politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Quantum physics could have the answer to Brexit’s Ireland prob

Three firsts in a row... I'm unstoppable

Nigelb said:

An "interesting" idea from Corbyn...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

Well I suppose it's way of ensuring that no "robots" are developed and no companies like Uber or Deliveroo are ever created in the first place.

RobD said:

RobD said:

Three firsts in a row... I'm unstoppable

or I need to get out more

Maybe, but where on earth does one go at 4.42AM?

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

alex. said:

Nigelb said:

An "interesting" idea from Corbyn...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

Well I suppose it's way of ensuring that no "robots" are developed and no companies like Uber or Deliveroo are ever created in the first place.

Once the new technologies mean we need less lawyers , teachers, doctors, there will be more thought put into the conditions of work .The same with cashless societies.

An interestingidea, Mr Hardson. "Quantum mechanics contains such a concept; it’s how Schroedinger’s Cat is both alive and dead at the same time. The trick, in that case, is not to inquire as to the health of the cat. With Ireland, the best option is to not ask about the border."

Perhaps we could do the same thing with the whole EU question. Be in it and out of it at the same time. Just not ask questions about it.

Of course it would drive the lawyers mad - a small price to pay - but it would help get your incompetent government off the hook of its own creation.

https://twitter.com/magnusllewellin/status/919087223324192768

Pong said:

off topic;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/news/amount-retirees-can-safely-withdraw-year-invested-pension-drops/

Isn't this a big part of what is wrong with the British/Western economies?

Wealthy older people refusing to spend their capital/downsize in retirement, trying to protect it until their death to pass on to their own kids.

It's a fundamentally unreasonable proposition.

We've become a nation of minor aristocrats and it's killing the economy.

The IHT threhshold should be about £50k (albeit at a lower rate)

The issue is that the UK becomes a third country when it leaves the EU. WTO rules forbid dicriminatory treatment in the absence of a formal trade agreement between countries. The UK only has borders with the EU. The EU has borders with a number of third countries. A de facto soft border between the EU and UK discriminates against other third countries with which the EU has a border - Russia and Ukraine, for example. The EU just cannot do it. There has to be an agreement that is then properly policed. Anything else invites WTO action against the EU.

I don't know much about the Sweden/Norway border, but has it ever been open in the way that the Irish border is now? If not, the trade flows between Norway and Sweden are unlikely to mirror those between NI and Ireland. What's more, I suspect the Norway/Sweden border is the subject of a formal, policed agreement.

All of the above is why the Irish border is an EU red line. It has no choice. Unless the problem is resolved there will be No Deal.

Corbyn really doesn't have a clue what this "rise of the robots" is

Jeremy Corbyn: Let workers control robots
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

FrancisUrquhart said:

Corbyn really doesn't have a clue what this "rise of the robots" is

Jeremy Corbyn: Let workers control robots
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

Wait til he finds out about 3D printing.

Jonathan said:

This border issue illustrates nicely the problems with Brexit.

It has created an entirely wasteful and pointless debate on an issue that had been settled and distracts us from more pressing and serious concerns. You name it virtually anything is more important than reopening this can of worms. The economy, social care, dealing with Trump for starters.

Yep - a huge waste of time and resource for a marginal tangible gain some time in the next 30 years at the very best.

Remember how we were told it was not an issue prior to the referendum?

Jonathan said:

This border issue illustrates nicely the problems with Brexit.

It has created an entirely wasteful and pointless debate on an issue that had been settled and distracts us from more pressing and serious concerns. You name it virtually anything is more important than reopening this can of worms. The economy, social care, dealing with Trump for starters.

You're right, its not important.

Mr. Toms, terminal metropolitanism?

It's the divide that's the problem. Blaming one side or another misses the point.

Mr. Observer, we also had politicians playing down the impact the EU has on us. Now it seems to affect everything. If Remain had won, the media and politicians might be happier but we wouldn't be a land of sweetness and light, it's just that those who report the news wouldn't be so eager to point out the divide.

Looks like krill fishing in Artarctica is going to be the next big eco-topic: save the penguins!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41608722

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Toms, terminal metropolitanism?

It's the divide that's the problem. Blaming one side or another misses the point.

Mr. Observer, we also had politicians playing down the impact the EU has on us. Now it seems to affect everything. If Remain had won, the media and politicians might be happier but we wouldn't be a land of sweetness and light, it's just that those who report the news wouldn't be so eager to point out the divide.

Yep, the Mail, the Sun, the Express and the Telegraph would have stayed silent!!

alex. said:

Nigelb said:

An "interesting" idea from Corbyn...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

Well I suppose it's way of ensuring that no "robots" are developed and no companies like Uber or Deliveroo are ever created in the first place.

No, it's a way of ensuring any such activity will happen outside of the UK. With presumably miraculous results for our economy....

Mr. Observer, I was thinking more of broadcast media, but you're right the print media (mostly) would've been grumpy.

Actually,

logical_song said:

Schroedinger's cat is only both neither dead and or alive until it is observed.

according to current standard quantum mechanics, which nobody *understands* anyway.

Mr. Mark, possibly. Still a credible route for the far right to rise, alas.

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

Icarus said:

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

Staying in the EU would be the ultimate act of running away. It would only be "brave" in a Brave Sir Robin kind of way....

And it would give the current politicians in the UK hell to pay. And hand many of them their P45. In June, 80%+ voted for parties who were pledged to getting us out the EU. "We gave you one job to do....Just one."

Well over 50% of voters also backed parties that favour immediate confirmation that the rights of EU resident in the UK should be immediately and unconditionally confirmed. We're not doing that.

Have you seen why? Have you seee the way the EU negotiators have banked the PM's Florence speech and just flatly said "More...."? Yes, it would have been great to have sorted this issue out. The humane thing to do. But for that, there needs to be good faith by the EU. And that just isn't happening.

The UK does not take responsibility for this issue still causing huge worry to many people.

Corbyn wants robots to be owned by workers, not employers and Uber replaced by co-operatives
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41614820

MarqueeMark said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

Icarus said:

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

Staying in the EU would be the ultimate act of running away. It would only be "brave" in a Brave Sir Robin kind of way....

And it would give the current politicians in the UK hell to pay. And hand many of them their P45. In June, 80%+ voted for parties who were pledged to getting us out the EU. "We gave you one job to do....Just one."

Well over 50% of voters also backed parties that favour immediate confirmation that the rights of EU resident in the UK should be immediately and unconditionally confirmed. We're not doing that.

Have you seen why? Have you seee the way the EU negotiators have banked the PM's Florence speech and just flatly said "More...."? Yes, it would have been great to have sorted this issue out. The humane thing to do. But for that, there needs to be good faith by the EU. And that just isn't happening.

The UK does not take responsibility for this issue still causing huge worry to many people.

The rights and status of EU citizens in the UK is entirely the responsibility of the UK. Over 50% of voters backed parties that favour immediate and unconditional recognition of their existing rights. That's a majority, just like the 80% voting for parties that back Brexit is a majority. Or maybe it's a bit more complicated than that.

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

No it doesn't, it just revives loyalist paramilitaries. Powersharing remains the only way forward for Northern Ireland.

Though Theresa May would have won a small majority in a UK of England, Wales and Scotland alone

SouthamObserver said:

The issue is that the UK becomes a third country when it leaves the EU. WTO rules forbid dicriminatory treatment in the absence of a formal trade agreement between countries. The UK only has borders with the EU. The EU has borders with a number of third countries. A de facto soft border between the EU and UK discriminates against other third countries with which the EU has a border - Russia and Ukraine, for example. The EU just cannot do it. There has to be an agreement that is then properly policed. Anything else invites WTO action against the EU.

I don't know much about the Sweden/Norway border, but has it ever been open in the way that the Irish border is now? If not, the trade flows between Norway and Sweden are unlikely to mirror those between NI and Ireland. What's more, I suspect the Norway/Sweden border is the subject of a formal, policed agreement.

All of the above is why the Irish border is an EU red line. It has no choice. Unless the problem is resolved there will be No Deal.

The Norway Sweden border is policed this way:

http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-ireland-border-customs-norway-sweden/

Though to do this Norway has to promise to harmonise its commercial policies with the EU:

https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/is-the-norway-sweden-border-a-model-for-uk-ireland/

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

No it doesn't, it just revives loyalist paramilitaries. Powersharing remains the only way forward for Northern Ireland.

Though Theresa May would have won a small majority in a UK of England, Wales and Scotland alone

Wouldn’t be our problem. It’s not like the loyalist paramilitaries are going to start bombing London.

The DUP like pork, they also went into power sharing with Sinn Fein, I’m sure for the right money they’ll go into power with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

welshowl said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

And stuffs the Republic with about a net £10 billion (?) bill to cover what we send to the NI anyway ( pre DUP deal), a problem of the unemployed public sector workers many of whose jobs will be sent back to England) things like U.K. customs office in Enniskillen), and about a million highly less than chuffed citizens (about 15% of the new total) mostly camped in one corner of the territory.

If Mr Varadkar thinks he’s got problems now....

We send Northern Ireland £180 million per week, let’s spenf that on the NHS instead.

Oh, stick that on the side of a bus and I think I’ve found a way for the Tories to win a majority in 2022.

welshowl said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

No it doesn't, it just revives loyalist paramilitaries. Powersharing remains the only way forward for Northern Ireland.

Though Theresa May would have won a small majority in a UK of England, Wales and Scotland alone

Wouldn’t be our problem. It’s not like the loyalist paramilitaries are going to start bombing London.

The DUP like pork, they also went into power sharing with Sinn Fein, I’m sure for the right money they’ll go into power with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

How about we sell off Yorkshire to Denmark? Might solve a lot of issues.

Yorkshire is the backbone of England, Britain, and the United Kingdom, unlike Norn Iron, plus there’s no customs union issue here.

A very interesting and witty thread-header Mr Herdson. Thank-you.

If only we didn't have people running the show who appear not to be able to negotiate their way out of a paper bag, I would have more confidence.

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

No it doesn't, it just revives loyalist paramilitaries. Powersharing remains the only way forward for Northern Ireland.

Though Theresa May would have won a small majority in a UK of England, Wales and Scotland alone

Wouldn’t be our problem. It’s not like the loyalist paramilitaries are going to start bombing London.

The DUP like pork, they also went into power sharing with Sinn Fein, I’m sure for the right money they’ll go into power with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

Even without violence the DUP would create a bed of nails, which is surely why Eire would never touch it.

TheScreamingEagles said:

welshowl said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

No it doesn't, it just revives loyalist paramilitaries. Powersharing remains the only way forward for Northern Ireland.

Though Theresa May would have won a small majority in a UK of England, Wales and Scotland alone

Wouldn’t be our problem. It’s not like the loyalist paramilitaries are going to start bombing London.

The DUP like pork, they also went into power sharing with Sinn Fein, I’m sure for the right money they’ll go into power with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

How about we sell off Yorkshire to Denmark? Might solve a lot of issues.

Yorkshire is the backbone of England, Britain, and the United Kingdom, unlike Norn Iron, plus there’s no customs union issue here.

Yes but really there should be controls to protect the rest of us from ferret distemper, pigeon blight, and over long vowel sounds. I think customs across the Penines is a must.

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

Icarus said:

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

Staying in the EU would be the ultimate act of running away. It would only be "brave" in a Brave Sir Robin kind of way....

And it would give the current politicians in the UK hell to pay. And hand many of them their P45. In June, 80%+ voted for parties who were pledged to getting us out the EU. "We gave you one job to do....Just one."

Well over 50% of voters also backed parties that favour immediate confirmation that the rights of EU resident in the UK should be immediately and unconditionally confirmed. We're not doing that.

Have you seen why? Have you seee the way the EU negotiators have banked the PM's Florence speech and just flatly said "More...."? Yes, it would have been great to have sorted this issue out. The humane thing to do. But for that, there needs to be good faith by the EU. And that just isn't happening.

The UK does not take responsibility for this issue still causing huge worry to many people.

The rights and status of EU citizens in the UK is entirely the responsibility of the UK. Over 50% of voters backed parties that favour immediate and unconditional recognition of their existing rights. That's a majority, just like the 80% voting for parties that back Brexit is a majority. Or maybe it's a bit more complicated than that.

Yes it is more complicated, which parties didn't back it?

"That’s far from certain as the two sides continue to talk at cross purposes, becoming irritated with each other in the process as neither understands why the other won’t be reasonable. It’s a microcosm of why the difference in philosophical understanding of what the EU is propelled Britain to leave in the first place."

Precisely, David. This is what I've been saying for months.

SouthamObserver said:

foxinsoxuk said:

SouthamObserver said:

The issue is that the UK becomes a third country when it leaves the EU. WTO rules forbid dicriminatory treatment in the absence of a formal trade agreement between countries. The UK only has borders with the EU. The EU has borders with a number of third countries. A de facto soft border between the EU and UK discriminates against other third countries with which the EU has a border - Russia and Ukraine, for example. The EU just cannot do it. There has to be an agreement that is then properly policed. Anything else invites WTO action against the EU.

I don't know much about the Sweden/Norway border, but has it ever been open in the way that the Irish border is now? If not, the trade flows between Norway and Sweden are unlikely to mirror those between NI and Ireland. What's more, I suspect the Norway/Sweden border is the subject of a formal, policed agreement.

All of the above is why the Irish border is an EU red line. It has no choice. Unless the problem is resolved there will be No Deal.

The Norway Sweden border is policed this way:

http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-ireland-border-customs-norway-sweden/

Though to do this Norway has to promise to harmonise its commercial policies with the EU:

https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/is-the-norway-sweden-border-a-model-for-uk-ireland/

So, essentially the Norway/Sweden solution is for Norway to largely mirror the EU regulatory regime. De jure control, de facto loss of sovereignty. Mirroring EU regulations clearly would clearly limit the UK's ability to do FTAs - no chlorinated chicken!

These Trade Deals seem either mythical or undesirable. The competence of our DExEU team doesnt bode well for our single member Board of Trade.

In reality we need to remain in the Customs Union after Brexit, as we have neither the infrastructure nor the supply chains to do otherwise without maximum disruption. A sensible Brexit policy would be to stay in the CU permanantly*, and unlock many of the other issues.

*Nothing in politics is ever truly permanent, so we could revisit this in time if it wasn't working.

Excellent article, David. I don't agree with you on the UK and trade deals (even a Remain supporting cabinet minister has said he's been surprised at just how many countries are interested in doing a trade deal with the UK) but the solution to the NI border is for the UK to grant NI a special status in the UK, and for the EU to do the same for EIRE in the EU.

Checking rules of origin and final destinations of goods with spot checks at airports/ ports in NI and EIRE should be enough compliance, for now, and free movement across the NI/EIRE border is unlikely to be a big problem.

old_labour said:

Anthony Eden was divorced in 1950 and married his second wife, Clarissa in 1952. Number 2 is still alive aged 97 and is a niece of Winston Churchill.

Not the oldest Prime Ministerial spouse still alive though.

MarqueeMark said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Mark, possibly. Still a credible route for the far right to rise, alas.

The failure to deliver Brexit would lead to a significant portion of the voters getting very, very peeved indeed. I'd hate to see it, but I suspect direct action would be vented in ways virtually all on here would be appalled about.

And if it turns out that Brexit is undeliverable?

On the end sentence, is it not the case that with Ireland the best option is not to ask about anything?

How's the assembly getting along?

Casino_Royale said:

...the solution to the NI border is for the UK to grant NI a special status in the UK, and for the EU to do the same for EIRE in the EU.

What does 'NI having special status within the UK' mean if not a customs border between NI and GB, which is unacceptable to the DUP and not only them.

welshowl said:

Dura_Ace said:

welshowl said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

As I said yesterday, time to give Northern Ireland to Eire, it is the only solution, and solves a lot of other non Brexit problems too.

And stuffs the Republic with about a net £10 billion (?) bill to cover what we send to the NI anyway ( pre DUP deal), a problem of the unemployed public sector workers many of whose jobs will be sent back to England) things like U.K. customs office in Enniskillen), and about a million highly less than chuffed citizens (about 15% of the new total) mostly camped in one corner of the territory.

If Mr Varadkar thinks he’s got problems now....

A 30+2 partition with Antrim and Down remaining the UK with a hard border might be more feasible.

But you have literally just moved the problem.

Good to see that word literally being used properly for once!

alex. said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

Icarus said:

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

Staying in the EU would be the ultimate act of running away. It would only be "brave" in a Brave Sir Robin kind of way....

And it would give the current politicians in the UK hell to pay. And hand many of them their P45. In June, 80%+ voted for parties who were pledged to getting us out the EU. "We gave you one job to do....Just one."

Well over 50% of voters also backed parties that favour immediate confirmation that the rights of EU resident in the UK should be immediately and unconditionally confirmed. We're not doing that.

Have you seen why? Have you seee the way the EU negotiators have banked the PM's Florence speech and just flatly said "More...."? Yes, it would have been great to have sorted this issue out. The humane thing to do. But for that, there needs to be good faith by the EU. And that just isn't happening.

The UK does not take responsibility for this issue still causing huge worry to many people.

The rights and status of EU citizens in the UK is entirely the responsibility of the UK. Over 50% of voters backed parties that favour immediate and unconditional recognition of their existing rights. That's a majority, just like the 80% voting for parties that back Brexit is a majority. Or maybe it's a bit more complicated than that.

Their rights and status being guaranteed unconditionally by... what? Isn't that the fundamental point at dispute?

It can be done under UK law. Give EU citizens resident here on a specific date the rights they enjoy now. That would apply in the absence of a final deal.

Scott_P said:

MarqueeMark said:

The failure to deliver Brexit would lead to a significant portion of the voters getting very, very peeved indeed. I'd hate to see it, but I suspect direct action would be vented in ways virtually all on here would be appalled about.

The economic consequences of Brexit may well deliver exactly the same thing

A Morton's fork then.

daodao said:

CarlottaVance said:

daodao said:

Dura_Ace said:

I don't think Brexit and the 26-6 partition of Ireland can simultaneously exist. One of them is going to have to give.

The obvious interim solution is to move the controlled border (for people and goods) between the EU and the UK to the Irish Sea, as a prelude to Irish re-unification. In the EU referendum, there was a 56-44 majority in favour of remaining in the EU in the 6 counties.

The United Kingdom (UK) remains the most significant market for businesses in Northern Ireland – sales to Great Britain were worth one and a half times the value of all Northern Ireland exports and nearly four times the value of exports to Ireland in 2015

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/638215/Additional_Data_Paper_-_Northern_Ireland_Trade_Data_and_Statistics__2_.pdf

Actually, the best place for the future border between rUK and the EU is along the Cheviots (plus the Irish Sea).

I find it fascinating how many Remainers feel that Britain should be punished for its vote to Leave the EU by stripping it of as much of its domestic and overseas territory as possible.

SouthamObserver said:

alex. said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

SouthamObserver said:

MarqueeMark said:

Icarus said:

As Schroedinger was an Irish citizen - that would work.

However better to be brave and stay in the EU!

Staying in the EU would be the ultimate act of running away. It would only be "brave" in a Brave Sir Robin kind of way....

And it would give the current politicians in the UK hell to pay. And hand many of them their P45. In June, 80%+ voted for parties who were pledged to getting us out the EU. "We gave you one job to do....Just one."

Well over 50% of voters also backed parties that favour immediate confirmation that the rights of EU resident in the UK should be immediately and unconditionally confirmed. We're not doing that.

Have you seen why? Have you seee the way the EU negotiators have banked the PM's Florence speech and just flatly said "More...."? Yes, it would have been great to have sorted this issue out. The humane thing to do. But for that, there needs to be good faith by the EU. And that just isn't happening.

The UK does not take responsibility for this issue still causing huge worry to many people.

The rights and status of EU citizens in the UK is entirely the responsibility of the UK. Over 50% of voters backed parties that favour immediate and unconditional recognition of their existing rights. That's a majority, just like the 80% voting for parties that back Brexit is a majority. Or maybe it's a bit more complicated than that.

Their rights and status being guaranteed unconditionally by... what? Isn't that the fundamental point at dispute?

It can be done under UK law. Give EU citizens resident here on a specific date the rights they enjoy now. That would apply in the absence of a final deal.

Yes it could. But that would be unacceptable to the EU, so whilst it might be the right thing to do to ease concerns for non UK EU citizens in the country, it wouldn't actually resolve anything as regards the negotiations.

MarqueeMark said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Mark, possibly. Still a credible route for the far right to rise, alas.

The failure to deliver Brexit would lead to a significant portion of the voters getting very, very peeved indeed. I'd hate to see it, but I suspect direct action would be vented in ways virtually all on here would be appalled about.

Ha! An army of over-65s setting barriers in the street!

welshowl said:

Benpointer said:

A very interesting and witty thread-header Mr Herdson. Thank-you.

If only we didn't have people running the show who appear not to be able to negotiate their way out of a paper bag, I would have more confidence.

Nobody is covering themselves in glory but to be fair to Barnier his remit is insane from the 27. How do you know what controls, if any, are needed at the border unless and until you know what the overall trade and other relationships are going to be?

It’s impossible.

The UK government has still to decide what relationship it wants with the EU post-Brexit.

MarqueeMark said:

Recidivist said:

MarqueeMark said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Mark, possibly. Still a credible route for the far right to rise, alas.

The failure to deliver Brexit would lead to a significant portion of the voters getting very, very peeved indeed. I'd hate to see it, but I suspect direct action would be vented in ways virtually all on here would be appalled about.

And if it turns out that Brexit is undeliverable?

Brexit is going to be delivered. And I have no doubt, some aspects will be painful. There will be losers, some of those will be people who voted for Leave with a greater sense of optimism that their life would be better.

But amidst all this uncertainty, there's one thing we can be sure of: those who tied us into the EU, often on the sly, with the intention of making sure that leaving was impossible or incredibly costly - without ever getting the blessing of the the people of the UK in this - will take no responsibility whatspever for their actions. It will all be down to those pesky kids who found them out and stopped them.

The 'kids' didn't, as a majority, vote to Leave.

MarqueeMark said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Toms, terminal metropolitanism?

It's the divide that's the problem. Blaming one side or another misses the point.

Mr. Observer, we also had politicians playing down the impact the EU has on us. Now it seems to affect everything. If Remain had won, the media and politicians might be happier but we wouldn't be a land of sweetness and light, it's just that those who report the news wouldn't be so eager to point out the divide.

There's a case to be made for saying that voting for Brexit has saved us from the rise of the Far Right in this country...unlike much of the EU. Without the Brexit vote safety valve, EU immigration to the UK would not be falling from its previous highs (certainly not at the rate we have seen), we would be under intense pressure to "do our bit" and take in our "fair share" of Merkel's Refugees - and France and Germany would still be angling to hobble the City and reduce still further our ability to slow the progress towards the Super-state.

So Yay! for Brexit....

It's very easy to forget some of the very good reasons we voted for Brexit.