Forum Topic

Greek EU crisis?

If Greece leaves the EU, will it affect us in the UK?  I don't understand these EU events. Would someone explain please - thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 3882d17 Comments

Yes Debbie, plumbing facilities are a bit basic in Greece - I think it was the Romans who started decent plumbing - it wasn't any Asian country IIRC.

Gerry Tan ● 3869d

Do you not think it a bit third world Gerry?I do.Who invented plumbing anyway?

Debbie Edwards ● 3869d

"...In a country in Europe in 2015, why does used loo paper go in a bin?"I don't know Debbie - please tell us!

Gerry Tan ● 3869d

Why should stock exchanges be even concerned about this?No-one has paid taxes for years. If they had well there wouldn't be his problem.  Perhaps the stock exchange need a bit of agitation every now and then. The financial industry have never been shown to be dishonest.Now here's a question. In a country in Europe in 2015, why does used loo paper go in a bin?

Debbie Edwards ● 3869d

The "powerful in Europe" champion democracy - they do not show contempt for it.  Its the Greeks who use it as an excuse to shield them from their financial duties, obligations and responsibilities. The stock exchanges of Europe have worries about the state of affairs.

Gerry Tan ● 3869d

The Euro was always going to be like this. The reactions of Merkel and co to the Greek vote shows how much contempt the powerful in Europe have for democracy.

Peter Chadburn ● 3869d

The stock exchanges of Germany, France and Holland don't seem to like the Greeks defaulting their fiscal duties!  The FTSE ain't happy either. Oh, woe is me!

Gerry Tan ● 3869d

The Euro (currency union) will *NEVER* work until we have full political union in Europe as well.

Tony Colliver ● 3870d

I suspect that those swift kicks are about to be delivered...

Tony Colliver ● 3870d

Syriza have not been in power long. the previous governments and the eu bosses have spent years creating this crisis. when the people say enough is enough they are being bullied by the IMF etc.. Syriza are standing up for the Greek people. the previous election Markel told the Greeks that they must vote for the corrupt incompetents that got them into the mess in the first place. European heads of state do not like Syriza. if they cut a deal with Syriza then that would unleash change in Spain and other places. This is a battle for Democracy. The Euro in order to work means that Democracy is dismantled!!

Peter Chadburn ● 3871d

I'm beginning to understand the crisis in Greece now.  I think the politicians and people of Greece should be given a few swift kicks-up-the-bum to ease the lack of confidence in Europe and to concentrate their minds!

Gerry Tan ● 3872d

Don't believe that defaulting will leave them with a 'clean slate'. Any money they need to borrow, if anyone will lend to them, will be at punitive rates. Sanctions will be imposed, imports restricted. Their failure to collect taxes and quell the excesses of their civil service and pensions will cost them for years to come.

Nigel Brooks ● 3881d

The thing is that Syriza are at least trying to battle for the Greek people. The workers and the poor are suffering. the money has been spent on Tanks and a Submarine from Germany. The Euro was always going to lead to problems like this and the IMF's answer is much like a debtors prison from Charles Dickens. so the Greeks have a simple choice. accept the punishment for something that most had nothing to do with and die a slow death, renegotiate a better deal which they are trying to do. or else leave the Euro which would in the short term be a disaster but at least they could default and start with a clean slate. The other countries are also in a similar state. The workers and the poor paid their taxes in Greece. Syriza are trying to tighten that up. Good luck to the Greeks. Why should the poor pay the price for the egos of their leaders.

Peter Chadburn ● 3881d

I'm beginning to feel that the rest of Europe are getting a bit fed-up with Greece - even the forgiving Mrs. Merkel!

Gerry Tan ● 3881d

Although the economy of Greece is relatively small there is the risk of the contagion spreading to other smaller member States such as Portugal and Eire, and so on, with a general lack of confidence, and appetite to invest and trade across the whole EU.

Philip Coe ● 3882d

Thanks Philip,  most informative - thank goodness you didn't say:-  "It's the Greek economy, stupid!"

Gerry Tan ● 3882d

BBC has good coverage on its website including this published yesterday "What impact would Grexit have on the UK?"    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33165580

Philip Coe ● 3882d