Oh nice logic there sparky.Andy said:
All member countries make a donation to the EU based on the size of their economy. Britain's nett contribution was the biggest (money paid in vs subsidies received) and so under Margaret Thatcher's leadership Britain demanded and got an annual rebate currently worth £3.5 billion. Basically M. Thatcher blackmailed them at the time by vetoing all new legislation until they gave her what she wanted. Ever since the French and the Germans have wanted this rebate stopped. France will shortly be paying more than Britain in nett terms and are increasingly incensed by the rebate. Britain meanwhile is threatening to veto this years budget if the French and Germans don't get off their case. This will hurt the French particularly as their farmers are major recipients of EU subsidies. T. Blair has offered that Britain will renegotiate on the rebate if France will renegotiate on the farm subsidies (as in a major reduction) and so the fun continues.Andy said:
Art said:
lol personally I'd miss it. Watching France and Britain going at it 'hammer and tongs' is the best free entertainment available.vanesch said:And to say that this kind of fun wouldn't take place anymore with the European Constitution (R.I.P.)
Art said:
Andy said:
vanesch said:You're right: it would be the end of a millennium-long tradition :tongue:
Some things, you just have to keep them I guess
brewnog said:
Pengwuino said:
Yes, but which one of you is the little sister? :tongue2:brewnog said:
jma2001 said:
The European rebate is a discount that was negotiated by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984. It reduces the amount of money that the United Kingdom contributes to the European Union's budget.
Tony Blair, who succeeded Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister, believed that the rebate was no longer necessary as the EU had changed significantly since it was originally negotiated. He argued that the UK should contribute more to the EU's budget in order to support newer member states.
Tony Blair famously declared that he would not give up "a penny" of the rebate, despite pressure from other EU member states to do so. He argued that the rebate was a vital part of the UK's budget and should not be given up without significant reforms to the EU's budget system.
Yes, Tony Blair's stance on the European rebate has caused tension within the EU, particularly with other member states who believe that the UK should contribute more to the EU's budget. It has also been a source of tension between the UK and the EU as a whole.
Yes, in 2005, Tony Blair agreed to a review of the EU's budget system, which resulted in a decrease in the UK's rebate. However, the rebate still remains a contentious issue and has been a topic of discussion in recent Brexit negotiations.