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.
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!
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!
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”.
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...
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
....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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Comments
Ah well, now that's an idea for an excuse - or a defence, when up before the Judge...
Fifteen men on the dead man's chest!
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of Rum!
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.
Well, you have a boat ...
It would bounce about like a rubber duck in a bathtub, which would do the crew brandy marmalade Marmite spies no good at all...
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!"
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.
Repeated around the country, of course.
We aren't going to see anything until the Covid disruption starts to subside.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-56606751
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!
Shame about the rest of us still living in the Real World...
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.
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.
Small-minded bigots have small-minded bigoted the country into decay.
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.
@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.
Or feeding themselves to their pets limb by limb.
Is Outrage!
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?
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...
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!
Still no better: we currently have the adult fish flavour stuff, but strictly three packets each per day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.