Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Richard Hakluyt]

I've been watching Davis the past few months to try and work out what motivates him; that remains unclear but his very limited intelligence has become obvious.

With BJ it is straightforward; like that other fat wanker it is all about himself.

[Josquius]

Yes, it's totally all about power for Boris. He has dreams of being a new Churchill.
He was pretty strongly pro-Europe until the referendum came about.
Isn't it confirmed he had wrote two articles, one pro and one anti europe, to announce his side?

[Zanza]

So what's the play here? Are these guys resigning in the hope to dislodge May, so they can push again for a hard Brexit?

They know that Brexit will be a failure of historic proportions and want to be able to dissociate themselves from it. That way they can blame May and the EU for the political disaster they created.

That seems too ... smart?

Actually, Theresa May should just have given up after her fumbled election and leave Brexit to BoJo. Then at least it would be clear who is to blame. This way she'll look just bad in this.

[Syt]

My favorite online comment:

Brexiters are like my dog Stan. He spent 15 years chasing neighbour's  cats. One day he cornered one and didn't have a clue what to do next.  So he sat down and licked his balls.

[Josquius]

[The Minsky Moment]

Yes, it's totally all about power for Boris. He has dreams of being a new Churchill.

When in fact he's more like a younger, British, functionally literate incarnation of Trump.

[Gups]

I'm more and more convinced that the Commission won't accept any deal for frictionless trade which doesn't require adherence to the for freedoms, one of which is simply politically impossible to deliver for the U.K. I  reckon it's going to be a hard Brexit whatever.

[The Brain]

I'm more and more convinced that the Commission won't accept any deal for frictionless trade which doesn't require adherence to the for freedoms, one of which is simply politically impossible to deliver for the U.K. I  reckon it's going to be a hard Brexit whatever.

A hard Brexit does seem rather likely.

[garbon]

My, what can't Jeremy Hunt do?

[Zanza]

I'm more and more convinced that the Commission won't accept any deal for frictionless trade which doesn't require adherence to the for freedoms, one of which is simply politically impossible to deliver for the U.K. I  reckon it's going to be a hard Brexit whatever.

The EU has early, clearly and very transparently stated which British red lines prohibit which scenario due to its own red lines. If Britain is flexible on its red lines, more options open up.

As the UK wants to change the status quo, it is on the UK to define what level of European integration they are willing to accept. The legal framework of the EU is rather intransigent and there is no particular interest by anybody to change it for the UK.



At least according to Theresa May, the UK has not given up on any of its red lines with the Chequers plan, so Canada is still the default option on offer.

If the UK can convince the EU that e.g. a "common rulebook" is giving up the regulatory autonomy red line, they would be willing to offer more.

[Josquius]

I'm more and more convinced that the Commission won't accept any deal for frictionless trade which doesn't require adherence to the for freedoms, one of which is simply politically impossible to deliver for the U.K. I  reckon it's going to be a hard Brexit whatever.

The referendum question merely said leaving the EU. Not stopping free movement.

Since our politicians are insisting on this silliness though; What could be workable is something akin agreement the Swiss got after their "stop free movement" referendum. Basically free movement continues but there's some nonsense about employers having to prioritise local candidates.... which of course they do anyway. And then only in areas with an above average unemployment rate...So even less chance of foreigners being hired.

[Tamas]

Zanza, you are not listening to the will of the British people! 

They voted to shed all responsibilities and duties that come with EU membership, while retaining each and every benefit. As I have repeatedly said, the People Have Spoken, and now it is time for the EU to deliver!!!

[Zanza]

Zanza, you are not listening to the will of the British people! 

They voted to shed all responsibilities and duties that come with EU membership, while retaining each and every benefit. As I have repeatedly said, the People Have Spoken, and now it is time for the EU to deliver!!!

I think you are right and the perception in Britain in nine months will be that it was the evil eurocrats who made a mess of Brexit, not the Tory party.

The really dangerous thing about Brexit for the British people is that the default EU position aligns with Jacob Rees-Mogg, not Theresa May. If the ERG can just hinder May's attempts for a soft Brexit until March, they will get their desired result by default. I am pretty sure that's what they will try.

[Syt]

Jacob Rees-Mogg

He has an ... eclectic taste in children's names (from Wiki):

Peter Theodore Alphege Rees-Mogg (b. 2007)
Mary Anne Charlotte Emma Rees-Mogg (b. 2008)
Thomas Wentworth Somerset Dunstan Rees-Mogg (b. 2010)
Anselm Charles Fitzwilliam Rees-Mogg (b. 2012)
Alfred Wulfric Leyson Pius Rees-Mogg (b. 22 February 2016)
Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christopher Rees-Mogg (b. July 2017)

[Josquius]

To think....he has so many kids...which means he had to have had sex on multiple occasions