All eyes now turn to Brexit.

We got the COVID vaccine before any other European country because we’re no longer in the EU. ( didn’t need their approval )
What I’ve just read anyway.
Awesome!

The problem is, Maizie that even if we spell out in words of one syllable the consequenses of this tragedy and why it was ever allowed to happen, the blinkered leave voters are mostly (but not all ) still inclined to bury their heads in the sand and pretend that the promises of the Leave campaigners about the "sunny uplands" were never lies, never deception, never a monumental con.

varian

Apologies Maizie, it was Whitewavemark2, not you, who asked "why oh why?"

I guessed it was, varian.

Just teasing....

Apologies Maizie, it was Whitewavemark2, not you, who asked "why oh why?"

All the people who have properties abroad must be despairing. We were fortunate to think ahead and when we bought a small property abroad my partner got Spanish residency. This basically allows us to spend 6 months in the sun and come and go as we fancy. It does have its drawbacks around the length of time we have to spend in each country but we reckon that it can work. That is of course once travel restrictions are relaxed. Health insurance could be a problem but I’m not too bothered about it.

GillT57
I don't know where you got your fun fact because according to the gov website there are 12,000 fishermen in this country and 19,000+ in the processing plants.
According to Harrods latest figures they employ 3,990

varian

I could tell you why Maisie, but I would be accused of all sorts of prejudice by the Leavers.

Did I ask a question?

I could tell you why Maisie, but I would be accused of all sorts of prejudice by the Leavers.

I listened to the interview with a business leader and the implication of January 1st.

Utterly depressing.

Why oh why?

Fun fact: the British fishing industry is worth half the turnover of Harrods, and employs 50% fewer staff. Really worth flushing the entire UK economy down the toilet for.

The day after the referendum Biba70, my 80-year old dad ended up berating some smug fishermen in a supermarket queue, telling them that nobody was going to buy their bl**dy fish.

Surprised he didn't get arrested, but like many he understood the implications of the vote a long time ago.

Brexit stems from a civil war in capitalism – we are all just collateral damage

George Monbiot

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/24/brexit-capitalism?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

From this hotbed of Socialism, the Financial Times - the man says he was brainwashed before he voted for Brexit:

''
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www.ft.com/content/4f224474-4604-431a-9752-0e5cf00c67bd

According to Mr Perkes, 80 per cent of the scallops, squid, sole, ray, langoustines and other delicacies landed here will be loaded on to trucks and sent straight to Calais and on to markets in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Similarly, the herring and mackerel caught by Scottish boats are not staples on a UK shopping list.

The problem, rarely acknowledged by ministers, is that Britons do not much like the fish caught in the UK’s rich fishing waters. To the extent the country eats fish, it is mainly the “big five” of cod, haddock, tuna, salmon and prawns — most of which are imported.

So as trade talks with Brussels enter a decisive phase, Mr Johnson might secure more fish for UK boats but — without a trade deal — will they be able to sell them?''

biba70

The EU will not accept a permeable border between NI (UK) and ROI (EU) - for that very reason.

Not for commercial goods, but for people there is no chance of border checks I would bet on that. For smuggling they will just have to reduce it another way, just like we do now for bootlegged booze, cigarettes and all the fake goods we get.

The EU will not accept a permeable border between NI (UK) and ROI (EU) - for that very reason.

“But it is in EFTA and Schengen- so truly can't be compared with NI (UK) and Eire (EU)- at all”

Schengen is not an extra issue, passports are already checked where needed at Irish Sea ports, now checks are going to be increased because personal import allowances will change. Unless the U.K. increases checks there is going to be a thriving trade in goods bought in ROI and not declared.

Similarly ROI will want to check commercial goods, personal goods within Ireland will just go unchecked, there will of course be smuggled goods that will need chasing as best they can.

Truss. Listening as Thornberry tore her apart.

I see Liz Truss was absolutely torn apart by Emily Thornberry yesterday. Line by line Thornberry showed the world what Truss had done.

What a massive embarrassment Truss’s lies and exaggeration are over the trade deals with Japan and Canada.

We can’t go on like this. The world watches as this pathetic government lies and breaks international law. Our reputation is being shredded.

that Referendum in 2016 was so close (like Brexit) - so there was another one this year which was a resounding NO against stopping FOP. The Swiss learnt from the Brexit debacle- and it made them think of the consequences. Good. I voted NO with pride.

But it is in EFTA and Schengen- so truly can't be compared with NI (UK) and Eire (EU)- at all.

biba70

Davidhs, Switzerland is part of EFTA and Schengen. I go across the Swiss/French border several times a week.

You just cannot compare crossing from NON EU country, non Schengen country to EU (like UK to Eire) - to crossing from EU/Schengen to EFTA/Schengen. It is nonsense.

I stand corrected Switzerland is an EFTA country but not part of the European Economic Area the government wanted to join, a referendum did not agree. They are Schengen and adhere to the four freedoms despite a referendum voting against that.

There is going to have to be a practical solution in Ireland in 5 weeks time perhaps you could suggest what it might be.

They will stick together and support each other - and will get the support from Bidden and many others.

Dinahmo

Raab must think we're stupid. The economies of all EU countries will be hit because of covid so in effect it's a level playing field. The other countries, however, will improve their economies much more quickly than the UK.

Yes, I’ve just been watching CNN, and that is the opinion on there. The powerful EU has the economies of scale to climb out of the downturn much quicker and successfully than the U.K.

Raab must think we're stupid. The economies of all EU countries will be hit because of covid so in effect it's a level playing field. The other countries, however, will improve their economies much more quickly than the UK.

Dominic Raab today, again stating the prediction for the British Economy are dire due to Covid

NO Mr Raab, Covid is a factor - a minor one compared to Brexit- we will NOT be fooled.

Brexit, of course.