Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Josquius]

Can't help but feel Britain is actually worse off after these changes.
Before being fucked slightly less than others actually gave the UK a bit of an advantage.

Probably not Or maybe a bit.

The new law helps but it's still a bit of a moveable feast (same in the US where this was an FTC focus - and still is a focus in California - and EU).

The real problem is that there's really not much case law at all in this area. So all we have to go on are the bare legislative texts, guidance (which can often conflict with other guidance from other regulators) and market practice. I've been in sessions with the CMA where they absolutely say they intend to be really active in this area so we might see some actual decisions that'll help give a bit more shape.

So my fear is that it'll become a bit like "data protection" where it's something that is positive, but the practical application is quite nuanced and requires some sophisticated (expensive) legal work - so instead it ends up being broad-brushed by people in a way that creates practical problems without actually improving the way people's data is being handled. I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with this being used as an excuse in the same "GDPR says no" way in a few years

We'll see, some people in the sector are pretty excited about it. A new front in the eternal war of UCD vs. Marketing.

The way GDPR has been handled could indeed be a warning- though more on the way many make it so much harder to reject cookies or outright stop access if you reject. I have definitely seen data handling improve since then.
But is "I agree to be shown misleading prices" really something one would fairly opt into?


In other news. This was fun. In which region does the government spend more per head on different areas. Out of context could give some very warped impressions but when you understand the story behind things (e.g. so much worse health and more military servicemen in the north) its curious.
https://ifs.org.uk/calculators/where-and-how-does-government-spend-its-money

[Sheilbh]

So the UK gets stuck with a 10% tariff by the US. Remember those ancient times when we had a Special Relationship?

Sorry for fucking up your economy in these difficult times.

Thanks. Although ultimately it's nothing to do with the "special relationship". We're one of the few countries in the world who have basically totally balanced trade with the US (I think both countries count it slightly differently and think the one has a surplus - but agree it's tiny). I think we're probably one of like three countries Trump thinks is "fair" towards the US on trade.

Also Trump seems to mainly care about goods and we're not that big a manufacturer. So comparatively the UK is minimally fucked:


Now if he messes with the bond markets and causes another financial crisis - we're screwed

We'll see, some people in the sector are pretty excited about it. A new front in the eternal war of UCD vs. Marketing.

The way GDPR has been handled could indeed be a warning- though more on the way many make it so much harder to reject cookies or outright stop access if you reject. I have definitely seen data handling improve since then.
But is "I agree to be shown misleading prices" really something one would fairly opt into?

Yeah - so I think this sort of demonstrates my issue. GDPR isn't about opt-in. There are a few limited things that absolutely require it, but generally it's a high bar to get consent, it's quite complicated and (as the regulator says) you should only rely on opt in if there are no other alternatives.

But to get to the right answer is not always straightforward. The regulator's produced really good, user-friendly guidance (and take a risk based, proportionate approach) but it's still interpretation of law which people are uncomfortable with. So instead you had a load of cowboy consultants giving really paint by numbers advice on how to "do GDPR". So it's become about opt in - and, as someone who agrees with its goals, even more frustratingly a "computer says no" excuse (and I do not think there is any more dangerous tool in the hands of the British people than an excuse to not do something).

I particularly remember this during covid when I was being told that things weren't possible because of GDPR despite being a lawyer literally advising on GDPR.

[Tamas]

I quickly guessed and was proven right that Simon Jenkins' bizarre title of using Syria to equate tariffs with sanctions was just a ruse to rally against sanctions on Russia and I was right. He quickly turns to wirte about sanctions on Russia in a manner that would perfectly fit into an Orbanist propaganda piece.

He must be financed by Russia, there is no other explanation.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/11/trump-tariffs-western-sanctions-syria-uk

[Sheilbh]

Sir Simon Jenkins, Britain's wrongest man.

He's kind of right on sanctions in general - there's an interesting book called The Economic Weapon on the role sanctions have increasingly played by Nicholas Mulder. 

Although I don't think he's calling for them to be lifted on Russia. This piece seems very much what you'd expect from a former Economist writer.

[mongers]

Good to see the government moving to save the last remnant of British Steel, worthwhile if for only the national security/defence implications.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Yeah, not having any blast furnaces in the country does not sit well with me.

[Josquius]

https://edconway.substack.com/p/the-strange-unsettling-story-of-british

Fascinating story about Scunthorpe Steel works.
Shady Chinese owner nobody knows anything about is potentially deliberately sabotaging it.

[Admiral Yi]

Although I don't think he's calling for them to be lifted on Russia.

Dude. 

[Duque de Bragança]

Good to see the government moving to save the last remnant of British Steel, worthwhile if for only the national security/defence implications.

Time to bring back the Priest I guess:



  

[Richard Hakluyt]

Very exciting parliamentary action on the British Steel plant (Chinese owned) at Scunthorpe :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg17g39x41o

Popular with all parties apart from Plaid Cymru it appears 

[Valmy]

Popular with all parties apart from Plaid Cymru it appears 

They and the SNP are only upset that more nationalizing isn't going on it seems.

British political parties all demanding nationalization of industries? What century is this?