Does anyone believe BJ has any intention of negotiating a Deal with EU?

Predictions can be based on past and current behaviour - don’t need a crystal ball, I just don’t wear rose coloured or believe in the mystical powers of BJ ( or unicorns)

A situation can often is assessed without a crystal ball- but with the advice and knowledge of experts. Yes- some of us prefer experts - truly.

You are possibly correct sw. On the other hand none of us have a crystal ball.

We have not got 310 days - nowhere near. The No Deal scenario will be declared long before that because of the plans that have to be put in place.

310 days to find out ...

and then what?

I think the talks will break down. Then they will resume talking. And repeat ? And repeat ? until the 11th hour on Dec 31st.

suzie ''Apart from RS ( who at the moment may be a bit too eager to please but appears very bright) the rest of the XS Team are hardly the team of all the talents. ''

indeedy- and none of them have got experience in negotiating international trading deals either, Even Ian Duncan-Smith is concerned and has said very recently that we need to appoint the best expert negotiatiors as there is trouble ahead.

Very worrying. ... or the UK will walk, Urm- walk to where, pray tell? To become the vassals and puppets of Trump. How is that for regaining Independence?????????????

Me too GG13 but I've a feeling these talks might break down. Then either panic (both sides) will set in and talks will resume after staring at the abyss or the U.K. will walk.

Apart from RS ( who at the moment may be a bit too eager to please but appears very bright) the rest of the XS Team are hardly the team of all the talents. Oh dear. But anyway, it’s DC who’s in charge anyway so it hardly matters.

I voted to leave, XS are all "Brexiters" I do wonder who will be the calm voice of reason Urmstongran. Would love to be a fly on the wall to listen in.

I would prefer to have a good deal rather than leave on WTO.

From the Guardian this morning:

“Brexit negotiations to secure the future relationship between the UK and the EU start next Monday.

What’s next?
European affairs and foreign affairs ministers meet in Brussels to rubber-stamp the negotiating goals approved in Brussels on Monday.

At the same time Boris Johnson is to convene a meeting on Tuesday of the UK’s exit strategy team (XS) to discuss the EU paper and finalise the UK’s own mandate, which will be published on Thursday.

The XS team is made of up Johnson, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak; the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab; Michael Gove, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and the attorney general, Suella Braverman, all ardent Brexiters.”

“Trade unions are a spent force now and I say that as a former shop steward. In a gig economy, it's look after your own back as best you can”.

Unions are certainly having a tough time at present. If the Labour Party get their act together that could well change at the next election so don’t write them off yet. Even a moderate Labour government would restrict the Gig economy and Zero hour work.

A great deal depend on the success or otherwise of the Brexit negotiations, at present it doesn’t look good.

X threads Not but important enough to say twice - it’s worth being in a Union in the wild west that is the lot of many a worker today.

Re recognising unions, at the very least, even if not recognised, your union can still give you legal advice re employment problems and accompany and represent you at meetings with your employers regarding employment issues. It could fight your case for example over an accident at work or other H and S matters. As for the gig economy, there are many battles going on there now to unionise the workers such as Uber drivers, couriers and food delivery drivers.

Sorry this was a bit off-thread.

I don't know, to be honest, MaiseD. I am a "believer" in unions and the "pay and conditions" aspect is crucial, but so too is the support and advice they can offer legally and (to some extent) emotionally in cases of, for example, unfair dismissal or bullying.

My point was really that it's wrong to say there are no unions for care workers. Someone earlier on this thread had said this and I just wanted to say that this isn't actually the case.

From my days in a union I thought that an employer 'not recognising' a union meant that it would not negotiate with them over pay and conditions. In schools we had lots of different unions; support staff joined Unison or the GMB, both of which were 'recognised' unions. Some of the teacher unions recruited support staff, which was utterly ridiculous as they weren't recognised to be able to negotiate on behalf of support staff. (Sadly, some support staff, who clearly had no idea of the function of a union, beyond a vague notion that they were always calling strikes, joined teacher unions...)

Does not being 'recognised' have implications beyond that, NotSpagh?

Trade unions are a spent force now and I say that as a former shop steward. In a gig economy, it's look after your own back as best you can.

Can I just (please) stick my head over the parapet and make a comment regarding care workers and unions?

There is a specific care workers union: The National Association of Care & Support Workers but care workers can also join Unison.
I think the problem may be that the (private) care homes may not recognize unions. I haven't researched this. Just a guess.

Probably that should say 'there is also a new Northern Ireland Secretary'. The Republic is in some disarray with a divided Parliament.

And everyone always forgets Ireland. Who knows what has happened post the election in the Republic? There is a new Northern Ireland Secretary and it is said that BJ and his mates are going to fudge the border issue. That, never mind anything else, is going to wreck a deal.

Can’t have figs ‘cos they’re from EU.......or is that another thread?

I beg to differ sw. I think he does give a fig. There is a season for all things and it’s early days yet remember. He has a lot on his plate right now. But give him time ...

Urm the explanation for the problems with social care are quite simple - it’s BJs not giving a fig about it that’s the problem - oh and you thinking it will all be solved by a friendly little cross part chat shortly. As if.