Brexit mega thread part 13: All eyes on Ireland

[SerendipityJane]

With the Windsor framework up & running, and the DUP having a "you could set your calendar by it" hissy fit, but Irish unification refusing to keep it's head down, what next in the long running sage of UK vs. the real world ?

@borntobequiet

As per the link you provided, the EU does not have FTA with the US. Why is that? Could it be food standards or that the US has bigger fish to fry than the EU?

We left the EU, so who cares about the fish they are or aren't frying with the US

@DuncinToffee We left the EU, so who cares about the fish they are or aren't frying with the US

The answer is:

borntobequiet

What was the question?

@IItisymoi The real point is that the UK has had 8 years to get stuck into proper trade negotiations

Incorrect statement. The UK was not able to discuss trade deals with any country outside of the EU until 1 January 2021.

By then the World had been gripped by COVID. In 2022 Russia invaded the Ukraine. In 2023 the Israel/Gaza conflict began.

So, governments around the World have been jumping from one crisis to another since early 2020. Taking that into account, UK has so far been able to conclude 5 deals. Link is:

Progress on UK free trade agreement negotiations - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)

@DuncinToffee What was the question?

Your question was:

so who cares about the fish they are or aren't frying with the US

It wasn't a question

Now personally, I can see that the corn law repealists felt it would lead to a boost for Britains industrial production and were fully aware that it would in time erode our capacity to grow our own food. However for the vast majority of the campaign for repeal they held no sway against the vested interests of landowners. However the cost to the country of having to increasingly pay tariffs on the food needed to drive the population expansion was causing a drag on growth.

@DuncinToffee It wasn't a question

questions about the larger consequences of your claims is to appeal to something that your audience already cares about. Whereas the “who cares?” question asks you to identify an interested person or group

Link is:https://upstateenglish.org/102/tsis_007_they-say-templates-so-what-who-cares.pdf

Got any recipes for fried fish?

Used to know a mobile chippy van owner many years ago. He insisted that you didn't need to change oil as "fish dirties it, potatoes clean it". And to be fair, if taste is the final arbiter, they were lovely.

Also could do fish in rice flour rather than batter for those who didn't like it.

Hi Duncin. I am sure I could ask around for fried fish recipes although poached in milk or cream with various herbs might be a lower fat alternative. Mind you, with the attitude of Globe I might as well just leave MN which would be a shame as I have enjoyed the discussions with RTB, DJR, BCF BTBQ and Talkinpeace over the years.

@SerendipityJane And to be fair, if taste is the final arbiter, they were lovely.

I remember those vans too. Served in old newspapers. Yummy.

Fish still seems to be good, but chips are now too dry.

@IItisymoi I have enjoyed the discussions with RTB, DJR, BCF BTBQ and Talkinpeace over the years.

Is that because they echo what you say?

No matter how painful it is for those who support remain to accept (particularly on MN), people are entitled to vote whichever way they wish.

Remain supporters were presented with the option to cancel Brexit in the 2019 General Election by the Liberal Democrats, but they chose otherwise. A fact that so far has only been acknowledged by one remain supporter, HappiestSleeping I remember.

I have some whole seabass in the freezer, bought it for a bbq that was cancelled due to the rain.

Don't leave MN because of a poster with an agenda who won't disclose their previous personalities despite remembering old threads.

There is a more general political thread in chat with some lovely cat pictures if you are interested.

N. Farage, lately of the parish of Clacton but likely at present to be roaming round the RNC, was clear the there would be a free trade agreement with the USA in no time at all after Brexit.

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-us-trade-deal-could-be-struck-within-90-days-says-nigel-farage-10735340

I’m tempted to try a few other common idioms as the fish one resulted in some entertaining nonsense. Let’s not beat about the bush regarding a FTA with the USA. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Clearly we missed the boat before. That Farage is all mouth and no trousers.

N. Farage, lately of the parish of Clacton but likely at present to be roaming round the RNC, was clear the there would be a free trade agreement with the USA in no time at all after Brexit.

It wasn't on the Referendum. Which has been delivered in full.
It wasn't in the 2019 Tory party manifesto. Which is now defunct.

If it's that important to folk, they can lobby a party of their choice to make it a manifesto pledge, or form their own party committed to delivering it once elected into power.

Until then, the suggestion they should go forth and multiply is always on the table.

I thought increasing trade relationships with our most significant international partners was a good thing in the books of people on this thread. You're all usually so positive about it?? 😉

Oh I am. Bilateral trade agreements. Bring 'em on.

However the perverse fascination with a trade deal that has no or negative value to the UK has always seemed a tad odd. Strikes me as ideological rather than economic.

And regardless, my point still stands. Nowhere has a trade deal with the US been promised as a specific deliverable. Meanwhile the specific deliverables that were promised have gone unfulfilled. Suggesting once again ideology is trumping reality.

From the King's speech

My Government will seek to reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the United Kingdom's trade and investment relationship with the European Union

Far too plain and simple. Almost elegant.

Iirc, the reason that the TTIP had stalled for so long and wasn't getting signed was a) because the EU wanted to ensure safeguards for various industries & workers' rights as well as environmental safeguards and because of individual nation's sovereignty and b) because the US wasn't happy that the EU didn't understand that the US always called the shots wouldn't roll over and allow GM foods (and other foods that didn't meet EU standards), nor was the EU prepared allow corporations to sue sovereign governments for laws (including laws to improve consumer health and safety) that might impact on their profitability

The UK was prepared to roll over on these issues

The Investor-state dispute settlement in TTIP was a horrific idea. The EU being protectionist about EU member states producers was also horrific.

As I always say on this, compete! If your product really is the best in the world, or the cheapest (pick whatever USP you want) what are you worried about?!

You really think it's likely that a trade deal with the USA has negative consequences for UK consumers? I don't, I'd expect it would mean more choice and potentially lower prices.

You really think it's likely that a trade deal with the USA has negative consequences for UK consumers? I don't, I'd expect it would mean more choice and potentially lower prices standards.

Fixed that for you. (And more choice isn't really great for the environment).

Fixed what? I'm not the slightest bit concerned about produce made to US standards being sold here. People who are concerned can buy what they want to buy.

Want to help the environment, simple, stop buying stuff!

Fixed what? I'm not the slightest bit concerned about produce made to US standards being sold here. People who are concerned can buy what they want to buy.

So by your reasoning we have no need for any of the consumer protection agencies, or indeed laws then. People are free to buy what they want. Handy, I've always fancied an AR15. Now may be my chance.

Especially as (as predicted) Nigel Farage wants to scrap UK gun laws.

Can't really disagree with you on the environment. Although my thrust is I would rather have a monocolour working whisk, than a rainbow offering that is useless. As long as there is a place in society for colour co-ordinated kitchen utensils, then we are still over consuming.