Free, at last!

[Frankoid]

See here,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Eur ... referendum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Dutc ... referendum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Fren ... referendum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kees]

These referendums were about the proposed constitution of the EU, not about the EU itself. The EU itself is hugely supported in these countries.

[felixkk]

I wouldn't trust anything CNN has to say about Fox.

VERY GOOD ADRIAN! I SEEM TO HAVE ARRIVED TOO LATE TO SEE YOUR EARLIER POSTS
I LOVE EUROPE AND EUROPEANS THANKFULLY WE ARE OUT OF THE EU THOUGH
https://news.sky.com/video/why-i-voted- ... t-10826991" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John- a 86 or 87 year old, with a net worth of 75 million, giving current and future generations the advice that it is better to be poor (while apparently threatening at one point to abandon the UK for the US if they were to raise his taxes) is a bit odd... no?

[colin7673]

These referendums were about the proposed constitution of the EU, not about the EU itself. The EU itself is hugely supported in these countries.

But if I remember correctly both these countries had two referendums for the same thing, because the first answer was deemed incorrect ?

[Chris_R]

I believe you are correct in respect of Ireland Colin. They didn't like the 1st answer from the people so held a second referendum to get the answer they wanted. I don't know about any others.

[Keith]

Other EU countries that also had a referendum, some twice to get the correct answer, will be watching with interested.

To be honest, I'm struggling to find any info on other EU countries that have also had a referendum to leave the EU, but maybe I'm not the Googlemeister that others on here appear to be!

[kees]

These referendums were about the proposed constitution of the EU, not about the EU itself. The EU itself is hugely supported in these countries.

But if I remember correctly both these countries had two referendums for the same thing, because the first answer was deemed incorrect ?

Not in NL AFAIR

[clivey]

Other EU countries were smarter about the question they asked, not just in or out, like the Swiss who in 2014 asked, and I summarise here to simplify it, given we want to stay in the EU, should we limit immigration anyway. Of course this was contrary to EU rules and of course the vote passed and would have led to challenges if the Swiss tried to implement it, but it gave them a mandate from the people which strengthened their position to negotiate with the EU - why couldn't we have been smarter

[kees]

"why couldn't we have been smarter"

With Nigel and Boris???????????

[felixkk]

Here in Switzerland we've have had to (or were allowed to) cast our votes on numerous occasions on matters relating to the EU since 1992:

When the Swiss voted against joining the European Economic Area (EEA) in the referendum of 1992 Switzerland decided to develop further relations with the European Union on a bilateral basis. Since then there have been a number of other referenda on questions relating to European policy.
19.05.2019: EU firearms directive
30.11.2014: Popular initiative «Ecopop»
09.02.2014: Popular initiative aimed at «Stopping mass immigration»
17.05.2009: Acceptance of the Federal Act of 13 June 2008 about the introduction of electronically stored biometric data in the Swiss passport and in the travel documents for foreign individuals (development of the Schengen acquis)
08.02.2009: Continuation of the agreement on the free movement of persons and its extension to Bulgaria and Romania
26.11.2006: Federal Act on Cooperation with Eastern Europe
25.09.2005: Extension of the agreement on the free movement of persons and the revision of the accompanying measures
05.06.2005: Acceptance of the Schengen/Dublin association agreement
04.03.2001: Popular initiative «Yes to Europe!»
21.05.2000: Bilateral Agreements I between Switzerland and the European Union
08.06.1997: Popular initiative «EU membership negotiations before the people!»
06.12.1992: Accession of Switzerland to the European Economic Area

https://www.eda.admin.ch/dea/en/home/eu ... ungen.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[felixkk]

PS Notice that it took us almost 8 years to have the referendum on the bilateral agreements...

[felixkk]

Some more info on the 2014 Swiss immigration initiative, which put Switzerland in a rather difficult position with the EU, and is probably also quite relevant for the UK:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Swis ... prov=sfti1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[colin7673]

So what were the results of all those votes Felix?

[felixkk]

We decided in 1992 not to join the European Economic Area (EEA) and in 2014 the referendum was passed, both by 50.3%. I don't follow politics all that closely but I think we should join the EU, I don't really see the advantages of being on the outside. But what do I know Not being in the EU is not quite as straightforward as some made it out to be.