Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

It shouldn't be ignored, but it has to be acknowledged that huge swathes of the Civil Service are moving into Covid-19 response roles leaving them less well equipped to support future relationship negotiations. In tandem with this we need to carve out what we want our agriculture and fisheries sectors to look like, and wider trade agreements with the rest of the world.

The DWP are moving staff to support Universal Credit applications and HMRC (who would apply any tariff regime) moving staff to support small businesses and the Chancellor's support for the self employed.

All the while hundreds of thousands of staff are having to work from home and their key stakeholders in the same boat affecting delivery of thousands of key projects up and down the land.

I know in the other thread I get accused of doom-mongering somewhat - but the western world as we know it has never seen a challenge on this scale since World War 2. I have no hesitation in sharing that I have genuine anxiety over what the next two months will bring.

Everyone on this forum knows I didn't support Brexit - that's no secret. Do I want it to succeed? Of course I do. Our collective wealth depends on it. Collective wealth that in turn supports tax revenues to support the NHS, education, police and all the public services on which we all rely.

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

So when the Brexit delay is announced, who will you turn to? Is it curtains for Boris or will you still think he farts perfume?

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

It’s not the virus the Civil Servants are dealing with, it’s the severe negative impact on services, systems, and day to day life and business the virus is having.

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Brexit happened, if there is a delay to future trading relationship, I will wait. Isn’t that what you do if there is a delay?

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

We are already aligned with EU rules, so it is much easier for us than other countries.

---------- Post added at 13:26 ---------- Previous post was at 13:20 ----------

Yes, of course it's complicated, but there are fewer issues than for other trade deals owing to our current alignment with them. Given that, the deadline is perfectly do-able.

It is true that the state of our economy will not be as it was pre-virus, but neither will the EU's economy.

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...-johnson-trade https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51345776
https://www.politico.eu/article/no-a...r-sajid-javid/

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Sounds like there could be a lot to this, Hugh. ;)

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Clearly, there will be no regulatory alignment, but the point I was trying to make was that their product specifications for goods exported from the UK to the EU will not be an issue for us. They already meet those specifications, and so it will not be an issue.

However, we don't want the EU dictating how we trade with other countries and nor do we want to be subject to the ECJ.

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

So you expect businesses to maintain two manufacturing processes - ones that meet EU specification and one for the rest of the world? Or will we just sell the EU spec ones to the rest of the world too?

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

The specifications for goods varies between countries. This is quite normal.

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

Re: [Updated] The UK’s future relationship with the EU
 

So we will be "aligned with EU rules" (your words), but not their regulations?

Thanks for clearing that up...