Metropol

barcode wrote:I have a feeling Nick will regret every wanting a public debate with Nigel Farage.

I disagree, I think it's a masterstroke. The Lib Dems are the only party who are positive that the UK's position as part of the EU is A Good Thing.

Positioning himself as such means effectively anybody who be impassioned enough to vote 'Yes' in a referendum on the EU can pretty well use the European elections in May as that referendum. I solidly believe the rise in UKIP is down to a noisy minority made up (mostly) of idiots and partially of self-concerned rich people (for whom Human Rights etc. are A Bad Thing). I've never seen Farage do particularly well in any debate programme.

Remember also that the Lib Dems are thought to have almost nothing to loose. Some have been predicting they loose the vast majority or perhaps even the entirety of their presence in Brussels; with UKIP becoming the party with most UK seats. The thought of the latter is enough for me to vote Lib Dem, even though I don't feel ready to vote for them at a council or government level.

WillPS wrote: The Lib Dems are the only party who are positive that the UK's position as part of the EU is A Good Thing.

But the public aren't

There is a strong vocal element of the public that aren't. But that's exactly why an informed public debate is needed.

And if people start talking about the amount of money which is spend it will not make things better for nick.

barcode wrote:And if people start talking about the amount of money which is spend it will not make things better for nick.

You do realise a debate is a two way thing?

Yes, but when everything comes out of the wood work its wont be pretty.

Of course Clegg might dispel some of the myths in perpetuated in the popular press and present some strong positive arguments for EU membership.

You seem to working on the assumption a strong argument for EU membership doesn't exist.

wells wrote:Of course Clegg might dispel some of the myths in perpetuated in the popular press and present some strong positive arguments for EU membership.

You seem to working on the assumption a strong argument for EU membership doesn't exist.

Norway isn't in the EU, but has most of the non political benefits.

barcode wrote:

wells wrote:Of course Clegg might dispel some of the myths in perpetuated in the popular press and present some strong positive arguments for EU membership.

You seem to working on the assumption a strong argument for EU membership doesn't exist.

Norway isn't in the EU, but has most of the non political benefits.

And it also has little control over many of the restrictions and regulations it has had to enshrine into law to make it easy / possible to trade and cooperate with the rest of the EU.

barcode wrote:

WillPS wrote: The Lib Dems are the only party who are positive that the UK's position as part of the EU is A Good Thing.

But the public aren't

You are not "the public". UKIP are not "the public".

So why are people voting for the BNP and Ukip if there not happy with EU?