The CBI figures for stockpiling (amoung others) are recorded in the chart below: I rather thought that they might affect GDP figures for the last quarter but, either they haven’t (which objectively is unlikely) or the figures will turn out to be actually even worse than provisionally quoted. Then, in case you hadn’t noticed, German… Read more
Category:
Brexit
About the decision, background and process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Back to the Backstop (Possibly the DUP are not sensible?)
Introduction It has been a fairly grim week Brexit-wise with the HoC again putting fantasy over reality. I have to admit to being so depressed by the whole saga I have found it difficult to put pen to paper. Fortunately three of my favourite commentators, Prof Chris Grey, Ian Dunt and Prof Simon-Wren Lewis have… Read more
Food – Project Fact
Some very worrying research has come from the University of Liverpool and Imperial College London, which suggests that the shortage of fresh food which would certainly be caused by the disruption engendered by any no deal Brexit and also, importantly, a free-trading agreement with the EU and even with third-party countries. All scenarios would necessitate… Read more
Six impossible things before breakfast
We now know that properly leaving the EU is incompatible with the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement (GFA). So we either renegotiate that or stay in the EU. In effect Britain could leave the EU when it has successfully reunited Ireland – but not before. The UK’s place in the world turns out to be… Read more
Three Reasons for Brexit?
I have heard only three arguments which carry some weight in going ahead with Brexit. All from private conversations but there are echoes elsewhere. The first was a senior criminal lawyer, who dealt in fraud cases such as motor accident claims. Deliberately causing crashes, by for example slamming on brakes without any notice, so that… Read more
Has an Avalanche of EU Legislation really been Imposed on the UK by Brussels?
One of the persistent arguments for Brexit is that we are being dictated to by Brussels against our will. There is an endless stream of laws and regulations being showered upon the country – or so this particular argument goes. There are numerous estimates as to the percentage of laws dictated to by Brussels, ranging… Read more
Why should I invest in your country?
This is a question that government money creation (aka MMT) has to take on board if you are a net deficit country (without using US reserve currency!) such as the UK. When we import about 40-60% of our food – indeed, the last figure is more relevant in the hungry gap period of April and… Read more
Freedom of Movement – Cultural Attitudes and comparison with Ireland
Introduction UK politics has been for many years split on a Left/Right – Labour/Tory axis, but over Brexit this is breaking down. Prof. Richard Murphy gives a succinct definition that difference between Left and Right is how widely ‘us’ is defined. Left wing people cast the definition of ‘us’ very widely; ideally incorporating the whole… Read more
Travelling hopefully is better than arriving
This French cartoon is too good not to share at a time of what is called the ‘Meaningful Vote’. The caption reads, SatNav style, ‘You have arrived at your destination’. Whoever remarked that it looked pretty similar to a few of the places the Prime Minister has given speeches has a point… Meanwhile I feel… Read more
Not another one? Why not use the numerical evidence to guide us?
I agree with Clement Atlee and Margaret Thatcher, referenda are “a device of dictators and demagogues”. The whole point of representative democracy is that we elect representatives to make decisions on our behalf. If we do not like their decisions, we can elect new representatives. Adding referenda into this mix creates conflicting mandates leading to… Read more