BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit

Subject: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 05:30 PM

While fisting the poor in England in the name of the deficit (we're all in this together, yah? - Oh except the bankers I knew at Oxfoahd we really need them) Osborne now proposes to take the money he gouges from the poor and give it to Ireland so that they can give it to their bankers...


Bend over, he's going to put one arm right up your arse, and, if you are female, the other one adjacent. Grosser fisting than on any internet porn site.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Rumncoke
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 07:14 PM

Today the DH reported that the Irish firm which had been neglecting to pay for work done has finally sent over some money - so what seems to be happening is that the British government is subbing the Irish government, who are bunging it to the Irish banks who are lending it to Irish businesses and they are paying their debts to English firms.

No doubt with a good bit creamed off the top for expenses, as usual.

Still we're in business for a little longer, until the cutbacks in the emergency services' budgets really kick in.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 08:15 PM

Excuse the expression, but this sounds for all the world like a circle jerk.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 08:56 PM

Wouldn't it be a better idea if our government gave money to us rather than to the Irish?

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 04:48 AM

A lot of this seems to be down to the greed of property developers - who, no doubt aided and abetted by the banks, flooded Ireland with houses that no-one now wants to buy. I suppose that this is classic capitalism in action - just keep on building and building and building. Then, at the top of the market, a few people get very rich. After a while there are more houses than buyers and the whole thing collapses and lots of people lose out big-time.

This seems to me to be a very odd way to run the world. Still, what do I know? There's really no alternative ... is there?

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:39 AM

"Wouldn't it be a better idea if our government gave money to us rather than to the Irish?"

And what about the 985 million the government give in overseas aid to Africa, India and Pakistan each year Richard,or is it just the Irish you want to exclude ?

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 06:45 AM

"Wouldn't it be a better idea if our government gave money to us rather than to the Irish?"
Sounds like just another skirmish in your Anti-Irish campaign Richars and bound to draw out all the closet racists - whoops, there goes one of them!!!
"And what about the 985 million the government give in overseas aid to Africa, India and Pakistan each year"
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Arnie
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 07:23 AM

Maybe we could divert some of the aid money we send to China? They're building whole new towns in Mongolia that hardly anyone lives in. Chinese speculators are buying up new flats as soon as they're built and leaving them empty as an investment. In fact, it may solve the Irish empty homes problem if they marketed them to the Chinese?

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:45 AM

Perhaps Richard should just get on with his conveyancing.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 09:59 AM

Despite the attempts over the years for the situation to be otherwise by many, both lawfully and otherwise, it is a fact that instability in Ireland is as risky to UK economical recovery as if a shire county had gone to the wall. My business dealings over the years have included Ireland as "home" territory, rather than classed as overseas custom.

And many more do too.

Whether we can afford to help is perhaps a legitimate moot point for discussion, but by the same token, whether we can afford not to?

An insolvent Ireland helps nobody, least of all us. Mind you, I notice North of the border, Alex Salmond has stopped rattling on about emulating the Celtic tiger.....

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 10:24 AM

Jim, would you care to elaborate on your remark about me being a closet racist ? Frankly I find it offensive and uncalled for.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 02:45 PM

I don't mind sending money to Ireland, as long as they don't use it to build any more of those damn bungalows, which are smothering every beauty spot. In return, perhaps the Irish could stop banging on about the horrors created by Cromwell and the famine.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 03:06 PM

"Jim, would you care to elaborate on your remark about me being a closet racist?"
Richie; two points.
1 Reading your diatribe against the student demonstration against the cuts I put you down as a right-of-right winger.
2. One of the planks of the right's argument is the money that leaves Britain to subsidise foreigners.
Following your "985 million the government give in overseas aid to Africa, India and Pakistan each year" I put two and two together.
I would be delighted if I have come up with 5 and you are not trotting out the old BNP et-al line about foreign aid, and would be happy to unreservadly withdraw my remark and apologise profusely - until which time, stet.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 03:08 PM

I don't mind aid to those in need - I object when it's going to shore up banks that will be handing out E1,000,000 per head bonuses again next year... Just subsidising the bonusses.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 03:39 PM

Well I quite like the look of those Irish bungalows. We don't have nice big bungalows like that. I have to live in a bungalow. English bungalows are dead pokey.

Anyway, what's so great about having a country like Scotland - 95% beauty spots and no bungalows?

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 03:44 PM

its all wrong they should send the money straight to me, Dick Miles benevolent fund.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:06 PM

yes Dick could be trusted with spending the money wisely.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:17 PM

France would have a wine lake, Ireland would have a concertina mountain.

Subject: RE: BS: Sbsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:24 PM

Ah-hah! Subsidise folk singer and morris dancer visits to France - result, no wine lake.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 06:31 PM

I've just had a thought. If Ireland takes English money maybe we should station a few black and tans in Dublin Castle to make sure they send it wisely.

Oh, and require new tax rules so that companies that have been based in England can't relocate to Ireland to save half their corporation tax.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 07:21 PM

Any help given to Ireland by other countries in the EU, including "the UK" (meaning England) is not altruistic. It's provided because it is in their interests.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:54 AM

Please clarify, by 'their' interests, is it in the interests of the states as a whole, or just the interests of the privilege few?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:53 AM

"I've just had a thought. If Ireland takes English money maybe we should station a few black and tans in Dublin Castle to make sure they send it wisely. "
You've just squared you circle of logic Richard - you appear to be still fighting the Irish War of Independance.
McGrath is right, anybody who thinks of foreign aid as an act of altruism should seek out the excellent (probably long out-of-print) 'Aid As Imperialism' by Teresa Hayter (daughter of one-time Conservative minister).
Aid is a way of maintaining a political and economic foothold in countries which might otherwise take their business and support elsewhere, it is an act of investment rather than charity, a fact that continues to keep the 'Great' in Britain.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 04:25 AM

Well no, Jim, I was just thinking of the Irish two-step

1. Filthy colonialists, out
2. Oh, we need money, have you got any?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 05:53 AM

"2. Oh, we need money, have you got any? "
Oh come onnnnn Richard; you know better than that. Britain ponced off the world for centuries, and when we pulled out - reluctantly, not only had we manipulated economies and destroyed cultures "For God, Queen and Empire", we left many of our former colonies in shit-order - Ireland being a perfect example.
Pay-back time, I'm afraid.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:00 AM

I don't know what this thing is with Jim and Richard and frankly I couldn't care less. However, there seem to be some underlying assumptions here:

1)The feckless Irish don't deserve help and in any case it shows that they aren't capable of governing themselves and we told you so:

2)Ireland is owed help by Britain on account of 800 years of imperialism and to suggest otherwise is racist.

The truth, as usual, probably falls somewhere in the middle. My own view is that partition set up not one but two corrupt sectarian states in Ireland. The smaller one had manifestly failed by the early 70s when the British abolished it and introduced direct rule. The second one carried on for a while longer under the pretence of 'Independence' even though, like Britain, it had surrendered its economic independence when it joined the EEC in 1973 - though even before that its independence was limited by the parameters of its relationships with other, richer countries (mostly the UK).

There's a couple of ways of looking at what the current situation means. As I mentioned earlier, there's the view that the mismanagement of the Irish economy is a function of the 26-county Irish state's lack of fitness for purpose.   In other words, independence, like partition, was an experiment which has now failed.

On the other hand, there's the view that Britain had to go to the IMF in the 70s and survived the experience. I think as far as the IMF issue is concerned this is the more realistic view. I don't see the IMF having any more leverage over Irish economic sovereignty than the bond markets, with the (limited) advantage that the IMF have, in theory, some accountability.

With regards to the question of bilateral aid from Britain to the Irish banking system I think it is quite reasonable to point out that this is being done to protect British financial institutions from the consequences of their own exposure to the Irish financial crisis. In other words, the Irish banks need propping up to protect British banks their own profligate lending to Irish banks over the last 15 years or so. If Irish banks fail, British banks take a bath. It's purely business and it has nothing to do with either altruism or imperialism (other than in the Leninist definition of economic imperialism).

I do think, however, that the crisis shows up fundamental flaws in the way Ireland is governed. Ireland has a system of government based on the Westminster model. I don't think it suits the country very well. For it to work in any real sense for the benefit of the governed there needs to be a real ideological difference between the parties in the legislature so that voters have a genuine choice (that's if you buy into the notion of liberal democracy in the first place - once Ireland gets mentioned on the Mudcat we always seem to hear from folk who clearly don't).

Without that choice parliamentarism and cabinet government quickly descends even further into cronyism, corruption and 'what's in it for me'. The only reason it ever worked even for a while in the UK was that we had a Labour party that was at least somewhat different from the establishment party and which had a grass-roots base in the working class. Plus there was a rival system in operation which posed a threat to the ruling class. To forestall revolutionary change based on another system of economic organisation the ruling class was minded to concede measures to forestall that change (like the NHS, the welfare state, the 40-hour week and so on). Now that that's gone the British state is every bit as corrupt as the Irish state.

The Irish state's weakness has always been that there's never really been an ideological underpinning to its existence apart from this thing called 'The National Question' - in other words identity of the state has always been defined in opposition to the state that is its closest neighbour and with which it has the most in common.

I'd go on but that's all I have time for just now.

Chris

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:11 AM

I was over in Dublin at the weekend, stopping with a friend / old business colleague near Leopardstown. He told me to walk with my eyes open over the weekend and see how many much you see has come to Ireland via the Uk.

Many manufacturers, wherever they work, wish to sell their goods into Ireland. And historically, through laziness and market size, they have done so via their British operation. The companies I was involved with all did the same.

Like I said at the outset, Britain's recovery will be even more fragile with a weak Ireland on the doorstep.

Of course, as many have pointed out, aid is rarely altruistic. It can however have an other big word associated with it; serendipity.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Van
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:29 AM

McGrath - since when did the UK mean England? The Welsh, Northern Irish, and Scots all pay tax to the exchequer so I believe it's our money too.

Still, Harlow is in Essex so we have to make allowances;)

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST, RIchard Bridge
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 07:43 AM

Lending people money so they can pay what they owe you is not clever.

If the concern is the effect on UK banks of the Irish banks failing, get ready to nationalise the UK banks properly and make them act in the best interests of people in the UK not of the receipients of obscene bonusses and salaries rewarding counterproductive economic behaviour. The separation of risk and reward in banking needs fixing - but giving more money, via the Irish government, to the Irish banks is not the way to fix it.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 08:03 AM

"Ireland is owed help by Britain on account of 800 years of imperialism and to suggest otherwise is racist."
Didn't say that Scouser - my reference to racism was aimed in the direction of those who object to "giving money to foreigners when it is better spent at home" - otherwise, I have no objection to either yours or Steamin' Willie's excellent summings up.
I do think that in many cases colonialism created built in weaknesses in many of the former colonies and that to some degree Britain recognised this and took some steps to keep those newly independent countries on her side; but that's probably an argument for elsewhere.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 08:06 AM

Why do you think that?
Prejudice?
In what way are former British colonies weaker than their peers?
Examples?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 09:54 AM

"Why do you think that?"
Ireland was left a 'temporarily' partitioned country which has led to 80 odd years of unrest - but we've been there, done that, haven't we?
The most developed part of the country, which also had the best land, remained under British control = 70 odd years of emigration.
"Prejudice?"
See you haven't abandoned your tendency to smear rather than argue Keith - where on earth does prejudice come into the equasion? I seem to remember that it was you who said he wished the Irish would all go back to where they came from.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 10:14 AM

Nationalise the UK banks! Screams Richard, rather predictably.

Never knew you trusted Osborne enough to give them to him?

Or is it that you want to nationalise them after your "workers'" revolution? In which case I reckon it would more a case of Ireland having to bail us out afterwards.

Propping up those who owe you might not seem clever, but nobodies' looking for clever solutions, just ones with a chance of success. And less of the body fluids or its back to Richard III.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 11:46 AM

You chose your name. I use my real one. Anyway, AFAIK Richard III was very popular indeed in the north certainly prior to his reign and for all I know during it too. The prejudiced joke lampooning Irish pronunciation may be what you have in mind, but while I may disagree with southern Irish vernacular politics (to express it politely) I do not and would not mock their accents.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:13 PM

Oh heck, he reckons its offensive to those of an emerald disposition now... No, you silly sausage, just well aimed in your general direction, if that makes you feel important.

I suppose with your republican ideas, I should be calling you Oliver Cromwell, but on reflection, Richard III is less offensive to our friends in brown trousers, brown shoes and green ties.

I do keep saying that I had never heard of an offensive definition of Steamin' Willie. You did educate me there, although normally I am not allowed to play with the naughty boys. My Mum brought me up better than that. "Don't go playing with those conveyencers!" She would yell. "They know naughty words and read naughty books!"

So I did look up the link you kindly supplied, and I blushed. That's why I could never do your job as well as you do. I know how to blush.....

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,keith a
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:14 PM

Jim, you always make Britain the villain of your posts.
If you can not justify that, you are indeed guilty of blind prejudice and bigotry.
Britain did not want Ireland partitioned.
There was no choice.
The army of the Republic could not subjugate the North, and the British army would not.
Now what about "I do think that in many cases colonialism created built in weaknesses in many of the former colonies and that to some degree Britain recognised this and took some steps to keep those newly independent countries on her side"
Any examples?

As for smears, you have just called respectable contributors "racist"

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,keith
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:18 PM

I missed the nastiest smear of all.
"I seem to remember that it was you who said he wished the Irish would all go back to where they came from."
A lie.
A deliberate misrepresentation of what I actually said, which was that we do not want NI in the UK, just as you don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 01:39 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,keith a - PM
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 12:14 PM

Jim, you always make Britain the villain of your posts.
If you can not justify that, you are indeed guilty of blind prejudice and bigotry.
Britain did not want Ireland partitioned.
There was no choice.
The army of the Republic could not subjugate the North, and the British army would not.
Now what about "I do think that in many cases colonialism created built in weaknesses in many of the former colonies and that to some degree Britain recognised this and took some steps to keep those newly independent countries on her side"
Any examples?

As for smears, you have just called respectable contributors "racist"
What a lot of in correct facts

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:21 PM

"Nationalise the UK banks! Screams Richard, rather predictably."
Tend to agree with Willie under the prevailing circumstances - I wouldn't like to see the banks fully in the hands of crooks and icompetents, which they would be as things stand at the present time.
However, can't see he has any reason for disparaging the idea of placing the banks under control of the people at a future date - they couldn't make a worse job of it than the present crowd.
We have been told that the present crisis will last from four to ten years (no doubt an extremely optomistic projection) during which time we will see cuts in the health service, leading to an increase in poor health throughout the section of the population affected, and even deaths). Schools, social services, care homes - all will no doubt fall under the axe. There will be a rise in homelessness due to home owners not being able to meet morgage commitments, pensions will be put under scrutiny to see if they can be milked, wages will be cut and working conditions will deteriorate ..... there will be a significant general reduction in the living standards of working people, and this reduction will be targeted at the poorest and most vunerable in our society.
This is not just a case of a few greedy bankers (I think that's the right word) and corrupt and inefficient politicians - it is a major breakdown in the system we live under.
It really is necessary that people should not take this lying down and that they should consider ALL options.
I watched a leading banker being interviewed on Irish television two nights ago - he said that the present "dip" in the economy was part of the general economic fluctuation and that bankers such as himself were in no way responsible for the present state of affairs.
Now where did I put my red shirt?
Keith:
"A deliberate misrepresentation of what I actually said,"
A word of advice; never, but never state publicly anything that you may wish to disassociate yourself from at a later date.
You'll be telling us next that you never gave your support to belligerant sectarian marches and described those of us who find them offensive "killjoys".
Head between the knees and deep breaths now!!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 07:08 AM

I hear the Irish government is holding to the position that the 12.5% corporation tax rate is 'non-negotiable'. In other words they are clinging to the right to allow multi-nationals to make huge profits without giving anything back to the country. Looking at the letters in yesterday's 'Irish Times' (by tradition, no champion of nationalism, it must be said) I suspect that a lot of Irish people would be quite happy for the IMF to override the Irish state's 'sovereignty' in this regard if it means that ordinary Irish people have to foot less of the bill.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 08:00 AM

when FF come canvassing for my vote ,they will get some direct action.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: bubblyrat
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 09:53 AM

I don't understand ! Why is it that a country which does NOT,by choice, use the "Euro" (what a stupid name !), give financial aid to a country that DOES ?? Let France, Germany,or some other EURO country (but not Greece !) bail out the Irish banks ! Erin Go Bust !!

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: mikesamwild
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 09:58 AM

Why does Gerry Adams want to go south for Sinn Fein?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 10:25 AM

"Germany,or some other EURO country (but not Greece !) bail out the Irish banks ! Erin Go Bust !!"
I think you'll find that the offer to bail out Irish banks is under offer from Europe at the present time.
As has been pointed out, Britain's offer has more to do with keeping a toe-hold in Ireland than 'bailing Irish banks out' - merely a business investment or 'Aid As Imperialism', as the lady wrote.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: mikesamwild
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 10:39 AM

And another flash point?! Or will it be gratefully received and forelocks tugged?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 12:19 PM

"Or will it be gratefully received and forelocks tugged?"
At the present time the government is doing a Richard III and has refused the bail out (don't know if that's 3 times).
Watch this space.
BTW mikesamwild
Are you related to the Sam Wild who was in Spain at the same time as my father?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 12:51 PM

I am considering voting for sinn fein.

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: mikesamwild
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:06 PM

Jim , yes - I PMd you

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,keith
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:25 PM

Jim, you posted,
" "A deliberate misrepresentation of what I actually said,"
A word of advice; never, but never state publicly anything that you may wish to disassociate yourself from at a later date.
You'll be telling us next that you never gave your support to belligerant sectarian marches and described those of us who find them offensive "killjoys"."

It was a misrepresentation.
You may have innocently overlooked the context of my remark once, but I have pointed it out to you previously.
Restating it is deliberate misrepresentation.
As for the marches, I care nothing but others do.
As they now pass off peacefully, even according to Sinn Fein, why persecute Unionists for their different cultural traditions?

And why bring up the partition of Ireland in this thread at all?

Subject: RE: BS: Subsidy to Ireland to increase UK deficit
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:49 PM

I noted above that Chris B reckons the Irish people would want the corporation tax to be increased.

Not, methinks, the hundreds of thousands of those employed by companies who relocated to Ireland, creating jobs on the back of the low corporation tax.

The EU are quite right not to like the tax rate, as it does skew the ""common market" philosophy somewhat. Also, the British Government may well not like contributing, but as I said above, regardless of what we like or don't like, we can't afford to see them sink any more than seeing Yorkshire sink. Busimess and commerce as ever make political and nationalistic discussions irrelevant. Ireland and The UK are one market, hence the brown trousers discussions at HM Treasury.