The Gamers Arms

Probably a naive question, but can the UK rejoin the EU if there was a change of government and a referendum supported it or has that ship very much sailed?

Animalmother wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 21, 2022 10:54 am

Probably a naive question, but can the UK rejoin the EU if there was a change of government and a referendum supported it or has that ship very much sailed?

I think the technical answer is yes, but in practical terms I don't think there is likely to be enough agreement on the issue even within the parties themselves for it to become policy.

With that said, if there was another referendum, even one positioned as a consultative vote rather than a binding one as the first one was, if there was a popular majority for rejoining maybe it would prompt a bit of a rethink for those on the fence but afraid to go publicly pro-Remain because of the potential backlash from Leavers

I would have thought that'd be up to the EU. I don't remember there being any talk of our leaving being permanent, but we'd be re-joining as a new member rather than resuming our previous status. I'd be very surprised if the EU said No, at least without outside interference, because showing the leaving of a nation as the colossal mistake that it was can only do the EU good.

Meanwhile we have an absentee PM while numerous critical public services strike, to the point where the emergency services are now saying you should only call 999 if you think you're going to die.

I have to wonder what level of catastrophe it would take for the Tories to recognise they are now incapable of governing (and arguably have been for some time) and need to call an election. Maybe we'll find out.

I don't think they have any interest in governing. They're trying to pin everything on the workers in the hopes that the public gradually turn on them whilst the ministers ride it all out.

Animalmother wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 21, 2022 10:54 am

Probably a naive question, but can the UK rejoin the EU if there was a change of government and a referendum supported it or has that ship very much sailed?

It is possible but after the debacle of leaving rejoining would not be a done deal by a long shot, plus we had about the best deal of any member state and would not get a sniff of that again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64158179

WTF. The country is crumbling around us and our absentee PM emerges with a grand plan for… maths?

Even ignoring the fact that it doesn’t address any of the immediate crises we’re suffering, what a stupid bloody idea. Basic maths is important to a point, but having done A-level maths I know firsthand what a waste of time it is for the vast majority of people who study it. Unless you need it for future academic or career purposes (or just love maths, I guess), there is no point in studying maths beyond GCSE level. I went on to study computer science at uni and I was confidently told by everyone around me that A-level maths would be essential for it. Was it balls.

But yeah, let’s get everyone doing maths until they’re 18. I’m sure that’ll equip students for the world ahead and put them right in the mood for voting Conservative in their first elections.

Who would have thought an independently wealthy Tory Oxford grad would be out of touch? I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!

I actually am shocked. Even for Sunak, this is bewildering. It’s like coming home from holiday to find your house is on fire and then deciding to re-pave the driveway.

Please excuse my ignorance of the UK educational system, but maths is an optional subject after a point?

Assuming it's the same as when I was at school 20+ years ago, some amount of maths has to be studied up to the end of secondary school at age 16. For students that go on to sixth-form (16-18) and some vocational studies, if they don't have a maths GCSE or equivalent then I think they're required to do a basic refresher course on maths which is the equivalent of Blackadder teaching Baldrick to count beans.

Wrathbone wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:18 am

I actually am shocked. Even for Sunak, this is bewildering. It’s like coming home from holiday to find your house is on fire and then deciding to re-pave the driveway.

I love this <word I can't currently remember>. Very apt