I just looked up some details on the Roman 'divide and rule' system used to conquer Gaul because I wanted to compare it to the tactics employed by our beleaguered government to push forward the exit come what may, when I came across an article in The Spectator saying that the E.U. have been using divide and rule to keep the various states that make it up under control.
Being an very right-wing magazine (which I used to subscribe to, btw) the writer does not make the comparison between Donald Trump and Julius Gaius Caesar, preferring to bend history a little by portraying the true villains to be the the hundreds of elected E.U. representatives that make up its Parliament.
Things were beginning to go very well for British farmers and food producers just before the referendum. British dairies were actually making many more regional artisan cheeses than even France. I don't know how many of them were exported though. There will be even fewer if Boris lets Trump forge a deal for us.
I haven't heard anything about fishing rights being discussed lately. Get ready for Spanish fleets just off the coast after October 31st. Ironically we sell about 80% of our shellfish to Spain as it is - all those cockles picked up by the Chinese.
I have learned recently that British Gas cannot be trusted with a direct debit mandate. They just take what they want without warning. £289 was the last withdrawal and the last straw, so we cancelled the direct debit.
Boris Johnson cannot be trusted with a mandate either, which is why he hasn't got one.
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ReplyDeleteMaybe this is a silly thing to say (and probably naïve) but I hope that after Trump is gone and saner heads prevail in our country, that we can help our English friends deal with any of the problems Brexit might bring for you.
ReplyDeleteRegional artisan cheese from England would be something I'd be glad to buy, for example.
That's a nice thought Jennifer, but I am afraid I would not trust the ability of our politicians to be able to strike a fair reciprocal deal with any country from the position of weakness that Brexit will put us in. It's not just that we leave the EU, it's the way we are leaving. We will remain in this weak position for many years to come. The Leavers call this 'surrendering', which is indicative of their attitude toward our nearest neighbours. The far right have turned it into a war and the gullible are being whipped up into a frenzy about it.
DeleteI agree especially with your last sentence. There are plenty of British businesses like Barclays moving to Dublin at the moment. They see the sense in being in the EU. Wish we could get regional English cheeses like Lancashire crumbly.
ReplyDeleteThe Brexiteers would seem to be quite happy to let the economy collapse without the help of another recession - all on a point of principle. Here in Bath you can get any cheese you want - at a price.
Delete"Boris Johnson cannot be trusted with a mandate". Now there's a thought. Voting by direct debit. We could vote Labour, Conservative, Brexit, LibDem, Remain, Leave... over and over again without ever needing to think about it.
ReplyDeletePrior to this mess, voting was almost seen as a direct debit mandate, but now there is no such thing as a safe seat.
DeletePerhaps Boris will be your PM for only a short time more. While we have a longer Trump problem on our hands.
ReplyDeleteHe can do an awful lot of damage in a short time. They say ' a week is a long time in politics'. Boris has been wreaking havoc for over three years now. The damage will take a lot longer than three years to put right and nothing will be the same ever again. Our country is being run by 'patriots' who love their country so much they are willing to destroy it for the sake of a meaningless principle.
DeleteHave no fear, Jezza has a great plan for UK agriculture. He (given half a chance) will 're-wild' 25% of the UK's agricultural land, and any future shortfall in production will be sourced in Europe. At least, I think that's his plan!
ReplyDeleteI think you mean sourced in the USA.
DeleteChlorinated Potatoes?
DeleteIt may take some time but you will come to love them.
DeleteI see little discussion on the EU role in this mess. Aren’t they the root cause? Asking from Canada so apologies if my question is misinformed.
ReplyDeleteThe initial negotiations were bungled by Theresa May. Now the EU are saying they are waiting for us to make up our minds. There is little that they can do until some other deal is officially put on the table, but Northern Ireland is the biggest obstacle. The EU has never wanted to make it easy for us. Why would they?
DeleteHe's an idiot...
ReplyDeleteWell, he is probably more than that too.
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