Brexit: The HGV driver shortage was warned about years ago…

“The driver shortage has resulted in a dependence on agency and particularly foreign drivers that goes beyond what is needed to cope with seasonal variations and is now necessary to sustain normal operation. The dependence on agency staff means that operators in the sector are probably not investing enough in their staff. We think this creates two risks that need to be managed. First, if the UK becomes relatively less attractive as a place for foreign drivers to work, as it may do as the consequences of Brexit play out, the shortage could become much more acute, possibly quite rapidly. Second, the longer-term sustainability of the UK’s road haulage sector could be undermined if there is not a steady stream of people through the sector gaining the skills and experience that they need to become transport managers and operators” (…) “Both the industry and Government have taken steps to address the shortage. None of these are on a scale likely to deliver the number of drivers needed. The road haulage sector, supported by the Government, needs to take further steps to:

meet any shortage and reduce dependence on foreign drivers (about 60,000 drivers);

meet any predicted growth in demand; and

deal with the demographic time-bomb (about 75,000 drivers by 2020)” (Parliament.uk – ‘Skills and workforce planning in the road haulage sector’ 27.07.2016).

Sometimes you wonder if the Tories and the Cabinet Secretaries are so forgetful. You can wonder, if they care about warnings and red signs. The Brexit referendum would clearly target the haulage industry. As it is dependent on European Union citizens with license and ability to drive heavy-goods driver (HGV).

The Tories have offered a three month visa parley to everyone they sent packing after the Brexit was issued. The European Union Haulage Unions have dismissed this offer. They are saying they can easily be used, but sent straight back without any consideration for work. Therefore, the EU HGV drivers will not return to save Christmas in the United Kingdom.

Yes, the government gave this “amnesty” or ability during the weekend. At the same time it has put in regulations that all vehicles and lorries who is going into EU from the UK has to take-off their stickers with GB and change that to UK. That is actually something they have done. Just like changing colour on the passport. It is symbolic changes, but not what industries need in these dire times.

The Tories and the Downing Street needs to focus on. They are not securing the livelihoods of the HGV drivers. Neither has it made efforts or done anything for the foreseeable future. They are instead trying to patch up the hurt without any real reform for the transport sector. Which is needed to cope with the lack of trained personnel, salaries or even long-term prospects to work in the haulage industry.

The UK needs the EU HGV drivers to be able to cope. That is why we are seeing again the possibility of the army to do logistics in the Kingdom. Since, the Tories haven’t secured or made it possible for others to cover needs, which is clearly there. The Tories cannot even come with sound judgement or policies, which will make it feasible for the grandstanding departure of previous drivers to return. These will not return when they are getting pennies on the pound and working in crappy conditions while staying in UK. It is not like Boris Johnson or any of his cadre will humiliate themselves in the same regard. No, they rather spend vacations in Caribbean and hope someone else fixes the problems they created.

The Tories haven’t secure the basics. That’s why the supermarkets lacks produce and commodities, why farmers lack’s personnel to pick and secure their produce to market and finally lack of drivers to deliver the needed things across the Kingdom. The Tories haven’t given incentives or prospects for anyone then themselves.

The lack of drivers isn’t only the fault of Brexit alone. It is a systemic fault of a incompetent government. Who is all about publicity, but not about proper policies. This is why it is happening. The fuel-shortage and the empty shelves in the supermarkets says it all. It is not the fault of the public, but the politicians that promised heaven. However, they haven’t delivered the golden gates, but instead showed a little piece of hell.

Kudos to the Tories for failing in such a manner. They will blame anyone else and even say it’s the public own faults for buying petrol. The Tories will go after the companies itself, than look into own misgivings. Because that’s what they do.

What is extra tragic here is that they knew this could be amplified and gotten worse by the efforts of Brexit. However, the state didn’t act upon or take in-consideration the needs of the haulage industry. Therefore, the Tories who was in power the whole time could have made things possible, but clearly they never did. Peace.

Opinion: Brexit was bound to fail [and the results are now coming in]

The referendum of withdrawal from the European Union (EU) of 2016 settled the score and made it possible for the Conservative Party (Tories) to launch their campaign and gain majority of the Parliament. In such a manner, that they have had two Prime Ministers and had a long hurdle to come to terms with the EU on how to leave.

After long negotiations and plenty of delay. The final “Brexit Day” was enforced on the 31^st January 2020. So, with the months that has gone and with the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement in combination with the talks between London and Brussels. There is no end to this and the effects of the matter is no obvious for everyone to see.

The ones that was Remainer and was on the side to stay in the Union is now vindicated. As it is more “red-tape” and the Brexit Agreement isn’t making things easier. There been conflict over fishing rights with France. Fish and Sea-Food have rotted in port, instead of being exported to the mainland Europe from Scotland. Imports has slowed down, hauliers stopping deliveries to the UK and foreign workers to many fields are lacking. With all of this in mind. It is not a success, but a brutal and self-inflicted suffering.

Brexit was bound fail. The utter total failure was anticipated by plenty and it’s now evident. The Brexiteers should also reflect on it. They should man-up and see the results as they are. The possible use of army to get food delivered across the Kingdom. That should say it all. As the importers are not getting their products in time and neither able to secure the delivery from the exports to Britain.

UK becoming a ‘Third County’ isn’t giving it vast freedoms. Yes, the UK could make trade-deals with Australia and Kenya. However, the major trading partners with the EU and near proximity is harden. Not like there been any good industrial news or set-up of factories. Neither, hasn’t there been news of exceptional growth.

The supply-chains have been like this for one simple reason. The UK is out of the Single-Market and there is added bureaucracy and checks on goods passing through the borders. There is need for more documents and hurdles before passing has hurt the Kingdom. That is easy reasons to see why supermarkets run out of goods. Restaurant-chains are running out of main products and cannot serve customers. Other type of goods are lacking too and if that is with the imports. How dire is the situation for the exporters?

We knew earlier in the year that the exports was hit hard. They we’re not able to send produce, sea-food and others on time. The companies was losing money and their assets was rotting in ports. With this knowledge, the same hardship is now hitting home. Not only that the British Sea-Shells and other sea-food isn’t served in Paris anymore. At least not at the scale or in such a manner, which it was in the past.

The ones pledging for this and had their way. Should stand astute and bravely say: “We were wrong and crippled our economy. We fought for freedom, but instead being left alone. Brexit was supposed to give us new profitable terms, but it hasn’t and we lost. That’s why we have to see, if we can negotiate or find new ways of getting into the Single-Market and the Customs Union. As we are now a third country with little to no say. We have to change this and we are sorry for promising the world and not even giving you chicken at Nando’s”. Peace.

Brexit: “Operation Yellowhammer” is in full effect with the Army drive for the supermarkets

Certainly, some should feel a bit vindicated these days. Especially the Remainers who campaigned for “Project Fear” which was so scrutinized and called a blame-game of a worse scenario. The last few weeks has really shown the consequences of the Brexit. A Brexit that the Conservative and Tories promised to be easy and without any real costs.

However, everyone in their right mind knows that a divorce on this scale would cost. The marriage had to end and the transactions after this would be made more difficult. The Tories haven’t made things smooth or better. The rules and regulations between the United Kingdom and European Union is hectic. Several of companies and hauliers have stopped trading with the UK. This is now costing and showing results in the supermarkets across the Kingdom. That is not shocking, but was inevitable.

The Project Yellowhammer and Worst Case Scenario of August 2019 is now playing out. Where there was talks and projected to have disruptions of food supplies and across the supply chain. That was described there and clearly it is evident now.

The recent news says it all:

“The Army has been put on standby to deliver supplies to supermarkets as Britain faces a shortage of 100,000 truck drivers. Around 2,000 personnel who are qualified HGV drivers are believed to be on a five-day notice to help distribute food and essentials including medicine. The Government is set to make a formal plea to the military for help ‘imminently’, with members of the Royal Logistics Corps and other regiments expected to be called upon by the end of September” (Siba Jackson – ‘Army ‘on standby’ to deliver food amid shortage of lorry drivers’ 08.08.2021, Metro.co.uk).

You know Brexit is a lose-lose enterprise when the businesses and the supermarkets needs the army to salvage the supply chain. The Tories and the government have failed the businesses and the consumers i.e. the citizens. They have told stories which wasn’t true.

All of the promises of a easy and simple transition is clearly out of the window. The reality is here now and the UK has to face it. The Tories got to find measures, means and possible way out of it. The soldiers and the ones who conscript to the army shouldn’t drive produce to Tesco or pick up lorries in Dover. That is just a failure if there ever was one.

This is just proving the pointers of the Remainers ahead of the referendum. The Brexiteers who promised so blatantly and wrongly that this would be a neat process. They should all take the mantle and configure this out. Since they are the ones who made it happen and ensure everyone that the basics are in order. Because, when the supermarkets and the convenient stores are running out of goods. You know you are in trouble.

There was plenty of folks who knew the Brexit and the new bureaucratic hurdles would cost, take time and stifle the logistics from Europe to the United Kingdom. The ones who has to import or export is paying the price. There has already been fish rotting in the ports and not getting through the system before they are expired. Therefore, the Brexit has destroyed businesses and ensured many are harder daily life.

The Tories especially, the wing of the Brexiteers has to take accountability. They need to fix this and not just settle with the army on standby. That is a show of weakness and that they totally failed. The Brexit isn’t a success, but a abomination of a government policy. It is a train-wreck and an insult to citizens. They sold a story of gold, but not everything that is shimmering is that. The Brexiteers sold fools-gold and a small majority believed it.

Now, everyone has to pay the price for it and surely nobody wants to hear it. Since it is visible and the HM Government haven’t got the qualified or the ability to figure this one out. The inept and corrupt government will not have the skills or the mindset to fix this. They will only make another circus and hope no-one see the real problems. Peace.

Opinion: Starmer got mountains to climb

Sir Keir Starmer became the leader to steady the ship after Jeremy Corbyn. Instead he has failed and continuing to tarnish the party. There are following the aftermath of the recent United Kingdom By-Election. Where several of strides went south.

Yes, Labour delivered in Wales, but that is thanks to the likes First Minister Mark Drakeford resilient leadership. Also the sinking ship of UKIP, which was the seats that Labour took in this one. Therefore, giving the party majority in Wales and in the Senedd.

However, Labour was only able to get some seats in Scotland because of the tactical voting of Unionists across the devolved nation. They got seats and was able to get some seats there. As they were able to gain, but the Scottish National Party (SNP) was the winner and with the Greens will control Holyrod.

Starmer isn’t the reason for the results here. It is other men and other reasons. Those results are not because he was wearing boxing gloves and tried to drink a pint. No, none of those publicity stunts helped the party a bit. His not showing what Labour could be, but instead its showing what it isn’t.

People said Labour was a weak and mediocre party under Corbyn. However, with him you didn’t have a megaphone and diet-Boris Johnson at the helm. Starmer is acting like a Red Tory and that cannot work. He is way over his league. Neither does he have the team to support him either. As he seemingly does the wrong thing. Instead of being a difference, showing the negligence and the problematic parts of the governing party. He is smiling to their indifference and not caring about the people falling out of favour with the Tories.

That is really amazing that Starmer is failing at this. He has experience and should know this game. Instead he looks like a novice and a nonchalant. Stramer isn’t unifying the party and neither getting support outside of the Labour base. Which is needed at this point. As the troubles ahead will be put on him. Especially, when he cannot swing voters away from the Tories. Something he should have capacity too and show that Labour is a viable party.

People went after Labour and Corbyn with any sort of fashion. However, Starmer isn’t a saving grace either. He is a more feasible candidate for a huger electorate, but his not showing the stamina or the force to be reckoned with. That for a man who has been in the public eye for so long and has a character before becoming the Labour leader. That’s depressing and disappointing.

What is striking that Corbyn lost 18 seats in the local elections in 2016 and it was an outcry. While Starmer in 2021 lost 326 seats in the local elections. That is not the seats who was gained in Senedd or sort of in Holyrod. That is different than in the counties and cities. So, the Labour party have lost the foothold and the levels of trust locally. Which is a big downfall for a general election when that comes.

If he couldn’t become more popular or create a message, which would resonate with the general public. He would have a chance, but at this point is lost at sea. The Labour leader should be stronger and viable. That was something Corbyn was and Starmer used fault-lines to bring him down. Now in the first try… Starmer has failed and facing a rebellion just around his office. Where he is targeting people around him. Instead of showing good leadership skills.

The ones calling him inept is maybe true. Starmer cannot handle pressure and promises made. His instead looking way above his league and personally more attached to the role than actually serving the party. That’s why his going after the ones in his inner-circle who aspire to his role.

While Starmer should focus on the losses, the reasons for that and why the ship is sinking. He should look and study the results. The reasons for the failure and not just spark rumours about other leaders within the party. That is just buying himself time and he should take pint.

Starmer needs to drink a bit for his sorrows. Because things only seems to get worse before they get better. Sturgeon and Drakeford is more respected and have the trust of the voters. Than Starmer can ever beg for. His the supposed leader of the opposition, but he doesn’t have the charisma or the finesse to carry it. If he doesn’t learn the ropes quick. The boat will not only continue to sink, but totally be a lost cause.

Labour party deserves better … Starmer needs to buckle-up and this failure is a stain that will last. Until he has succeeded and proven tat he can sell a political vision. At this point, I don’t see that at this stage. Unless, he revolutionize his presence, messaging and also his stances in Parliament. That got to change and he cannot be a diet-version of a Tory.

Starmer to be a non-sugar edition of the original one will not work.

Sir Keir Starmer got mountains to cross and he seems not to know what’s ahead of him on the horizon. Peace.

Brexit: 31st January 2020 is the final Brexit day for now

Well, this are not yet finished. There are dozens of problems ahead for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet. It is not like Tories have won or succeeded anything. The possible reactions or results of the end of membership with the European Union (EU) isn’t carved out yet. Hell, even the issues of trade, border patrol, fishing nor the Northern Ireland questions are finalized.

The celebration of a new penny on the 31^st January 2020 is a mockery, but also pointless. The Tories haven’t bagged it. They are not packing their briefcases and securing their tickets for the destination. Yes, the final Withdrawal Agreement was voted for and the next stage of Brexit is happening. However, the possible outcomes are from sealed. The ink isn’t even dry on the paperwork.

Who knows what the businesses will do, when the borders are shut and the hardships of trading across the Channel hits the fan. Who knows what will happen when the costs of banking and City of London comes across. It is not like the Tories can get it any harder. Not like they are getting the best deals and not getting issues from across the pond.

The PM will not address this and will rather deflect this. Surely, the industries and the ones whose exporting products will be hit the hardest. There are no certainty, the ones moving are already templating it or has already left. Several of businesses has moved to Ireland, France and Germany as a result of Brexit.

That is why, the projected downturns aren’t far fetched and the possible projections of the Withdrawal Agreement are bleak too. Not like this will not be a big natural hit on the consumer, the public and on the possible revenue of the state. However, the Tories will celebrate the end of Brexit. Loosing influence in Europe and become the “independent” island it is. Nevertheless, they still want to trade and be a partner, but not married to it. See how that will go and what cost that may bring.

This Brexit has been shambles from the Referendum until today. Not like Theresa May did it well. Neither has Boris Johnson. Boris is more superficial and conning, while May wobbled ahead. None of them is winning this. We just have to see if Boris will loose more. He won a mandate in Parliament, but if the wrecks the economy and beats the living hell out of the ones giving him a majority. He will surely be remembered for utter destruction on his own. Instead of finding good ways out of it.

He had nice times in his Jaguar. Nice time with screaming matches with his girlfriend. Mocking Corbyn in the PMQ. But what does that matter, when the public will be self-inflicted by dodgy deals and shoddy political work from the core group of people in Whitehall and Downing Street.

Who knows what this will entail, what sort of tariffs, regulations and the initial costs, who will be damaged, scorned by this deal and at what end has it?

I don’t have the answer, but by all reports, all studies with some barren I have come across. The negatives outshines the victories. Its like celebrating the French Fries, when you got a juicy burger sitting right there. By all means, the French Fries are a neatly cut potato with right amount of salt and oil. However, the burger is fresh breaded bun, with lettuce, ketchup and a barbecued patty. It should be easy choice.

So, on the 31^st January, the ones celebrating are the ignorant, the ones who doesn’t care about the consequences, but are enjoying a break with Europe. The ones in sorrow, are not necessarily in support of the EU, but the ones that wonder if they are losing the benefits or the trade-offs made by the Union. Which the UK are now loosing out off. They got to bargain and leverage itself with everyone as a single entity. They got to do the right and at the right price. However, that will take time and the UK doesn’t have that. Especially, if they plan to cover the lost base and the lost power within the EU.

So in a few days time. The next chapter of negotiations start. The UK will have to fight and battle, they are not through yet. It is now all damage control. We got to see, if the EU citizens in the UK will get rights to stay or if they have to leave. We got to see, if the Northern Ireland will be hurt by this. That we will only with time.

However, what we do know … is that the UK is self-inflicting harm. They are doing damage to itself and hurting itself. We just got to see how it will be and by what estimates. Peace.

Brexit: PM Boris Johnson letter to Nicola Sturgeon MSP (14.01.2020)

Opinion: United Kingdom, Boris is all yours…

For some today is a nightmare. Not only has Jeremy Corbyn and Labour lost. Not only have the Liberal Democrats lost too, but the Conservatives have won substantial in this election. They have gotten more mandate and more control. This is grand slam victory of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

That Boris couldn’t win during this year in Parliament doesn’t seem to sink in. The man who has lied about everything and has spewed hateful rhetoric for decades. Still, this man will lead the United Kingdom into the final stages of withdrawing from the European Union (EU). A man who will not take responsibility to show up transparently for interviews nor trying to make a decent figure on TV.

No, the British have fucked themselves and they enjoy it. They will ride this one out with a abysmal people, who only consider the wealthy, the elite and the top 10 richest. This government won’t be for the people, no this for the Eton, the Oxford and Cambridge Elite.

I could lie to you, but I’m not in the business of Boris. I don’t even have any stakes in this election. Only feel sorry for the pro-European and liberals in the UK. You British liberals, you are screwed and you will be that for the coming time. You have lost to a hatful and disgraceful human being, someone who only lies and deceive. Even with that, you still lost.

That says something about the majority of British people, what sort of thoughts they have for themselves. The Merry Poppins and they let Grinch steal Christmas. The Tories haven’t kept their promises before and will trade it all away for some “independence”. The ones getting crushed is the marginal voters, who voted them in. Not the elite that running the Tories. The British public is doing self-harm and content with it.

So, when in the future, when the public cry havoc. Cry their tears of the destruction of the welfare state, public benefits and whatnot. You gave it away to the Tories and the next generation has to fight back to get something they deserve. The public has screwed themselves and they did it willingly.

Now Boris is yours. Now the lies are all yours. Eat it and don’t complain. When you get screwed, over and over again. Know that you made it yourself. You made your bed and now you got to sleep in it.

I pity a fool, but that would be to much sincerety in the era of lies and deceptions winning elections. Peace.

Brexit: European Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK following its failure to name a candidate for EU Commissioner (14.11.2019)

Brexit: Alun Cairns MP resignation letter as Secretary of State for Wales to Prime Minister Boris Johnson (06.11.2019)

Brexit: Ed Vaizey MP resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson (05.11.2019)