Leave it on the shelf

[SV650rules]

About time the UK population got a little bit more discerning about what they buy. The so called free trade in the EU consisted of the UK ( a natural free two-way trade nation ) opening their markets while the other countries just pretended to open their markets. Remember when we joined the Common market and our industries were 'shared out' by quota to other members, which decimated our industrial base ? Time to call time on our spending habits - the reason UK is known in EU as 'treasure island'.

http://www.leaveitontheshelf.co.uk/

[Craig380]

And the point is? Looking at cars, for example, Mini produces some components for its cars in the UK. And it's fine to buy the the Mini hatch, Clubman, Coupe and Roadster, as they are assembled at BMW's plant in Cowley, England. But DON'T buy a Mini Convertible or Countryman, as they are assembled at VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands? It's called a global manufacturing economy.

And then there's the small issue of Mini only existing because BMW bought Rover, which owned the brand, after good old British Aerospace flogged Rover off in 1994. Nothing to do with nasty EU members plundering the UK: more the willingness of UK companies to sell off assets and get ready cash.

BMW lost billions in the Rover bankruptcy, but saved Mini and made a success of it - saving UK jobs in the process. If you want to blame anyone for 'decimating our industrial base,' look no further than ignorant and out-of-touch management boards of British Leyland etc, and politicians selling off former nationalised industries in the name of 'competition.'

[DJ123]

The UK is no longer the manufacturing country we once were many, many moons ago. Things can, and are built better and cheaper elsewhere for a reason.
We are more of a service and Financial industry. Building things on an Island is not a good idea with having to fly, ship, or Road components in and goods out. That's lots of extra costs to incur on products which don't command high profit margins for anyone involved along the production lines.
As Craig has touched on, the success of companies relies on them being managed correctly and being held to account when the brown stuff hits the fan. Look at all the recent (5 years) companies from the High Street to go; Thomas Cook, Debenhams, Arcadia Group, . . . the Billionaire owners are fine but the 100's of employees are out of jobs.

[Seeker]

On the subject of EU trade - I've tried to bet my (Tory) MP a tenner that BoZo will concede by year's end. I cannot understand if, as stated today, "we're very far apart" then why bother keep talking since we were "very far part" last week and the week before that and nothing's changed. Are we relying on attrition to grind the EU down (or vice versa)? Obviously it's important but someone ultimately has to yield and in this situation neither side can afford to.

[SV650rules]

BMW only bought Rover group up for the 4x4 tech of Landrover, they stopped the group building cars that competed with BMW models, the X3 and X5 BMW models came into being as a result of Landrover tech. BMW kept mini in UK for the 'made in Britain' credentials, BMW rely a lot on the made in Britain bit, even down to union flag rear lights and on the roof. Lots of quality car parts made in UK, don't be too quick to run us down. Honda had a big tie up with rover, but UK government would not let them buy Rover group, a lot of Honda tech fell into BMW hands, how do I know this - I worked for an automation company show as a major supplier to automotive industry, in UK and around the world.

Note massive trade deficit UK has with Europe, and large trade surplus UK has with rest of world. EU want to hang onto fishing rights and also City of London financial sector as pretty much every Euro transaction underwritten by London, the ECB is all but bankrupt and could not underwrite a cup of coffee. Paris and Frankfurt been trying to steal financial services from London for a long time, but they do not have the language, laws and financial infrastructure to do it.

We have so much going for us in UK, scandalous for the EU to try to keep us as a vassal state to stop us competing with them, Germany in particular could well go into deep recession if UK trade interrupted too much.

[DJ123]

The problem the EU have is they can't make it easy for us - even if that benefits them. If the one of the largest countries walks out with a pat on the back, the rest of the group would do the same if it got them better terms/more favourable agreements.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by DJ123

The problem the EU have is they can't make it easy for us - even if that benefits them. If the one of the largest countries walks out with a pat on the back, the rest of the group would do the same if it got them better terms/more favourable agreements.

This.

I work with a lot of NHS Supply Chain folks (closet civil servants) and we often discuss the possibility that a deal has been done already and are both sides posturing to make it look like it's a nightmare so Greece, Italy, and flip knows who else don't follow us straight out of the door. I would not be surprised.

[SV650rules]

All this worrying about others leaving is that the EU is political system, trade became secondary to politics and idealogy a long time ago. There is no doubt that over its existence the EU has been one of the most protectionist trading blocs ever, with its own markets protected and subsidized ( remember common agricultural policy and the beef, butter, cheese mountains and wine and milk lakes ). The French were always the largest beneficiaries of the CAP, and the Germans are the biggest beneficiaries of the Euro, which again defies the normal laws of fiscal and economics - with large industrial countries tied to the same currency as tourist based countries. The ECB is pretty well bankrupt. I still do not think the EU politburo understand trade and economics but they certainly understand politics and control. More countries are kicking back against the centralised control of the EU, especially the former soviet bloc countries who see the EU as another form of centralised control that they fought for decades to get out of.

[ethariel]

Originally Posted by DJ123

The problem the EU have is they can't make it easy for us - even if that benefits them. If the one of the largest countries walks out with a pat on the back, the rest of the group would do the same if it got them better terms/more favourable agreements.

It's not so much that the EU can't make it easy for us, it's finding a common ground all 27 nations within the EU will agree to.

Drop in one thing that 26 like and the 27th does not, scratch that from the list.

Trying to get 2 countries to agree to something is a miracle let alone 27 agreeing to something to offer someone else.

The EU view has always been 'UK will back down in the end and take whatever scraps we toss thier way as they have no backbone' OOPS!

[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by ethariel

It's not so much that the EU can't make it easy for us, it's finding a common ground all 27 nations within the EU will agree to.

Drop in one thing that 26 like and the 27th does not, scratch that from the list.

Trying to get 2 countries to agree to something is a miracle let alone 27 agreeing to something to offer someone else.

The EU view has always been 'UK will back down in the end and take whatever scraps we toss thier way as they have no backbone' OOPS!

A small area of Belgium made a deal with Canada pretty much impossible for a long time. protectionism again - the EU is a massive oil tanker with 27 captains each with their own set of controls, each with their red lines, mind you if Germany says jump the other 26 ask 'how high' - Germany lost the war, but they won the peace.....mainly through controlling the EU.