Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Richard Hakluyt]

It turns out that we could have kept the blue passport anyway, according to the BBC :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42443253

The old passports used to be larger and less flimsy, with hardcovers and certain details entered in pen and ink by a civil servant 

The pressure behind switching to the more recent format apparently came from the USA; to keep the visa-waiver it was necessary to adopt their standards. Meanwhile their standards were changed in preparation for the electronic passports now being phased in.

The whole story can be seen as a parable I think. The UK is sovereign and could have designed the passport how it willed; but, for reasons of convenience conformed to standards that may have been set by others. So it goes with so many things; a sovereign country can ignore all these things of course, but it would be very inconvenient and impoverishing.

[Iormlund]

I doubt most people who voted Yes understand  just how convenient having a EU passport is when traveling around Europe. My girlfriend was really pissed when we came back from Egypt and she realized how greener the grass is at the other side. Instead of spending two hours on a queue and having our luggage checked we spent less than a minute on the fast lane and I said two words to the gendarme at customs.

Now think on the impact on British goods after Brexit enters into effect...

[The Brain]

Have the most relevant countries started on the border infrastructure that will be needed?

[Zanza]

Why would they? Davis has guaranteed us that trade will be frictionless and without additional physical infrastructure.

[The Larch]

I would say that, of all the issues orbiting around Brexit, I've always found the colour of the passport to be the most dumbfounding and irrelevant of them. How can such a thing be a relevant topic of discussion?

[garbon]

I would say that, of all the issues orbiting around Brexit, I've always found the colour of the passport to be the most dumbfounding and irrelevant of them. How can such a thing be a relevant topic of discussion?

I think it is mainly a talking point because it is a fun one to make fun of brexitets about.

[celedhring]

I think it is mainly a talking point because it is a fun one to make fun of brexitets about.

Well, it seems the Tories do at least consider it red meat for Brexiteers.

Theresa May
✔
@theresa_may
The UK passport is an expression of our independence and sovereignty – symbolising our citizenship of a proud, great nation. That's why we have announced that the iconic #bluepassport will return after we leave the European Union in 2019. https://www.conservatives.com/sharethefacts/2017/12/blue-passports ...

12:49 PM - Dec 22, 2017

[Richard Hakluyt]

I think it is mainly a strawman to mock brexiteers with. On the other hand if 0.5% of voters change their vote for a blue passport then their votes are cheaply bought.

[garbon]

I think it is mainly a strawman to mock brexiteers with. On the other hand if 0.5% of voters change their vote for a blue passport then their votes are cheaply bought.

[Razgovory]

Sell your stock before October.

[Josquius]

[garbon]

I doubt most people who voted Yes understand  just how convenient having a EU passport is when traveling around Europe. My girlfriend was really pissed when we came back from Egypt and she realized how greener the grass is at the other side. Instead of spending two hours on a queue and having our luggage checked we spent less than a minute on the fast lane and I said two words to the gendarme at customs.

Now think on the impact on British goods after Brexit enters into effect...

Knock on wood but I've never had to spend more than 30 minutes waiting at passport control when traveling about Europe. And I think my longest time happened just once at Charles Dr Gaulle

[Josquius]

I doubt most people who voted Yes understand  just how convenient having a EU passport is when traveling around Europe. My girlfriend was really pissed when we came back from Egypt and she realized how greener the grass is at the other side. Instead of spending two hours on a queue and having our luggage checked we spent less than a minute on the fast lane and I said two words to the gendarme at customs.

Now think on the impact on British goods after Brexit enters into effect...

Knock on wood but I've never had to spend more than 30 minutes waiting at passport control when traveling about Europe. And I think my longest time happened just once at Charles Dr Gaulle

Being on a plane full of Brits and having the non-European line just between yourself and a Chinese couple probably helps no?

[mongers]

Alex William
@AlexoWah    Dec 23

My mother, a Leave voter, has just received an Irish passport, thanks to her grandmother's country of birth, in order to maintain her EU citizenship, having helped to take away mine. My rage knows no bounds.

Sums up some of the Brexiters quiet well.

[grumbler]

Alex William
@AlexoWah    Dec 23

My mother, a Leave voter, has just received an Irish passport, thanks to her grandmother's country of birth, in order to maintain her EU citizenship, having helped to take away mine. My rage knows no bounds.

Sums up some of the Brexiters quiet well.

I don't think Alex William is a Brexiter, based on his writing.