Post by RogerPost by James HammertonPost by abelardjust why 'must' you be in 'the single market'?
AIUI - the way the EU achieves 'frictionless' trade between its member
states (and close to this with the EEA states) is to (1) enclose all its
member states in a customs union - this doesn't apply to the EEA though
(2) harmonise regulations via making a set of EU wide regulations (3)
ensure those regulations are enforced by member states via those states
adopting those regulations in their laws and having regulatory
authorities perform market surveillance and enforcement.
He asked why, not how.
And my answer explains why many people don't want to leave - after the
bit you quote I point out the implications many people draw from what I
wrote above, namely that leaving the single market will lead trade
barriers being raised between the UK and EU. This is the basis for the
claims of economic disruption and the UK being worse off as a result of
leaving the EU.
Post by RogerThe extreme extent of the European Union single market, which is way superior to equivalent agreements and to the EU's own agreements with Switzerland and Norway, has a very specific scope.
The idea is to create a single nation...a United States of Europe.
Yes I'm aware of that.
Post by RogerAlong with the Single Market, the Eurozone is binding fiscal policy as well as the governance of financial institutions and markets. Foreign Policy is WIP, but the EU is trying to tackle international affairs in a joint manner. Shared Diplomatic representations are already common, as is 'EU' representation at events like the G7.
Although I can see this working for central Europe, in particular the area of the Holy Roman Empire, I cannot see it being well received in the UK which has already balked at the Eurozone.
I think the time is right for the UK to 'fix' it's arrangements with the EU, with a deal like that in discussion, and remain good partners as they get on with forming the USE.
So to answer why be in the single market? For no reason, it does not make sense for countries that do not want to be unified.
You appear to be conflating the single market with the european
superstate. The EEA countries are all outside of this process in an
arrangement that is a lot closer to the 'common market' we were sold in
the 1970s (albeit with a lot more harmonisation of regulations) than the
EU is.
The ease of trade with our largest trading partner will be affected by
our leaving the EU and it will likely become less easy/more costly to do
so. That is a reason for staying in the single market, the downside
being that you remain wedded to the EU's regulations.
Post by RogerBTW, I don't think Norway, Switzerland and the UK will be the only countries to keep the EU at an arms length.
Well I don't see the US clamouring to join. :-) But I'll read that as
you don't see them as the only European countries to keep the EU at arms
length and you might be right.
ISTM the EU has serious problems, and I don't see e.g. Norway being at
all keen on getting any closer than they are.
Regards,
James