To think that the EU have done more to endorse Brexit in the last 2 weeks than the UK managed in nearly 5 years

[Butterflyfluff]

I’ll start by saying I’ve never thought Brexit was in the long term interest of the UK and still don’t

But dear God, the EU’s behaviour over vaccinations and, in particular, the blatant prejudice around the Astra Zeneca vaccine has done more to endorse the UK leaving than anything that has been said in the UK before, during and after the vote

Sorry for typos phone is playing up!

*not how things work here at all, obviously!

Nah, The Netherlands should be isolated. They are thieves who dear to lecture their victims.

Didn't AZ subcontract out to SII? I didn't think the gov't's were involved with that side of things. However, the Indian gov't have stepped in and suspended movement of vaccines out of their territory as a sort of national emergency powers basis - on an envisaged temporary ban and with an ability to waiver. Of course, all governments can use emergency powers like this if deemed necessary for their greater good in times of national emergency. India first for a short while, if you like.

No, the Dutch are quite straight talking. They tell it like they see it, and that is usually how it is. They don't dress things up.

Yes I miss working with the Dutch.

I like their attitude.

“You look like shit, Lex” (after working all night on agreements)

It’s not even offensive. It’s just straightforward, and they like to get stuff done. Lots to like and we share a lot in common (well they did take England over a few centuries ago!)

I have a Dutch friend and she certainly doesn’t sugar coat things - I like that😊

The Netherlands is ideally placed to be the awkward squad now that the UK has gone, and no one could question their commitment to the concept.

The pound has hit a 12 month high against the Euro today, which says something for the financial market's opinion.

The Dutch are massively euro sceptic. We spend 12 weeks a year there due to work commitments, pre covid, and other than Italy and Sweden I have never been to a place that was so behind Brexit. For years every one would ask me as soon as they realised I lived in the UK about it, and say they understood. It is always striking how similar we are in terms of character.

Yes and they are very straight forward. No filter at all. It takes some getting used to when you are sensitive flower like me.

It’s this sort of hand bagging that Britain is well out of. 27 countries and a scarce resource means that you have to work much harder to keep on track

www.politico.eu/article/sebastian-kurz-austria-threatens-to-block-eu-option-to-buy-100-million-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-in-fight-over-distribution/

@Itsalonghaul

The Dutch are massively euro sceptic. We spend 12 weeks a year there due to work commitments, pre covid, and other than Italy and Sweden I have never been to a place that was so behind Brexit. For years every one would ask me as soon as they realised I lived in the UK about it, and say they understood. It is always striking how similar we are in terms of character.

Yes and they are very straight forward. No filter at all. It takes some getting used to when you are sensitive flower like me.

Recent polling (August 2020) say 3:1 in favour of the EU... Are making more stuff up again?

The UK would have killed of the CV recovery fund, the dutch modified it sure and certainly aren't full on supporter of a federal EU but who is? it was never going to happen.

[quote LexMitior]It’s this sort of hand bagging that Britain is well out of. 27 countries and a scarce resource means that you have to work much harder to keep on track

www.politico.eu/article/sebastian-kurz-austria-threatens-to-block-eu-option-to-buy-100-million-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-in-fight-over-distribution/[/quote]
Terrible isn't it?

I get that 1 bloc ordering vaccine should be better than 27 individual countries fighting it out for vaccine but Austria's attitude leave a lot to be desired.

The variant most of concern at the moment is the South African one. Currently accounts for 10% of French cases and is harder for vaccines to stop. That didn't originate in the UK

Still leaves 90% that didn't come from SA.

When Macron's ongoing (since January) refusal to lockdown has been dubbed a "death strategy" by French epidemiologists, there's no diverting of blame necessary

Agree but Johnsons comments were directed not just at France but at Europe.
We need europe to get on top of its vaccines roll out & boost its supply or we will be facing the "Italian, French, Dutch etc" variant that is 100% immune to all known vaccines and we will back in LD number four.

Frankly, jas, that's exactly what needs to happen. I know you don't like to think that the UK is good at anything but genomic sequencing is one of the things we do well. And we do much more of it than any other country in Europe so we detect variant mutations quickly. It's probbly pointless to identify where and when the Kent variation mutated.

And as it's about genetic viral mutation, it may not be party polititcal either. Think about it, it's all not necessarily all about evil Tories.

Love the word handbagging, just saying!

Some want to see us as being crap at absolutely everything xing - the disdain for lovely old England is very clear. Despite being world leaders in the fields of science, law, insurance and banking - we are still the world's worst
Sometimes when people protect too much, and actually there is a good reason that is driving the hate.

Tories are a necessary balance. You believe everyone, from everywhere is entitled to everything. I believe that everyone should plan to contribute a bit to the pot before considering themselves entitled to anything. It's a fundamental and very profound distinction.

@XingMing

Tories are a necessary balance. You believe everyone, from everywhere is entitled to everything. I believe that everyone should plan to contribute a bit to the pot before considering themselves entitled to anything. It's a fundamental and very profound distinction.

tell me more about the disabled child who has never paid income tax or NI.

Not entitled, you say?

A bit like Tory donors can offer a few thousand in return for multi-million contracts? - yes, I see how it works.

@XingMing What? in recent posts... i said France is doing terribly, the UK fantastic and that EU needs to get better supply (not a quick thing to do) and roll out vaccine better.

So i'm not sure where you get i say "uk is crap at everything" nonsense.
But in case you missed it...Once again.... Our vaccine program and roll out is one of the best in the world, certainly top 3, so the Tories and Johnson should be praised for that.

But when posters come out with out right lies to back up their hatred of anything EU, it should be high lighted as such.

@XingMing

Tories are a necessary balance. You believe everyone, from everywhere is entitled to everything. I believe that everyone should plan to contribute a bit to the pot before considering themselves entitled to anything. It's a fundamental and very profound distinction.

A very tory and entitled attitude, some people, for whatever reason, do not contribute, maybe we can trial the Work House in Cornwall? with a national roll out in 2023?

i suspect it would be a vote winner.

Not my point... although I made a Horlicks of putting it over. Of course children and the disabled are exempt, whether through illness, other incapacity or youth, and as an adult, paying taxes, I shoulder my share of the collective responsibility for ensuring that they do.

Interesting little article in the Irish Times.

It is national accountability for decisions taken by national politicians at EU level that is the real problem. All too often national politicians shift responsibility to Brussels for unpopular or unsuccessful EU decisions to which they themselves had quietly agreed.

It talks about a lack of national accountability by politicians in the EU member states. Right up to the MEP's they elect. It makes the point that the European Parliament have the powers to topple the Commission and vdL, but they haven' used this nuclear option. Her party is in the EPP, which is the largest grouping. If your party is part of the largest grouping, the opposition won't win in a no confidence vote.

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/it-s-too-easy-to-blame-brussels-for-vaccine-delays-1.4524257

Thank goodness the weather is so lovely. The virus doesn't seem to spread so easily in summer. Maybe because people are outside with max ventilation. Or maybe I am ascribing the fruits of lockdown to the season.

Outside, bbq, cool beer and physically distanced friends. Can't wait for summer. Also, hate kissy greetings. Especially when you think it is over and they go for another cheek again. Not sorry to see the back of those. I can now evade them forever more under safety precautions; 'cos it is not hygienic.

I think the EU commission are not accountable being the main problem, followed by a total lack of transparency of appointments made, which is really just horse trading by the main members in dark rooms. I can't think why anyone could even consider this acceptable.

The bigger concern for Ireland is how it is going to sell the unregulated Sputnik vaccine to their people now that Merkel and Macron have just agreed on supply.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/31/merkel-macron-and-putin-sputnik-v-vaccine-eu

Or how they are going to justify the EU deal with China given the millions of Ugihurs in concentration camps.

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/21/china-deal-damages-eus-human-rights-credibility-meps-to-say

Accountability is going to fall a long way down the list as the third wave hits, and countries are forced into lockdown in the next few weeks caileach Things are just about to get a whole lot worse.

The weather is due to turn to snow next week, so make use of the BBQ whilst you can! Me, I am looking forward to a spa day, a holiday and a hair cut in that order a week on Monday!