Nigel MaudeNigel, this is a typical British answer, the truth is that the US and other allies helped out, somehow that always seems to be convenient forgotten by the British. Strangely enough I never read that the Americans or other allies are boasting about their big contribution to end the terrible war.

Nigel MaudeWow. It seems some people are even today, still living in the same alternate reality that finally reduced the UK to laughable little England. Worse yet, they're completely oblivious to it. >Still<. After all that's happened, doing the same thing over and over, hoping for different results. I suspect that's the whole problem. Guaranteeing that you're going to squeeze blood from a turnip tends to set a rather unachievable expectation, even if it keeps them in power temporarily. Any bets on who replaces Rishy?

Peter LI think you will find low growth vis a vis poor productivity was an aspect of the U.K. economy for at least 2 decades and significantly so since the financial crisis. Economy based on low skill wages and low income population growth the net result of low investment in productivity. The outcome is low comparative living standards. The current controversy over Erasmus scheme less than 7% of U.K. based students took part in this much lauded benefit of European Union membership. Most in the U.K. took part in USA / U.K. exchanges Which is unsurprising when the top ten world research universities are in those states after that the next non USA / U.K. university is Swiss . As for work mobility opportunities then the major loss has been for eu citizens as relatively few went the other way . I personally spent more time in Japan , USA and Singapore although I did live in Frankfurt and Pamplona. The nhs is a relic of another age whose decline has been inevitable since its inception, true a particular British obsession , it can’t even do a manning plan . 44% of U.K. taxation funded U.K. government spending which is a shed load of money. Equivalence to Germany % of gdp. The current economic malaise which is affecting most of continental Europe. Inflation caused by loose monetary policy for 12years . Covid largesse rebound and some very unwise energy policy by some European Union states. And of course a energy independent driven rampant US dollars. It could be said that the U.K.s current U.K. economic woes are driven by its continued close integration with the European Union economy , certainly in energy markets. I agree economic and geopolitical realities will maintain the close U.K. European states relations. That said the closer European Union integration and growth is now under review despite the rhetoric. The German commitment due its economic realignment which is now starting to resemble the U.K. in the late 70s. BASF relocation to China much of its future growth and output. BMW electric car production relocated to China and USA for those home market. Others will are following. The 67 million U.K. consumers will be increasing important to European States businesses. So a closer relationship will be inevitable.

Nigel MaudeThe 180-day rule was turned down by the UK government in favour of the 90-day deal. You won so suck it up, I believe, was a popular phrase at the time..

Nigel MaudeYes Brexit freedom is great isn’t it Nigel and Niloc? Freedom to have the lowest GDP growth in the G7 and significantly lower than the EU (both versus pre-pandemic levels); freedom for our young people to have to get a costly and time-consuming visa to work or live in 27 countries where my generation previously had free movement; freedom to have to accept accountability for soaring levels of NHS waiting times, child poverty, mortgage rates, etc. But hey, we’ve all got blue passports so let’s celebrate that (even if they don’t give us as many benefits as our old ones did). Latest opinion polls suggest (on average) 57:43 in favour of rejoining the EU. Even though any mention of the subject in UK media or politics appears to be ‘verboten’ (see what I did there?!). Over the next 5-10 years there be an inevitable closening of ties between the UK and EU (driven by economic realities). 10-15 years from now I fully expect the UK to rejoin the EU as the xenophobic, “we won the war”, British exceptionalism generation dies off. Bring it on!

I’m British 🇬🇧 so I deserve special treatment from all johnny foreigners. I have bestowed my gift upon the Spanish by buying a property in Spain and therefore as I have contributed to their economy I should be allowed to stay as long as I choose.

Nigel MaudeI speak German. Does that make me a commie or something?

LilThe 90 day rule has always been there

Please let me clarify for your readers: We voted Brexit to rid ourselves of the imposed rules by Brussels. Rules that affected our way of life. We originally voted for the EU to join the economic community, we were told that this would benefit everyone financially, not the few. We were lied to. We were told that we would remain politically. independent. We were lied to. Then we gave the EU a poke in the eye, but yet they still do not listen. If there were a vote again tomorrow I do not know of one person who would change there mind, other than ex pats who have lost some freedoms, but stand fast, those freedoms may just be returning as the the worlds 5th biggest economy will sometime soon find its feet & stand proud once again.

Per, The British are free, freedom does not come without problems, just look at why worldwide, most counties use the 180/360, however the EU Schengen decided to halve it, why? Because the EU is the equivalent of the Russian Politburo with all members unaccountable, so we will never know. I wonder why UK never was a member. Now Spain is beholden to an unelected bureaucracy, like the UK was, and now can not look after it's own affairs. I have to admit Brexit is only in name only, we have been let down by our own politicians, however, the in the next election the Conservative party (Tory) is dead in the road, like in Canada. Glad I have a limited time left on this planet as a socialist and far left alternative is to me unpalatabe. Remember "freedom" is like "air", you do not miss it till you lose it. Like it or not, being free is preferable, do you wish to be controlled by someone who you can not democratically remove? I rest my case.