Political relations between UK-EU

[west didsblue]

Ignoring that a trade deal with the US is a different level.

I know the trade agreement with Brazil took something like 20 years because of a similar backwards and forwarding.

The Canadian deal still went through after the Belgium government persuaded rebels to vote it through. Our own government was in favour of TTIPs so we would have been reliant on rebels halting it. It’s all a bit “Jesus is my airbag”. That you put all your faith in it is your choice but I remain very happy with my reasons for my choice and would do the same again in a heartbeat.

Having recognised that our own government was in favour of handing powers to multinationals as part of TTIP, you're still happy you voted for Brexit? And you think it makes it less likely that we will eventually get saddled with something like that on even less favourable terms??

The prevention of TTIP ratification wasn't dependent on a few rebels in far flung regions of Europe. Opposition to it was fairly mainstream in larger countries like Germany. It was never going to happen while those unpalatable provisions were part of it, but it could now happen here in the UK now we no longer have much leverage when negotiating with larger competitors. Do you think the UK government would seek acceptance from the devolved assemblies and the regions? Not a fucking chance.

 

[jaseirai]

Show me the exports that have double digit grown pre-COVID to now for the EU. I’ll wait.

I fully agree that trade barriers make trade harder and/or more expensive. They are protectionist by design.

Eurostat have changed the way they report trade flows.

In the balance: Identifying differences between UK and EU trade figures | National Statistical

blog.ons.gov.uk

Use the ONS instead

UK trade - Office for National Statistics

Total value of UK exports and imports of goods and services by current price, chained volume measures and implied deflators.

www.ons.gov.uk

“Exports of goods to the EU, excluding precious metals, were above pre-EU exit levels in May and June 2021; rising £1.2 billion (9.1%) to £14.1 billion in May 2021, followed by a further £0.2 billion (1.2%) to £14.3 billion in June 2021.”

 

[BobKowalski]

Ah, I love the smell of chickens coming home to roost. Well, I would if we could get any chicken :)

‘Major problems with UK’s supply of food and other necessities “due to perfect storm of Brexit and Covid”

Retailers warn of festive chaos due to Brexit and Covid

Issues with shipping from Asia means shoppers may be offered a smaller range of products, with demand for best-selling items like Playstation 5s and Barbies threatening to outstrip supply.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[west didsblue]

Eurostat have changed the way they report trade flows.

In the balance: Identifying differences between UK and EU trade figures | National Statistical

blog.ons.gov.uk

Use the ONS instead

UK trade - Office for National Statistics

Total value of UK exports and imports of goods and services by current price, chained volume measures and implied deflators.

www.ons.gov.uk

“Exports of goods to the EU, excluding precious metals, were above pre-EU exit levels in May and June 2021; rising £1.2 billion (9.1%) to £14.1 billion in May 2021, followed by a further £0.2 billion (1.2%) to £14.3 billion in June 2021.”

Nice bit of cherry picking. You failed to mention that the comparison is with a period in 2020 when much of the economy was shut down due to Covid.

 

[Len Rum]

Never mind- we're getting our UKCA mark soon and starting controls on EU imports end of September.
Aren't we?

 

[west didsblue]

Never mind- we're getting our UKCA mark soon and starting controls on EU imports end of September.
Aren't we?

Brexit bonus. We've already got the new UK Energy label. Here's one I was looking at earlier with its shoddy EU counterpart next to it. Makes you proud to be British. Money well spent to set up an organisation that can copy an EU rating and replace the flag.

 

[Len Rum]

Brexit bonus. We've already got the new UK Energy label. Here's one I was looking at earlier with its shoddy EU counterpart next to it. Makes you proud to be British. Money well spent to set up an organisation that can copy an EU rating and replace the flag.
View attachment 24697

Well I never!
Think I'll treat myself to a milkshake at McDonald's!

 

[BrianW]

Years ago when Manchester ran its own buses, it certainly trained its own drivers. There was no cost to the individual, though I don't know if there was any contract requiring you to stay with them for a given period. However, let us look at the modern world:

Is bus driving a job that gives you status? No.
Does it give you high pay? No.
Is there a load of hassle with the job? A fair amount.
Is its secure? Reasonably, but not a job for life.
Are there good terms and conditions? No. (There used to be back in the days of the 'inefficient' public sector.)
Is there an index-linked pension when you retire? Don't make me laugh!
Is the job an important role in society? Yes, very much so.

This set of questions and answers applies to many jobs in the current world. The fact is we have allowed a whole load of important jobs to become unattractive, and on top of that, we often expect people to qualify for them at their own expense.

We now have a serious shortage of labour despite the fact the economy is very far from booming.

We need to be realistic. a) We need more immigrants, certainly in the short term, whether people like it or not. And b) (equally important) we need to stop treating workers like disposable shite and accept that although they may be relatively low-paid their role in society is vital, and needs to be better recognised and rewarded.

 

[BobKowalski]

That doesn't...look good

 

[Vic]

Brexit bonus. We've already got the new UK Energy label. Here's one I was looking at earlier with its shoddy EU counterpart next to it. Makes you proud to be British. Money well spent to set up an organisation that can copy an EU rating and replace the flag.
View attachment 24697

Copyright claim for nicking the artwork?