On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
Please - 'national trauma'? The Ukrainians will tell you what national trauma looks like.
Well I didn't say that phrase - but I think you can use these words (trauma, tragedy, atrocity etc) to describe things that aren't compared to things that truly are. Otherwise you end up with a rather bland and neutered vocabulary for discussing life here in the UK. Because all our problems are 1st world problems, let's face it. None of them amount to a hill of beans compared to all the places (Ukraine being one of many) ravaged by war, persecution and abject poverty.
Disagree entirely. First world problems should be described in soft and neutered language, with terms such as atrocity, poverty and genocide, reserved for actual atrocity, poverty and genocide.
A huge part of the recent political polarisation, comes from the use of needlessly catastrophic language. A tax rate moving by 2% isn’t a war or a terrorist attack, and politics suffers when we describe it as such.
'Genocide' certainly shouldn't be bandied around but generally, no, we need to keep the zip and colour in our comms. If we go around treading on eggshells with language, ruling out words like 'poverty' and 'atrocity' we lose a lot and gain very little. Eg ...
There is too much child poverty in Blackpool. Bow ties are an atrocity.
Both these things are true and I must be free to say so.
Lots of handwaving away a big majority for rejoin in this poll this morning. The main concern of the leave voting public, immigration - and the bit people are really concerned about illegal immigration and large numbers hasn't really improved since Brexit.
It's been extremely effective on controlling EU immigration.
That's gone from hundreds of thousands per annum to net negative.
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
I’m fairly sure you’re trolling but just in case, lol no
I'm not trolling, no, so there's no need for the lol treatment. I'm just saying how *ideally* I'd like things to pan out. Of course it won't go exactly like that, our politics being what it is, but I hope things develop in broadly that direction, and I think they might.
There’s no way you can sneak Actual Rejoining of the EU past the people. It will require a referendum, and before that referendum will be years of drama. The formal request for membership. The debate in the EU. The demands of each EU nation. The question of euro and Schengen. The likely vetoes from France or Ireland or Greece in a bad mood
You simply can’t wish all this agony away, and it is one reason we will never even try to Rejoin
Indeed and Starmer has zero interest in rejoin now anyway, indeed his current policy is little different to what Theresa May's Brexit policy was.
If and only if Labour win back the redwall seats at the next general election and then are clearly ahead in the polls for most of their time in government will they even consider rejoining the EEA let alone the EU.
It would likely take a Labour government in power for a decade or a hung parliament with the LDs or SNP holding the balance of power for rejoining the EU to be on the agenda at all
If that is Starmer's rationale we might as well carry on with the current sh*tshow.
Anyway I know you have your finger on the pulse of current Conservative thinking, it seems like you must have top drawer Labour connections too, as you seem to know how they think.
Usual caveats apply; might just be the Russians playing about, or the bridge deciding it's had enough of all this rubbish and it just wants a nice peaceful sleep on the (sea) bed...
You mean it should eff off to the bottom of the sea?
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Yes, but would have ended the dispute, would have saved money, and be in a position to improve waiting lists.
The Sunak government really isn't up to much.
So workers on an average wage have to face higher inflation and higher cost of living while already relatively high paid doctors get a massive well above average inflation fuelled pay rise without even committing to working longer hours to improve their productivity?
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
I’m fairly sure you’re trolling but just in case, lol no
I'm not trolling, no, so there's no need for the lol treatment. I'm just saying how *ideally* I'd like things to pan out. Of course it won't go exactly like that, our politics being what it is, but I hope things develop in broadly that direction, and I think they might.
There’s no way you can sneak Actual Rejoining of the EU past the people. It will require a referendum, and before that referendum will be years of drama. The formal request for membership. The debate in the EU. The demands of each EU nation. The question of euro and Schengen. The likely vetoes from France or Ireland or Greece in a bad mood
You simply can’t wish all this agony away, and it is one reason we will never even try to Rejoin
Why would they have to "sneak" it past people? According to the poll it is 2:1 in favour of rejoining. When it gets to 3:1 or 4:1 will they still have to "sneak" it in?
If the country wants it then it will happen and the fact that we threw away all the advantages we had negotiated over the years is entirely our own fault.
Just the fault of the Conservatives who, to conceal their own divisions, decided to hold an advisory referendum, and after the event, to implement Brexit without having given any thought to the details and consequences of what they were doing.
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
I’m fairly sure you’re trolling but just in case, lol no
I'm not trolling, no, so there's no need for the lol treatment. I'm just saying how *ideally* I'd like things to pan out. Of course it won't go exactly like that, our politics being what it is, but I hope things develop in broadly that direction, and I think they might.
There’s no way you can sneak Actual Rejoining of the EU past the people. It will require a referendum, and before that referendum will be years of drama. The formal request for membership. The debate in the EU. The demands of each EU nation. The question of euro and Schengen. The likely vetoes from France or Ireland or Greece in a bad mood
You simply can’t wish all this agony away, and it is one reason we will never even try to Rejoin
Why would they have to "sneak" it past people? According to the poll it is 2:1 in favour of rejoining. When it gets to 3:1 or 4:1 will they still have to "sneak" it in?
If the country wants it then it will happen and the fact that we threw away all the advantages we had negotiated over the years is entirely our own fault.
Leon is concerned we might do it while he’s off on a jaunt overseas ?
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
Usual caveats apply; might just be the Russians playing about, or the bridge deciding it's had enough of all this rubbish and it just wants a nice peaceful sleep on the (sea) bed...
You mean it should eff off to the bottom of the sea?
Usual caveats apply; might just be the Russians playing about, or the bridge deciding it's had enough of all this rubbish and it just wants a nice peaceful sleep on the (sea) bed...
Edit: "At least one span fell on the bridge and another small ship was hit" - Crimean local chats
Russians are saying they shot down two missiles near the bridge, but the bridge itself is undamaged.
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
I’m fairly sure you’re trolling but just in case, lol no
I'm not trolling, no, so there's no need for the lol treatment. I'm just saying how *ideally* I'd like things to pan out. Of course it won't go exactly like that, our politics being what it is, but I hope things develop in broadly that direction, and I think they might.
There’s no way you can sneak Actual Rejoining of the EU past the people. It will require a referendum, and before that referendum will be years of drama. The formal request for membership. The debate in the EU. The demands of each EU nation. The question of euro and Schengen. The likely vetoes from France or Ireland or Greece in a bad mood
You simply can’t wish all this agony away, and it is one reason we will never even try to Rejoin
Indeed and Starmer has zero interest in rejoin now anyway, indeed his current policy is little different to what Theresa May's Brexit policy was.
If and only if Labour win back the redwall seats at the next general election and then are clearly ahead in the polls for most of their time in government will they even consider rejoining the EEA let alone the EU.
It would likely take a Labour government in power for a decade or a hung parliament with the LDs or SNP holding the balance of power for rejoining the EU to be on the agenda at all
If that is Starmer's rationale we might as well carry on with the current sh*tshow.
Anyway I know you have your finger on the pulse of current Conservative thinking, it seems like you must have top drawer Labour connections too, as you seem to know how they think.
Well I know Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU, has ruled out rejoining the single market and has ruled out restoring free movement if Labour win the next election and that will be in the Labour manifesto. As I said if Labour win at most we will return to Theresa May's Deal for the time being with a little more regulatory alignment with the EEA than Boris' deal.
Theresa will I am sure be laughing her head off given had Labour not voted against her Deal in the first place it would have passed into UK law easily
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
Lots of handwaving away a big majority for rejoin in this poll this morning. The main concern of the leave voting public, immigration - and the bit people are really concerned about illegal immigration and large numbers hasn't really improved since Brexit.
It's been extremely effective on controlling EU immigration.
That's gone from hundreds of thousands per annum to net negative.
Only to be replaced by Indian sub-Continent immigration (tbf as promised by Boris Johnson). Either are fine by me, but I did prefer reciprocal freedom of movement which is why I voted Remain.
I have no idea how it ended up making such uniformly crap cars. It's not as if we didn't have the design and engineering expertise to make good ones in this country.
Because they prized cheapness over quality, and thought they could get away with it.
Much like the rest of the country.
Bigger question is- what about Britain embeds that in our psyche, and what the hell can be done to fix it?
(Relevant to Brexit, given that the main slogan boiled down to "all the advantages ONLY CHEAPER.)
A culture in business of clinging onto the product you have, long after it is time to kill it, for one.
You have two choices. Either the product that kills your current best seller belongs to you, or it will belong to a competitor.
In too many British companies - “but it will damage sales of our existing line” is taken as a reason not to proceed.
There's another currently world-leading British company facing that sort of challenge. Games Workshop, based in Nottingham, are the world's leading manufacturer of toy soldiers, and the best at plastic injection moulding. But here comes 3d-printing, threatening to upend their business model.
Will they adapt to the new technology, or will it kill them? Nearly £4bn of share capital and £135m in yearly dividend payments want to know - but the board don't mention it in their annual report to investors...
3D printing isnt quite ready for mass production. It’s still more expensive than injection moulding for large volumes. And there is the speed issue.
Though for making the moulds, both CNC and 3D printing can be extremely useful.
I would have a division investigating the area, selling small runs of highly detailed collectibles that will fetch enough to cover cost. Maybe investigate laser scanning the whole past range, so broken or lost items from decades ago can be replaced. Maybe bespoke manufacturing? All those can command premium prices and help get the technology ready for mass production.
Which will happen in the next few years
That's not the issue. The issue is that (a small number of) Games Workshop's customers are buying 3d printers. It makes it a lot easier for small-scale designers to reach new customers because they don't have to deal with manufacturing, quality control, mail order, convincing independent retailers to carry their stock - they can sell digital files of their designs directly to the consumer.
It's a situation where it is hard to see a future business model that delivers the same profit margin as their existing one, but if they ignore the change that is happening they'll end up with zero profits rather than lower profits.
A friend who does his own 3-D printing as part of his professional modelmaking (for films/animations) was recently talking about it to me.
There are also third party printers - sort of like Amazon printing books on demand for the original 'vendor' and sending them to the customer.
Also, looking at some stuff on offer [edit: not Games Workshop] , the quality control is often iffy - raster lines still visible, like a bad pic on an old B&W telly or as if it was carved from plywood and not proiperly sealed. That's another issue, because what is on the marketing webpage is often a graphic image not a phot of the real thing. I have a sense that this is holding some back (it would hold me back) but it's presumably solvable by better tech and market place dynamics.
There are loads of reasons why 3d-printing isn't ready yet to eat Games Workshop's lunch. It's definitely not yet a technology where it "just works" - but one of Games Workshop's challenges here is that their customer base does include nerdy people who are prepared to spend a lot of time fiddling about with things until they look nice. So they're precisely the sort of people who will be prepared to experiment with layer heights and curing times until the model comes out how they want it.
I did a test print at a local library which has a couple of 3d printers, and I decided that it wasn't for me. At least not yet.
Over time the technology improves, it becomes more user-friendly, and as the number of people using it gradually increases potential future customers get to see other people's models. It's an interesting test for a successful company.
Also, contrary to Malmsebury's assertion, a lot of the executives at GW are in it for the long haul. I think the current CEO has been in place for 7 years, and was previously the CFO. The CEO before that was in post even longer - led a management buyout I believe. I don't know whether that will make it easier or harder for them to see what's coming for them though.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
Please - 'national trauma'? The Ukrainians will tell you what national trauma looks like.
Well I didn't say that phrase - but I think you can use these words (trauma, tragedy, atrocity etc) to describe things that aren't compared to things that truly are. Otherwise you end up with a rather bland and neutered vocabulary for discussing life here in the UK. Because all our problems are 1st world problems, let's face it. None of them amount to a hill of beans compared to all the places (Ukraine being one of many) ravaged by war, persecution and abject poverty.
Disagree entirely. First world problems should be described in soft and neutered language, with terms such as atrocity, poverty and genocide, reserved for actual atrocity, poverty and genocide.
A huge part of the recent political polarisation, comes from the use of needlessly catastrophic language. A tax rate moving by 2% isn’t a war or a terrorist attack, and politics suffers when we describe it as such.
'Genocide' certainly shouldn't be bandied around but generally, no, we need to keep the zip and colour in our comms. If we go around treading on eggshells with language, ruling out words like 'poverty' and 'atrocity' we lose a lot and gain very little. Eg ...
There is too much child poverty in Blackpool. Bow ties are an atrocity.
Both these things are true and I must be free to say so.
We can agree to disagree.
There’s very little poverty in the UK at all. Calling inequality, poverty, helps no-one. There’s poverty in India and Africa.
Bow ties are a perfectly acceptable formal evening dress, Russia kidnapping Ukranian children is an atrocity.
“This World Cup had already achieved so much for football in Australia, but that moment will now go down in the long list of sporting greatness in this country, alongside Cathy Freeman’s 400m, Shane Warne’s ball of the century, and John Aloisi’s penalty. Absolutely extraordinary.”
Don Bradman? David Campese? Margaret Court? Ian Thorpe? Rod Laver?
Only those accustomed to failure get excited about winning a quarter final.
Whereas Australia has a long history of wining finals and being world leaders in sport.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Trouble is everyone thinks the Other Country in stanza 2 is the USSR, after the film.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Lots of handwaving away a big majority for rejoin in this poll this morning. The main concern of the leave voting public, immigration - and the bit people are really concerned about illegal immigration and large numbers hasn't really improved since Brexit.
It's been extremely effective on controlling EU immigration.
That's gone from hundreds of thousands per annum to net negative.
With higher wages for those facing less competition.
These higher wages, I point out, is openly opposed by some Conservatives.
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
It's pretty brave to think one has the first idea what it's about. Is it pro-buiding? Yes but also profoundly nimby - green and pleasant.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Also written by a radical mystic opposed to empire, capital, slavery and war, which is nice. Blake was woke as fuck.
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
I see stuff about how UK inflation affects the Scottish economy but not a baw hair of anything about specific Scottish inflation. Poor effort.
To that can be added the further rising prices Scots will face when buying their groceries or clothes or eating out as Scottish doctors splurge their new found dosh pushing up prices for everyone else who is not getting as big a rise.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Also written by a radical mystic opposed to empire, capital, slavery and war, which is nice. Blake was woke as fuck.
He'd fit right into the brown rice, crystals, and hookah emporium that is Glasto today.
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
I see stuff about how UK inflation affects the Scottish economy but not a baw hair of anything about specific Scottish inflation. Poor effort.
To that can be added the further rising prices Scots will face when buying their groceries and paying their petrol or eating out as Scottish doctors splurge their new found dosh pushing up prices for everyone else who is not getting as big a rise.
Lots of handwaving away a big majority for rejoin in this poll this morning. The main concern of the leave voting public, immigration - and the bit people are really concerned about illegal immigration and large numbers hasn't really improved since Brexit.
It's been extremely effective on controlling EU immigration.
That's gone from hundreds of thousands per annum to net negative.
Only to be replaced by Indian sub-Continent immigration (tbf as promised by Boris Johnson). Either are fine by me, but I did prefer reciprocal freedom of movement which is why I voted Remain.
I must have missed the UK trade deal with India giving Indians free movement to the UK
Parody Rishi Sunak @Parody_PM · 13m "I should just point out that paying £1.6bn for a barge with Legionella was a one-off"
1.6bn?!
Hadn't realised. Checked. Actually not for one barge, but even so it's a lot for three boats (so far announced) for 2 years, when the boats are only hired.
Cheaper than Rwanda though. And no less ineffective .
To be fair the failed Rwanda scheme only costs £120 million a year.
In other news, the Junior doctors strikes have now cost £1 billion. That's the same cost as the BMA were asking. If the government had gone halfway, they would have been quids in, and in a much better position on staff retention and waiting lists. Not very good with money are they?
The BMA wanted a 31% rise, way more than that. Even nurses have settled with the government as have teachers despite getting paid less than doctors
Looks like the Scottish government has settled with a deal for 12.4% and a deal to at least match CPI for the next 3 years.
Instead, Barclay and Sunak have spent £1 billion on agency cover, taken a hit on GDP (according to the ONS) and gone backwards on waiting lists. Meanwhile the dispute becomes more bitter and intractable, hitting staff morale and retention.
The Tories really don't like market forces when they favour the workers.
If the UK government gave doctors a 12% well above inflation pay rise like the Scottish government then teachers, nurses, the police and fire service and civil servants and train drivers would be demanding the same.
All the Scottish government is doing is likely increasing inflation in Scotland relative to England
Lol, an economist speaks. Can you tell me where I can find numbers for 'Scottish' inflation?
I see stuff about how UK inflation affects the Scottish economy but not a baw hair of anything about specific Scottish inflation. Poor effort.
To that can be added the further rising prices Scots will face when buying their groceries and paying their petrol or eating out as Scottish doctors splurge their new found dosh pushing up prices for everyone else who is not getting as big a rise.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Bless . The DM going on trans drama on the wards . Braverman could blow up a school bus and the DM would still be doing everything to avoid criticizing this cesspit government.
In terms of re-join . I think the lead at this point is probably overstated.
The terms of any re-join are highly unlikely to be as good as what the UK originally had .
The problem for public perception of Brexit is its suffering to some degree with being used as a punchbag for everything that’s going wrong in the country . Similar to the ref where the EU was caught in the crossfire of public anger at austerity .
The only group still in love with Brexit seem to be the over 65s . The majority of this group still seem to be determined to inflict another 5 years of the Tories on the country.
To some extent this polling is correlated to the domestic economic situation in the UK.
If you look at the very early 1980s, when we experienced a strong recession, support for British EEC membership plummeted (this was about 8 years after joining and just after Commonwealth preference had finally been phased out) but by constrast was strongly supportive of EC/EU membership again by the mid-late 1990s. Also, kernel polling on Brexit around 2010-2012 in the aftermath of the GFC and euro crisis also showed strong leads for Leave. It was stabilising again by 2013-2014 and looking more balanced.
If the UK economy was experiencing real growth and low inflation, with the Cost of Living crisis abated, then I'd expect this gap to diminish irrespective of whether we were doing significantly better than EU countries or not.
Quite:
Brexit is the punchbag.
...replacing the EU.
The EU wasn't a punchbag, as much as it was an excuse by politicians.
Oh I'd love to do something about your concern, but unfortunately the EU won't let us ...
One of the main advantages of Brexit is that excuse has been taken away now. Our MPs can do whatever we elect them to do, and there's no excuses anymore.
Nice you enjoy womens football. I cant get into it myself.
I prefer it. Less histrionics and more play. And it's genuinely surprising when someone loses their temper and does something stupid, like the England player who got sent off in the previous match.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
On Brexit, yesterday I saw this interesting FT graphic on biz investment in the UK. The impact of Brexit is stark, here (the pandemic even more so). After climbing steadily, investment suddenly flatlines after the Leave vote, stays flat, until it plunges during Covid
But in the last year or two it has speedily recovered and is now above its position in 2019
At some point the cruel costs of Brexit (and they exist, like the pains of giving birth) will begin to fade. Wounds become scars - or stretch marks. The country will adjust and grow again - in a new direction. That is the law of life. Identifying the pivotal moment is not easy however. It may be happening now in plain sight. Or not
I am perfectly happy with Brexit.
All its "challenges" can be fixed by normalisation of relations with the EU and additional bilateral alignment and co-operation deals in future.
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
I have no idea how it ended up making such uniformly crap cars. It's not as if we didn't have the design and engineering expertise to make good ones in this country.
Because they prized cheapness over quality, and thought they could get away with it.
Much like the rest of the country.
Bigger question is- what about Britain embeds that in our psyche, and what the hell can be done to fix it?
(Relevant to Brexit, given that the main slogan boiled down to "all the advantages ONLY CHEAPER.)
A culture in business of clinging onto the product you have, long after it is time to kill it, for one.
You have two choices. Either the product that kills your current best seller belongs to you, or it will belong to a competitor.
In too many British companies - “but it will damage sales of our existing line” is taken as a reason not to proceed.
There's another currently world-leading British company facing that sort of challenge. Games Workshop, based in Nottingham, are the world's leading manufacturer of toy soldiers, and the best at plastic injection moulding. But here comes 3d-printing, threatening to upend their business model.
Will they adapt to the new technology, or will it kill them? Nearly £4bn of share capital and £135m in yearly dividend payments want to know - but the board don't mention it in their annual report to investors...
3D printing isnt quite ready for mass production. It’s still more expensive than injection moulding for large volumes. And there is the speed issue.
Though for making the moulds, both CNC and 3D printing can be extremely useful.
I would have a division investigating the area, selling small runs of highly detailed collectibles that will fetch enough to cover cost. Maybe investigate laser scanning the whole past range, so broken or lost items from decades ago can be replaced. Maybe bespoke manufacturing? All those can command premium prices and help get the technology ready for mass production.
Which will happen in the next few years
That's not the issue. The issue is that (a small number of) Games Workshop's customers are buying 3d printers. It makes it a lot easier for small-scale designers to reach new customers because they don't have to deal with manufacturing, quality control, mail order, convincing independent retailers to carry their stock - they can sell digital files of their designs directly to the consumer.
It's a situation where it is hard to see a future business model that delivers the same profit margin as their existing one, but if they ignore the change that is happening they'll end up with zero profits rather than lower profits.
A friend who does his own 3-D printing as part of his professional modelmaking (for films/animations) was recently talking about it to me.
There are also third party printers - sort of like Amazon printing books on demand for the original 'vendor' and sending them to the customer.
Also, looking at some stuff on offer [edit: not Games Workshop] , the quality control is often iffy - raster lines still visible, like a bad pic on an old B&W telly or as if it was carved from plywood and not proiperly sealed. That's another issue, because what is on the marketing webpage is often a graphic image not a phot of the real thing. I have a sense that this is holding some back (it would hold me back) but it's presumably solvable by better tech and market place dynamics.
There are loads of reasons why 3d-printing isn't ready yet to eat Games Workshop's lunch. It's definitely not yet a technology where it "just works" - but one of Games Workshop's challenges here is that their customer base does include nerdy people who are prepared to spend a lot of time fiddling about with things until they look nice. So they're precisely the sort of people who will be prepared to experiment with layer heights and curing times until the model comes out how they want it.
I did a test print at a local library which has a couple of 3d printers, and I decided that it wasn't for me. At least not yet.
The "industry" is already moving to physible subscription services like Titanforge or Loot Studios. If GW don't get on board with this new model they are going to be Blockbuster Video.
One of the Ukrainians is deep into this shit and I spend a lot of time tweaking my Flashforge so that it produces a passable Drow Priestess.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Also written by a radical mystic opposed to empire, capital, slavery and war, which is nice. Blake was woke as fuck.
Usual caveats apply; might just be the Russians playing about, or the bridge deciding it's had enough of all this rubbish and it just wants a nice peaceful sleep on the (sea) bed...
Edit: "At least one span fell on the bridge and another small ship was hit" - Crimean local chats
Russians are saying they shot down two missiles near the bridge, but the bridge itself is undamaged.
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
It's freedom of *absence* of movement is the problem, I would possibly be thinking about a little place in France or Spain if I could live in it more than 3 on, 3 off
Mind you the Spanish golden visa rules look quite accommodating
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
I was planning on retiring to Southern France. No matter, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, so I suppose Brexit was worth all the heartache in the grand scheme of things.
To be fair, there are decisive moments via referendum which won't be changed - the Conservatives opposed the London Mayoralty and the Scottish Parliament but the referenda decided otherwise and for all the vitriol against Khan, I've yet to hear a Conservative publicly advocating the abolition of the office.
Perhaps there will come a time when the Conservatives realise or believe they can never win the Mayoralty they will shift to a position of abolition or of a second referendum on whether it should continue or be abolished.
For now, the shadow of June 2016 remains long and powerful - will it be so by for example 2036? There are those who earn a living by trying to predict the future but the cross currents of change (technological, economic, demographic, cultural and political) aren't easy to read. Bluntly put, I don't know what the EU or the UK will look like in 2036 - will they even exist in their current forms?
The current thrust of nationalist populism will run its course - we're seeing a little bit of environmental denialism but whether that will be anything I don't know. It's more likely IF the impacts of climate change become more severe with time, the clamour to "do something" will also grow.
So, those who sit with seemingly fixed positions may turn out to be as effective as a chocolate fireguard. There will come a day when sentiment has moved on and perhaps those who shout about the triumphs of leaving the EU and the joys of sovereignty will find themselves, pace the Edinburgh Fringe Featival, perfoming to an empty room.
The other option is, as with the Scottish Parliament, we'll learn to live with the status quo and build a genuine new identity for the UK outside the EU - that's perfectly possible and advocating joining or re-joining the EU will be about as popular as praising Harry and Meghan is now.
The one thing which is certain is the UK cannot pretend Europe isn't there - migrants don't care seemingly - and it will be that Europe-wide issues will necessitate regional co-operation and engagement.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Jerusalem is not about war or conquest or whatever or how we are better than everyone else - it's about building paradise. It's constructive and woke AF.
Also written by a radical mystic opposed to empire, capital, slavery and war, which is nice. Blake was woke as fuck.
And mad as a box of crazy frogs.
Hard to know exactly what Jerusalem was intended to be about, because, as you say, Blake was mad. My interpretation had always been: "I love my country - it has many good features, though I recognise it is not perfect - I will strive tomake it better" - which is about as positive a sentiment as you could hope for in an anthem. But it could genuinely be a weird vision if burning gild swords etc. Still, fine words and a fine tune. I'd beveryhappy with it as an anthem.
Regarding Brexit polling I am quite suspicious of it, I suspect it reflects the rapid die off of 2016 Brexit voters. But if you put the question back to voters again and they actually have to contemplate what being in the EU means (giving up sovereignty, having to follow rules that you don't have complete control over, having to accept unlimited immigration) then it would probably be a very close run thing, so high risk for any government to advocate.
There would need to be a change in circumstances whereby rejoining the EU became massively in our interest - I don't think these circumstances exist yet.
The people who have died off between 2016 and 2023 are predominantly those who were in their 80's or more in 2016, who were born on/before 1936. They were predominantly Remainers. It's the Boomers (those born 1945-1964) who were predominantly(?) Leavers, and they are in 2023 aged between 59 and 78. The wacky munchkins with their neoliberal Cold-War mindset will be with us for the next 15-20 years. Any movement towards Remain that occured between 2016 and 2023 was not caused by deaths.
Bless . The DM going on trans drama on the wards . Braverman could blow up a school bus and the DM would still be doing everything to avoid criticizing this cesspit government.
In terms of re-join . I think the lead at this point is probably overstated.
The terms of any re-join are highly unlikely to be as good as what the UK originally had .
The problem for public perception of Brexit is its suffering to some degree with being used as a punchbag for everything that’s going wrong in the country . Similar to the ref where the EU was caught in the crossfire of public anger at austerity .
The only group still in love with Brexit seem to be the over 65s . The majority of this group still seem to be determined to inflict another 5 years of the Tories on the country.
To some extent this polling is correlated to the domestic economic situation in the UK.
If you look at the very early 1980s, when we experienced a strong recession, support for British EEC membership plummeted (this was about 8 years after joining and just after Commonwealth preference had finally been phased out) but by constrast was strongly supportive of EC/EU membership again by the mid-late 1990s. Also, kernel polling on Brexit around 2010-2012 in the aftermath of the GFC and euro crisis also showed strong leads for Leave. It was stabilising again by 2013-2014 and looking more balanced.
If the UK economy was experiencing real growth and low inflation, with the Cost of Living crisis abated, then I'd expect this gap to diminish irrespective of whether we were doing significantly better than EU countries or not.
Quite:
Brexit is the punchbag.
...replacing the EU.
The EU wasn't a punchbag, as much as it was an excuse by politicians.
Oh I'd love to do something about your concern, but unfortunately the EU won't let us ...
One of the main advantages of Brexit is that excuse has been taken away now. Our MPs can do whatever we elect them to do, and there's no excuses anymore.
They still have excuses: the Blob, lefty lawyers, the ECHR, Westminster (for those politicians in Edinburgh, Cardiff etc.).
Would you say that one of the main advantages of Scottish independence would be that an excuse has been taken away from Scottish politicians?
On topic, I was a big advocate for staying in the EU.
I regret that we left but I regret more how the vote tore the country apart. The last thing I want is a rerun of such a national trauma.
This is how I feel too. It's why I was anti a 2nd referendum despite being a NoBrainerRemainer. The 1st one was an abomination on every level so why on earth repeat it? Ideally from here I'd like us to iterate (gradually, no rush) an ever closer relationship with the EU that ends up being essentially like membership, and for this to become non-controversial, ie only a nutty fringe oppose it. Key here is the Conservatives choose to remain a mainstream political party rather than become that nutty fringe. So long as that happens we're there. Then, final step, a technicality really, we turn our quasi membership into actual membership, nice big majority vote in the House of Commons, no need to trouble the public with it.
I’m fairly sure you’re trolling but just in case, lol no
I'm not trolling, no, so there's no need for the lol treatment. I'm just saying how *ideally* I'd like things to pan out. Of course it won't go exactly like that, our politics being what it is, but I hope things develop in broadly that direction, and I think they might.
There’s no way you can sneak Actual Rejoining of the EU past the people. It will require a referendum, and before that referendum will be years of drama. The formal request for membership. The debate in the EU. The demands of each EU nation. The question of euro and Schengen. The likely vetoes from France or Ireland or Greece in a bad mood
You simply can’t wish all this agony away, and it is one reason we will never even try to Rejoin
Maybe. Probably even. But the past isn't always the best guide to the future. I'm sketching out - and it is only a sketch - a scenario whereby having moved closer and closer to Europe over a period of years there develops a settled consensus, politics and public, that this should be converted to full EU membership. We're using our guest pass every day, always down there, so why not get the card so we don't have to sign in and out the whole time? Pretty easy decision. Have a referendum if we want, to rubber stamp, allow the rump leavers to let off some steam, and that's that. 72/28. Bang on the polls. No blood because the matter had effectively been settled already. National Interest. Democratic. Mature.
Regarding Brexit polling I am quite suspicious of it, I suspect it reflects the rapid die off of 2016 Brexit voters. But if you put the question back to voters again and they actually have to contemplate what being in the EU means (giving up sovereignty, having to follow rules that you don't have complete control over, having to accept unlimited immigration) then it would probably be a very close run thing, so high risk for any government to advocate.
There would need to be a change in circumstances whereby rejoining the EU became massively in our interest - I don't think these circumstances exist yet.
The people who have died off between 2016 and 2023 are predominantly those who were in their 80's or more in 2016, who were born on/before 1936. They were predominantly Remainers. It's the Boomers (those born 1945-1964) who were predominantly(?) Leavers, and they are in 2023 aged between 59 and 78. The wacky munchkins with their neoliberal Cold-War mindset will be with us for the next 15-20 years. Any movement towards Remain that occured between 2016 and 2023 was not caused by deaths.
You are assuming life expectancy is close to the same for remainers and leavers. Even the names give a clue that this may not be the case.....
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
I was planning on retiring to Southern France. No matter, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, so I suppose Brexit was worth all the heartache in the grand scheme of things.
"I was supposed to die in France. I never even saw France."
The comments on the Daily Mail. Tory voters who really and genuinely want people to drown. And the vitriol aimed at the RNLI - what has the right wing done to people?
But I would not rule out this happening as the scale of economic damage that Brexit has caused becomes clearer.
So clear that Mike is unable to say what it is.
But mention we now have full employment and see how that triggers some people.
What good is full employment if no-one under 30 can buy a home unless they get it passed down from their family
Well how do I know several people in their mid 20s who have bought houses in recent years ?
Now they do live in northern England and mostly avoided going to university but it does show that it is possible.
The housing problem is one concentrated in southern England and in particular among the southern English middle class.
What we're seeing currently is a reversal of the 1970s and 1980s with the northern working class having improved opportunities and the southern middle class regressing.
It is this change to the 'normal' state that is causing such socioeconomic strain.
And with continued globalisation and upcoming effects of AI its a socioeconomic strain which is likely to increase.
Ditto. Niece and friends in Cornwall. Didn’t go to uni. Have decent jobs. They’re in their late 20s and they’ve bought their first homes - in not unpleasant parts of Cornwall (supposedly a property hotspot)
It is do-able. But not so much in london or the SE
I am early 30s with a house in a not unpleasant part of Newcastle Remainier. No disposable income though, which imagine is not great for the economy. All my capital goes into bricks and mortar.
That is an often overlooked point. High property prices suck money away from the rest of the economy.
The sooner we replace God Save The King the better.
Personally I actually agree on that, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem when England play sport for the King is King of Scotland, Wales, NI, Australia, Canada and NZ too not just England.
God Save the King should be reserved for sports the UK as a whole plays as one team like the Olympics or Davis Cup or for events when the King or a member of the royal family is in attendance alongside the national anthems
Wow, we agree on something. I also agree that Jerusalem should be the English anthem.
More a fan of “I vow to thee my country”.
Only verse one, though. Not the bit about “there’s another country”.
How sad. Let’s hope that some sort of a solution can be found, that disincentivises such crossings before more deaths happen.
The only solution is to stop boats from leaving in the first place.
And that solution is - because Suella and Rishi need all the help they can get on this one ?
send Suella Braverman to the beaches of Northern France.
Five seconds of talking to her and they'll be fleeing back to their own country as fast as they can to get away from her.
Section 9.2.2 Peacetime Mining
Mindful of the safety of its citizens, during peacetime a nation may deploy armed and controlled mines in its own internal waters at any time without notification. A nation may also mine its own archipelagic waters and territorial sea during peacetime when necessary for its national security. If a nation deploys armed mines in its archipelagic waters or the territorial sea, appropriate international notification––e.g., through the International Maritime Organization and other diplomatic channels––of the existence and location of such mines is required. However, deploying controlled mines in a nation’s own archipelagic waters or territorial sea is not subject to such notification or removal requirements.
Because the right of innocent passage through territorial seas can be suspended only temporarily, armed mines must be removed or rendered harmless as soon as the security threat that generated their deployment has ended. Armed mines may not be emplaced in international straits or archipelagic sea-lanes during peacetime.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
I believe the current polling on the EU is a result of the unpopularity of this government and the economic strains being experienced by so many
As others had said, in a better economic climate I believe re-join would diminish and there is at present a lot of nostalgia for something which is of the past
Nobody can say what the future holds re the EU, not least because of continuing change, but as I am not opposed to freedom of movement re-joining the single market appeals to me without going for full membership
The EU is not a panacea for all our troubles and who could have predicted a couple of years ago that Germany is now the sick country of Europe, we are also witnessing the rise of the right across Europe, and of course the vey serious migration flows into southern Europe are going to increase dramatically with untold consequences
I expect Brexit will be a constant theme for some, and even if we did re-join it would be naïve to believe it would go away as an issue, as it has been in our politics for decades
G , anyone who thinks Germany is worse than UK is barking.
I think Labour would be foolish to touch rejoin before stay out is well below 30%. And even then they should expect to walk away from the first round of negotiations with the EU with a firm refusal of the EUs terms, politely letting them know that we'd talk again when they'd reconsidered.
This is why it's such a mistake for so many rejoiners to present rejoining as something Britain can't survive without. They've then got nowhere to go when the EU makes absurd demands in entry negotiations.
It’ll be the Tories who advocate it, once they accept the need to reinvent themselves. Cf the Section 28 to gay marriage journey.
Yes, after 2 terms in the wilderness the Tories will need to detoxify themselves and reinvent themselves as a party of business with something to offer the under 65's. Going back to the pre 2016 position held for a half century of Joining the EU would fit nicely in. A sort of Clause 4 moment showing they were serious.
Until then Brexit is the albatross around their neck, and a major drag on Tory polling.
You’ve now said exactly this, about 5 times on this thread alone. Continuously repeating nonsense does not magically make it true
The Tories are never going to be the party of Rejoin. It would be far more than “Clause 4” it would be like the SNP abandoning Indy forever. It would shatter the party into pieces and almost certainly extinguish them
No, for the half century to 2016 it was the Tories that were the pro-EU party, that joined under Heath, expanded under Thatcher, brought in the Single Market, and supported EU expansion to the East. The aberration is the recent Xenophobia.
In some ways yes, some ways no. But the plain fact is, for the Tories to become the party of Rejoin you’d have to miraculously replace 90% of their members, 95% of their activists and about 75% of their MPs, and their overriding philosophical position of the last decade, and also get the entire party to accept Britain should once again subordinate itself to Brussels, after a tragic mistake which they passionately supported
I mean, when you look at it like that, it’s just not gonna happen, is it?
If Rejoin ever becomes a major idea in UK politics (something I obviously and gravely doubt) it will come from Labour (with the LDs and SNP as a supporting cast)
That did sort of happen (in the Brexit direction) just a couple of years ago. Conservative Party membership rose by about two thirds in as many years and then Boris gutted the parliamentary party.
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
It's freedom of *absence* of movement is the problem, I would possibly be thinking about a little place in France or Spain if I could live in it more than 3 on, 3 off
Mind you the Spanish golden visa rules look quite accommodating
I think that's still very possible if you have means.
Personally, I've never had any desire to retire to France or Spain.
But I would not rule out this happening as the scale of economic damage that Brexit has caused becomes clearer.
So clear that Mike is unable to say what it is.
But mention we now have full employment and see how that triggers some people.
What good is full employment if no-one under 30 can buy a home unless they get it passed down from their family
Well how do I know several people in their mid 20s who have bought houses in recent years ?
Now they do live in northern England and mostly avoided going to university but it does show that it is possible.
The housing problem is one concentrated in southern England and in particular among the southern English middle class.
What we're seeing currently is a reversal of the 1970s and 1980s with the northern working class having improved opportunities and the southern middle class regressing.
It is this change to the 'normal' state that is causing such socioeconomic strain.
And with continued globalisation and upcoming effects of AI its a socioeconomic strain which is likely to increase.
Ditto. Niece and friends in Cornwall. Didn’t go to uni. Have decent jobs. They’re in their late 20s and they’ve bought their first homes - in not unpleasant parts of Cornwall (supposedly a property hotspot)
It is do-able. But not so much in london or the SE
I am early 30s with a house in a not unpleasant part of Newcastle Remainier. No disposable income though, which imagine is not great for the economy. All my capital goes into bricks and mortar.
That is an often overlooked point. High property prices suck money away from the rest of the economy.
Away from some parts of the economy but towards other parts.
Since Brexit has no winners history will record it as an epic mistake.
Future voters will seek to remedy that.
Even if that's true (which I don't think it is) it doesn't follow that the natural outcome to remediate it would be Rejoin which, firstly, plenty of people in the UK would still hate and, secondly, the EU would have to openly offer and build to an accession treaty without anyone vetoing - like France. They can read the opinion polls just as well as we can and a simple British majority at a point in time just wouldn't cut it, nor a British GE result that delivered a majority for a party that advocated it.
It's far more likely the EPU evolves into something more collaborative with the UK in it or we develop a close form of associate EU membership from outside. The world has moved on.
You're baselining your thinking in the status quo ante bellum of 2016 as much as the most gung-ho Brexiters do.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
Lee Anderson currently being kept gagged and bound in the basement of CCH hq to prevent him talking 'common sense politics'.
But I would not rule out this happening as the scale of economic damage that Brexit has caused becomes clearer.
So clear that Mike is unable to say what it is.
But mention we now have full employment and see how that triggers some people.
What good is full employment if no-one under 30 can buy a home unless they get it passed down from their family
Well how do I know several people in their mid 20s who have bought houses in recent years ?
Now they do live in northern England and mostly avoided going to university but it does show that it is possible.
The housing problem is one concentrated in southern England and in particular among the southern English middle class.
What we're seeing currently is a reversal of the 1970s and 1980s with the northern working class having improved opportunities and the southern middle class regressing.
It is this change to the 'normal' state that is causing such socioeconomic strain.
And with continued globalisation and upcoming effects of AI its a socioeconomic strain which is likely to increase.
Ditto. Niece and friends in Cornwall. Didn’t go to uni. Have decent jobs. They’re in their late 20s and they’ve bought their first homes - in not unpleasant parts of Cornwall (supposedly a property hotspot)
It is do-able. But not so much in london or the SE
I am early 30s with a house in a not unpleasant part of Newcastle Remainier. No disposable income though, which imagine is not great for the economy. All my capital goes into bricks and mortar.
That is an often overlooked point. High property prices suck money away from the rest of the economy.
Yes, so much of our wealth in residential property, and so much of our expenditure needed to buy or rent it, this can't be healthy.
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
I was planning on retiring to Southern France. No matter, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, so I suppose Brexit was worth all the heartache in the grand scheme of things.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
One of the most popular complaints seems to be that the incident was in French waters, so (presumably) they should have been left to drown etc. if the French didn't get there in time.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
One of the most popular complaints seems to be that the incident was in French waters, so (presumably) they should have been left to drown etc. if the French didn't get there in time.
If they hadn't tried to enter the country illegally, they wouldn't have got into difficulty in the water.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
One of the most popular complaints seems to be that the incident was in French waters, so (presumably) they should have been left to drown etc. if the French didn't get there in time.
If they hadn't tried to enter the country illegally, they wouldn't have got into difficulty in the water.
Off topic, how many ex-referees watching the footy noticed the poor positioning of the lady doing the England/Colombia game?
She's been poor generally, but her bad positioning led to her impeding a defender in the build-up to the Colombian goal.
Good game though, and England deserved the luck this time, unlike in their previous game.
They’ve only played 1 decent game in the tournament but they are still in it. How many times have we seen German teams only come alive in the latter stages of tournaments?
I have no idea how it ended up making such uniformly crap cars. It's not as if we didn't have the design and engineering expertise to make good ones in this country.
Because they prized cheapness over quality, and thought they could get away with it.
Much like the rest of the country.
Bigger question is- what about Britain embeds that in our psyche, and what the hell can be done to fix it?
(Relevant to Brexit, given that the main slogan boiled down to "all the advantages ONLY CHEAPER.)
A culture in business of clinging onto the product you have, long after it is time to kill it, for one.
You have two choices. Either the product that kills your current best seller belongs to you, or it will belong to a competitor.
In too many British companies - “but it will damage sales of our existing line” is taken as a reason not to proceed.
There's another currently world-leading British company facing that sort of challenge. Games Workshop, based in Nottingham, are the world's leading manufacturer of toy soldiers, and the best at plastic injection moulding. But here comes 3d-printing, threatening to upend their business model.
Will they adapt to the new technology, or will it kill them? Nearly £4bn of share capital and £135m in yearly dividend payments want to know - but the board don't mention it in their annual report to investors...
The ineptitude with which the British run business does my nut.
We had a boat sinking. People drowning. Some of them kids. In that situation you send all available rescuers. Because we are human and people drowning is bad
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
One of the most popular complaints seems to be that the incident was in French waters, so (presumably) they should have been left to drown etc. if the French didn't get there in time.
If they hadn't tried to enter the country illegally, they wouldn't have got into difficulty in the water.
Even if we were given the chance (we won't be) on similar terms to those we tore up (we won't) it would be in principle wrong to reverse the democratic decision and its immediate consequences.
Even if it was a bad decision (it was) we have to live with the consequernces. We made the bed, we lie in it.
If Brexit had been a success, I don't think people, on both sides of the debate, would be wittering on about it quite so much more than seven years after the referendum. Despite that, I suspect that the chances of us rejoining fully within the next ten years are precisely zero.
True, but I will still miss my freedom of movement.
Why?
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
I was planning on retiring to Southern France. No matter, Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, so I suppose Brexit was worth all the heartache in the grand scheme of things.
Even if we were given the chance (we won't be) on similar terms to those we tore up (we won't) it would be in principle wrong to reverse the democratic decision and its immediate consequences.
Even if it was a bad decision (it was) we have to live with the consequernces. We made the bed, we lie in it.
Nothing worse than having to lie in a bed that someone else has shat..
Comments
There is too much child poverty in Blackpool.
Bow ties are an atrocity.
Both these things are true and I must be free to say so.
That's gone from hundreds of thousands per annum to net negative.
They will show up here by Christmas
Anyway I know you have your finger on the pulse of current Conservative thinking, it seems like you must have top drawer Labour connections too, as you seem to know how they think.
What about the rest of us plebs?
https://twitter.com/Kolowrat_/status/1690307984272805889
Who knows if it's just the Russians mucking around with smokescreens, or the bridge has been hit, but I do hope it's the latter.
(the black smoke seems interesting...)
And a larger pic:
https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1690312315449839616/photo/1
https://liveuamap.com/en/2023/12-august-occupational-authorities-report-2-missiles-were
Let’s hope the Ukranian reports are more accurate. That bridge is going to be like Mr Eagles’ favourite online stepmom, by the time this war is over.
Theresa will I am sure be laughing her head off given had Labour not voted against her Deal in the first place it would have passed into UK law easily
I did a test print at a local library which has a couple of 3d printers, and I decided that it wasn't for me. At least not yet.
Over time the technology improves, it becomes more user-friendly, and as the number of people using it gradually increases potential future customers get to see other people's models. It's an interesting test for a successful company.
Also, contrary to Malmsebury's assertion, a lot of the executives at GW are in it for the long haul. I think the current CEO has been in place for 7 years, and was previously the CFO. The CEO before that was in post even longer - led a management buyout I believe. I don't know whether that will make it easier or harder for them to see what's coming for them though.
There’s very little poverty in the UK at all. Calling inequality, poverty, helps no-one. There’s poverty in India and Africa.
Bow ties are a perfectly acceptable formal evening dress, Russia kidnapping Ukranian children is an atrocity.
Whereas Australia has a long history of wining finals and being world leaders in sport.
These higher wages, I point out, is openly opposed by some Conservatives.
at least 6 dead now
Bohemian Rhapsody for our national anthem.
@DegenRolf
People believe they are better at using ChatGPT critically, ethically and efficiently than others. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4528736"
https://twitter.com/DegenRolf/status/1687722826831130625
Blake was woke as fuck.
Oh I'd love to do something about your concern, but unfortunately the EU won't let us ...
One of the main advantages of Brexit is that excuse has been taken away now. Our MPs can do whatever we elect them to do, and there's no excuses anymore.
Bollocks to that.
Nice melody, though.
All its "challenges" can be fixed by normalisation of relations with the EU and additional bilateral alignment and co-operation deals in future.
You can go pretty much anywhere for 90 days every 180 days. Repeat ad infinitum. In fact, you can exercise full free movement 50% of the time. You might be able to do so all the time if you flipped around countries.
I think the longest I've spent abroad in one country my whole life in one stint is 42 days.
It's wholly academic to me.
One of the Ukrainians is deep into this shit and I spend a lot of time tweaking my Flashforge so that it produces a passable Drow Priestess.
Mind you the Spanish golden visa rules look quite accommodating
Vaguely on topic, times change, people change.
To be fair, there are decisive moments via referendum which won't be changed - the Conservatives opposed the London Mayoralty and the Scottish Parliament but the referenda decided otherwise and for all the vitriol against Khan, I've yet to hear a Conservative publicly advocating the abolition of the office.
Perhaps there will come a time when the Conservatives realise or believe they can never win the Mayoralty they will shift to a position of abolition or of a second referendum on whether it should continue or be abolished.
For now, the shadow of June 2016 remains long and powerful - will it be so by for example 2036? There are those who earn a living by trying to predict the future but the cross currents of change (technological, economic, demographic, cultural and political) aren't easy to read. Bluntly put, I don't know what the EU or the UK will look like in 2036 - will they even exist in their current forms?
The current thrust of nationalist populism will run its course - we're seeing a little bit of environmental denialism but whether that will be anything I don't know. It's more likely IF the impacts of climate change become more severe with time, the clamour to "do something" will also grow.
So, those who sit with seemingly fixed positions may turn out to be as effective as a chocolate fireguard. There will come a day when sentiment has moved on and perhaps those who shout about the triumphs of leaving the EU and the joys of sovereignty will find themselves, pace the Edinburgh Fringe Featival, perfoming to an empty room.
The other option is, as with the Scottish Parliament, we'll learn to live with the status quo and build a genuine new identity for the UK outside the EU - that's perfectly possible and advocating joining or re-joining the EU will be about as popular as praising Harry and Meghan is now.
The one thing which is certain is the UK cannot pretend Europe isn't there - migrants don't care seemingly - and it will be that Europe-wide issues will necessitate regional co-operation and engagement.
My interpretation had always been: "I love my country - it has many good features, though I recognise it is not perfect - I will strive tomake it better" - which is about as positive a sentiment as you could hope for in an anthem. But it could genuinely be a weird vision if burning gild swords etc.
Still, fine words and a fine tune. I'd beveryhappy with it as an anthem.
Apart from anything else, tge UK appears to be growing, sluggishly, while Western Europe is seeing contraction.
Since Brexit has no winners history will record it as an epic mistake.
Future voters will seek to remedy that.
Would you say that one of the main advantages of Scottish independence would be that an excuse has been taken away from Scottish politicians?
England 0
1-1
Five seconds of talking to her and they'll be fleeing back to their own country as fast as they can to get away from her.
Mindful of the safety of its citizens, during peacetime a nation may deploy armed and controlled mines in its own internal waters at any time without notification. A nation may also mine its own archipelagic waters and territorial sea during peacetime when necessary for its national security. If a nation deploys armed mines in its archipelagic waters or the territorial sea, appropriate international notification––e.g., through the International Maritime Organization and other diplomatic channels––of the existence and location of such mines is required. However, deploying controlled mines in a nation’s own archipelagic waters or territorial sea is not subject to such notification or removal requirements.
Because the right of innocent passage through territorial seas can be suspended only temporarily, armed mines must be removed or rendered harmless as soon as the security threat that generated their deployment has ended. Armed mines may not be emplaced in international straits or archipelagic sea-lanes during peacetime.
https://warontherocks.com/2014/10/an-act-of-war-the-law-of-naval-mining/
Not seeing the problem here.
Unless you are the right wing, or a Tory politician. Where hardening people's souls is a vote winning strategy. So that people on the Daily Mail demand that the RNLI not attend - they don't care that people be left to drown.
Is this what the right call common sense politics?
https://twitter.com/RachelReevesMP/status/1690093415709523969?s=20
Personally, I've never had any desire to retire to France or Spain.
Visit and stay a few weeks, sure.
It's far more likely the EPU evolves into something more collaborative with the UK in it or we develop a close form of associate EU membership from outside. The world has moved on.
You're baselining your thinking in the status quo ante bellum of 2016 as much as the most gung-ho Brexiters do.
She's been poor generally, but her bad positioning led to her impeding a defender in the build-up to the Colombian goal.
Good game though, and England deserved the luck this time, unlike in their previous game.
From 2014.
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/vince-cable-wife_n_4608721/
Possible parallels with other long-running territorial disputes.
Even if we were given the chance (we won't be) on similar terms to those we tore up (we won't) it would be in principle wrong to reverse the democratic decision and its immediate consequences.
Even if it was a bad decision (it was) we have to live with the consequernces. We made the bed, we lie in it.
https://www.henleyglobal.com/residence-investment