EU to flush your money down your toilet?

[bert]

In message , Java Jive writes

It's rather amusing - voting for an "independent" Scotland - and then signing up to the EU

[Adrian]

What are?

The NHS is entirely a UK decision. The migration thing hasn't changed since the last referendum.

[bert]

In message , Huge writes

I haven't noticed them doing less - except Vince Cable. What is his purpose apart from picking at every other department's policies and then claiming he supports them.

[bert]

No it isn't -see my other post

New countries have joined the EU so the impact is more significant.

[bert]

There should not have been any quid-pro-quo. Both proposal should have been above party bickering and each should have been treated on it's merits.

[bert]

In message , Adrian writes

I would agree with that last comment.

[bert]

Problem with standardisation is it can stifle innovation.

[Adrian]

Which one? About two dozen replies from you seem to have arrived damn- near simultaneously. Not one of which gives any kind of information as to why the NHS isn't a UK decision.

Westminster agreed to that in advance.

[dennis]

They just hope they will get more cash like Ireland does. They will need it to finance their bit of the debt, etc.

I still think the Scots should not get a vote unless we get one on if we want them to go.

[Adrian]

I rather suspect you've completely misunderstood the NHS's problems with the cross-border healthcare directive.

If and when that actually takes effect, it'll resolve many of the issues that people whinge about with the NHS - because it'll give the NHS stronger rights to bill "EU health tourists" home health systems for any treatment they get in the UK.

Trouble is, the NHS can't do that currently, because the NHS would have to publish a price list. And the NHS can't do that currently, because the NHS is such a dog's dinner that they don't actually know what they should charge, because they don't actually know what anything costs. If they could be bothered to work it out, and to track who receives what treatment, they could ALREADY recharge.

[bert]

Don't be silly. Be patient. It will be along soon. But if yo don't know it does show that you are not as knowledgeable about EU matters as you claim.

When or as JJ would say Link please.

[bert]

Well they are an independent country in a voluntary union so if they want to leave the UK that's up to them. Similarly if at any time England wanted to leave the UK we could do so. All of which makes the wording of referendum a bit nonsensical. I would had asked Do you want Scotland to leave the united kingdom.

[Adrian]

What will? Your answer?

Treaty of Accession, 2003. Signed by Tony Blair for the UK.

[Adrian]

Who? Scotland? They haven't been an "independent country" since 1707.

[bert]

So not subject to any referendum

Now my answer on the NHS seems to have got lost in the ether so I will repeat it. The EU is currently in negotiation with the US on a new trade deal. The EU is including in there opening up European Health services to international (US) competition and that will include the NHS. So a fundamental aspect of the NHS may no longer be a solely UK decision.

[bert]

..when they voluntarily joined a union...... which they have a right to leave by mutual consent so on that basis I suppose we should also have a referendum in the rest of the UK to see if we are willing to let them leave.

If you don't regard them as an independent country now then you must accept they won't be any more independent if they leave the UK and join the EU.

[Adrian]

Clearly the concept of a nation state (aka "independent country") is a bit difficult for you, so I'll explain it in small words.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a nation state. Being a member of the EU, NATO, the UN or any other body does not affect that. Scotland is - currently - a region of a nation state. If the referendum says "Yes", then they will start down the road to being a nation state, which can then join NATO, the UN, the EU or whatever other body without affecting that statehood.

[Adrian]

Oh, well spotted. If you look very hard, you might even begin to notice that nobody suggested it had been.

In case you hadn't noticed, the NHS is already free to sign up to international deals - and already has. So, basically, no change.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Er wrong. Under the EU framework the UK ceased to be a nation state and is merely a set of 'regions' within Europe.

No, it's a region of Europe.

Not unless they leave the EU...

[Adrian]

I await even the vaguest, flimsiest proof of this assertion with bated breath...