Re: Brexit
 

Re: Brexit
 

In an oblique way, he’s approving of one of the major faults of the EU - namely that rules imposed on all members are usually written to serve the interests of only one or two of them. The single market isn’t a free market, it is a highly regulated one, cobbled together over many years whenever one interest group or another shouted loudly enough. Manufacturers of pre-packaged, sealed bottles of olive oil being one recent, notable example.

Re: Brexit
 

I’m approving of one of the benefits of the EU.

The nature of collective decision making naturally means there are “winners” in one area who are “losers” in others. The net benefit is what is important.

The idea that we can have all positives and no negatives is fantasy, but I suppose that’s never stopped Brexiteers from pushing their wet dream visions of exiting the EU.

Another sign of our Government in office but not in power. Losing a Finance Bill Amendment, the first of many in efforts to cripple the prospect of no deal Brexit.

Re: Brexit
 

A nail in the coffin for no deal or just an irritation?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46803112

Re: Brexit
 

It’s a start

Re: Brexit
 

These are genuinely exciting times. A Government that’d ordinarily collapse and an Opposition that’d usually intervene. However neither wants to deliver Brexit.

“We’d have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for those pesky Parliamentarians”

Re: Brexit
 

But very often, what come around goes around, especially at the committee stage. Way, way back in the day, I went on a week 'business skills' course run by the UK scientific research councils (MRC who funded me, BBRSC, PPARC, etc.) One of the activities we did was a mini COREPER session, COREPER being the EU Commissions point where member states negotiators get together to bash out new initiatives, laws and so on. The chap running this session used to be part of the UK team at COREPER.

We had to negotiate treaties on renewable energy policy, levels on an industrial pollutant and tariffs on soft fruit. I was in the 'Sweden' team and we couldn't give a monkeys about soft fruit or the pollutant as we didn't make either but was very strong on renewables. We formed an alliance where we backed Spain and Italy on their soft fruit policy in return for their support on our renewables policy. We went 'soft' on the pollutant issue to get Frances support. We were given guidelines on our 'public' position and a secret limit to how far we could vary from this position.

It was a tough three hours but it bought it home how much horse trading you can do when working on multiple issues. Concessions on olive oil bottles will be paid back somewhere else. No one gives away anything for nothing at COREPER!

Re: Brexit
 

Politics has never got me that excited, but hey whatever floats your boat.

I supposed it explains a lot.

Re: Brexit
 

It doesn’t excite me that much either, but prominent Brexit supporting MPs seemed to take a lot of delight telling us how great the deals we would negotiate were going to be. They can’t even agree among themselves, let along take a coherent stance to the EU or other trading partners.

Re: Brexit
 

So if we leave without a deal and we have shortages of food/goods etc ,we the public will know which Trai- er sorry politicians to lynch.;)

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Ah, the old "it wasn’t me, I didn’t do it, nuffink to do with me, squire..." ploy.

Re: Brexit
 

It's more like you pulled the funding and caused this so now you pay squire,the harsh reality of treachery is usually an unpleasant end... up the revolution;)

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Why did I read this in the voice of Sgt. Detritus ?

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Rumours are that Aaron banks is offering a loan to fund no deal preparations.

Re: Brexit
 

Is that from his diamond mining company that doesn’t seem very busy?