Read this post from Twitter this morning and weep...
Any serious examination of our Brexit trade negotiations suggest the UK is playing silly b&ggers and was never sincere about a deal and we’re going through the motions to pretend we tried. The headbangers have won. So now it’s for them to explain what comes next.
Joining CPTPP is neither here nor there. We already enjoy "free trade" with 7 of the 11 and the rest are minnows. A US deal won't be comprehensive by contrast with the SM and it's difficult to see how it gets through Congress in this climate.
If you've been paying attention you now know that our customs systems aren't ready and driver accompanied loads need a permit to even approach the ports. No deal very much buggers our EU trade and adds unsustainable customs and red tape overheads.
We're not adopting any of the EU product regulations but in order for us to function at all we'll have to unilaterally recognise them meaning EU goods have no problem getting in but UK goods have a problem getting out.
Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing especially wrong with making ideological political choices, and we've chosen total severance from the EU in every respect, but at this point it's a basic courtesy to let the rest of us know what the plan B is.
You've been able to grunt about "WTO rules" for the last five years, which got you this far, but come January, the fantasy is tested by reality - and with a dysfunctional customs administration, completely unprepared for the task, it'd be helpful if we could have some answers.
It's kind of important now since the Chancellor Sunak appears to be throwing money around like candy. Superficially appealing though it may sound, it's kinda contingent on the UK being able to pay for it by way of making and exporting stuff.
One could very easily conclude that the Tories simply haven't the first idea what they're doing, and haven't even begun to understand the dynamics or the complexity of trade. I've been watching closely for any sign of intelligent life but the trade minister is Liz Truss.
It is perhaps impertinent of me, but might I suggest we leave the Americans to get on with their little mid life crisis and have a debate about this instead since we have less than six months before the **** hits the fan?
You may think it was written by a Guardian commentator or a pro-Remain campaigner but no, it was written by one of the leading campaign group for Brexit, The Leave Alliance.
The penny has finally dropped for even them.
