You know what I just determined? What did you just determine, Benjamin?...I will tell you...I just determined that Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty establishes the "kick out" procedure for a member of the European Union:
1. On a reasoned proposal by one third of the Member States, by the European Parliament or by the European Commission, the Council, acting by a majority of four fifths of its members after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2. Before making such a determination, the Council shall hear the Member State in question and may address recommendations to it, acting in accordance with the same procedure. The Council shall regularly verify that the grounds on which such a determination was made continue to apply.
2. The European Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by one third of the Member States or by the European Commission and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2 after inviting the Member State in question to submit its observations.
3. Where a determination under paragraph 2 has been made, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide to suspend certain of the rights deriving from the application of the Treaties to the Member State in question, including the voting rights of the representative of the government of that Member State in the Council. In doing so, the Council shall take into account the possible consequences of such a suspension on the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons.
The obligations of the Member State in question under the Treaties shall in any case continue to be binding on that State.
4. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide subsequently to vary or revoke measures taken under paragraph 3 in response to changes in the situation which led to their being imposed.
So we have to go to Article 2:
The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.
1. On a reasoned proposal by one third of the Member States, by the European Parliament or by the European Commission, the Council, acting by a majority of four fifths of its members after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine that there is a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2. Before making such a determination, the Council shall hear the Member State in question and may address recommendations to it, acting in accordance with the same procedure. The Council shall regularly verify that the grounds on which such a determination was made continue to apply.
2. The European Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by one third of the Member States or by the European Commission and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may determine the existence of a serious and persistent breach by a Member State of the values referred to in Article 2 after inviting the Member State in question to submit its observations.
3. Where a determination under paragraph 2 has been made, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide to suspend certain of the rights deriving from the application of the Treaties to the Member State in question, including the voting rights of the representative of the government of that Member State in the Council. In doing so, the Council shall take into account the possible consequences of such a suspension on the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons.
The obligations of the Member State in question under the Treaties shall in any case continue to be binding on that State.
4. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may decide subsequently to vary or revoke measures taken under paragraph 3 in response to changes in the situation which led to their being imposed.
So we have to go to Article 2:
The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.
So...In the learned opinion of undersigned who has made a study of this for fifteen minutes, the United Kingdom CANNOT BE KICKED OUT of the European Union on the basis of the Brexit referendum because the only ground in Article 2 that would apply would be that the UK did not show "respect for" "democracy" in that it refused to exit the EU voluntarily pursuant to Article 50 (by declaring in public three times "I divorce you!") upon the Brexit referendum winning. That may be, in the language of Article 7, paragraph 2 up there, a "serious breach" of Article 2 but it could not be a "persistent breach." Cuz it only happened once. It'd have to happen again, like saying "I divorce you!" three times.
So, so...They can't be kicked out. The only way they are going to get out is by voluntarily doing it pursuant to Article 50. The Prime-Minister-formerly-known-as-Cameron could have done that on Friday. Instead he resigned-effective as soon as the Conservatives choose a successor, which could be in October at the earliest or never on accounta nobody applied for the job. Dave could invoke Article 50 at the EU confab Tuesday night-or not: and that is the money shot of this circle jerk. The EU cannot compel the UK to invoke Article 50 and, i.m.h.o., they can't forcibly eject the UK pursuant to Articles 7 and 2. Aforesaid.
HELD: FUCK!
