The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in CH

[bowlie]

Evian is actually a lot closer than most of the Swiss bottled water producers. On a clear day I can (almost) see it from here.

[marton]

The impact of Brexit on the UK economy will be worse in the long run compared to the coronavirus pandemic, the chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility (UK Govt. dept.) has said.

Richard Hughes said leaving the EU would reduce the UK's potential GDP by about 4% in the long term.

He said forecasts showed the pandemic would reduce GDP "by a further 2%".

[Gil]

	Quote:	JackieH
	Unfortunately, this issue is getting worse by the day https://www.theguardian.com/environm...age-discharges https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne...orset-beaches/

on the flip side though, Ladybird are expecting an increase in sales

[marton]

This pre-Christmas pantomime continues;
UK Meat producers have started sending carcasses to the EU for butchering before re-importing them as they continue to combat a labour shortage.

Meat handled in this way cannot be labelled as British pork for UK sale.

Last month, the UK government agreed to issue 800 temporary visas for skilled overseas butchers to work in Britain for six months, it is not known if any visas have actually been issued yet.

The president of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said we are between 10,000 and 12,000 short of these types of workers, 800 doesn't go very far.

It is estimated that 10,000 pigs have recently been culled which means their meat is not available for human consumption.

[John William]

Adding to the Pantomime - this made me laugh as Morrisons apologies for it's 'non-EU salt & pepper on it's chicken label.

BBC News - Morrisons sorry for 'non-EU salt and pepper' on its British Chicken label

[BritS]

After today's parliamentary sleaze, it is harder and harder not to classify the UK as a banana republic.

[JackieH]

	Quote:	BritS
	After today's parliamentary sleaze, it is harder and harder not to classify the UK as a banana republic.

One of the most shameful days in British history for a very long time:

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...box=1635960844

[Reb77Br]

	Quote:	JackieH
	One of the most shameful days in British history for a very long time: https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...box=1635960844

As valid as Starmer's political points may be, it does smack of kicking a man when he's down, given that Paterson's wife committed suicide last year, to which Paterson apparently suggests the investigation into him may have contributed. Starmer doesn't mention her death in that article.

Owen Paterson says wife was 'everything to me' in full resignation statement

In full: Owen Paterson resignation statement

"I maintain that I am totally innocent of what I have been accused of and I acted at all times in the interests of public health and safety."

[Jim2007]

	Quote:	Reb77Br
	As valid as Starmer's political points may be, it does smack of kicking a man when he's down, given that Paterson's wife committed suicide last year, to which Paterson apparently suggests the investigation into him may have contributed. Starmer doesn't mention her death in that article. Owen Paterson says wife was 'everything to me' in full resignation statement In full: Owen Paterson resignation statement "I maintain that I am totally innocent of what I have been accused of and I acted at all times in the interests of public health and safety."

If Paterson's wife committed suicide because his behaviour then he owns that. Using it as a shield or excuse is unacceptable as is defending it.

[JackieH]

Unfortunately, it is more complicated than that. Mrs Paterson was very high up in the horse racing world, and linked to Dido Harding and others- and contracts awarded over past few years. Carrie, Johnson's wife, worked for Mr Paterson in the past too. Lots and lots of links there- so Mrs Paterson was not a 'by-stander' and the pressure on her was direct, not only via her husband.

''Mrs Paterson, the daughter of the fourth Viscount Ridley, was on the main board of stewards at the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National and other leading tracks, including Cheltenham.

She was appointed chairman of Aintree in 2014, having been a racecourse committee director there since 2005.''. It seems she was also instrumental in insisting Cheltenham races were not cancelled at the beginning of the Covid confinement.

He describes the situation well

https://fb.watch/952GXne1Ya/

[Necromancer]

The opposition, including the MSM are wasting their time trying to make a meal out of this Paterson matter because all it will do is open up dark corners in all the Westminster political parties like the expenses row did a few years ago. The MSM would do better to concentrate on why the silent majority do not want Johnson's looney eco, woke, socialist nonsense.

[Flakk]

	Quote:	Necromancer
	The MSM would do better to concentrate on why the silent majority do not want Johnson's looney eco, woke, socialist nonsense.

Confusing "the silent majority" with your personal prejudices, I see.

[NotAllThere]

	Quote:	Flakk
	Confusing "the silent majority" with your personal prejudices, I see.

Most people do. Their opinions are so obviously correct that most people must agree with them. One a sample of their friends they find this to be the case.

[TonyClifton]

	Quote:	Necromancer
	The opposition, including the MSM are wasting their time trying to make a meal out of this Paterson matter because all it will do is open up dark corners in all the Westminster political parties like the expenses row did a few years ago. The MSM would do better to concentrate on why the silent majority do not want Johnson's looney eco, woke, socialist nonsense.

Indeed, most people don't care what goes on in the Westminster bubble. Telling that the day the papers led with the Owen Patterson resignation, that on page 2 there was news of Claudia Webbe's conviction for threatening to throw acid in a woman's face. I think many people realise what many MPs are like, and these stories will be soon forgotten and end up as fish and chip paper.

[Flakk]

	Quote:	TonyClifton
	Indeed, most people don't care what goes on in the Westminster bubble.

Depends. The cumulative effect saw an end to the Major government.

[JackieH]

Indeed- opinions are turning, not only with the population at large, but with true One Nation Conservatives, who find it increasingly intolerable to serve under Johnson and the ERG aka Spartans.

Ex Chief Whip says it well here:

https://fb.watch/99_B2qS1Es/

and people are watching - even the Daily Mail and other tabloids are a-turning, big time. As people see raw sewage all around them, are being hit very hard in their pocket with rising energy and other prices, shortages in the shops, cancer treatment being rationed, disasters in care homes and massive shortages in the NHS, etc, etc- the 'ordinary wo/man' in the street IS noticing- and are increasingly realising they have been fooled by a nasty clown. Both BBC News, even Laura Kuensberg!, and ITV News condemned Johnson's behaviour on the Paterson debacle, about Tory MP's being whipped on the matter, about Johnson refusing to come and apologise to the House, and his Deputy, Jacob Rees-Mogg also refusing to do it for him as would be the norm... then yes, people are noticing!

[TonyClifton]

Speaking of stepping out of their bubble

[JackieH]

Meaning?

[John William]

	Quote:	JackieH
	Indeed- opinions are turning, not only with the population at large, but with true One Nation Conservatives, who find it increasingly intolerable to serve under Johnson and the ERG aka Spartans. Ex Chief Whip says it well here: https://fb.watch/99_B2qS1Es/ and people are watching - even the Daily Mail and other tabloids are a-turning, big time. As people see raw sewage all around them, are being hit very hard in their pocket with rising energy and other prices, shortages in the shops, cancer treatment being rationed, disasters in care homes and massive shortages in the NHS, etc, etc- the 'ordinary wo/man' in the street IS noticing- and are increasingly realising they have been fooled by a nasty clown. Both BBC News, even Laura Kuensberg!, and ITV News condemned Johnson's behaviour on the Paterson debacle, about Tory MP's being whipped on the matter, about Johnson refusing to come and apologise to the House, and his Deputy, Jacob Rees-Mogg also refusing to do it for him as would be the norm... then yes, people are noticing!

The trouble is there's not a single charismatic opposition leader worthy of the name making mincemeat of the Tory Government
over this or any other scandal or skeletons in the Tory cupboard.
Sir Keir Starmer looks as ineffective as Corbyn although this time at least Labour are sparred the presses newpapers portrayals
of Jeremy Corby in his Lenin hat.

Irish Times on Jeremy Corbyn's hat

[bowlie]

Anyone who wanted to get into UK politics would either be a crook or a fool. Or both!