As I see it, the only countries to benefit are those that have only the amount of debt that they can handle. The rest have got into trouble on their own. If Germany is the only country to benefit it is costing them plenty to bail out the rest, now, As I said, the Euro was introduced without strict fiscal rules.
The UK is not responsible for the Euro's problems but do not forget that it has its own.
How both sides solve them is their business. I don't see what the fuss is about.
To me ultimately the fuss is about accountability to who owns the debt and sharing of that pain.
With currencies - if one country prints more money then that matched by productivity output etc then inflation eventually erodes that currency and purchasing power.
With a single currency in Europe - some countries have been consuming much more and producing less being subsidised by people in other countries. Could be said that some were even fraudulent in the conduct of their governments.
Without an accountable adjustment mechanism such a system fails miserably when confronted with its first real stress test.
I would go as far to say expecting governments of various countries to regulate their fiscal policies is pie in the sky - much like self regulation of our banks and financial services.
1. I do think what Germany is doing is correct and one can't knock it to be honest. We need good management and they are simply the best.
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2. I think the Financial industry needs to be taxed and regulated
3. I also think it would be wrong to exclude the UK from these rules that would be applied to banks and finance sector in all the other countries. Otherwise it would be unfair competition
I'm not sure I understand fully what was proposed and whether anybody has done any studies as to how we would be impacted. We are told our financial services would be adversely affected but nobody has described how. Concept of fairness is a double edged sword but a very strong effective one.
If the Asians or Americas wish to allow their financial sector to roam free let them. If they do not wish to tax their transactions, that's their business. So what is the likely outcome; banks will leave the European area and locate in two other continents? Well if they can cause so much trouble and losses impacting millions - let them. We can't let this **** happen again. Much ado about anything.
Moreover, the UK is already losing the war in the financial arena with exchanges going to NY and Europe and Far East. Even Dubai has its eye on gaining market share in financial services. Our share of the insurance broking market has already diminished and Lloyds is not what it used to be.
I feel we need more information to understand what is on the table and the need to go a little slow in making our minds up about all this but the referendum and big discussion for political reasons is a no no.
Pat my take on it is that the Euro will become stronger if it survives this crises (which I think it will). So history is in the making right now - not in the passing mon ami...
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