Can Any Remainers Answer This?

[Theland]

Given the total lack of democracy in the EU, why would anybody wish to remain?
It cannot be forced to reform itself, because the powers within it will not consent to giving up power to the parliament, never mind the ordinary people.
So what is to stop the Commissioners making it even more undemocratic than it already is? Nothing and nobody can stand in their way.
What is the attraction for Remainers to stay in the EU?

[Canary42]

As a Remainer, I have no argument with your remarks , except I would rather stay inside and try to reform it, than step outside and face alone the trading competition of the likes of China, Russia, and the US and slowly decline into Third World status.

The undemocratic unelected Commission is indeed the major flaw in the present EU setup, but with the power of the Brexit vote behind us (and similar stirrings which as a result emerged at the time from one or two other major EU countries, which we could have tapped into and exploited) we could have begun to turn it into a more democratic outfit - it would be a struggle, but as in 39-45 we could overcome, but we chose instead to run away. A great shame because the vote could have been a powerful pivot, without cutting off our nose to spite our face by actually leaving.

This is my personal view, pessimistic as it may appear, and the Brexiteers have so far failed to convince me otherwise. I hope I am wrong, but I have already observed many of the so-called Project Fear warnings materialising since Article 50 was signed, and my concern is it will get worse, especially if the no-deal version prevails (which seems almost inevitable).

I hope this helps you to see the Remainer view (or mine at least) in a more enlightened way, even though I do not expect you to change your views.

[Theland]

I simply fail to see a way that the EU would consent to reform, when they simply don't have to, and there is nothing and nobody to coerce them.
Why should they?
Who willingly gives up power?
They could tighten their grip even further without any sanction whatsoever.

[vetuste_ennemi]

//I have already observed many of the so-called Project Fear warnings materialising...//

Please enumerate.

Please explain why the direst warnings didn't materialise.

Mind you, the Canary has a sense of humour:

" I would rather stay inside and try to reform it..."

That was irony, wasn't it, Canary?

[Old_Geezer]

I assume it's because they like being told what to do, which is ironic given the fuss some make after the result of the referendum told them what we are to do.

Maybe they simply fear the transition period and what'll happen to the economy, or have zero faith in our companies and their management to trade and make deals outside a protected area. Wouldn't say much about UK trading skills/abilities though.

[Old_Geezer]

We tried reform and it clearly was never going to happen unless something dramatic occurred. There is a time to accept reality and stop hitting one's head against the proverbial brick wall. That's hardly running away, it's correcting a mistake.

[Garaman]

//I simply fail to see a way that the EU would consent to reform, when they simply don't have to, and there is nothing and nobody to coerce them. //

You may fail to see it, but they do have to or there won't be an EU.

//Why should they? //

See answer above.

//Who willingly gives up power? //

Few people, but they wouldn't be doing it willingly they would be settling for less power rather than none at all.

//They could tighten their grip even further without any sanction whatsoever.//

No they couldn't, see first answer.

[Kathyan]

I don't think we had/would have any influence in the EU. Germany and France seem to have all the power and it seems that what they say, goes. Look what happened when Cameron tried to get a deal, they basically laughed at him!

[naomi24]

//Look what happened when Cameron tried to get a deal, they basically laughed at him! //

Looking at their most recent deliberations, they're laughing their socks off now ... and with the farce that is the Brexit 'negotiations' who can blame them?

[Spicerack]

https://goo.gl/qSRZkf

[Kathyan]

Very true Naomi

[scooping]

We've had 45 to reform it and it's less democratic than it was.