risker15

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risker1513 karma

Hi thanks for this AMA, I'm wondering what you think the culture of the British diplomatic service was in Brussels and whether Whitehall ever took it seriously enough? I ask this because I got the impression talking to members of the service here that Brussels was not seen as an attractive "gig" for many of the FCO and indeed political class save for those who were super enthusiastic about the EU.

So my questions are :

  1. Do you think if the UK gov had taken the whole procedures and alliances required in Brussels as seriously as say, the Danes (also quite eurosceptic, but effective in Council negotiations, lobbying their industries, etc), and gotten more out of the EU as a result, instead of the Cameroonian confrontational approach, then it would have made a difference in attitudes towards the EU both in elite circles and the general public?

  2. Was there a principal-agent problem in the sense that the institutions in Whitehall were in their own camp wanting to affirm their own sovereignty and the ones sent to Brussels were perhaps too embedded in the EU bubble?

risker158 karma

I just lost my passport as well as my residence card (of my country of residence). Most likely they were stolen. What would you say is the most valid ID I could produce to get into British soil even though I'm 100% sure I'm British and I'm not a criminal. I ask because I'm supposed to go there on boxing day!

Also, why is there no British embassy in Brussels? Why do I have to send my passport forms to the French? Is this Farage's fault or immigrants?

risker154 karma

I remember French friends complaining about UK influence in Brussels throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Interesting, thanks!

risker152 karma

Thank you for your help. Reason why I thought I had to go to Paris is because I have to send my passport forms to them rather than the embassy in Brussels. I'll send them an e-mail now.

What's your opinion on ID cards in the UK? I'm always glad I have my Belgian residence card on a night out because a passport seems far too important for mere identification. I think they should introduce them in Britain too.