How is Brexit affecting us?

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  • not even in a specific and limited way?

    Ah well, now that's an idea for an excuse - or a defence, when up before the Judge...
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    BF it is a short jump from smuggling to piracy. I can just see you in a dashing outfit, sailing the high seas, sword in your teet
  • *sings*

    Fifteen men on the dead man's chest!
    Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of Rum!


    :lol:

    Seriously, though, I wonder if the Brexit-induced problems may indeed lead to more smuggling.

    It goes on, of course - people-smuggling being a major industry these days - and illegal drugs are always on the move.

    I wonder if perhaps other drugs - legal, but now unobtainable - might be worth getting into the country by devious means.

    Not that I'm advocating it, or intending to do it myself.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Ethne Alba wrote: »
    @Bishops Finger , Are you considering moving into import/ export?

    Well, as others have suggested, I might be thinking of Smuggling - an ancient, albeit perhaps not entirely honourable, occupation in these parts.

    I am, of course, emphatically NOT intending to break the Law...that would be Sinful...
    :wink:

    Well, you have a boat ...

  • Yes, but it's not really designed for sailing the high seas, being flat-bottomed, and suitable only for inland waterways...

    It would bounce about like a rubber duck in a bathtub, which would do the crew brandy marmalade Marmite spies no good at all...
  • EirenistEirenist Shipmate
    There must be room for plenty of marmalade on the Ship of Fools though.
  • If I were still in the UK, I'd volunteer to join the crew. Would we use a tunnel dug from the beach that came up in the cellar of a ne'er do well pub? All good smugglers have secret tunnels.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited April 1
    O I think so. A sheltered cove, some tunnels and caves, perhaps a secret hiding place in a suitably gruesome Crypt or tomb, a smart little sailing cutter to outpace the Gaugers - such larks!
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    O I think so. A sheltered cove, some tunnels and caves, perhaps a secret hiding place in a suitably gruesome Crypt or tomb, a smart little sailing cutter to outpace the Gaugers - such larks!
    This is turning into a delightful scenario!
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    "For I am a Pirate King!
    And it is, it is a glorious thing
    To be a Pirate King!
    For I am a Pirate King!
    You are!
    Hurrah for our Pirate King!"
  • Marvin the MartianMarvin the Martian Admin Emeritus
    I’m glad you’re all having fun. I guess it’s helping to hide the fact that apart from a few trivialities like the availability of marmalade in France, the answer to the thread title seems thus far to be “not very much at all, actually”.
  • DoublethinkDoublethink Shipmate
    edited April 2
    Basically the economic damage and cultural damage is masked by the Covid pandemic. It’s like trying to distinguish high tide in a tsunami.
  • You may think that a 41% reduction in exports and 26% reduction in imports to Great Britain to and from Europe as minor, but I'm not sure the small businesses no longer trading with Europe are so convinced, including whole sectors such as shellfish. I also suspect that in NI, where imports from Europe have dropped by 65%, are convinced the effects are minor - link to EuroNews
  • I’m glad you’re all having fun. I guess it’s helping to hide the fact that apart from a few trivialities like the availability of marmalade in France, the answer to the thread title seems thus far to be “not very much at all, actually”.

    Apart from all the things about not being able to drive, or being 'illegal, or the sueing by shellfish fishers, or the companies relocating to the mainland, or the huge delays in deliveries if you can get them delivered at all, the arbitrary tariffs...

    Sure. Nothing to see here.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    I suspect "not much at all, actually" isn't the view at one of my favoured cheesy comestible suppliers: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-56360131

    Repeated around the country, of course.
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    ..or the brewery (Wallsend?) that had to lay staff off in the pandemic, because 25% of its business was selling to Europe?

    We aren't going to see anything until the Covid disruption starts to subside.
  • PendragonPendragon Shipmate
    I wouldn't be surprised if someone tries to set up a British food wholesaler/distribution warehouse so that places like Hartington can send large consignments to Europe under one set of customs red tape and they then send it out to ex pats.
  • We'll notice it when the EU economy has recovered from the pandemic, and the UK economy is still stagnant which the government attributes to the pandemic years after the last case.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Useful for them really; prior to Covid it was all still Gordon Brown's fault and that was starting to wear as thin as an Aldi economy bin liner.
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    Hows about this? Up to £350 more cost per pallet, and four hours per lorry?
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-56606751
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    At least the problems are starting to be shown
  • Yes, and as more and more such problems come to light, the Great British Public might eventually come to realise that they've been sold a pup...
  • DafydDafyd Shipmate
    How much of these problems are being covered in the MESS though? (That's Mail, ExpresS, Sun)
  • AnselminaAnselmina Shipmate
    I’m glad you’re all having fun. I guess it’s helping to hide the fact that apart from a few trivialities like the availability of marmalade in France, the answer to the thread title seems thus far to be “not very much at all, actually”.

    Yes. God forbid people should make the best of a shit job. Unmitigated pessimism is clearly the only response permitted in Johnson's 'building back better' banana republic.

    Just to keep you happy, however, be reassured many, many people are very miserable, unhappy, losing tens of thousands of pounds, their livelihoods and customers etc as a result of Brexit being implemented without any proper planning or negotiations. One business owner commented that these were 'teething problems', probably to last for a few years to come yet, while 'things settled down'.

    The Scottish news throughout this week, eg, has been full of examples of businesses here where, having struggled to keep afloat during the pandemic, businesses usually trading with former EU clients, have either lost those clients; or watched their produce rot on the quay-side, having let those clients down. Special news reports have included whether or not such businesses should set up a business centre in the EU in order to continue trading viably! Oh, the irony! One employer reckoned it would be the only way to maintain the business, pointing out that of course, in order to do that, he would have to reduce jobs on the British side, to fund the jobs that would have to be created on the EU side, and that the same would apply to business taxes, tariff costs etc. Another employer said she simply couldn't afford to do that, and would just have to downsize. Another said he would try to develop new markets with less complex and expensive outlay than trading with the EU currently cost him, the rules having become so obscure and obstructive. Though he was hopeful that maybe in a few year's time 'things' might be more settled and EU trade for his type of company would become viable again.

    And - maybe you missed it - but Northern Ireland is a little exercised by Brexit's fallout. Safety, security, people's lives threatened? Apparently the Unionists feel hard done by because of the 'soft' custom's border that allows some of the NI trading with the Republic to continue - which is a kind of extra border on British ground. They appear to have forgotten already that they voted for Brexit. Again, oh the irony!

    So don't worry, Marvin. Many people are very unhappy - even afraid - by what Brexit has done and is doing to their lives. A few mocking comments on a debate forum having a larf isn't going to offset the misery any time soon!
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited April 2
    Ah well - lucky ol' Marvin, who is no doubt happily disporting himself on the Sunlit Uplands, accompanied by his newly-delivered Unicorn.
    :disappointed:

    Shame about the rest of us still living in the Real World...

  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    It's far more than marmalade. It's the notable absence of white fish on the market, and the fact that I will never get proper SAUSAGES again. Industrial Cheddar cheese can be sourced in Marks and Sparks, but farmhouse is virtually impossible to get hold of. I haven't looked for Stilton, but I suspect it's the same.

    I didn't answer @Bishops Finger earlier because the conversation had moved on, but it looks to me like a lot of fresh products are not making it over the Channel.

    Incidentally, I assume the smuggling operation requires a French operative on the receiving end? My rates are very reasonable. :naughty:
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    You two could be on to something there ... :mrgreen:
  • LydaLyda Shipmate
    Wow. Brexit might mean the return of an Old British occupation: Smuggling. Maybe it's an option for British fisher folk who have had their rug pulled out from under them.
  • Marvin the MartianMarvin the Martian Admin Emeritus
    Doc Tor wrote: »
    Apart from all the things about not being able to drive, or being 'illegal, or the sueing by shellfish fishers, or the companies relocating to the mainland, or the huge delays in deliveries if you can get them delivered at all, the arbitrary tariffs...

    Sure. Nothing to see here.

    This thread is about how it’s affecting us. Not whether it’s affecting anyone.

    I can still drive anywhere I want to, my legal status is unchanged, I’m not aware of being sued by shellfish fishers, my employer isn’t going anywhere, and thus far I haven’t had any problem getting things delivered. None of my friends or family are reporting significant issues either.
  • ThunderBunkThunderBunk Shipmate
    ....and yet we are still falling to pieces as a country, because we lack both the resources and the will to deal with matters ourselves (look at the collapse of proper recycling as an example) and the sense to allow others to come and do things for us.

    Small-minded bigots have small-minded bigoted the country into decay.
  • DoublethinkDoublethink Shipmate
    Doc Tor wrote: »
    Apart from all the things about not being able to drive, or being 'illegal, or the sueing by shellfish fishers, or the companies relocating to the mainland, or the huge delays in deliveries if you can get them delivered at all, the arbitrary tariffs...

    Sure. Nothing to see here.

    This thread is about how it’s affecting us. Not whether it’s affecting anyone.

    I can still drive anywhere I want to, my legal status is unchanged, I’m not aware of being sued by shellfish fishers, my employer isn’t going anywhere, and thus far I haven’t had any problem getting things delivered. None of my friends or family are reporting significant issues either.

    You can’t drive anywhere you want to at the moment, it’s mostly illegal to leave the country. Which is what I mean about stuff being masked by the pandemic.
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    I have had trouble with getting what I ordered. After nearly 2 month I am still missing one part. I know people who are worse. I work for a National Department Store group and we are finding stock difficult. As noted it’s a good pandemic to hide Brexit difficulties
  • North East QuineNorth East Quine Shipmate
    edited April 3
    Pendragon wrote: »
    And what you want is available: there is a shortage of senior cat food sachets which anecdotally appears to be fairly widespread. Last Tesco delivery they couldn't substitute something else, this time it wasn't even available to order, and I haven't found any in ASDA recently.

    @Pendragon you posted this on 3 Feb, and I agreed with you then. Has the situation improved with you since? I am still paying more for a restricted choice of cat food - Tesco and Sainsburys are currently out of both age 11+ and age 7+ so Elizabeth (age at least 12) is on the non-age-specific food, which has gone up in price.

    We've only got one cat, so the price increase (about £3 per week) is easily affordable, but our local food bank has put out an appeal for pet food for families who are struggling to feed their pet.


  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Don't tell the 1922 committee - they'll ask why they don't solve two problems at once by eating the cat.
  • ThunderBunkThunderBunk Shipmate
    KarlLB wrote: »
    Don't tell the 1922 committee - they'll ask why they don't solve two problems at once by eating the cat.

    Or feeding themselves to their pets limb by limb.
  • What's this? The POOR owning pets??

    Is Outrage!
  • DafydDafyd Shipmate
    edited April 3
    It's completely irresponsible to own a pet if you didn't know you'd be able to look after it should the government commit an act of national economic self-sabotage in the middle of mishandling a pandemic.
  • I would like a satirist or two to try phoning tory MPs on behalf of a right wing think tank and see how many they can get to shill for A Modest Proposal.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited April 3
    I thought the *us* in the thread title referred to anyone living in the countries affected (not just we Brits, but, as @la vie en rouge points out, inhabitants of other places).

    How silly of me not to realise that it's about *ME* personally, or about my family/friends/colleagues! There was I, thinking about all those poor business peeps, and their staff, along with the fisherfolk, and all the families adversely affected by loss of trade...

    They'll be OK, though - Boris and Global Britain will save them. Hail Boris! Hail the latest trade deal with Ruritania! Let the Poor now eat Ruritanian caviar - only £500 per tin!

    I still haven't received my Unicorn, though. I wonder if s/he's on the Big Boat Stuck?
  • No, no, Brexit has to affect us personally in order for us to complain about it. Feeling sympathy for the plight of others is just snowflake virtue signalling.
  • Doc Tor wrote: »
    No, no, Brexit has to affect us personally in order for us to complain about it. Feeling sympathy for the plight of others is just snowflake virtue signalling.

    Of course. Thank you for correcting and admonishing me.

    I shall now go and finish eating my turtle soup and venison (with a gold spoon)...the Ruritanian caviar is still on its way...

  • EirenistEirenist Shipmate
    There does seem to be a shortage of Amazing Global Opportunities in the shops, though. But no doubt this is due to those short-term teething problems we were warned to expect.
  • Fret not!

    If you have a van or a lorry, there is, I believe, a plan to transport nuclear waste from all over the world to England, in order to block up the Channel Tunnel, and help prevent those Horrid Brown People Not Like Us violating our Sovereign Soil.

    Now, there's an Amazing Global Opportunity, if you like! Think how pleased Priti Patel will be! Hail Priti!
  • PendragonPendragon Shipmate
    Pendragon wrote: »
    And what you want is available: there is a shortage of senior cat food sachets which anecdotally appears to be fairly widespread. Last Tesco delivery they couldn't substitute something else, this time it wasn't even available to order, and I haven't found any in ASDA recently.

    @Pendragon you posted this on 3 Feb, and I agreed with you then. Has the situation improved with you since? I am still paying more for a restricted choice of cat food - Tesco and Sainsburys are currently out of both age 11+ and age 7+ so Elizabeth (age at least 12) is on the non-age-specific food, which has gone up in price.

    We've only got one cat, so the price increase (about £3 per week) is easily affordable, but our local food bank has put out an appeal for pet food for families who are struggling to feed their pet.

    Still no better: we currently have the adult fish flavour stuff, but strictly three packets each per day.

  • Marvin the MartianMarvin the Martian Admin Emeritus
    You can’t drive anywhere you want to at the moment, it’s mostly illegal to leave the country.

    I don’t want to drive outside the UK (or, indeed, outside a relatively small part thereof). So what I said is true even though what you say is also true.
  • Doc Tor wrote: »
    Apart from all the things about not being able to drive, or being 'illegal, or the sueing by shellfish fishers, or the companies relocating to the mainland, or the huge delays in deliveries if you can get them delivered at all, the arbitrary tariffs...

    Sure. Nothing to see here.

    This thread is about how it’s affecting us.
    Of course, personally the impact of Brexit is very small. I'm at the point in my career where I'm unlikely to be changing job, and if I was to then I'd do so with a load of qualifications and experience such that gaining a relevant visa isn't going to be a problem. That's not true of my students, who have lost the opportunity to work anywhere in Europe and gain the experience needed to make getting a visa easier, it's not true of my children either who have lost the opportunities (should they want them) to study, live and work across Europe.

    I'm also well enough off that if I need to pay a bit more for my groceries and other goods and services it won't be a hardship. But, there are millions of people in this country for whom an increase in the prices of essential goods and services will be a massive problem.

    Even though the impact on me personally will be small, the impact of Brexit of us could be substantial. We're talking about how Brexit will affect us, not me, so the impact on all of us is perfectly valid, the impact across our whole society.
  • Living in Canada, the impact upon me personally is negligible. The impact upon my children and their friends has been enormous. My son lost his job because the family company he worked for had been set up precisely to do business across Europe. The hindrances already in place make their business model almost unsustainable. They have laid off most of their staff and only time will tell if they can remain in business.

    My daughter works for a company that does business around the world. Whilst the impact on her job has not been great so far, she has old school friends who moved to places like Berlin and Paris and have lived there for a number of years. They now have to decide whether to go through the time and cost of applying for permission to stay or give up their jobs and return "home" to where they may not be able to get work.
  • Re the cat food issue.

    All the major supermarkets are reporting that this is a Covid issue. They claim that there has been a huge increase in people getting "lockdown" pets hence extra demand for food without there having been an increase in production of pet food.

    However, Pendragon and I can't get hold of "senior" cat food.
    Unless the UK has started importing large numbers of elderly cats, there can't have been a lockdown increase in the number of senior cats. Kittens, yes. Seniors, no.
    I suppose it's possible that suppliers have switched from making senior food to kitten food.

    Also, the shortages have started post-Brexit, whereas the rise in pet ownership started a year ago.

    Does anyone know what's going on? I've read the major supermarkets' statements but something doesn't add up. An explanation such as " manufacturers have switched their focus to the kitten market" would do. Saying "huge increase in cat ownership" doesn't explain why senior cat food has become unobtainable.

    I'm looking at the fact that the problem has only occurred post-Brexit suspiciously.
  • It's also possible that some pet owners go to the store, see that the regular pet food has sold out and buy the senior versions instead, without realising that the formulation of these foods isn't ideal for their younger animals.

    A colleague here regularly sees similar switches in purchasing habits for other products, whenever the weather gets bad and deliveries to her local store get interrupted. Her daughter is lactose intolerant, and there's usually a good stock of soya, almond etc milk in the store - when there's warning of bad weather people buy extra milk to stock up ... and if the cows milk sells out then they'll buy the alternatives instead (often there are anecdotal stories of people not liking it and throwing it out, even if they subsequently use all their milk). It means she keeps trying to forecast the weather forecast to get stocks of what she needs before people start thinking of stock piling. Last year was particularly bad because that lack of supplies lasted so long - normally once the snow clears and the store gets a delivery people act reasonably, knowing that there'll be regular deliveries and they don't need to stockpile ... but last year that stockpile mentality lasted for several weeks.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited April 4
    I find it ironic to see that a poster who seems to play down the deleterious effect of Brexit on many businesses is also the one who, on other threads, has railed against the restrictions imposed by the fight against the pandemic, on account of him not being allowed to play cricket (or something).


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