I have mentioned it before and it‘s really sad that I have to explain:
The Oysters have been in one sentence and have been used to draw a pic about Johnson and the world (and lack of reality) that he‘s living in.
In his Brussels years, he certainly enjoyed all the treats and pleasures of living there ( and there are a lot of them in Brussels!) and he‘s still enjoying that lifestyle.
He could care less that the supermarket shelfs are empty for the normal people ( in fact, he was blatantly lying about Tesco‘s „robust supply chains“ just some days ago), the only way that Brexit may affect him is a shortage of French Champagne and Oysters.
I thought that this was crystal clear from the article - not sure how anyone could interprete it differently - may be the negative obsession with all things EU I guess.
Again, it‘s sad that I even feel the need to write all this.
You don't have to explain Higgins. I know exactly what the author was doing.
It's obvious that the he was just using lazy cliche's to have a go at Johnson.
It's actually an unpleasant article which will only serve to annoy a lot of people who read it. I am a Remainer but all that article did was wind me up. He sounded like he just had a massive chip on his shoulder.
And why do you suggest that it's to do with negative obsession with all things Europe? I certainly don't feel that way.
I can confirm that Higgins is in a decidedly odd mood these days.
I sent him a PM about how to post pictures on AJB in a nice, large size like he does.
In response, the explanation was so complicated that I can only assume it was done deliberately because the UK is no longer in the EU. Twas done to spite me!
That said, our German friend wrote 'it's' when it should have been 'its' so national pride was restored!
An alternative view of Brexit by Alexander Von Schoenberg, editor of Germany’s biggest selling newspaper. Its an excellent piece, devoid of the usual hatred posted on this thread - and remember this is the non-argumentative thread
***********
Germany is famous for its Christmas: our lights, our markets, our delicious food — even the brightly decorated Christmas trees we popularised centuries ago.
But, along with the raft of new Covid vaccines, the best Christmas gift any of us could have hoped for is the new Brexit deal between the European Union and Britain.
And the man the continent should be thanking for that is Boris Johnson.
This week, I wrote in my column in the German newspaper Bild that Boris has made world history.
‘Often ridiculed by our opinionated elite as a juggler and joker, he has led his country out of the EU — without being forced into economic self-mutilation,’ I wrote.
‘For years, all supposedly sensible pundits [in Europe] have told us that Brexit spells doom for Britain. Now they have to eat their words.’
Politicians in Germany tend to be efficient but lack sparkle. Our long-standing Chancellor Angela Merkel almost seems to make a conscious effort to seem dull and technocratic, and perhaps this has served her well.
So when someone unconventional appears on the political scene, there is a tendency to write them off as unserious.
Well, never again. Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson — who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power — that are most likely to achieve the impossible.
Just because someone has tangled hair, is prone to bursting into Latin and has a somewhat chaotic private life doesn’t mean they cannot be a statesman of historic importance.
Today, Europeans of all stripes know Boris as the man who stood up to the behemoth that is the European bloc and, against all the odds, won the day for his country.
Of course, it was not all down to him: the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed grace and integrity in making the French climb down from some of their more preposterous demands, while Mrs Merkel and our unsung foreign minister, Heiko Maas, also played key parts in helping to bring off the deal.
Britain was also blessed by a brilliant negotiating team led by Lord (David) Frost, who never left Brussels in doubt that he was willing to walk away from the talks.
Those of us who believe Britain made the right choice in leaving the EU were tickled when we heard how Lord Frost tended to infuriate his erstwhile opponent, the Frenchman Michel Barnier, by referring to the EU as ‘your organisation’.
'Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson ¿ who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power ¿ that are most likely to achieve the impossible,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg +4
'Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson — who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power — that are most likely to achieve the impossible,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
German EU diplomats told me they would be in stitches whenever Frost drove Barnier up the wall like that.
Yet we must not ignore the fact that this historic deal could have come about only under a British Prime Minister who refused to be bullied by Brussels — as, I’m afraid to say, his two predecessors were.
Boris’s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year.
Five former PMs — every surviving one, indeed — were roused to indignant fury at the prospect.
Yet that may have been the decisive moment that helped to unlock the terrible stasis in Brussels — and bring both sides back to the table.
After years of docile, easily intimidated UK premiers, the Brussels machine realised for the first time that it was dealing with a government deadly serious about defending British sovereignty.
Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament’s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg.
Alexander Von Schoenburg said: 'Boris¿s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year'
Alexander Von Schoenburg said: 'Boris’s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year'
I was there when your Prime Minister came to Berlin on a swelteringly hot day in August 2019. With the rest of the German press pack, I stood in the Chancellery to see him be greeted by Mrs Merkel.
It was clear that many of my fellow reporters had been briefed to watch out for mishaps: most were desperate to accuse Boris Johnson of some faux pas or to quote some remark that could be branded as ‘insensitive’ (and it’s true that Boris did serve up a few of those during his stint as Foreign Secretary).
Yet the moment that all of us remember to this day was how deftly he dealt with Mrs Merkel. At the press conference that afternoon, Boris said he would do all it took to bring about an orderly Brexit.
Then he glanced over to Mrs Merkel and said in almost accent-free German: ‘Wir schaffen das!’ (‘We can do it!’)
Our Chancellor’s smile dropped.
That little repetition of her most famous remark made at the height of the refugee crisis five years ago — during which she pledged to find a way to incorporate the huge numbers of migrants entering Europe — duly hit the spot and the headlines, and made his point perfectly.
'Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament¿s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
'Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament’s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
Mrs Merkel, he was saying, had shown she was willing to act unconventionally by opening her country’s borders. So why not craft a deal that created a special bond between Britain and the EU without forcing the former to be tethered to the latter’s laws?
To this day, in common with much of Europe, Germany’s Left-wing media deplores Britain’s departure, even as it grudgingly welcomes the deal Johnson has brokered.
I invariably try to explain that Brexit has always been a question of when, not if.
Boris was right to call the EU a respectable project created by honourable men who were determined never again to wage war against each other.
But within that noble and blameless ambition has always been the implicit drive to integrate ever further — and ultimately make Europe’s internal borders blur into one other.
In the end — as Germany’s most respected politician today, Wolfgang Schaeuble, the President of our Bundestag Parliament, admits — the urge is to align fiscal and budget policies.
This will centralise the EU to such an extent that not only separate national governments, but even the nations themselves will become a thing of the past, at least in all practical and legal senses.
That is the final meaning of the ‘ever-closer union’ to which the British could not and would never agree.
Whether or not it is right for Germany, France, Italy and the rest of the EU27 is one thing: but it is wholly irreconcilable with the British idea of sovereignty — based on your position as an island and also (in the case of England) as a geopolitical entity unconquered for almost a millennium.
Part of Boris Johnson’s historic triumph may have been to help the rest of Europe to understand all this.
By enhancing our knowledge in this way, perhaps he has taught us an important lesson — and given us a Christmas gift of sorts, too.
And though I could offer him some of my country’s famous stollen cake in return, to tell the truth I’ve always preferred your own Christmas pudding.
So next year, I’ll be putting one of those on my family’s table. And I’ll be glad it will have crossed the border thanks to a successful, free-trading partnership between your country and mine.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Alexander Von Schoenberg is a commentator for Germany‘s largest tabloid ( with a strong populist agenda) and he‘s in charge for the far right stream on this „newspaper“ which it isn‘t.
He‘s a strong supporter for everything Trump does - so take his opinion with a grain of salt. And his francophobe opinion does not represent any significant part of the population here.
I‘ve read the quoted piece - it‘s a nasty piece - one of the most that he‘s done.
Frost driving Barnier up a wall - ridiculous ) )
He has been the frontrunner and still is the posterboy for the AfD, he takes every occasion attacking Mrs. Merkel (from the right) and he is the one who constantly rants against refugees and other minorities!
So well chosen, CHB!
Because of all that lunacy, ignorance and lack of any sense for the hard reality, I‘d have preferred a clean cut with a Hard Brexit - just to put an example.
Now the legend is that Johnson wrestled the EU down ) )
Add to say, that if UK would have left without a deal, the legend would have been that the evil EU where treating the UK unfairly.
That‘s the negative obsession with all things EU that I spoke about earlier.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
His opinion counts, but he and his opinion - fortunately - does not represent any significant part of the german population.
Consensus about the EU, Brexit, Johnson and his team and the Brexit deal is exactly opposite to his by I‘d say 95%
Seeing as Bild has the highest circulation figures in Germany, thus reflecting its readership’s opinions, your 95% estimation is seriously flawed, showing it is you who “is wrong again”.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
And I have tried to explain that AvS presents the far right populist wing in a tabloid and wrote his opinion. He‘s allowed and welcome to do this.
But that doesn‘t mean that he significantly represents german‘s opinion re. the EU, Brexit, Johnson etc.
If someone wrote a Pro-EU editorial in the Express or the Sun, this wouldn’t necessarily mean that this represents the majority of their leaders, readers or the population, no?
Feel free to disagree
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,746Chief of Staff
Alexander Von Schoenberg is a commentator for Germany‘s largest tabloid ( with a strong populist agenda) and he‘s in charge for the far right stream on this „newspaper“ which it isn‘t.
He‘s a strong supporter for everything Trump does - so take his opinion with a grain of salt. And his francophobe opinion does not represent any significant part of the population here.
I‘ve read the quoted piece - it‘s a nasty piece - one of the most that he‘s done.
Frost driving Barnier up a wall - ridiculous ) )
He has been the frontrunner and still is the posterboy for the AfD, he takes every occasion attacking Mrs. Merkel (from the right) and he is the one who constantly rants against refugees and other minorities!
So well chosen, CHB!
Because of all that lunacy, ignorance and lack of any sense for the hard reality, I‘d have preferred a clean cut with a Hard Brexit - just to put an example.
Now the legend is that Johnson wrestled the EU down ) )
Add to say, that if UK would have left without a deal, the legend would have been that the evil EU where treating the UK unfairly.
That‘s the negative obsession with all things EU that I spoke about earlier.
I have to agree with most of what Higgins says here - and yes, I’m going for a long lie down in a darkened room immediately
One of the few things I disagree with is his last line about some perceived negative obsession with the EU...like every multinational corporation/group the EU doesn’t get everything right, in fact many EU countries recognise that the EU needs reform...what I do find tiresome is you banging on about wanting the UK to be forced into a hard Brexit - that’s not in the spirit of peace and compromise...
The problem is that many in the UK see compromise as capitulation and weakness.
I only wished that the UK would get was has been voted for in the referendum: Brexit and following to the majority of Brexiteers here - that meant a hard Brexit
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,746Chief of Staff
The problem is that many in the UK see compromise as capitulation and weakness.
I only wished that the UK would get was has been voted for in the referendum: Brexit and following to the majority of Brexiteers here - that meant a hard Brexit
That’s one big brush you are wielding there
I don’t think we are ALL that stoopid - undoubtedly many are...after all we voted Johnson in 8-)
I’m not convinced that the majority of the (roughly) 52% that voted for Brexit wanted a Hard Brexit...although I am convinced that many had no idea exactly WHAT they were voting for
Well, a compromise WAS worked out in the end. In the final days the EU did capitulate to a large,but not total, extent from their previous stance. It’s best for both sides that a deal was finally agreed.
The leave vote won by 4%, or over 1.3 million votes.
Mrs May, possibly the worst PM ever (Ted Heath is in competition here), submitted to the EU for a right shafting, leaving Britain as a vassal state. The public quite rightly upped arms and got shot of her, leaving Boris in as PM who promised a proper divorce.
He won an 80 seat majority, swathes of Labour votes went to the Conservatives to make this happen.
I still find it amazing that the old “didn’t know what they were voting for” expression keeps getting bandied about, I have more faith in the general public of the working heartlands of Britain than the smug, pretentious, sanctimonious, sneering, elitist metropolitan mob who look down on us mere mortals.
The deal is good for the EU and it’s good for Britain. There will be periods of hardship on both sides but down the line it will be fo the best for both sides.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
I was talking specifically about the Brexit referendum and my opinion still is
- the campaigning was misleading - full of lies ( in particular about the EU) with a strong xenophobic undertone
- Russia where influencing that Vote by their massive contributions for „Leave“
- While voting for Brexit - a large part of those people did not mean to exit without a deal
- the result was massively influenced by the lack of voter participation particularly by young people and Remainers, who all thought that Remaining was a done deal
I have never seen you backing me up when I‘ve received decent flak for those positions X-(
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Well, a compromise WAS worked out in the end. In the final days the EU did capitulate to a large,but not total, extent from their previous stance. .
The EU position was always to keep a level playfield and as I understand UK products can only be sold to the EU market by certificating that EU standards are kept.
Otherwise tariffs will be charged.
I can‘t see much capitulation here - the 0,3% contribution to the BIP by the fishermen aside.
It‘ll be interesting to see if the EU membership fees will remain to flow „hidden or not“ for that „privilege“ - I do hope so but can live with it if they don‘t
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Because of all that lunacy, ignorance and lack of any sense for the hard reality, I‘d have preferred a clean cut with a Hard Brexit - just to put an example.
I imagine there are those on both sides who see compromise as capitulation and weakness, just as there are those who realise that it's healthy and rational. Making 'an example' of the UK is hardly showing the spirit of goodwill or compromise, wouldn't you say?
I'm sure you've read the detail of the agreement, so you'll realise that the UK compromised on a significant number of things, such as restrictions on trade, travel and fishing among others. Looks to me like both sides can hold their heads high.
I imagine there are those on both sides who see compromise as capitulation and weakness, just as there are those who realise that it's healthy and rational. Making 'an example' of the UK is hardly showing the spirit of goodwill or compromise, wouldn't you say?
I absolutely agree!
But having heard the arrogance, rhetoric, insults, lies and such that came from the Brexiteers and their associated press for the last 4 years, I‘ve gotten totally fed up and just wanted a Hard Brexit.
For the sole purpose to show how wrong the Brexiteers where and still are!
It may surprise you - contrary to the main perception - I am not perfect
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Because of all that lunacy, ignorance and lack of any sense for the hard reality, I‘d have preferred a clean cut with a Hard Brexit - just to put an example.
I imagine there are those on both sides who see compromise as capitulation and weakness, just as there are those who realise that it's healthy and rational. Making 'an example' of the UK is hardly showing the spirit of goodwill or compromise, wouldn't you say?
Hear, hear!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,746Chief of Staff
I still find it amazing that the old “didn’t know what they were voting for” expression keeps getting bandied about, I have more faith in the general public of the working heartlands of Britain than the smug, pretentious, sanctimonious, sneering, elitist metropolitan mob who look down on us mere mortals.
With respect, you don’t live here anymore...Brexit was ‘sold’ on Boris’s bus 8-) which was just an outright lie...and it’s not the first time he’s told such huge whoppers...but Brexit was mainly ‘fought’ on “keeping foreigners out”...a sad but true state of affairs...so around 52% of the general public of the UK are either xenophobic or they didn’t know what they were voting for...
but Brexit was mainly ‘fought’ on “keeping foreigners out”...a sad but true state of affairs...so around 52% of the general public of the UK are either xenophobic or they didn’t know what they were voting for...
{[] {[]
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,746Chief of Staff
I was talking specifically about the Brexit referendum and my opinion still is
- the campaigning was misleading - full of lies ( in particular about the EU) with a strong xenophobic undertone
- Russia where influencing that Vote by their massive contributions for „Leave“
- While voting for Brexit - a large part of those people did not mean to exit without a deal
- the result was massively influenced by the lack of voter participation particularly by young people and Remainers, who all thought that Remaining was a done deal
I have never seen you backing me up when I‘ve received decent flak for those positions X-(
Was this aimed at me? If I was “deflecting” it’s more to do with the fact that I had no idea what you were on about )
As for your points above…
True. But FAR less to do with the EU.
Possible to a degree.
True. But that’s because Cameron thought he was being clever by only giving an ‘either or’ question.
False. Everyone knew the result would be very close. Young voters were targeted specifically and encouraged to vote...and many did.
You are a big boy...you don’t need my help...do you? :v
There has NEVER been a “free and fair” democratic vote - ever X-(
That's a depressing and alarming view. It's wrong and it's exactly what Putin and other anti-democracy leaders wants us to think.
If only and I’m surprised that this comes as a shock to you
I believe in democracy and with few exeption election in democracies the election are fair. Not only according to me, but also according to the courts, election observeres, the political parties, the press and the voters. Try to explain why you think they are wrong.
) ) )
Who ever loses an Election always claim it wasn't “free and fair” . We have Trump supporters
in the US crying that at the moment. Back in 2016 the Democrats were upset and also
claimed it wasn't “free and fair” due to the Russians ( always the bad guys ), With the
Brexit vote, all the Anti-Brexit coalition also used the same excuses to claim that vote
( You guessed it ) .... wasn't “free and fair” ) we'll all hear the same accusations
in 2024. Happily only the SNP accept the outcome of a referendum, they haven't mentioned
Independence since.
"I was so upset with my Parents voting for Biden, I've decided not to visit their graves this week"
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
As far as I can remember those are among the very few excepions (I did write "almost"). Every year there are lots of election all over the world. With the exeption of the mess in the US the losers accept the result as free and fair. I'm leaving out Brexit because it wasn't an election and it's been debated so much in this forum. The Russian involvement in the 2016 election is well documented by law enforcement and intelligence organisations, not to mention the Muller report. (No direct link was found between Trump and the Russian involvement, but the report was very clear about the Russians helping Trump) . After the 2020 election the Republicans made about fifty attempts to prove election fraud, but they lost every single time. This includes the Supreme Court where Republican presidents has apointed six of the nine judges, including three apointed by Trump himself.
Comments
You don't have to explain Higgins. I know exactly what the author was doing.
It's obvious that the he was just using lazy cliche's to have a go at Johnson.
It's actually an unpleasant article which will only serve to annoy a lot of people who read it. I am a Remainer but all that article did was wind me up. He sounded like he just had a massive chip on his shoulder.
And why do you suggest that it's to do with negative obsession with all things Europe? I certainly don't feel that way.
I sent him a PM about how to post pictures on AJB in a nice, large size like he does.
In response, the explanation was so complicated that I can only assume it was done deliberately because the UK is no longer in the EU.
That said, our German friend wrote 'it's' when it should have been 'its' so national pride was restored!
(PS Only kidding Higgins -{ , Thanks!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
In all honesty, I gave you the easy and short version
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55477424
***********
Germany is famous for its Christmas: our lights, our markets, our delicious food — even the brightly decorated Christmas trees we popularised centuries ago.
But, along with the raft of new Covid vaccines, the best Christmas gift any of us could have hoped for is the new Brexit deal between the European Union and Britain.
And the man the continent should be thanking for that is Boris Johnson.
This week, I wrote in my column in the German newspaper Bild that Boris has made world history.
‘Often ridiculed by our opinionated elite as a juggler and joker, he has led his country out of the EU — without being forced into economic self-mutilation,’ I wrote.
‘For years, all supposedly sensible pundits [in Europe] have told us that Brexit spells doom for Britain. Now they have to eat their words.’
Politicians in Germany tend to be efficient but lack sparkle. Our long-standing Chancellor Angela Merkel almost seems to make a conscious effort to seem dull and technocratic, and perhaps this has served her well.
So when someone unconventional appears on the political scene, there is a tendency to write them off as unserious.
Well, never again. Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson — who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power — that are most likely to achieve the impossible.
Just because someone has tangled hair, is prone to bursting into Latin and has a somewhat chaotic private life doesn’t mean they cannot be a statesman of historic importance.
Today, Europeans of all stripes know Boris as the man who stood up to the behemoth that is the European bloc and, against all the odds, won the day for his country.
Of course, it was not all down to him: the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed grace and integrity in making the French climb down from some of their more preposterous demands, while Mrs Merkel and our unsung foreign minister, Heiko Maas, also played key parts in helping to bring off the deal.
Britain was also blessed by a brilliant negotiating team led by Lord (David) Frost, who never left Brussels in doubt that he was willing to walk away from the talks.
Those of us who believe Britain made the right choice in leaving the EU were tickled when we heard how Lord Frost tended to infuriate his erstwhile opponent, the Frenchman Michel Barnier, by referring to the EU as ‘your organisation’.
'Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson ¿ who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power ¿ that are most likely to achieve the impossible,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg +4
'Perhaps it is precisely the more eccentric politicians like Johnson — who do not at all resemble the dull, stiff men and women in suits who roam most European corridors of power — that are most likely to achieve the impossible,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
German EU diplomats told me they would be in stitches whenever Frost drove Barnier up the wall like that.
Yet we must not ignore the fact that this historic deal could have come about only under a British Prime Minister who refused to be bullied by Brussels — as, I’m afraid to say, his two predecessors were.
Boris’s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year.
Five former PMs — every surviving one, indeed — were roused to indignant fury at the prospect.
Yet that may have been the decisive moment that helped to unlock the terrible stasis in Brussels — and bring both sides back to the table.
After years of docile, easily intimidated UK premiers, the Brussels machine realised for the first time that it was dealing with a government deadly serious about defending British sovereignty.
Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament’s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg.
Alexander Von Schoenburg said: 'Boris¿s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year'
Alexander Von Schoenburg said: 'Boris’s approach was unique. Surely no prime minister in modern history would have dared to inflame negotiations so deliberately by threatening, as Johnson did in September, to break international law and renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed last year'
I was there when your Prime Minister came to Berlin on a swelteringly hot day in August 2019. With the rest of the German press pack, I stood in the Chancellery to see him be greeted by Mrs Merkel.
It was clear that many of my fellow reporters had been briefed to watch out for mishaps: most were desperate to accuse Boris Johnson of some faux pas or to quote some remark that could be branded as ‘insensitive’ (and it’s true that Boris did serve up a few of those during his stint as Foreign Secretary).
Yet the moment that all of us remember to this day was how deftly he dealt with Mrs Merkel. At the press conference that afternoon, Boris said he would do all it took to bring about an orderly Brexit.
Then he glanced over to Mrs Merkel and said in almost accent-free German: ‘Wir schaffen das!’ (‘We can do it!’)
Our Chancellor’s smile dropped.
That little repetition of her most famous remark made at the height of the refugee crisis five years ago — during which she pledged to find a way to incorporate the huge numbers of migrants entering Europe — duly hit the spot and the headlines, and made his point perfectly.
'Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament¿s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
'Boris knew that most British people, proud of Westminster as the cradle of parliamentary democracy, would simply not accept surrendering their Parliament’s independence to an assembly elected under dubious regulations in Strasbourg,' said Alexander Von Schoenburg
Mrs Merkel, he was saying, had shown she was willing to act unconventionally by opening her country’s borders. So why not craft a deal that created a special bond between Britain and the EU without forcing the former to be tethered to the latter’s laws?
To this day, in common with much of Europe, Germany’s Left-wing media deplores Britain’s departure, even as it grudgingly welcomes the deal Johnson has brokered.
I invariably try to explain that Brexit has always been a question of when, not if.
Boris was right to call the EU a respectable project created by honourable men who were determined never again to wage war against each other.
But within that noble and blameless ambition has always been the implicit drive to integrate ever further — and ultimately make Europe’s internal borders blur into one other.
In the end — as Germany’s most respected politician today, Wolfgang Schaeuble, the President of our Bundestag Parliament, admits — the urge is to align fiscal and budget policies.
This will centralise the EU to such an extent that not only separate national governments, but even the nations themselves will become a thing of the past, at least in all practical and legal senses.
That is the final meaning of the ‘ever-closer union’ to which the British could not and would never agree.
Whether or not it is right for Germany, France, Italy and the rest of the EU27 is one thing: but it is wholly irreconcilable with the British idea of sovereignty — based on your position as an island and also (in the case of England) as a geopolitical entity unconquered for almost a millennium.
Part of Boris Johnson’s historic triumph may have been to help the rest of Europe to understand all this.
By enhancing our knowledge in this way, perhaps he has taught us an important lesson — and given us a Christmas gift of sorts, too.
And though I could offer him some of my country’s famous stollen cake in return, to tell the truth I’ve always preferred your own Christmas pudding.
So next year, I’ll be putting one of those on my family’s table. And I’ll be glad it will have crossed the border thanks to a successful, free-trading partnership between your country and mine.
Alexander Von Schoenberg is a commentator for Germany‘s largest tabloid ( with a strong populist agenda) and he‘s in charge for the far right stream on this „newspaper“ which it isn‘t.
He‘s a strong supporter for everything Trump does - so take his opinion with a grain of salt. And his francophobe opinion does not represent any significant part of the population here.
I‘ve read the quoted piece - it‘s a nasty piece - one of the most that he‘s done.
Frost driving Barnier up a wall - ridiculous
He has been the frontrunner and still is the posterboy for the AfD, he takes every occasion attacking Mrs. Merkel (from the right) and he is the one who constantly rants against refugees and other minorities!
So well chosen, CHB!
Because of all that lunacy, ignorance and lack of any sense for the hard reality, I‘d have preferred a clean cut with a Hard Brexit - just to put an example.
Now the legend is that Johnson wrestled the EU down
Add to say, that if UK would have left without a deal, the legend would have been that the evil EU where treating the UK unfairly.
That‘s the negative obsession with all things EU that I spoke about earlier.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
In fact any opposite opinion to yours is derided, sanctimoniously, every time.
What he writes is true, you don’t like it, but even so, the fact remains that the EU capitulated, as was always going to be the case.
No further posts on this subject will be written by myself.
His opinion counts, but he and his opinion - fortunately - does not represent any significant part of the german population.
Consensus about the EU, Brexit, Johnson and his team and the Brexit deal is exactly opposite to his by I‘d say 95%
Seriously?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Seeing as Bild has the highest circulation figures in Germany, thus reflecting its readership’s opinions, your 95% estimation is seriously flawed, showing it is you who “is wrong again”.
And I have tried to explain that AvS presents the far right populist wing in a tabloid and wrote his opinion. He‘s allowed and welcome to do this.
But that doesn‘t mean that he significantly represents german‘s opinion re. the EU, Brexit, Johnson etc.
If someone wrote a Pro-EU editorial in the Express or the Sun, this wouldn’t necessarily mean that this represents the majority of their leaders, readers or the population, no?
Feel free to disagree
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I have to agree with most of what Higgins says here - and yes, I’m going for a long lie down in a darkened room immediately
One of the few things I disagree with is his last line about some perceived negative obsession with the EU...like every multinational corporation/group the EU doesn’t get everything right, in fact many EU countries recognise that the EU needs reform...what I do find tiresome is you banging on about wanting the UK to be forced into a hard Brexit - that’s not in the spirit of peace and compromise...
I only wished that the UK would get was has been voted for in the referendum: Brexit and following to the majority of Brexiteers here - that meant a hard Brexit
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
That’s one big brush you are wielding there
I don’t think we are ALL that stoopid - undoubtedly many are...after all we voted Johnson in 8-)
I’m not convinced that the majority of the (roughly) 52% that voted for Brexit wanted a Hard Brexit...although I am convinced that many had no idea exactly WHAT they were voting for
I‘ve leaned my arse out of that window for 4 years - you want to join me finally?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
There has NEVER been a “free and fair” democratic vote - ever X-(
And that’s your arse...? Nice smile :v
The leave vote won by 4%, or over 1.3 million votes.
Mrs May, possibly the worst PM ever (Ted Heath is in competition here), submitted to the EU for a right shafting, leaving Britain as a vassal state. The public quite rightly upped arms and got shot of her, leaving Boris in as PM who promised a proper divorce.
He won an 80 seat majority, swathes of Labour votes went to the Conservatives to make this happen.
I still find it amazing that the old “didn’t know what they were voting for” expression keeps getting bandied about, I have more faith in the general public of the working heartlands of Britain than the smug, pretentious, sanctimonious, sneering, elitist metropolitan mob who look down on us mere mortals.
The deal is good for the EU and it’s good for Britain. There will be periods of hardship on both sides but down the line it will be fo the best for both sides.
I was talking specifically about the Brexit referendum and my opinion still is
- the campaigning was misleading - full of lies ( in particular about the EU) with a strong xenophobic undertone
- Russia where influencing that Vote by their massive contributions for „Leave“
- While voting for Brexit - a large part of those people did not mean to exit without a deal
- the result was massively influenced by the lack of voter participation particularly by young people and Remainers, who all thought that Remaining was a done deal
I have never seen you backing me up when I‘ve received decent flak for those positions X-(
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The EU position was always to keep a level playfield and as I understand UK products can only be sold to the EU market by certificating that EU standards are kept.
Otherwise tariffs will be charged.
I can‘t see much capitulation here - the 0,3% contribution to the BIP by the fishermen aside.
It‘ll be interesting to see if the EU membership fees will remain to flow „hidden or not“ for that „privilege“ - I do hope so but can live with it if they don‘t
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I imagine there are those on both sides who see compromise as capitulation and weakness, just as there are those who realise that it's healthy and rational. Making 'an example' of the UK is hardly showing the spirit of goodwill or compromise, wouldn't you say?
I'm sure you've read the detail of the agreement, so you'll realise that the UK compromised on a significant number of things, such as restrictions on trade, travel and fishing among others. Looks to me like both sides can hold their heads high.
I absolutely agree!
But having heard the arrogance, rhetoric, insults, lies and such that came from the Brexiteers and their associated press for the last 4 years, I‘ve gotten totally fed up and just wanted a Hard Brexit.
For the sole purpose to show how wrong the Brexiteers where and still are!
It may surprise you - contrary to the main perception - I am not perfect
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
That's a depressing and alarming view. It's wrong and it's exactly what Putin and other anti-democracy leaders wants us to think.
Hear, hear!
If only
With respect, you don’t live here anymore...Brexit was ‘sold’ on Boris’s bus 8-) which was just an outright lie...and it’s not the first time he’s told such huge whoppers...but Brexit was mainly ‘fought’ on “keeping foreigners out”...a sad but true state of affairs...so around 52% of the general public of the UK are either xenophobic or they didn’t know what they were voting for...
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Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Was this aimed at me?
If I was “deflecting” it’s more to do with the fact that I had no idea what you were on about
As for your points above…
True. But FAR less to do with the EU.
Possible to a degree.
True. But that’s because Cameron thought he was being clever by only giving an ‘either or’ question.
False. Everyone knew the result would be very close. Young voters were targeted specifically and encouraged to vote...and many did.
You are a big boy...you don’t need my help...do you? :v
Who ever loses an Election always claim it wasn't “free and fair” . We have Trump supporters
in the US crying that at the moment. Back in 2016 the Democrats were upset and also
claimed it wasn't “free and fair” due to the Russians ( always the bad guys ), With the
Brexit vote, all the Anti-Brexit coalition also used the same excuses to claim that vote
( You guessed it ) .... wasn't “free and fair”
in 2024. Happily only the SNP accept the outcome of a referendum, they haven't mentioned
Independence since.
"I was so upset with my Parents voting for Biden, I've decided not to visit their graves this week"
It's a proven FACT that "their" election was fraudulent {[]