Somerset Loves Europe
#EveningwithSeanDromgoole
Starting at 8 live tweets:

Sean Dromgoole is Chair of CLP Somerton and Frome
Sean joins as Talk of West Country Bylines commending article about David Warburton
Introductions by Matt Geen
Sean pleased to become acquainted with pro EU group.
Somerset born and bred
Love affair with France began at age 6-7 on a family holiday and broken down Rover in a small village: amazing food + great play mates. School exchanges rendered Europe ordinary.
Then making a film -with Anthony Hopkins in France. Sean became the go-between both languages. France became a place where he could earn a living.
Onto working in Paris for the European Commission to attempt to redress the balance with a largely American film market. 20/25 years ago he was working to promote European writing - with EC funding
5 years of fun funding productions around Europe with some success -with a fraction of US funding
Big conference in Ireland to promote European film industry
French CNC against idea of English based initiative in France - they should be doing it. Sean insisted on addressing the big meeting in France in not very good French but it got them on side
However Sean found himself getting jaded so...he moved on and set up his own film company > moving into research > computer games
dustry > Nintendo and European slant and languages
Last few years running European businesses.
Now however, much more difficult to work across Europe.
Enjoyed + made full use of membership of European community.
Sean opened it out for group discussion:
Damage to businesses especially small enterprises. The cost of duty on goods coming into UK has already decimated trade. Tragic.
We need to target returning to single market -but over time- meanwhile we have to live with it.
Questions:
Richard Wilkins - how do you see the way forward?
Another referendum - No! Distrust of referendums - brings laughter.
We have to accept market rules. Can't pick and choose - up against negativity.
Hitler did 4 referendums
Adam Boyden
Should Labour have a long term aim to rejoin?
Should it be more decisive?
Sean: Not unless we have to...Starmer not likely to change Labour stance
Norway style in a few years - probably majority in favour
Adam Boyden
Musicians, Meat exports - is life going to get very bad + will that change public opinion?
Lack of choice, holidays, £ likely to fall making hols dearer. This will build slowly. Not short of food nor medicines. Jobs will disappear
Sam Geen
What internal feelings of Lab Party re EU + Brexit as well as Starmer's equivocation + wanting to look forward rather than backward + because more important things need attention. Govt have taken over items from Lab manifesto. All Remainers but not engaging *yet*
Tim Knowles
As an economist:
Exporting so difficult - chance of Sterling crash?
Other countries also have huge deficits + borrowing too much US economy in bad state. But who needs £s? € is stronger
Aaron Carriciolo
Why did we leave the EU?
Threat from Ukip. Cameron promised it. Do it our way or you're being very stupid - bad idea. At which point. The chief Brexiters moved in.
Jess
Before Lab can move closer to EU does Sean think they need to address north/ south divide?
Agrees - like taking Scotland for granted. Reflects poorly - need people like John Prescott involved. Value led policies. National v local village perspective. Good number of seats
But not a majority so that intelligent politicians work together on prioritised legislation together.
Matt sums up referring to Somerset Loves Europe
- ready for campaigning for PR
West Country Bylines for news with a West Country focus as well as National issues affecting us
Sean thanks us and will happily promote the group.
Thank you Sean Dromgoole - interesting evening
@threadreaderapp unroll

More from Society

So, as the #MegaMillions jackpot reaches a record $1.6B and #Powerball reaches $620M, here's my advice about how to spend the money in a way that will truly set you, your children and their kids up for life.

Ready?

Create a private foundation and give it all away. 1/

Let's stipulate first that lottery winners often have a hard time. Being publicly identified makes you a target for "friends" and "family" who want your money, as well as for non-family grifters and con men. 2/

The stress can be damaging, even deadly, and Uncle Sam takes his huge cut. Plus, having a big pool of disposable income can be irresistible to people not accustomed to managing wealth.
https://t.co/fiHsuJyZwz 3/

Meanwhile, the private foundation is as close as we come to Downton Abbey and the landed aristocracy in this country. It's a largely untaxed pot of money that grows significantly over time, and those who control them tend to entrench their own privileges and those of their kin. 4

Here's how it works for a big lotto winner:

1. Win the prize.
2. Announce that you are donating it to the YOUR NAME HERE Family Foundation.
3. Receive massive plaudits in the press. You will be a folk hero for this decision.
4. Appoint only trusted friends/family to board. 5/

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