I'm currently reading "When the Lights went out - What really happened in the 1970s" by Andy Becket.
Fascinating and well written review of the politics of the decade.
One of the subjects is, of course, Britain's entry in to the EEC.
Now I don't want to start a debate on that topic so GH you can save your rant for another time : - ) but I did find this poll from 1973 in the Pro-Europe (at the time) Daily Mirror funny
Would you like to see these "Common Market" Customs in the UK?
Yes No
Regular wine with meals 23% 21%
More pavement cafes 11% 34%
More Shops open on Sundays 5% 40%
Coffee and a roll not bacon 13% 58%
and eggs for breakfast
Pubs open all day 18% 44%
How times change, hey.
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and eggs for breakfast
How is this not 0% 100%
If you prefer a roll over bacon & eggs you need your head examining. Unless its a bacon & egg roll.
Don't make the mistake of confusing things European with the anti democratic would be superstate structure called the EU.
They are two different things.
That said, and I'm not expressing an opinion one way or the other as to whether the changes shown are good or bad, you highlight very well how UK culture has changed since entry into the Common Market as it was in 1973.
Was just struck by the cultural shift.
Interesting to read long forgotten terms such as "Maplin Sands" and "Saltley Gate"
Shops or pubs NOT being open is now more of a shock. Wine with meals is common place (in my house at least) and you can't move for pavement cafes in the city. Coffee and rolls maybe not but coffee and croissant yes.
Have also been to Belgium & France in the last two weeks
I love it over here but couldnt move here for good. Drives me crackers that all the shops shut between 1 & 4.
Paris has gone to the dogs and Belgium seems to have it sussed imho.
Drifting into GH territory, it is amazing that an institution that is arguably more powerful than our own Parliament hasn't been given any mandate in my lifetime.
I'd love there to be more pavement cafes/bars, I don't think we have as many throughout London as you see. A few areas yes, but many places are so full of traffic and narrow pavements you can't do it.
It's the one thing I do like about Rome, Florence, etc the big squares full of bars/restaurants to sit outside.
Of course, the more agreeable weather over there does help a lot.
The only "common market custom" is telling us we are shit Europens whilst taking the cash !
pavement cafes yes naffing love em try it on a novenber night in Sunderland.
English breakfast every time over a soggy bun and jam.
Santa lots of countries have had various votes on the EU --- its just the UK that hasnt .Mind you that nice Mr Brown said he would let us----then again he lied didnt he.
I love Europe its a great place to VISIT, but its not like home.
PS: Gordon Brown never said he would consider a public referendum on the EU. In fact, in his first speech as prime minister, I distinctly recall him ruling it out.
No phobia here mate as clearly said its a great place to visit.
and of course "there will always be a corner of some forign field that is forever England"
So your problem is with the UK government(s) then?
On the 'Common Market customs', I say no to wine at meals, no to pavement cafés, no to coffee and yes to shops and pubs being open. Yes, many of these things have happened since 1973
I make points and they are rants others make points and its a debate ---------------f**k it ban me and have done with it then-- job done.