The Guardian is amongst many outlets to note that:
Downing Street .. did nothing to knock down reports that the UK is preparing to impose full customs and border checks on all European goods entering Britain, to try to increase pressure on the bloc to give way in the negotiations, which are due to start next month.
In other words, our government is planning to impose maximum regulatory burdens on trade with the EU from 1 January 2021.
For as long as I can recall - and for these purposes that's more than forty years - Tory governments have railed against 'red tape', which they have always said crushes the spirit of enterprise and the ability for trade to flourish. And now a Tory government is planning to maximum regulation.
It's time, then, to say farewell to red tape.
We have blue tape now.
And it's here to stay.
Because the Tories have turned its creation into a policy objective.
You couldn't make it up.
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Every comment and every action demonstrates the overwhelming incompetence. I think that we should add pettiness – the latest order from Raab that diplomats should sit away from their European counterparts is just one example. It does not bode well for the forthcoming negotiations.
Just one correction. It’s not incompetence – it is ill intent.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Samuel Johnson. April 7th, 1775.
He should have written “of an incompetent scoundrel”.
The plague of British politics for more years than anyone can remember!
It’s really not a surprise as Johnson’s government will I think prioritise a deal with the USA.
Payback probably for some of the Brexit funding that has come from there I suspect. After all spending on US presidential elections runs to many hundreds of millions; you can still buy a UK referendum or general election (flouting spending rules) for a few million.
Someonhe please help me out on this. What I want to know is this: our government (I use the terms “our” and “government” in a very loose sort of way) is dreaming of a really wet dream trade deal with the US. A trade deal that will enable us to import masses of delicious chlorine enriched chicken and antibiotic flavoured beef, and undertested pharmaceuticals and whatnot, destroying no doubt our native agricultural industry and making the NHS more expensive, but in exchange for what? What are we going to be exporting to the USA that we don’t export already? More Scotch Whiskey? More Nissan motor vehicles? Banking? Wallace and Grommit animated movies? AI and information industries to Silicon Valley? Is it really going to be Liz Truss urging millions of Americans to buy shiploads of Marmite? Can we really narrow the balance of payments by replacing exports to the EU next door with exports to the US 3000 miles (Kilometres) away??
Your confusion on the issue is wholly justified
I have often speculated upon your well articulated question Mike but also, to no-avail. What exactly are our trading ‘distinctive-competencies’ vis a vis the US? And has our Brexit inclined farming community figured out yet the implications for them if all this goes ahead?
Well put Mike. One might add that the USA is also deeply protectionist, both formally and informally though the buy American instincts of its citizens. And then add Trump
The ideologically driven delusions of Johnson and co seem to be unbounded
The problem is the Tories have nothing to lose, easiest trade deal ever, we hold all the cards. We either have to get our way, or it has to be the EU’s fault if we don’t. They are going all in, they have no choice.
It doesn’t matter that the reality will say different, everything that follows will be the fault of the EU and the media will help the Tories sell that lie, strengthening their support for defying the evil dictator on our doorstep.
Certainly seems that way Rob. Some media headlines suggest they have already started the process of lowering expectations and stoking contempt. Will we all be crowding on the Dover cliffs this time next year, proudly waving 2 fingered salutes across the channel? And in due course, lining the A19 howling abuse as the lorries roll in to ship the Nissan factory somewhere more convenient for its market?
Given the numbers in the UK who clearly have no understanding whatsoever of what Brexiting really means, I’m beginning to think the right to vote should be based not on chronological age but on voters’ ability to comprehend what they read. All those not meeting requirements regarded as adult ie a reading age of 18 or over would be denied the vote on the basis of their inability to grasp what they were voting for, no matter their age in years.
Enough musing. If we are to impose full checks on imports, where is this to be done? Where’s the infrastructure, the necessary assembly of architects, the regulations being passed for the acquisition of land, the demolition of existing structures, compensation, the training for the necessary personnel, and where indeed are these personnel to come from together with the construction crews given the incredible employment figures the Tories delight in crowing about… if this necessary monumental expansion of the ports were to actually happen, it would clearly take years to implement and need to be lead by competent individuals, not the clown assembly we have in office. Why then is anyone listening to what Boris says? Do we imagine anyone is anywhere else?
Not many have reading age 18 or over….
And no, we could not do the checks, whatever Johnson might think
Someday his fantasy is going to hit reality
In the same vein, a good French friend has recently taken the nationality test to get a British passport. The questions were full of trite stuff, useless bits of history (10666 and All That)and frankly most Brits would not pass. Nothing that helps understand how Britain works today. In contrast the German test is much more about how the country, it’s institutions and laws, work today. Stuff that you really ought to know to live and work somewhere.
Having worked around Parliament and different government departments (as a consultant…) I’ve learnt a little, but am constantly reminded how little most of the public knows, even the so called educated ones. As for the EU/EC and how it works, no chance. However there is no end of disinformation
“Not many have reading age 18 or over…”
You sound like Emily Thornberry..you can get away with living in your little echo chamber I suppose
Do you know anything about reading ages?