The Brexit Arms: Are We Nearly There Yet? 🇬🇧🚗↩️🇪🇺

[SingingLily]

No, not yet, but soon. Just 24 more sleeps until we legally leave the EU at 11pm on 31 January and finally enter the transition period after what seems like centuries of argument, dither and delay. We do so with hope, optimism and a determination to be a good friend and neighbour to the EU, but for now, no one said it better than Winston Churchill.

“This is not the end, this is not even the beginning of the end, this is just perhaps the end of the beginning.”

The Pub Rule is the same as it always was: all welcome but only if you leave goadery outside. The first drink is on the house.

Thanks Lily. I have a friend whose partner is really worried about civil service reform. I’ve been wondering what he does for the last 20 years. Mumbo jumbo strategy I think. He does say bluntly he’s not manage in the private sector but unfortunately he’s saved zero money so is very stressed now. I just nodded along politely but I was thinking, Cameron promised to cut this sort of role too and he didn’t do anything, IIRC?

I did a brief contract for the Dept of Health - well, it was meant to be a contract but I left after two days because the waste of money, and the goal of the job was to increase pressure of clinical staff, which wasn’t explained when I took it. The agency said many people walked out for that reason.

Sorry, no grammar, am v tired!

Just a little sorry that there was reportedly no discussion on the clauses regarding the Erasmus and youth programmes within the WA. Of all the aspects of the EU, there was one that I could approve. I do hope something of it can be salvaged before we sail away.

Xing doesn't mean end of Erasmus, just that Boris doesn't want such a clause being used as a chip against him by the EU. Also, especially given UK has far more high tariff institutions than rEU it is likely that exchange programmes will continue whatever the programme mechanism - DD1 currently at Uni has access to opportunities all over the World.

regarding the Erasmus and youth programmes within the WA
I do not see any reason why they need to be in the WA. We just need a WA that gets us out of the EU, nothing else, adding in amendments is likely to be used by remainers to cause problems.
Parliament can make decisions about programs like these, and anything else, once we are out of the EU.

opps xpost

Just picked this up on BBC regarding Erasmus, certain countries that are not currently EU members are able to participate fully in the Erasmus scheme , Norway and Turkey being two of them.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47293927

Yes, because they pay. Because they want to be part of Erasmus.

The answer is no. Not nearly there, not even close.

Auld - well I didn't think they were getting it for free!.

We pay for it now through our membership fee so I would expect if its beneficial to both parties to continue to be part of it we will have to pay a sum of money to participate post 2020. Access and cost is up for negotiation but Erasmus shouldn't be an amendment to the WAB (IMO)

Not surprised at all Erasmus is out or the child refugee stuff out. Not even one little bit surprised, no way are either of those things stuff the current mood of the country would want.

Just come across this in the Guardian (only two hours old)

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/09/uk-committed-to-maintaining-erasmus-exchange-scheme

The full quote, though, is:
"The government is committed to continuing the academic relationship between the UK and the EU, including through the next Erasmus+ programme if it is in our interests to do so."

The decision to subject it to negotiation means applications for any mobility beyond Dec 2020 cannot be made and by the time they can deadlines for nominations may well have been and gone.
Meanwhile, EU partners, who are finding English (I use the term deliberately) students hard to deal with since the introduction of fees, have started looking elsewhere. Ireland, notably. So the number of places available in partner universities may have shrunk if and when the UK decides it wants in.

What blessed relief to see a Brexit related bill go through to next stage without megadramz!

Agree with PPs - stupidity to have those as clauses in the WA

The WA needs to go through as is, as already agreed in principle with the EU.
Erasmus, workers rights, environmental protections etc etc etc do not belong in there

No idea what Barry Gardiner's up to
Have done a pic in honour though 😍

Love it Dusty

It's difficult to know whether it would be better to have Barry as an ally or a rival.

BBC's Countryfile have the scoop of the year! All over the main BBC news.

Theresa Villiers confirming EU rules outlawing import of chlorinated chicken and hormone treated beef become incorporated part of UK law under EU Withdrawal Act on point of Leaving.

She even managed not to say "duh obvs" while explaining it to journos who have had years to work this out for themselves.

The government is committed to continuing the academic relationship between the UK and the EU, including through the next Erasmus+ programme if it is in our interests to do so

And that's as it should be.

The decision to subject it to negotiation means applications for any mobility beyond Dec 2020 cannot be made and by the time they can deadlines for nominations may well have been and gone

So adding an amendment to the WAB which will need to go back to the EU for approval thus delaying the start of negotiations (part of the plan?) will help with Erasmus how?

Yayy Barry has made it onto a meme😂

Including the expression of a commitment to Erasmus (that's all it was) in the WA would have sent a positive message after 3 years of shitty uncertainty that have severely dented the UK's reputation amongst EU partner universities.

Postgrad students on an Erasmus exchange to the UK from my university in France, who were duly nominated and accepted under the existing contracts running until Dec 2020 and who were due to arrive on Feb 3rd, have been told today they are likely to be refused their places because that's after Jan 31st.
So I presume we'll have to reject the incoming UK students, too, who have paid a fortune for their MA in European Studies, have booked flights and paid deposits for accommodation here, and will fail their year as the exchange is an obligatory part of their degree.

I struggle to see the positives of this, really.

So the WA goes through with a majority of 99. The Conservatives have an 80 majority does anyone know who the other MPs voting for it were?

who were due to arrive on Feb 3rd, have been told today they are likely to be refused their places because that's after Jan 31st

Why?
During the transition period, nothing changes.

Fuck knows. That's the UK's position.

Well it's been like pulling bloomin teeth but it's through at last, thank goodness for that 🍾🍷

(and a special shout out goes to Jeremy Corbyn for services to Brexit without which we may not have arrived at this important juncture 😉).

Additional update: Erasmus travel grants to/from the UK cease on Feb 1st, transition period or not.