Forum Topic

EU taking legal action against the UK

EU takes new legal action against UK over post-Brexit deal changeshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61809459Posted under an hour ago on the BBC website under UK - nothing on the main news headlines.......Another interesting article to read which has quotes from statements made by JohnsonNorthern Ireland Protocol: What did Boris Johnson say?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/58001530Posted yesterday also under UK news only.....

Ivonne Holliday ● 1329d18 Comments

Very interesting Michael.

Andy Pike ● 1328d

Mmm. But perhaps he should have reverted to ancient Greek for Johnson's benefit?https://grammarist.com/idiom/call-a-spade-a-spade/#:~:text=The%20term%20to%20call%20a,which%20time%20he%20interpreted%20the

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

When the EU negotiator said let's call a spade a spade was he saying let's call a shovel a shovel ? Just as well a British politician never said those words, would surely have been a very different interpretation.

Andy Pike ● 1328d

Dunno. I suspect a Scexit from the UK would make the Brexit withdrawal agreement look a simple exercise ...

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

"I suspect it is just what Putin was hoping for ... UK, US, EU at loggerheads and the UK falling apart?"Yebbut, if Scotland were to manage to depart and de-nuclearize, would/should we follow Putin's current playbook?

David Ainsworth ● 1328d

Perhaps it's too late. If Scotland would prefer to be in the EU and  circa  50+% of people in NI are in favour of the protocol breaking it might have unpredictable consequences,  aside from any legal sanctions from the EU, or adverse reactions from the US and others. I suspect it is just what Putin was hoping for ... UK, US, EU at loggerheads and the UK falling apart? 

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

Just have a referendum in NI.

Matt Palmer ● 1328d

The unity of the UK is potentially at stake here - departure from the EU must not become the vehicle for the break up of the UK and if it means the NI Protocol has to be broken to ensure unity remains then so be it.Both John Major and Tony Blair clearly stated prior the Brexit vote the future of the UK was also on the ballot paper, and they were both right.

Clifford Cowell ● 1328d

That's precisely my point Sue. They have the advantage of unrestricted trade that Brexit removed from the rest of the country. And they are the only part of the country that isnt suffering as a result.

Matt Palmer ● 1328d

Just think, so would the rest of the UK if it were still in the single market …

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

Not surprised Matt as NI have virtually unrestricted trade with the current set up.

Sue Hammond ● 1328d

Yes, that's the concern. Particularly if Rees Mogg goes ahead and removes legislation that maintains product standards. It's interesting that one area that could benefit from Brexit - expediting improved animal welfare - seems to be one that this government has been slow to take advantage of?

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

Odd isnt it that the only part of the UK to remain in the single market is the only part actually enjoying any economic growth.

Matt Palmer ● 1328d

"I've heard news reports that NI businesses are benefiting from being both in the UK and EU single market."Well yes of course they are because presently they have the best of both worlds. The EU are complaining that unregulated goods, particularly food, could enter the bloc by the back door i.e. exploiting the situation.  Particularly handy for smuggling I would imagine.

Sue Hammond ● 1328d

Interesting, it apppears that a marginal majority of people in NI are now in favour of the protocol. https://ukandeu.ac.uk/attitudes-to-the-northern-ireland-protocol/I've heard news reports that NI businesses are benefiting from being both in the UK and EU single market. 

Michael Ixer ● 1328d

The protocol isn't working properly so it needs tweaking. Pragmatism in action.

Sue Hammond ● 1328d

Really?  I thought this came about because of our government's unilateral decision to break parts of the NI Protocol....  I wonder.....

Ivonne Holliday ● 1328d

The EU are always threatening something or other. 🥱

Sue Hammond ● 1329d