INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Fact-check on Freeports

Not quite the shiny new invention they’re being sold as. fullfact.org/europe/free-ports/

More details on them here. I’m hoping we have a bit more on offer than that www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/read/47945

It doesn’t tally with the article I read. Never mind. There are pluses to be found which is why the government are looking at their creation.

Other ideas will be along.

I feel very positive.

Sorry.
?

Welcoming the plan in early August 2019, Richard Ballantyne, CEO of the British Ports Association (BPA), warned that balance will be needed in order to also keep non-free ports competitive and functioning after Brexit.

“Many of the benefits of a traditional ‘free port’ can be achieved in the UK through existing processes, but we look forward to working with government on how a UK-specific model can boost sustainable development in and around ports and add real value,” he added in a statement.

Well we had them until 2012 so will be interesting to see whether they do anything marvellous.

Perhaps they can help my son’s epilepsy meds arrive seamlessly (unfortunately only made in the EU).

Perhaps. That said I hope the meds for your son get through the same as now as any interruption in supply must be a very real worry for you. I hope and trust the E.U. won’t imperil pharma. It’s a huge industry and surely pragmatism will prevail.

But I do understand your concern. x

He’s on a number of meds (is very severely disabled). I’m not too worried about the others - he doesn’t respond well to brand swapping but we should be able to get something. The problem with epilepsy meds is that brand swapping increases the risk of seizures & sometimes once you have lost control you don’t regain it.

It would have been worse 3 years ago - then he could only take liquid meds and they are always a nightmare to get at the best of times. At least he can now have capsules.

I truly empathise with your anxiety. As all of us on here will too. ?

I hope it’s misplaced. I really do.

Yes me too. Should be okay until next December anyway. We had some hairy moments this year (something to do with dropping pound?) but now order the next one as soon as we have picked up the current batch. If his meds are ever changed I will ask then about country of origin, if taking the risk to change it would be worth considering then.

And thank you

'I hope and trust the E.U. won’t imperil pharma. It’s a huge industry and surely pragmatism will prevail' So, it will be the EU's fault if the medication isn't available? Never the fault of those who voted leave after being warned that things like this might happen..

Oh Labaik. You disappoint me.

I only said what I did because Nezuni65 told us the medication was manufactured in the E.U.

Can we not at least try to come together and be kinder, on this aspect if nothing else?

This will otherwise become an uphill battle full of spite and resentment. It really is time now to pull together.

Well Urmstongran we have had Independence Day, against all the odds it did happen? so nothing much to gain now from any Brexit threads from now on, hooray ( although am sure they will run and run.)
The government team and the EU team can get on with trade talks this year without ( we hope) a blow by blow narration daily, as it has been up to now.

No; you have voted in a way that is causing misery to a lot of people and you can now own it. The NHS pointed out that there might be problems but, as with everything else it was just 'project fear'. It was pointed out that there might be a problem with radiation treatment etc. Those of us that voted remain took things like that on board when making our decision. You did not so I think the word 'empathy' is misplaced. I used to work for the NHS so I know full well how important it is that certain drugs, especially those for epilepsy and schizophrenia must not switch between brands and they were the ones that, because they are very expensive tend not to be stockpiled by medical practices therefore maintaining the supply chain is very important.

Lots of empathy from lemongrove, I see.....

Might be, could be, etc Labaik, you don’t actually know what will happen but are determined to look on the black side.Your choice, and we were told upthread that sympathy wasn’t needed.

Ah Labaikyou don’t have the monopoly on compassion nor intellect.

I too worked for the NHS for 45y. I read about the pharma worries at the time of the referendum. I just chose to believe different expert opinion on the matter.

Let it rest awhile now eh? Put the burden down for a bit. Let’s reflect and yes, dare to be hopeful.

It must be exhausting being angry all the time.

It's very true to acknowledge that we don't know what will happen now
It's also true to acknowledge that if we had remained in the EU, people would not be faced with these dreadful concerns. I feel it's important to recognise this
I don't really feel angry, I feel, I don't know, disappointed in people, in their casual dismissal of another person's worries
It would be helpful to the 'coming together ' and healing process, for the jingoistic remarks and right wing rhetoric, to ease up a little
Triumphalism is never a good look...

Nezumi65, my daughter also has epilepsy and takes a cocktail of 3 different meds, plus she is type diabetic and has insulin 3 times a day. I am also hoping it doesn't muck up her meds its a real worry but fingers crossed it will work ok. .

Barmeyoldbat I hope so too. Different experts hold different opinions regarding pharma after exiting the E.U. I can understand your concern here and hope it is unnecessary.

Dollymac as someone who voted Leave I’m honestly hoping much of this antagonism dies away now. We need to move on as a nation. It’s time to be nicer to one another.

Most epilepsy meds cannot he brand swapped without risk. That is just fact (see NICE or read fact sheets from other countries such as Australia).

So if Brexit affects the supply of epilepsy meds (& many are manufactured in the EU) then people will have additional seizures as a result. Again just fact.

As Barmey has said all we can do is cross our fingers. (Let’s hope the government doesn’t let us down Barmey).

Urmstongran, it's really upsetting that people have to be concerned about getting the correct medication, job losses (Nissan) huge employer in the NE, I could go on...
I suppose it's harder to be nice, if your very existence is threatened
Anyway, thank you, I don't find you to be one of those, that hold the cat's arse to the fire ?

This will otherwise become an uphill battle full of spite and resentment. It really is time now to pull together.

Words as empty and meaningless as the soundbites that persuaded so many to vote Leave.

What the hell difference will the anger and implacable opposition to this stupidity, felt by many Remainers, make to the outcome of Brexit? Will the negative vibes have some sort of malign influence on the whole process?

What form is this 'battle' going to take? What are we supposed to pull on to produce the desired outcome.

I'm really not sure what is worse about Leaver's posts; the insults or the banality...

Kandinsky says that 'Some remainers actually sound mental'. But it's ok to say that. Supposedly....