Brexit: The European Research Group’s Legal Advisory Committee – Opinion on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (29.12.2020)

Brexit: So long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, Douglas Adams didn’t write this piece. Neither was this hitch-hiking in a galaxy far-far away with a towel. However, it has been a long journey from the referendum to re-issued elections. Changes of Prime Minister’s and a whole lot of organizational mess. So many sackings and letters of resignations. The whole Brexit will go down as a hectic blunder and mess.

The Tories and Boris Johnson can claim victory yesterday. The Prime Minister got too. Because this is all he has. Not like the man has a superb result or anything. The disputed withdrawal agreement of the past versus this one will be icky subject no matter what. The Brexiteers got their will, but maybe not considering the costs. The bills and the extra payments on everything will be billed to the ones who voted this thing. The businesses and the enterprises trading will forfeit that burden on the consumer i.e. the citizens.

The wealthy will not feel so touched by this. The global funds and banks have already moved. Even the ones owned by Tory officials and Tory MPs. These have moved the HQ to Dublin or Frankfurt way before the deal was settled yesterday. They wouldn’t risk losing profits or having EU Single Market to trade in.

The UK are still part of the market with a shoddy trade deal. They have lost all the perks of being a member state. The UK is a Third Country and will be that from now on. Not having benefits or having access as before. There will be more red-tape, more customs issues and standards to figure out.

The UK will really be hit, as the European Commission stated yesterday even with their agreement: “Even with the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in place, there will be big changes on 1 January 2021. On that date, the UK will leave the EU Single Market and Customs Union, as well as all EU policies and international agreements. The free movement of persons, goods, services and capital between the UK and the EU will end. The EU and the UK will form two separate markets; two distinct regulatory and legal spaces. This will create barriers to trade in goods and services and to cross-border mobility and exchanges that do not exist today – in both directions” (European Commission, 24.12.2020).

So, the oven-baked deal and ready set cooking offering of the Tories was never there. Still, to this day there will be an aftermath and effects, which both parties wasn’t prepared for. The promises and pledges of an easy transition was a lie. If it was that easy. It wouldn’t have costed the UK so much already.

Boris celebrating yesterday is because he has too. The publicity stunt of a victory have to look like that. The political gambit of the whole enterprise lives on it. Not like the Brexit will deliver anything substantial in the end. Only more costs and more problems for all. These changes will cause logistical problems, bottle-necks and lorries awaiting their turn in Kent. That is just how things are going and not for the better. Not like Boris is out there ensuring the care or paperwork is prepared for all exports or imports to the UK. No, his enjoy the spoils of his previous victory in Downing Street No. 10.

And you know the UK want to be alone, when the European Commission stated this as well: “Foreign policy, external security and defence cooperation is not covered by the Agreement as the UK did not want to negotiate this matter. As of 1 January 2021, there will therefore be no framework in place between the UK and the EU to develop and coordinate joint responses to foreign policy challenges, for instance the imposition of sanctions on third country nationals or economies” (European Commission, 24.12.2020).

The UK want to do everything on their own as a sovereign. Why bother have alliances or agreements that can be beneficial for all the neighbours and European nations in the first place? When you can solve everything and all threats alone. That is what the Tories are working for and doing. They clearly thinks Whitehall, Downing Street and City of London can cruise on its own without help. That says a lot. They didn’t even want to negotiate or talk about it. As it could be of mutual interests to be partners and co-operate on international security and intelligence. However, the MI-6, MI-5 and Scotland Yard is clearly more operative than the 27 Member States combined.

This shows how some principals are bonkers. The ideal of sovereign is self-destructive. At one point the UK will call for their friends in Europe and seek for co-operation on these matters. Now it seems like a time to cease. However, when the buck stops and they need friends. They will call Brussels and Paris for help. Now it seems like bad timing as they are leaving the EU. However, these sorts of things only make the UK fragile and less measures to secure itself. The needs for cooperation on these matters are vital for all. Therefore, very striking that they wouldn’t even consider it.

Prime Minister Johnson lives on his own hubris. That is shown again. Boris the Blade is back-at-it. A red herring and NHS to the rescue. The UK should expect more austerity and lack of financial growth for the foreseeable future. An self-inflicted recession on top of nationalism, which only will back-fire. Because, the poorest will be further hit and have even less options. While the rich finds new ways to trick the system. That is just the way of the Tories. Peace.

European Commission: Press Release – Relations with the UK: Commission proposes targeted contingency measures to prepare for possible “no-deal” scenario (10.12.2020)

Brexit: A place where nobody is winning

Holy mother of God what a mess it has been. Ever since the champagne at the beginning. The empty shallow promises and the ones sneering at the ones who dared to question the nay-sayers. Hell, there been some battles, some people resigning and three Prime Ministers. Also a whole dozens of changes to the cabinet from time to time.

Brexit, the gift that continues to give or the curse that continuing cursing. Well, this isn’t over yet. Even though it is close. No matter what happens. Everyone is losing. The United Kingdom has already lost leverage and lost markets. Companies have already fled, some on paper and others shifting production. While the same companies will re-sell their products on a later date in the United Kingdom.

The exporters and importers from the UK will have new hurdles, procedures and possible costs for every transaction and every product shipped. The UK will meet new requirements and be a “third country”. That will benefit a very chosen few, but the rest will get more expensive products. Also, extend the length and time at customs. The free-flow of goods and people will stop. Not be like its today. Therefore, the oven-baked deal isn’t that baked and ready for supper.

United Kingdom is not only hurting remainers, but Brexiteers alike. They are all hurt. These folks will struggle with the ideals of a United Ireland. Northern Ireland will be in a limbo. Gibraltar will get closer to Spain. Scotland want another referendum to be free from United Kingdom. So the Scots can rejoin EU. There is a whole bag of trouble.

Not to mention the Welsh industry and exports will be hit too. Not only hurt the financial sector in London. They have already felt the pain of funds, banks and others shifting to Dublin and elsewhere in the years after the referendum.

Therefore, the UK has lost before they even entered the finish-line. Auto-mobile industry with Honda and others have already cried out loud, but to no a-wail. The same has the steel industry with Tata in Wales. No, the HM Government is to proud to listen to the ones that actually employees people. Rather give a win to the radical right and the Brexiteers. Than actually help the ones who can feed you. The industrial juggernauts who has capacity and ability to read the room.

Boris Johnson rather risk it all for a cheap trick. A “No-Deal” will only sound smooth to a chosen few. To the ones who are staunch critics of Brussels. However, a no deal will hurt the bottom-line and make it a longer process for a Free-Trade Agreement with the EU. The biggest market of goods for the UK. This is why it’s foolish to risk it, but London clearly have more flex than brains of late. Just like Geordie Shore participants. A lot of tan, but not a lot wise-guys. Only the smug pricks whose arrogance cannot stomach an ordinary pay-check or live-hand-to-mouth.

This PM and Cabinet should live a few months on Benefit Street and seen the hardships for the ones falling behind and not participating in the growth for the elites. Then they might seen other policies and not just cutting back on the state. As they are preparing assaulting the state even more, by forcing a reckless falling out and not reaching a deal. Just to prove their balls to the public.

That is what the Tories are up too and in the mix of it. Just blame the EU and Brussels for making to hard of a bargain. That they couldn’t swallow it or feel they lost to much. Still, they are willing to loose even more. Just to suck it up for their pride as they are leaving the Union. Hoping the Union of UK isn’t being hit at the same time… well… it is … we just don’t know when that will start and the new fragmentation will go on.

Just like when you open one door into the unknown. You never know what is on the other side. It might be paradise or the living hell. It might be opportunities or challenges. Whatever the Brexit opened. It wasn’t better governance or betterment of the UK. No it was self-destruction mode. Piece by piece. Peace.

Opinion: Brexit was doomed to fail…

Since the vote on the referendum on the 23rd June 2016, which issued the Brexit. The start of the end of membership status of United Kingdom within the European Union. The UK leaving Europe and becoming a third-party state or a non-member state of the EU.

The dream of many conservatives, even more radical right members of society. Who fought for sovereign state and being less connected to the rest of Europe. Not answering some random bureaucrat in Brussels and the regulations put the UK from the various of entities within the EU.

The UK was supposed to be freed from this and have their own liberty back. However, the lofty dreams has backfired. The realities of the modern world is hitting the fan. It was a reason why David Cameron dipped out and went into the backbenches. Since, he knew inside his heart. That this was a failed enterprise.

Theresa May took over and she eloped a government filled with hard-liners or Brexiteers who served the cause of leaving the EU. However, they didn’t do much or anticipate what was happening. They we’re promising to leave on own terms, that it would rain-money and everything would work without any real consequences.

Nevertheless, that was never true. It was a nice story. Prime Minister Theresa May gave up the cause and being the leader. Left the mantle for Boris Johnson. Another Tory and Brexiteer. A man who easily lies and promised a oven ready deal. While we now close to only a month left to final cession of arrangements. The deal is still not signed and with the official seals.

Brexit has been a mess, the Tories have stifled their own work. They have worked on dreams, but delivering nightmares. They said the Remainers was scaremongering in 2016. However, their warnings and speculated effects are coming into fruition. The industries, City of London and exporters are dipping, closing or has already left. They anticipate the hardships of transferring funds, exporting and other issues that will come with the new reality.

The UK will suffer because of this. The devolution of government in combination of leaving the EU will also hurt London more. As the Scottish and Northern Irish might see more reasons to leave the UK and join the EU. They rather be directly in the EU Common Market, than just being internally in the UK. The Northern Irish after getting into the hectic mess of being in a limbo, because of their placement in the UK and their relations with Dublin. Might give an edge for total unification of Ireland. So, the UK might loose two territories quickly and God knows what happens to Gibraltar. They might hold a referendum and join Spain.

Boris Johnson has shown so much flexing and arrogance. Nevertheless, that is not enough to carry the recession, coronavirus crisis and Brexit. He has three hurdles in the midst of hands. His failure to secure and ensure the Brexit. Is already straining the trust in the UK and the economy itself. It is a reason why companies has left already. Because they could not anticipate what last minute resolves might be. They are in it for profit and cannot risk losing that over a political gambit from Whitehall and Downing Street No. 10.

The Brexit was bound to fail from the jump. They came in on a wrong premise. It was supposed to be easy and without costs. It was supposed to be a quick fix and have no serious ramifications. However, it will and the UK will still have to play along to the EU. While they are outsiders looking in. They are losing the advantage of being a member, but still have to play to get the pay. It is like the UK didn’t know what they was apart of and only could the perks after leaving.

That is naive and shows how these Conservatives played with people’s mind and not being honest about what it would entail to leave. They said they had them covered and it would be fixed by just clicking their fingertips. However, it was never that easy. That is why so many ministers have come and gone. That is why the prolonged agony of the negotiations are still lasting to this day. The UK still think they can bushwhack a good deal. However, the EU has already set the bar and they cannot push that. Even if the Tories believe they have enough leverage. That bargain is very over. As the UK have lost before they even started. As they come with a fake premise and you cannot win anything on a bluff, except in poker… but not with Brexit. Peace.

Brexit: Prime Minister Boris Johnson letter to the MPs (16.10.2020)

Brexit: Boris thinks bullying Brussels gives him the result he wants…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has signed a revised Withdrawal Agreement (WA) and has a deadline of 31st December 2020 to end the transition period between the European Union and United Kingdom. That is all making sense.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier and the European Council have put out a statement on the 15th October 2020. Where they put forward the guidelines, yet again. While the Tories, David Frost and PM Johnson thinks they can move the goal-post in the final stages of the negotiations.

The UK are now asking for the trade agreements in line with Canada and Australia. This will not put forward the statutes, articles in the WA and the troubles of Internal Market Bill. The Tories are still playing the game of “what we want, we will get and forget old agreements”.

The funny thing about this. That the agreement made between UK and EU isn’t an old age agreement from a far forgotten past. No, it was made by the same government in negotiations with the EU. The European Council and EU 27 Member States has agreed upon this. Therefore, it is a significant deal, which settles the foundation of the relations between the two parties.

Alas, Boris wants to alter that now. Just mere 10 weeks ahead. While there are two more scheduled meetings and talks. The Prime Minister is putting forward talks of trenches and going to the barricades. As he knows his just playing for his base. The PM is doing this charade and mockery of a public display. He should know, that when you agreed upon certain things. It is a bit late to back-track just mere months ahead of deadline.

The Prime Minister Johnson is now trying to pull the pix-and-mix Brexit and the Red-White-Blue Brexit of Theresa May. This is 2020 and the Tories are still not sure what sort of Brexit it wants. It wants the best of both worlds. It wants to be a non-member, but also doesn’t want to honour the agreement it has already signed. That is showing what sort of disgusting leadership is in London.

London wants to bully Brussels. Brussels, the EU Commission and EU27 have been clear. There is no vindication for the Tories. It is just like a entitled brat wanting more candy, when the store is already closed a few hours ago. The parent have to give the kid a lesson and explain why its not possible.

The PM have to accept this and understand this. The only ones losing on this sort of public play. Is the British public and all citizens of UK. They are pawns by the leadership in Whitehall and Downing Street 10. Who are playing with their futures just to look good. While not making sure the best interests are made with the EU.

Instead, over Christmas an uncertain future is ahead, the UK is sailing alone and with possible “no-deal”. Which is affect all parts of society, most likely a higher inflation and hitting businesses in the midst of recession and a global pandemic. That is what the Tories are willing to do.

Just to look good on Prime Time TV and feed the Brexiteers in their homes. Who doesn’t see the damage it does, until it hits home. Peace.

Brexit: Statement by Michel Barnier following Round 9 of negotiations for a new partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom (02.10.2020)

Brexit: European Commission – Withdrawal Agreement: European Commission sends letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breach of its obligations (01.10.2020)

Brexit: Boris is giving the middle finger to Brussels

It is a reason why the European Union, the bureaucracy in Brussels shouldn’t trust London, Her Majesty’s Government and Whitehall. The 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson shows how devious he is this week. His using all terms and all ways to vilify the EU. Instead of looking into his own actions.

The EU didn’t force the Tories to sign and ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, an agreement the Tories in combination with the EU Negotiation Team made together. Which was revised between the Theresa May government, where Boris was the Foreign Secretary and his own term before passing it. This was supposed to be a “oven ready” deal.

The Tories, the ERG and all the Brexiteers has promised a simple and easy transition from being a member state to become “fully independent”. Alas, these folks have forgotten even though they are residing on a island. They are not living in a vacuum. These folks are acting like they can decide and that there is no implication from the other party. They are expecting the EU just to accept similar terms from a “third-country”. While the EU Members are supposed to swallow the bitter pill. That is how unserious and dumb the London regime is.

Boris is really acting a fool, when he late last year Accepted the WA, which was within boundaries, having safeguards and clauses to secure the integrity of the United Kingdom and the Good Friday Agreement, as the EU wouldn’t want to jeopardize the economy or the free movement from Ireland to Northern Ireland. That is just an simple argument at this point.

Still, the Tories is okay with doing something illegal, breaching international law and getting disrepute worldwide. They are willing to risk further trade-deals with all outside countries. Inflict even more damage, than what a no-deal would initially do and renegotiate after World Trade Organization standards. The UK really wanting to be a pariah state in Europe. Ensuring they are left behind and all on their own behalf. Becoming independent from the EU, but at a huge price.

Boris is playing with fire and won’t feel the consequences until the fire is put out. Then the investigations can say what has been damaged and estimates to rebuild. The UK are willing to risk all and also its reputation. There will be few who are willing to trust and even make arrangements. As they see months ahead of time. The UK might vilify and amplify own interests over the agreed upon agreement. That is how it seems now.

Yes, the UK could have been in another situation, if it never accepted the WA, but it did. They voted it in and ratified it. They negotiated the deal and the stipulated articles are written there after. Where it has safeguards and securities for both parties. This is known, but Boris wants to play out that its risking own “integrity” and “independence”. If it was so, why did you push it through Parliament and Prorogued it before voting it through?

Boris hasn’t really planned this. This will be a “victory” for the Brexiteers, but it will be a false one. It will feel like they won something to ditch the WA, but they are also a lost island. With every measure they will become alone. They are feeding the rest of Europe with disgust, because why should they trust London and the government there? When they can months apart, ditch agreed upon deal? Why should anyone trust Johnson and his cabinet?

The Tories are proving what they are capable of off. Using the Northern Ireland for their own games, instead of serving the needs of Belfast. They are willing to risk all for a quick and brief victory. Since, the cost afterwards will be enormous. The Tories will never state that, but the price of doing it will be big. The damage is epic and it was self-destruction, all made with the intent of delivering a no-deal Brexit. A Hard Brexit, which wasn’t made for the general public, but for a self-serving elite. Peace.