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[Varche]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39789903

I think the Eu have started off too low. They should have come up with say 982 billion so it didn't look like a figure plucked out of thin air. Then they could come down to a 100 billion and everyone would think they got a good deal. Good on Davis for saying "the UK would pay what was legally due, in line with its rights and obligations, but "not just what the EU wants". "

[STEMO]

I think there may come a point where we just have to walk away for a while, and tell them to stuff their single market. There'll be no money forthcoming and there'll be no free movement until they come to their senses. Bolshi little Belgian Bastards.....as John Cleese might say. 

[Viral_Jim]

I think this is the way it will end up going STEMO, baring in mind we have now already had 5% of our allotted 2 years and as far as I can tell, the square route of sod all has happened, other than May wasting another couple of months on a sodding general election 

[Marks DTM Calib]

I think this is the way it will end up going STEMO, baring in mind we have now already had 5% of our allotted 2 years and as far as I can tell, the square route of sod all has happened, other than May wasting another couple of months on a sodding general election 

Which she has been forced to do because the whole wasteful lot of them are more interested in snide remarks and bitching at each other rather than trying to get behind the elephant in the room which is Brexit

[Sir Tigger KC]

The sodding General Election is a necessary evil as if we do withdraw from the EU with no agreement it will be down to unreasonable demands from the EU Commission (and Mrs Merkel) and the Government will need a strong majority to repeal the European Communities Act. 

I have read various things over the last few days like the European Parliament will veto any deal that dosn't give the EU full control over UK environment policy and labour law, Mrs Merkel is reported to have dismissed out of hand the idea that the UK owns a chuck of EU assets and the EU Commission has drawn up a list of 25 rights that EU citizens living in the UK must be granted, and that these rights should be overseen by the ECJ! 

A lot of this is journalistic gossip and speculation, but as the old saying goes "There's no smoke without fire!"

[STEMO]

Yes, Tigger, the EU want to keep most of the reasons people voted to leave.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Her general election isn't really slowing the process, as nothing really serious wlil happen until after the French and German elections are done and dusted.
Also, historically the EU method of doing deals is to be intransigent until the last minute of the last hour, and then thrash something out in an all night meeting.
The talk of £100 billion etc. is just sabre rattling, an opening salvo to try and unsettle the opposition. An attempt to find out of we will panic and cave in at the first sign of trouble.
Take no notice of it. 

[Kevin Wood]

Yes, Tigger, the EU want to keep most of the reasons people voted to leave.

Of course, if they're not careful, everyone will want one!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, Tigger, the EU want to keep most of the reasons people voted to leave.

The hard facts are that we will be paying some in for a period as we signed up to many agreements and committed to the spend (Horizon 2020 being an obvious one), clearly this will reduce as the agreements mature.

Did people really think you could just go 'sod off' and walk away 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Her general election isn't really slowing the process, as nothing really serious wlil happen until after the French and German elections are done and dusted.
Also, historically the EU method of doing deals is to be intransigent until the last minute of the last hour, and then thrash something out in an all night meeting.
The talk of £100 billion etc. is just sabre rattling, an opening salvo to try and unsettle the opposition. An attempt to find out of we will panic and cave in at the first sign of trouble.
Take no notice of it. 

Nicely blown out of all proportion by the gutter press of course 

[STEMO]

Yes, Tigger, the EU want to keep most of the reasons people voted to leave.

The hard facts are that we will be paying some in for a period as we signed up to many agreements and committed to the spend (Horizon 2020 being an obvious one), clearly this will reduce as the agreements mature.

Did people really think you could just go 'sod off' and walk away 

The people who voted to leave thought exactly that, because that's what they were told by the politicians who were determined to leave at any cost. Ironically, those who voted leave were mainly the people it will affect least of all and, having lit the blue touch paper, they have now retired to a safe distance.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Well, they do need a headline every day. 
The facts and figures quoted in the press are what politicians would ideally, like to happen. The reality will kick in, when they have to take notice of the pressure from the many European commercial interests who aren't going to have their businesses severely damaged by petty minded egotists who have never had to generate revenue in order to pay bills, wages etc.
I'm not a big fan of Theresa May (so far) but she is right about one thing. The referendum is over, this is happening, and in order to get the best deal for the future of the UK, its time for everyone to get behind the cause and unite behind our own country. A bit of Dunkirk spirit, will go a long way.
We can get back to good old British bitching and arguing after the dust has settled.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Yes, Tigger, the EU want to keep most of the reasons people voted to leave.

The hard facts are that we will be paying some in for a period as we signed up to many agreements and committed to the spend (Horizon 2020 being an obvious one), clearly this will reduce as the agreements mature.

Did people really think you could just go 'sod off' and walk away 

No obviously there are commitments that have to be honoured, but most of these end in 2020 and I'm sure that we will participate in various EU programmes like Horizen 2020 or Europol like we participate in and pay for membership of other international bodies.

My view (and I realise this is simplistic) is that our financial commitments to the EU ends in 2020 when the current EU budget finishes.  Given that our net subs are around £10 billion a year and there are 3 years till 2020, then we owe £30 billion (give or take a bit) less our share of EU assets. 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

We can of course just walk away and tell them to get in touch if they want to talk about a trade deal. We would then deal with them under WTO rules, the same way we deal with everyone else. And its also the same way they trade with the rest of the world.
Personally, I see that as a very realistic possibility, as it would hurt them a lot more than it hurts us.
The best scenario is to have a decent deal, but that depends on both sides being sensible, but how often are politicians sensible ?
I suspect the EU are planning on trying to play very dirty. The fact that despite the very bloody history, they are currently trying to stir up Irish nationalism, shows there are no depths they wont sink to.
The CEO of Vag, Mercedes, BMW, PSA, Renault, Fiat etc. etc. wont care about any of that. They wont want to accept restricted access to a hugely lucrative market, and people in their position tend to steer politicians on to sensible ground.
As always though, only time will tell.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I suspect the EU are planning on trying to play very dirty.

Yes it was a bit naughty leaking details of 'the dinner' and the opinions of Junker that Theresa May is 'delusional' and 'on another galaxy' during a General Election campaign. 

Maybe they don't want Mother Theresa and the Conservatives to get back in with a strong mandate.