Explore Loops
South London Friends Of Europe
Pro Europe South London Citizens, but you do not have to live in South London to join.
Open Loop 296
-
-
"Red tape caused a “steep decline” in the number of trading relationships after January 2021, according to a study by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics. The number of buyer-seller relationships fell by almost one-third, it found. "
https://www.ft.com/content/7a209a34-7d95-47aa-91b0-bf02d4214764?shareType=nongift -
"A €9-a-month ticket scheme is to be introduced from 1 June allowing travel on all modes of city and regional transport. The ticket will apply nationwide and will be available for three months until the end of August."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/20/germany-public-transport-boost-9-euro-month-ticket -
"The European Commission has raised the spectre of an economically damaging trade war with the UK, pledging to respond with “all measures at its disposal” if Liz Truss presses ahead with a plan to rewrite the Northern Ireland protocol."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/17/eu-raises-spectre-trade-war-if-uk-rewrites-northern-ireland-protocol -
The British government faces paying a hefty charge to the EU after the European court of justice ruled it had been negligent in allowing criminal gangs to flood European markets with cheap Chinese-made clothes and shoes.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/uk-faces-fine-eu-chinese-imports -
UK restaurants and pubs face staffing crisis after Brexit
The hospitality industry is facing a staffing crisis as restaurants and pubs say that up to a quarter of those employed before the Covid-19 pandemic will not return.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/01/uk-restaurants-pubs-brexit-staff-covid -
Philip Hammond interview on how Brexit evolved
Rather interesting read on how the Brexit process and the UK/EU relationship evolved during Theresa May's premiership:
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-witness-archive/philip-hammond/ -
Set up shop in Europe, government advisers tell Brexit-hit businesses
Nothing to add to the title, really.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/23/brexit-hit-firms-advised-government-officials-set-up-shop-in-eu -
Holyrood in talks with EU to extend Erasmus scheme to Scottish students
Interesting
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/westminster-news/erasmus-programme-scotland-wales-brexit-6923272 -
Brexit trade deal is 'unlikely' by end of the year, says Barnier
Michel Barnier has said a trade and security deal with Boris Johnson’s government by the end of the year appeared “unlikely”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/23/considerable-gaps-remain-brexit-talks-says-uk-negotiator-david-frost -
Very interesting that according to the article, Gove thinks that the northern Ireland protocol is still being worked out, despite that the Withdrawal Agreement is in place.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/29/brussels-and-uk-at-odds-over-proposed-eu-office-in-belfast -
US Trade Deal would only grow economy by 0.16% by the middle of the next decade (Edited)
Don't take my word for it, the government says so. If that's not worth all the downside..
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/02/uk-says-it-will-not-lower-standards-to-strike-trade-deal-with-trump -
UK government does not want continued access to the EU Early Warning and Response System
Note: The EWRS is the EU's pandemic warning system.
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/early-warning-and-response-system-after-brexit-1-6540034 -
The UK trying to negotiate a trade deal..
The UK government is now outlining what they are trying to achieve in negotiations with the EU, and frankly I do not see any chance they can get what they want.
Some interesting points:
- Competition and subsidies should not be subject to the final agreement’s dispute resolution mechanism..
Note: I see no way the EU is prepared to exclude such a crucial part from the resolution mechanism.
- A separate agreement on fisheries that would allow for annual negotiations
Note: That would set up a fight over fishing every year.
- An agreement on equivalence on financial services to be decided before the end of June.
Note: Again I do not see how that can work without the UK commit to a long term regulatory environment that mirrors the EU or is in sync with EU regulators, especially in regards to tax havens.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/27/uk-says-it-will-consider-walking-away-from-brexit-talks-in-june -
Gove: Border Checks for Trade will be "inevitable"
So much for the legend of "frictionless trade" ... He also calls for businesses to "get ready", which is a bit difficult considering that details of all this won't be known by businesses before autumn earliest.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/10/checks-on-eu-bound-goods-inevitable-gove-tells-business-leaders -
The "Brexit" Ban (Edited)
"Control the language, break reality" by Ian Dunt
From the article:
"Johnson also appears intent on banning the word 'Brexit' itself from government communication. "Brexit is completed," the directive says. "So do not use the term 'Brexit' save as a historical event that took place on 31 January 2020."
https://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2020/02/07/week-in-review-control-the-language-break-reality -
Tusk: EU would be enthusiastic if Scotland applied to rejoin (Edited)
Posting that mainly because I have the feeling some EU politicians are now, after Brexit Day, seem to want to make a point that there are lots of issues ahead for the UK, including Gibraltar and Scotland.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/02/donald-tusk-eu-would-be-enthusiastic-if-scotland-applied-to-rejoin -
Listening Tip: Remainiacs Podcast
A little listening tip for people who want to stay tuned on Brexit/EU matters:
Self-description: "REMAINIACS is the no-bullshit Brexit podcast for people who won’t just shut up and get over Brexit. Every week we take an honest look at the unfolding shambles that is Britain’s departure from the EU."
https://www.remainiacs.com/ -
So what do non-Brexiters do on Friday night?
Here is a first list of ideas, though I might just get drunk with some German Whisky.
https://scramnews.com/all-the-ways-remainers-can-mark-31st-january/
More Ideas are welcome. -
Opportunistic Brexit-Themed Marketing
I though I share a marketing email I received the other day (see image).
The email had the subject "Let's celebrate our Britishness with wine" Hilariously according to the email, it's all about "England" though, not Britain. -
-
Boris Johnson's trade deal nightmare
Good summary by Ian Dunt
https://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2020/01/23/brexit-2020-everything-you-need-to-know-about-johnson-s-trad -
Johnson wants to fix end of transition period in law
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/16/boris-johnson-will-amend-brexit-bill-to-outlaw-extension
While technically a stunt (he could obviously pass another law to extend the transition with his majority) it is also incredible sillyd from the perspective of negotiations. Probably a good hint he will go for any off-the-shelf solution the EU will offer and does not really care.
Additionally, MPs will not get any oversight over negotiations anyway. -
Still time to both vote tactically AND get a vote swap to get the Tories out. Use Swap my vote :)
If you're voting tactically (ie. not for your first choice), then why not amplify your vote by swapping who will vote for your preference in a seat where it'll make more of a difference. For example, if you're a lib dem voting tactically in Battersea for Labour, try and find a lab voter in a Con/Lib fight like Richmond Park, Lewes or St Ives. It's almost a 2 for 1 remain deal, do it! https://www.swapmyvote.uk/
