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.

[Bearbehind]

OK, so what do we want from the US or what can we sell them on better terms than currently?

[Walkingdeadfangirl]

Perhaps Bear it would be easier if you explain why you think less barriers between the USA and UK wont increase trade?

[ListeningQuietly]

Xingming

How does Singapore cope with its agricultural hinterland
or its former heavy manufacturing areas
or its ageing population on disabled citizens
or its 1000 years of industrial history
and how is it self sufficient in food ?
and self sufficient in people (without immigrants and forriners)
and what does it think about rich expats rocking up and wanting it all?

in fact, how does Singapore realistically compare with the UK at all ???

[Bearbehind]

As far as I can see the only barriers that will change are dropping standards and I don’t see why that’s desirable

We are a very small fish on our own so don’t have the clout to negotiate based on volume so it’s got to be on accepting lower standards

So over to you - what do we want or plan to sell to the US and ‘every other country in the world’ that we can’t now

[XingMing]

Singapore doesn't have any agricultural hinterland. There are a few islands that are nature reserves and a bit of jungle. It's a city-state that trades for all it's needs, including foods. Most food is imported.

There's no history, and no residual manufacturing. Land is at such a premium that vacant sites are redeveloped quickly.

IDK about disability, but aged people appear to remain within their family and are cared for and respected.

It's open to immigrants, including rich expats, who bring useful skills, but doesn't welcome freeloading passengers.

It's a good place to study.

It's not a perfect model for the UK, for all the reasons you raise, but it has moved from a 1960 swamp backwater to become one of the fastest-moving and most entrepreneurial cities on the planet in just over 50 years.

[frumpety]

Walkingdeadfangirl what are the barriers to trade with the US currently ? what stops people buying and selling goods to the US ? I thought when people who were opposed to Brexit mentioned trade issues the world and his dog jumped on and said they could buy a star spangled sequin thong for their goldfish from the US of A and it would be delivered in 15 minutes ?

[Walkingdeadfangirl]

With less barriers our smaller biotech start-ups would find it easier to get into the US market.
The US currently impose restrictions on media ownership that stop British companies from expanding there.
easyJet and British Airways would love to get into the US.
The US spends a shit load on defence and we have a strong defence industry.
American cars might be a lot more popular if they didn’t have EU tariffs and Jaguars and Land Rovers could sell better in the US.
Health care/drugs as well and no that doesn't meaning selling the NHS to Trump.
Investors in the London markets...

[XingMing]

The UK is not such a small fish, except in comparison with the US, China and India. And some others which outnumber us in population, but which the UK dwarfs by economic activity and/or intellectual energy, such as Russia, Indonesia and Japan.

[Bearbehind]

Pretty much that whole list relies on dropping standards walking

And our closest market remains the EU, where standards will need to be maintained in order to trade with them

How many companies can afford a 2 tier approach?

[Theworldisfullofgs]

Singapore is tiny.

It has a huge amount of social housing.

It doesn't in anyway compare to here.

[Walkingdeadfangirl]

Pretty much that whole list relies on dropping standards
That of course is your opinion.

As I have explained before the UK wants the choice to try making its own way rather than be forced into what the EU decides.

How many companies can afford a 2 tier approach?
Given we already do some trade with the US then some companies must be able to do it.

[Theworldisfullofgs]

And it's in a trading bloc...

[Bearbehind]

walking of course we currently trade with the US, that’s my whole point

It’s so depressing that even at the business end of Brexit there’s not a single goal that can be cited that’s actually a step forward

[Walkingdeadfangirl]

of course we currently trade with the US, that’s my whole point
Bear you do realise its not all or nothing? Just because we already do some trade with the US does not mean we cant do more and better trade that a FTA would allow.

[SingingLily]

Just popping in to see if I can get anyone anything?

[SingingLily]

OK, as you were.

[Walkingdeadfangirl]

Hey landlady, maybe a glass of some optimism for a few people crying into their drinks.

[ListeningQuietly]

Brexit

[ListeningQuietly]

Is

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still

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a

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stupid

[Bearbehind]

I do realise that walking but I fail to see what dropping standards achieves and I fail to see what we gain if we don’t do that

Like I said, by now we should be into the territory of knowing exactly what our goals are

These MPs need to be bloody magicians to work out what the electorate want - being a mind reader is no good as there’s nothing to read

[ListeningQuietly]

idea