Back to Brexshit...I see that at least Wales is taking back control of its rail services, wresting them from the dead hand of Johnny Foreigner aka SNCF (well, sort of):
Where public services belong, in public hands serving the interests of the public rather than run as cash generating devices for shareholders (irrespective of whether those are British shareholders or not).
Where public services belong, in public hands serving the interests of the public rather than run as cash generating devices for shareholders (irrespective of whether those are British shareholders or not).
That is not the way of the Conservative or even New Labour. Franchising out public services is part of their policies. If a Conservative government gets in that will happen.
I wonder if we shouldn't all move to whales, I hear the keep a whelk home in the eelside.
Tangent warning -- my great-grandfather was born in New York State, but his parents were from the Principality. The recorder of the 1860 census noted that they were from 'Whales'.
The Times' Brexit story today, apart from the EU headquarters being in a major Covid hot-spot, was that Boris Johnson, by saying the trade deal talks were over, in fact saved them from collapse, by giving Barnier the leverage to get more freedom to negotiate from the levers of the 27. An interesting bit of spin, perhaps, but perhaps based on gossip from the Berlaymont, so more reliable than No.10?
According to one story reported today, Our Prime Minister is going to decide between Deal or No-Deal depending on who wins the US Presidency. If that is true, it is a total abdication of responsibility, particularly as the result might conceivably not be known until the turn of the year.
Plus, making major policy decisions based on the results of an election on the other side of the Atlantic is an interesting definition of "taking back control".
'Number 10 says that, Deal or No Deal, British businesses should be poised to sieze the new opportunities that will be opened up. As always, no-one seems to have a clue what these wonderful new opportunities might be.
'Number 10 says that, Deal or No Deal, British businesses should be poised to sieze the new opportunities that will be opened up. As always, no-one seems to have a clue what these wonderful new opportunities might be.
Yes, there's a Government ad on TV at the moment showing industrious workers gravely reminding viewers that they have to prepare themselves for the beginning of the year because of Brexit. The feel of the ad is 'you've been warned, and you'll only have yourselves to blame if 1st of Jan comes and it's a disaster'. If I were a business owner being outreached to in this way I would be furious with the Government, and Johnson in particular.
The situation, literally, is no-one has an everloving monkey's what's going to be expected of businesses come the day, but the Government are setting it up to blame industry for when it fails. In good Christian mode, I pray for those in authority, naturally. But in earthly mortal mode, I'm disgusted by Johnson's Brexit shambles. I truly feel the UK has been betrayed in the most shameful manner by its leadership. And if, in due course, any good comes out of this, in the aggregate, it will not be because Johnson and cronies did anything significantly right.
I led the Prayers of the Fretful today, and besought God to 'Give us leaders of wisdom, integrity, and compassion', on the basis that *England* does not possess such beings at this time...
Yes, there's a Government ad on TV at the moment showing industrious workers gravely reminding viewers that they have to prepare themselves for the beginning of the year because of Brexit.
From all I know of the proceedings, I agree with @Anselmina on this. It's disingenuousness turned up to 11.
Yes, there's a Government ad on TV at the moment showing industrious workers gravely reminding viewers that they have to prepare themselves for the beginning of the year because of Brexit.
When I saw that I almost shouted at the TV, "First you need to decide what you're asking people to prepare for!".
I'm not sure if this is the right place to raise the subject, but I read that one of the options our leaders are pursuing is the possibility of joining the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership as a means of getting access to the US market. Can they be serious, in the face of the facts of geopraphy? Can anyone explain how the UK could possibly be entitled to join? Pitcairn Island, which I believe is still our responsibility?
I'm not sure if this is the right place to raise the subject, but I read that one of the options our leaders are pursuing is the possibility of joining the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership as a means of getting access to the US market. Can they be serious, in the face of the facts of geopraphy? Can anyone explain how the UK could possibly be entitled to join? Pitcairn Island, which I believe is still our responsibility?
I thought New Zealand had been landed with that particular wretched hive of scum and villainy?
Not quite - it's still (part of) the British Empire, with a population of 43.
(The British High Commissioner in NZ is the Governor, but the islands have their own local council. Wkipedia says it's the world's smallest democracy, which rather begs the question as to where the smallest totalitarian state is...).
Not quite - it's still (part of) the British Empire, with a population of 43.
(The British High Commissioner in NZ is the Governor, but the islands have their own local council. Wkipedia says it's the world's smallest democracy, which rather begs the question as to where the smallest totalitarian state is...).
Ah, thank you. I think I was misled by New Zealand supplying judges for the abuse trials a while ago.
But if they (UK gov*) want us to join a multi-nation trading bloc, why not the one on our doorstep where our rules are already aligned and borders, relationships and multiple agencies and agreements are already set up?
But if they (UK gov*) want us to join a multi-nation trading bloc, why not the one on our doorstep where our rules are already aligned and borders, relationships and multiple agencies and agreements are already set up?
Because the ones near us don’t speak English, so are clearly inferior.
Only half sarcastic, other half weary resignation to the fact that that’s probably the real thought process behind it for at least some people.
Only half sarcastic, other half weary resignation to the fact that that’s probably the real thought process behind it for at least some people.
Doubtless there's some of that. There's probably some that quite liked the multi-nation trading bloc when that's what it was, but don't like its spreading tentacles. But they want the world to go back to 1980 or so, so not only do they want the EEC, but they want everyone else to have the EEC as well.
Though the EEC was never just a trading-bloc. Yes it was, with all the common standards and regulations that entails. But, it was also a political movement, with aims beyond just trading (indeed, in many ways the trading-bloc was a means to an end rather than the purpose itself) - like ensuring that the European continent would never again descend to warring. The pro-Leave campaigners painted a fiction that the UK joined a trading bloc, and that the EU had changed from that.
Though the EEC was never just a trading-bloc. Yes it was, with all the common standards and regulations that entails. But, it was also a political movement, with aims beyond just trading (indeed, in many ways the trading-bloc was a means to an end rather than the purpose itself) - like ensuring that the European continent would never again descend to warring. The pro-Leave campaigners painted a fiction that the UK joined a trading bloc, and that the EU had changed from that.
When the UK joined and for some time after, it was the EEC, not the EU. The EEC was a preliminary step to the closer union which emerged.
When the UK joined and for some time after, it was the EEC, not the EU. The EEC was a preliminary step to the closer union which emerged.
Alan refers to the fact that the founding documents of the EEC contained signposts and intentions that pointed at "closer union" being the endgame. The language "ever closer union" is right there in the preamble of the Treaty of Rome.
The particular institutions evolved slightly, and changed name. But, fundamentally the EEC was a political organisation that used trade as part of the process towards political union, and the EU is the same seeking the same end.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to raise the subject, but I read that one of the options our leaders are pursuing is the possibility of joining the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership as a means of getting access to the US market. Can they be serious, in the face of the facts of geopraphy? Can anyone explain how the UK could possibly be entitled to join? Pitcairn Island, which I believe is still our responsibility?
Can anyone explain why they think they’ll gain access to the US market when the US isn’t in the TPP?
When the UK joined and for some time after, it was the EEC, not the EU. The EEC was a preliminary step to the closer union which emerged.
Alan refers to the fact that the founding documents of the EEC contained signposts and intentions that pointed at "closer union" being the endgame. The language "ever closer union" is right there in the preamble of the Treaty of Rome.
Hence my comment about its being a preliminary step.
Comments
Back to Brexshit...I see that at least Wales is taking back control of its rail services, wresting them from the dead hand of Johnny Foreigner aka SNCF (well, sort of):
https://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54635421
Well done, Wales. *England*, please note...
That is not the way of the Conservative or even New Labour. Franchising out public services is part of their policies. If a Conservative government gets in that will happen.
(Which, being interpreted, is a cross between a chuckle and a groan!).
A worthy addition to the Jokes thread up in Heaven, though...
Seriously, is Nicola Sturgeon doing a better job than Matt Haddock?
Tangent warning -- my great-grandfather was born in New York State, but his parents were from the Principality. The recorder of the 1860 census noted that they were from 'Whales'.
Sorry as of last night you are not allowed in. Marky Mark says so.
I promise to stop now - this nonsense has lifted my spirits perchance to bream ....
I guess any deal will be different with Biden then Trump.
Yes, there's a Government ad on TV at the moment showing industrious workers gravely reminding viewers that they have to prepare themselves for the beginning of the year because of Brexit. The feel of the ad is 'you've been warned, and you'll only have yourselves to blame if 1st of Jan comes and it's a disaster'. If I were a business owner being outreached to in this way I would be furious with the Government, and Johnson in particular.
The situation, literally, is no-one has an everloving monkey's what's going to be expected of businesses come the day, but the Government are setting it up to blame industry for when it fails. In good Christian mode, I pray for those in authority, naturally. But in earthly mortal mode, I'm disgusted by Johnson's Brexit shambles. I truly feel the UK has been betrayed in the most shameful manner by its leadership. And if, in due course, any good comes out of this, in the aggregate, it will not be because Johnson and cronies did anything significantly right.
I just hope that prayer is efficacious.
Unicorns! And Sunny Uplands!!
I thought New Zealand had been landed with that particular wretched hive of scum and villainy?
(The British High Commissioner in NZ is the Governor, but the islands have their own local council. Wkipedia says it's the world's smallest democracy, which rather begs the question as to where the smallest totalitarian state is...).
Ah, thank you. I think I was misled by New Zealand supplying judges for the abuse trials a while ago.
The world's latest embryonic totalitarian state is, of course, *England*.
*arseholes, arrogant, stupid tossers
Because the ones near us don’t speak English, so are clearly inferior.
Only half sarcastic, other half weary resignation to the fact that that’s probably the real thought process behind it for at least some people.
Doubtless there's some of that. There's probably some that quite liked the multi-nation trading bloc when that's what it was, but don't like its spreading tentacles. But they want the world to go back to 1980 or so, so not only do they want the EEC, but they want everyone else to have the EEC as well.
When the UK joined and for some time after, it was the EEC, not the EU. The EEC was a preliminary step to the closer union which emerged.
Alan refers to the fact that the founding documents of the EEC contained signposts and intentions that pointed at "closer union" being the endgame. The language "ever closer union" is right there in the preamble of the Treaty of Rome.
Hence my comment about its being a preliminary step.