, such as:

The unelected bit...
It's actually remarkably similar to the UK govt.
The public vote for MPs (in the EU case MEPs).
The public don't vote for the Cabinet (in the EU case Commission), they are chosen by their elected govts.
So as with the UK cabinet etc. the public only get to decide indirectly.

A big difference is there is scrutiny and accountability of the Commission officials, who have to be approved and can't be installed at the whim of the PM.

The UK govt. not promoting the electoral process does not mean it doesn't happen and the UK parties chosing to leave the EPP (that has a say in who is chosen) isn't the EU's fault!

As for the EU's "power" it can only propose legislation in areas that have been unanimously agreed by all countries.
So the govt. has agreed to allow the EU to make proposals in specific areas - which of course are just that, proposals not decisions and invariably get changed as part of the process following input from all the countries.

As with arguing about which team is better there is no right or wrong answer which means that while such discussions can be fun they aren't productive.

Apparently it will only cost you 7 euros for 3 years to visit the EU, of course that will be about 50 quid by the time it happens but still good value!

Meanwhile you'll be able to feast on all the mackerel and herring you desire because that is what populates the UK fishing territories but swapping from the foreigners' cod etc will be well worth it!

And so on ad nauseum...

[Mike Bell]

John E and Gerard- I’m worried about whether I should display my flouros on the seats as required in future on not. Is it possible I’ll be stopped and arrested as a ‘gilet jaune’ protester?

Interesting or see that Virgin Galactic has flown at 51 miles altitude. But although RB is boasting of the craft having flown into space, some knowledgable peeps on the subject are saying that space doesn’t start until 62 miles. If even something as simple as that can’t be agreed on, what chance brexit!

[Peter Mallett]

Peter. Actually I'm open to change that's why I do my job. But you do seem to have been sold a pup. You see the point about allowing the EU to make the rules is not due to the altruism of the states. They don't get a say if those rules become regulations. If they had a choice there would be chaos simply because one state cannot derogate permanently while the others sign up.

So there is the EU way or no way.

You still haven't covered the point that the EU is not a sovereign nation. How does that work unless it is a loose alloance among feee thinking states? And if that is the case then surely there should be freedom to act as an individual nation.

It's difficult don't You think?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

John E and Gerard- I’m worried about whether I should display my flouros on the seats as required in future on not. Is it possible I’ll be stopped and arrested as a ‘gilet juane’ protester?

Interesting or see that Virgin Galactic has flown at 51 miles altitude. But although RB is boasting of the craft having flown into space, some knowledgable peeps on the subject are saying that space doesn’t start until 62 miles. If even something as simple as that can’t be agreed on, what chance brexit!

I didn't think that space (or the edge of the atmosphere perhaps a better description) was fixed.


https://www.space.com/17683-earth-atmosphere.html


Suggest people accept 61 miles as a reasonable assumed boundary.

So presumably they mean 100kms? More or less ....

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

John E and Gerard- I’m worried about whether I should display my flouros on the seats as required in future on not. Is it possible I’ll be stopped and arrested as a ‘gilet jaune’ protester?

Interesting or see that Virgin Galactic has flown at 51 miles altitude. But although RB is boasting of the craft having flown into space, some knowledgable peeps on the subject are saying that space doesn’t start until 62 miles. If even something as simple as that can’t be agreed on, what chance brexit!

You tuck your gilet jaune into the corner of your dashboard. If they stopped & arrested everyone displaying their gj there would be nobody left on the road. Reportedly about 72% of the population support the protest & that is certainly borne out by what you see on the road.

Did you see that the Egyptian government has banned the sales of gilet jaunes to individuals in case something similar happens there?

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Peter. Actually I'm open to change that's why I do my job. But you do seem to have been sold a pup. You see the point about allowing the EU to make the rules is not due to the altruism of the states. They don't get a say if those rules become regulations. If they had a choice there would be chaos simply because one state cannot derogate permanently while the others sign up.

So there is the EU way or no way.

You still haven't covered the point that the EU is not a sovereign nation. How does that work unless it is a loose alloance among feee thinking states? And if that is the case then surely there should be freedom to act as an individual nation.

It's difficult don't You think?

I did not vote for Tusk, or Barmier or indeed for any of the commission, so why am I bound by the rules they write?

I can, in a small way, influence politics in the UK, but have no real power over Europe as sending an MEP there is like spitting in the ocean for all the difference it makes. When I had a problem with the FCA I was able to got to my MP, and he took up my case with the appropriate Minister. What chance of getting any such service from Brussels?

I still think the Ford Escort was just another Ford.

[Peter Mallett]

I'm sorry if I'm boring people but just like those of you who can build engines or write prose in magazines, I spend my time dealing with contracts and law. I do it because I enjoy it

Sorry.

Baub. When you vote for a government they choose their cabinet. The point being the he winning party got there on a manifesto. That's what you voted for not the resulting cabinet.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

John E and Gerard- I’m worried about whether I should display my flouros on the seats as required in future on not. Is it possible I’ll be stopped and arrested as a ‘gilet jaune’ protester?

Zehr gut mein Herr! I was stopped yesterday on the highway by gilets jaunes but it was Gendarmerie and Customs department!
The way things are going, you should be more worried about the new rules for the foreign trucks in France… You'll have to make a special covering like circus have to! Imagine things like Bozo Motorsport or Gonzo racing?
If you need stupid suggestions, we're of course wide open, our instances have so many at the moment we must have a lot of spares!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by bauble

I still think the Ford Escort was just another Ford.

Ha yes, just like that you say, mon Ami Robert… What about Opel Manta, then…

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Don't worry, after your six day countdown the next target will be the length of time before Easter Eggs appear in the shops!
(Plus I have some sneak preview news: DFS are going to be announcing a sale!)

it would be of more use if DFDS had a sale....

[Gerard C]

What is weird about gilet jaune is that a gilet is mandatory but nothing tell you about the color. The said gilet must be homologated and…*CE certified! Yellow, orange or may be light blue. The first guy to promote the gilet in France, was… Karl Lagerfeld! Soooo fashion

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

it would be of more use if DFDS had a sale....

Ah, as a MSUK member you will get a discount on their crossings....... I’m excited to find out how much!

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

it would be of more use if DFDS had a sale....

You've missed the whole point of a sale. It's to persuade the gullible to buy **** that no-one in their right mind wants, not to give loyal customers a discount.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

The way things are going, you should be more worried about the new rules for the foreign trucks in France… You'll have to make a special covering like circus have to! Imagine things like Bozo Motorsport or Gonzo racing?

The way things are going- nothing will have changed by next April!

‘Circus’ trucks in France can tow many trailers and caravans, it seems from those I’ve seen on travels. Imagine turning up at a PA meeting with a road train.....

One negative if I understand correctly, is that they are restricted to lower speed limits? Think they are in the U.K., at least.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

‘Circus’ trucks in France can tow many trailers and caravans, it seems from those I’ve seen on travels. Imagine turning up at a PA meeting with a road train.....

Yeees, Mike, that's exactly what I mean. Imagine some assistants during a CER race wearing jester's hat while making "panneautage"! Cant wait. Just hope Simon Hadfield is reading this…
No worry, Circus trucks follow unwritten rules, whatever their length or speed, they're never worried. In fact, they have no papers to check! Go Gonzo, go have a look to lagerfeld gilet jaune!

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I'm sorry if I'm boring people.....

Not boring - quite an interesting take it on it from a business perspective.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Ah, as a MSUK member you will get a discount on their crossings....... I’m excited to find out how much!

I get a discount on DFDS but I've yet to use it - P&O is always cheaper even without a discount.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I get a discount on DFDS but I've yet to use it - P&O is always cheaper even without a discount.

For a truck they’re almost exactly same cost, but DFDS have been offering a free meal for the driver for a couple of years. The food is pretty disgusting but it’s free..... I’ve used them more because the Dunkirk route is good for Spa, and there can be less queuing. Definitely not for the free grub!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

For a truck they’re almost exactly same cost, but DFDS have been offering a free meal for the driver for a couple of years. The food is pretty disgusting but it’s free..... I’ve used them more because the Dunkirk route is good for Spa, and there can be less queuing. Definitely not for the free grub!

P&O Fish 'n chips are very good, especially when you know they might be your last for a while!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

P&O Fish 'n chips are very good, especially when you know they might be your last for a while!

Depends which direction you’re going....?

On one DFDS mid morning ferry, they were still serving ‘full English’, but had fish and chips as well. (for those that had started early, presumably!) I didn’t want a full English and the fish looked particularly unappealing, so I asked for egg and chips. Nope, not on the menu so can’t do......

[PeterMorley]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Peter. Actually I'm open to change that's why I do my job. But you do seem to have been sold a pup. You see the point about allowing the EU to make the rules is not due to the altruism of the states. They don't get a say if those rules become regulations. If they had a choice there would be chaos simply because one state cannot derogate permanently while the others sign up.

So there is the EU way or no way.

You still haven't covered the point that the EU is not a sovereign nation. How does that work unless it is a loose alloance among feee thinking states? And if that is the case then surely there should be freedom to act as an individual nation.

It's difficult don't You think?

It's definitely very difficult - not helped by not entirely understanding the"technical stuff" or what your job is!

Given all States are part of the discussion about rules, they have a say in how they are drawn up and therefore the outcome. They then have a say on whether the final version is accepted or not.

Being proactive in such processes obviously helps get more of ones preferred options, which could be why some countries seem to do better than others (and why outfits like the DUP aren't very effective)?

Acting as an individual nation could work when you are massive but given the UK isn't that large, has various parts that are wondering about leaving and hasn't invested in infrastructure for decades and is reliant on foreign investment it's hardly going to compete with the massive countries - except by undercutting wages.

As wages rise in China etc. they will be looking for cheap labour so it is possible that they will return the steel mills etc. and resurrect Victorian times but it's unlikely that such jobs will be popular - except with the MPs who like to report low "unemployment" figures.