Westministenders: The Beginning of Negotiations

[RedToothBrush]

Transition has a few hours left.

Then negotiations start and trade stops.

Far from being over, there are huge numbers of issues that lay unresolved.

And businesses both now in the UK and EU will cease to trade with each other just because the red tape is such a pain.

So whilst people will celebrate and think things are 'done' that just shows how much people are paying attention.

It will be interesting to see people gradually realising what has been lost...

Sabrina
Lots more red tape and concrete - the true legacy of Brexit
www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/living-in-the-shadow-of-brexits-customs-clearance-sites-239412/

DGR
I don't think the prospect of a Sino-Indian alliance is too far fetched
I do.
THe Economist is not allowed to publish the Chinese / Indian border in maps because the two countries hate each other

And India's socioeconomic woes will not be sorted until they are a single market themselves

@ListeningQuietly

DGR I don't think the prospect of a Sino-Indian alliance is too far fetched I do. THe Economist is not allowed to publish the Chinese / Indian border in maps because the two countries hate each other

And India's socioeconomic woes will not be sorted until they are a single market themselves

France/Germany to you

Alternatively, Carthago delenda est ...

My DH has been agonising over buying a new mountain bike for months. He looked at the website today and it now says that buyers in the UK will have to pay a 14% surcharge to cover customs formalities. On a £5k bike that's quite some hike. Third world problems, I know - but an indication of the cost of NTBs. Presumably similar costs apply to our exports as well, making us less competitive.

[quote ListeningQuietly]Sabrina
Lots more red tape and concrete - the true legacy of Brexit
www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/living-in-the-shadow-of-brexits-customs-clearance-sites-239412/[/quote]
Rick Martin, chairman of Sevington with Finberry parish council, said earlier this year how people are concerned about what effect the project will have on house prices and quality of life.

He said: "Brexit was the will of local people – 59% in Ashford voted Leave, in line with 59% in Kent overall – and many are now sadly realising the reality of what their vote entailed for their local area”.

He said: "Brexit was the will of local people – 59% in Ashford voted Leave, in line with 59% in Kent overall – and many are now sadly realising the reality of what their vote entailed for their local area”.

and ...

Loving the fact that Larry Elliot articles ALWAYS have the comments turned off and NEVER go in the FB page.

www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/UK-and-Euratom-sign-Nuclear-Cooperation-Agreement

www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/ids-rinsed-after-urging-young-brits-to-buccaneer-trade-and-dominate-the-world/01/01/

There is a school of thought that the UKs main use to the US in the "special relationship" was as a counterweight in the EU to the more socialist tendencies of France and Germany.

I think the ERG types are still keen for the UK (or England) to become a vassal of Washington.

PMK

I think the ERG types are still keen for the UK (or England) to become a vassal of Washington.
But as Joe I'm Irish Biden made clear,
the UK is not a priority for the USA any more.
THey can negotiate with the EU via Dublin
and leave the "U"K to stew.

I noted your point with interest DGR about a possible behind the scenes pressure being put on Cameron. Although Cameron chucked the job at about 8 am as far as I recall - so middle of the night in Washington, so I would assume this was a vote before the election.

There have been quite a few posts in the last 18 hours about how now Brexit is really done we must stop moaning and move on. Reading about Kent residents, may I suggest that they take the lead on this, since they were the ones keen to have Brexit?

Depends whether they voted for it or not - didn’t about 40% of Kent vote remain?

@Peregrina

There is a school of thought that the UKs main use to the US in the "special relationship" was as a counterweight in the EU to the more socialist tendencies of France and Germany.

I think the ERG types are still keen for the UK (or England) to become a vassal of Washington.

The problem with that is our Monarch. The UK could never be completely subservient to the US, and so it's usefulness would have to be defined by it's connections.

Much as most weak band members get the gig because they own a van.

The UK is Bez to the US' Happy Mondays ....

@Peregrina

I noted your point with interest DGR about a possible behind the scenes pressure being put on Cameron. Although Cameron chucked the job at about 8 am as far as I recall - so middle of the night in Washington, so I would assume this was a vote before the election.

I just reckon he bailed, rather than have to admit to "Barry" that he had massively miscalculated and fucked the US over as well as the UK.

I keep remembering the Biden team point - allowed out into the wild without any pushback - that Brexit was harmful to the US.

In general, countries don't do things that harm their allies. Especially when they are UK minnows to the US blue whale (in case some smart arse wants to remember Suez or Greneda ...)

@ListeningQuietly

I think the ERG types are still keen for the UK (or England) to become a vassal of Washington. But as Joe I'm Irish Biden made clear, the UK is not a priority for the USA any more. THey can negotiate with the EU via Dublin and leave the "U"K to stew.

Alternatively, they can renew and deepen their ties with their oldest ally in Europe ... France.

I am waiting with interest to see which European country Biden visits first. My betting would be Ireland. He might then stop in London, but might skip straight over to Paris or Berlin.

@Peregrina

I am waiting with interest to see which European country Biden visits first. My betting would be Ireland. He might then stop in London, but might skip straight over to Paris or Berlin.

Depends on his domestic agenda - I think it's pretty clear his priority is America first.

Of course, one could argue, that's what VPs are for ?

Depends on his domestic agenda - I think it's pretty clear his priority is America first.

In the most reasonable and patriotic way, not Trump’s bellicose, tub-thumping and self-aggrandising way.

Are there any other countries which have internal customs borders? Have we achieved a world first?

Of course, one could argue, that's what VPs are for ?

I would love to watch Kamala Harris take BJ down a peg or two.

@Peregrina

There have been quite a few posts in the last 18 hours about how now Brexit is really done we must stop moaning and move on. Reading about Kent residents, may I suggest that they take the lead on this, since they were the ones keen to have Brexit?

Just how naive do people have to be to think that Brexit is done? That this is just the beginning of worse disputes than we have ever seen?

How many Brexiters actually sat down and thought through the consequences of removing the rights of half the population?