Ports chaos 'bad for trust and post-Brexit trade'
22/12/2020
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The food industry says port disruption makes it hard for foreign firms to trust UK exporters post-Brexit.
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jude nelson
22/12/2020 17:15:05
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bbc
Project reality. This is what brexit looks like unless you believe that Johnson is honest and “one of us” in which case no doubt the bbc are lying, right?
A no-deal Brexit would still be worse. The border closure doesn't apply to unaccompanied freight (which makes up the bulk of imports and exports) because it can't transmit covid.
The new border checks will apply to almost everything. And even with a good deal, it would still apply to a lot.
We had all better get used to queues of stationary lorries, because they are now a permanent feature.
The new border checks will apply to almost everything. And even with a good deal, it would still apply to a lot.
We had all better get used to queues of stationary lorries, because they are now a permanent feature.
No. This is the reality of Europe. The French hate us and are annoyed that the money-tree has left their pet project. Europeans have never been our friends and that is the reality of why we need Brexit big time.
Project Fear from Remainers. There are no delays at the ports. The pictures of lines of trucks are faked. How do I know - the European Research Group, Donald Trump and Nigel Farage have said so. Everything will be fine after No Deal clean Brexit, when untold prosperity heaves into view.
Yawn...yawn...yawn.
wrong this is what brexit looks like if europe and especially france dont get the fish
Time for the UK to be a bit more self reliant, with regards to food.
We are more self reliant than we have been for 200 years. But there is a limit to what we can do given not much grows in Winter!
The time to start was back in June 2016, but no one ever bothered since we were getting "a great deal" that would be "one of the easiest in human history".
Perhaps you'd like to explain how the UK can increase food production by over 40% overnight?
A shift to subsistence farming, like really poor African countries?
Already started happening.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/norfolk-and-suffolk-tomato-greenhouses-nearing-completion-1593518
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/norfolk-and-suffolk-tomato-greenhouses-nearing-completion-1593518
Correct. Also if its not in season here, don't buy it. Grow and eat seasonal fresh vegetables.
I guess you are advocating starvation
Who the hell needs strawberries in December anyway? It's against nature.
Sure we could but move a little bit more, but we haven't really been so since the 1800s. Also what a boring diet it would mean.
No doubt a dull little Englander like you would love a diet of spam and cabbage , some of us aspire to more
No doubt a dull little Englander like you would love a diet of spam and cabbage , some of us aspire to more
As a food manufacturing company put a factory into whales 17 years ago BECAUSE it was in the EU
- UK offered us everything for new food factory more then any EU
- this new one the first carbon negative food factory will start production early 2021 in Romania YES in EU
We sold UK as just UK market to small
long truck lines paperwork is destroying UK as place to manufacture
- UK offered us everything for new food factory more then any EU
- this new one the first carbon negative food factory will start production early 2021 in Romania YES in EU
We sold UK as just UK market to small
long truck lines paperwork is destroying UK as place to manufacture
Oranges, bananas, ...but no shortage of lemons believing you. Redwood is being ridiculed on twitter now for such a statement.
If by self reliant you mean let the rich eat and the rest of us stave to death
Give me a plough and show me the golf courses you want replanted -
Do you work on a farm? Think you can work harder? Thanks to Brexit those who helped us produce at least some of our own food, are now happily back home in Eastern Europe. I doubt if they'll ever be back here. So, where's the self reliance going to come from?
Maybe you can all now see why deliberately growing the population by a third in the last 30 or so years was a mistake. If we had stabilised the population to pre Blair numbers and relied on training the people who lived here, rather than on imported labour, we would be richer and nearly self sustaining.
Look on this as a wake up call for over population in the future when no country has food spare
Look on this as a wake up call for over population in the future when no country has food spare
Is that when the Tories are allowing for the building of hundreds of thousands of houses on green field sites.
You do realise that the UK has not been self-sufficient in food for over 200 years?
We import 40% of our food from the EU.
We import 60% of our food overall.
Now, without EU farm workers, our food production is falling, not increasing.
All part of our not too glorious future.
We import 40% of our food from the EU.
We import 60% of our food overall.
Now, without EU farm workers, our food production is falling, not increasing.
All part of our not too glorious future.
"We've just proved... that you can't trust British products"
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
The new variant has been identified all over the world & mutation is standard for all virus'. However, other countries just dealt with it. Matt Hancock stands in front of TV cameras & announces ...the virus is out of control. How stupid!
Other EU countries have the variant as well but they haven’t closed the borders between each other have they.
However what they have done is proved how tough freight between UK and EU will become Jan 21.
However what they have done is proved how tough freight between UK and EU will become Jan 21.
This Transport problem shows that countries depend on each other for smooth trading relationships. Brexit has soured relationships with our European neighbours. If our transport links become unreliable for any reason, foreign customers will look elsewhere for alternative suppliers and British manufacturers and farmers will suffer.
No , we just proved you can't trust French ports, Rotterdam and Antwerp will be delighted if we start looking to use them more.
Trouble is, the pandemic will be followed by brexit.
not so stupid.
not so stupid.
We cannot trust governments of either side France or the UK
I am utterly disgusted the way the truck drivers have been treated, the UK government should of activated the army to move and provide, food, water and toilet/shower facilities, the army has plenty of mobile catering facilities and mobile shower and toilet facilities, but no there heads buried in the sand, shocking no at action, ashamed
I am utterly disgusted the way the truck drivers have been treated, the UK government should of activated the army to move and provide, food, water and toilet/shower facilities, the army has plenty of mobile catering facilities and mobile shower and toilet facilities, but no there heads buried in the sand, shocking no at action, ashamed
sorry but I don't see how it is UK that get bad name from this - they didn't close anything - did they?
After stating openly they've lost control of the virus, they pretty did close the nation yes.
Britain caused the situation that necessitated the border closing.
it's irrelevant. the border is still closed and we can't export! Macron might just be proving a point - he can switch us off and on when he wants if he doesn't get what he wants. All who voted - you're getting what you voted for...
That's the problem. By failing to control our own borders we have proven we are irresponsible. Other nations have had to take control because there governments care about there citizens
It is the perception that matters not who is responsible in fact.
Well in two weeks the UK will efectively closed the border with the hard brexit you all want.
Food and Drink Federation boss Ian Wright is somewhat unable to put the current situation into perspective. Remember Ian. "Drink Safely, no wisely, no responsibly!"
Yes, the no-warning block was French, but
"... Consistently ahead of the curve" says the Home Secretary Priti Patel, beyond all credibility
Having worked out there could be queues of thousands of lorries, but not worked out that drivers will need food and toilet facilities to match.
"... Consistently ahead of the curve" says the Home Secretary Priti Patel, beyond all credibility
Having worked out there could be queues of thousands of lorries, but not worked out that drivers will need food and toilet facilities to match.
You don't have enough toilets. This situation will be quite smelly and embarrassing for England. You should travel bit more to see how civilised countries solved this problem.
Exactly..... didn't keep on top of the curve...re pritti patel
No. France looked after it's own and put border controls in place and rightly so.
Nothing to do with Brexit kick back when many non EU countries did exactly the same.
It's not the press that are insinuating that the borders closure was anything other than good housekeeping.
Nothing to do with Brexit kick back when many non EU countries did exactly the same.
It's not the press that are insinuating that the borders closure was anything other than good housekeeping.
Bozo closed the borders by stating the virus is out of control. It is now up to him to prove otherwise.
What did our govt think was going to happen when they suddenly tell everyone there's a new strain, it's been around for quite a while, and now it's out of control?
Panic, that's what happens. Like lots of other countries, France panicked and shut their border. They did say it was for 48 hours, and I think give or take a few hours, they've been true to their word and the border is to re-open.
Panic, that's what happens. Like lots of other countries, France panicked and shut their border. They did say it was for 48 hours, and I think give or take a few hours, they've been true to their word and the border is to re-open.
What ANOTHER HYS on this ? Oh Beeb...
Another one who doesn't like the idea of people expressing views that don't agree with his....
Oh yes that's right, it was France's Health Secretary that said the UK lost control of the virus wasn't it? Oh wait, no, it was Matt Hancock - the UK's Health Secretary!
Do you Brits take responsibility for anything?
Could I respectfully point out that the problem is caused by a) Covid b)the French
Oh, look a Brit blaming a foreigner for a problem his nation caused.
I agree that it was caused by a virus which originated in the UK which in many ways mirrors Brexit. But would have to point out that France is just one of the many countries of Europe, and elsewhere, who have done so. It’s just that France is the closest to us and as so much trade goes through Dover the resulting problems are far more obvious. This is why Brexit is such a bad idea.
Agree, and I seem to recall, in the early days of out EU membership the issue then was that the EU created Laws/rules that the UK was expected to follow, whilst the rest of the THEN EU ignored, but objected any time we complained.
Well I suppose Macron is worried about his wife, after all she is in a high risk group.
The inability of most people posting on here this morning to see this for what it is, is depressing.
Despite Brexit, I hadn't realised nationalism had such a strong grip on this country. It doesn't bode well for the future.
Anything goes wrong, 'just blame the foreigners' is an attitude that will get us no where.
Despite Brexit, I hadn't realised nationalism had such a strong grip on this country. It doesn't bode well for the future.
Anything goes wrong, 'just blame the foreigners' is an attitude that will get us no where.
The French are doing just what so many Brits wanted in the first lockdown.
Protecting their citizens .
And I cannot blame them for that.
Protecting their citizens .
And I cannot blame them for that.
This chaos illustrates why both sides are very keen to strike a deal.
And by both sides I mean France and Germany.
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And by both sides I mean France and Germany.
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Same old racist lies about France and Germany controlling the EU.
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Problem is the German deal doesn't please the French and the French one doesn't please the Germans, Barnier is basically passing the time while France and Germany try and get an agreement - so expect no deal by Jan.
The ghost of Brexit future.
Still time to agree a deal and change the future.
Still time to agree a deal and change the future.
There will be a deal, just not before next year, mind you part of the deal might now be "'Macron: Can we have all our trucks back?" Boris: "Only if you stop closing Calais" ;-)
fragility of our logistics would be the fragility of any countries logistics if where you want to get to shuts the border
Too many products and parts imported, make them in UK
To some degree - but never put all your eggs in one basket. Use other routes not just Dover/Tunnel. Logistics aren't fragile, it is port capacity which is but that may only be temporary.
It highlights the fact that the French will do anything to harm the UK. This new variant is present across much of Europe already.
If you demand strawberries in December then you should be prepared to pay the premium and not be subsidised by the state. Don’t all of the TV chefs say that we should ‘eat seasonal’ to save the planet?
We're an island. Closed borders due to virus's (war anything) would be same regardless
The "fragility of our logistics"? Do people pay more for goods with levels of redundancy in their supply chain? We tend to complain when things break down but we happily enjoy low prices when they don't. If we, as individuals, don't set value above raw cost in our purchasing decisions, when is this likely to change?
This is what driving off a cliff looks like. A precursor of the chaos and misery a no deal Brexit will deliver to the British people. We have a dishonest, corrupt and incompetent government
There will be no problems with no deal, we will import less, make more, employ more people and cut our tax bill... brilliant all round. Now you might not get your dutch tomatoes, but you know what we will do what they do, build greenhouses and grow them. You wont get HP sauce anymore so buy one of the British made and very tasty alternatives. Simple
We were told that the country was prepared for any border problems caused by Brexit. The border problems caused by Covid days beforehand show that we clearly are not ready
Spoken to freight forwarders and quite a lot of people who’s businesses import and export goods with Europe int eh last couple of weeks. Not one has confidence in the procedures we will be expected to follow. It’s a mass of paperwork and obstacles to trade. Don’t get me started on the NI protocol, an absolute joke for all concerned.
I second that. Regardless of whether there are tariffs or not, the mere fact that every shipment will need export and import paperwork means that many EU customers (who've never dealt with 'international' shipping before) will simply buy from elsewhere in the Single Market wherever they can. It's a monumental own goal to cut ourselves out of the frictionless market, regardless of the other aspects
I"m amazed, Europhiles hating obstacles to trade? What is the EU for? To put up obstacles to trade to anyone who doesn't fork up billions a year for 'Free Trade' ;-)
Over 50 countries now closed their borders to UK visitors. It is the Gov'ts fault for giving the impression that thousands of people are being found dead in the streets from the virus. This has created universal panic. I am very embarrassed in how all the thousands of truck drivers are being treated in Kent, no food, no toilet/washing provision. It makes us look worse than third world countries.
What are you on? This isn't the Governments fault at all it is France who have closed the borders and not properly read about the new strain of virus. The WHO have been in close contact with the UK on this and they haven't said anything that would alarm anyone.
You do have to feel for the lorry drivers. Let's hope common sense prevails and the border is back open soon for these people to get home for Christmas. Would also add the media to the "fault" as well as the politicians.
mmmm. We might not be at third world status but we have fallen down the ladder.
Like Germany that Voted Hitler but then too the opposition was divided.
YOU HAVE TO UNITE AGAINST THE RIGHT.
Otherwise civilized norms disappear.
Like Germany that Voted Hitler but then too the opposition was divided.
YOU HAVE TO UNITE AGAINST THE RIGHT.
Otherwise civilized norms disappear.
with you on the plight of the stranded drivers, for god's sake, lazy government and local councils, get off your bums, get out there and give those people some help and sustenance, they are very key workers, regardless of nationality.
some of them will have been involved in shipping vaccines and refrigeration equipment to us from Europe.
I am embarrassed by this mess on our doorstep.
some of them will have been involved in shipping vaccines and refrigeration equipment to us from Europe.
I am embarrassed by this mess on our doorstep.
France closed the border. All the truckies are foreigners (The Sun journalist on the spot could not find a British driver to interview). Not our problem.
Next time we must take a leaf out of China's book and say nothing, our French neighbours are clearly even more hysterical and paranoid over this peculiar flu than the UK.
The one commodity not in short supply due to Covid/Brexit is EXPERTS!
Its not that difficult to study history and use common sense.
Historically we controlled our own investments and made decisions in the 1930s to invest in UK industry and infrastructure and put an end to the recession. We had done the same before. Blair/Brown and even Cameron spent billions on foreign goods (fighter planes,police cars etc) and slowed our economy down.
Historically we controlled our own investments and made decisions in the 1930s to invest in UK industry and infrastructure and put an end to the recession. We had done the same before. Blair/Brown and even Cameron spent billions on foreign goods (fighter planes,police cars etc) and slowed our economy down.
and the one commodity in short supply is common sense. Especially where the french are concerned.
That's because anyone with any sense, on hearing an Expert, then requires at least 50 second opinions before they then look at the data and discover none of them were right. ;-)
Pity we don't have any in Westminster. The border is open now but it's still a shambles. I thought they had contingencies to manage trucks?
Mark my words the EU will not block us for long
How can they when they export far more to us - than we do to them. Which means they lose more money than we do as each day passes.
How can they when they export far more to us - than we do to them. Which means they lose more money than we do as each day passes.
What childish point scoring. No wonder the UK is isolated.
I find the British Rightwing grossly irresponsible and extremist. That surely is what we need to be concerned with.
I find the British Rightwing grossly irresponsible and extremist. That surely is what we need to be concerned with.
Time for the UK to be a bit more self reliant, with regards to food.
So the country has starved in Winter for the last 2000 years! I have lots still growing in the garden, brussel sprouts, kale, etc, etc. Eat whats in season like we did for centuries - you will struggle if you expect fresh strawberries in December
We can do huge amounts more by building more massive greenhouses for salad crops like the ones going up in Norfolk.
Not as much as summer but some crops can stay in the ground until now e.g. sprouts, swede and other root vegetables and as long as the ground is not frozen, they can be harvested.
Sorry, but that’s just rubbish. I don’t see bananas, oranges, tea plants, coffee beans, olives etc growing in profusion in this country, with vineyards covering vast areas too. We import the majority of our foodstuffs, full stop. Do you think the small proportion of UK land fit for growing wheat could sustain a population of 65 million with bread and pasta? If you do, you’re deluded.
I have far more potatoes than I will ever eat stored from my garden. Plenty of parsnips and carrots, some beetroot, still happily in the ground. See me through to May or so. It is the stupid that eat rubbish fresh lettuce and strawberries and grapes that may have to go without and serve them right. They are never likely to get their hands dirty growing stuff to eat anyway.
We can buy this kind of stuff from South Africa, Morocco, Israel, Egypt, Kenya...
That’s why we traditionally got them from Southern Hemisphere commonwealth countries and the US, until the EU slapped huge tariffs on them to turn the UK into a slave state that bought only from Europe
Remind me, are there any benefits to brexit? I do not mean airy fairy elitist blather about "sovereignty" which matter only to wealthy people who do not need to work but real benefits for ordinary decent taxpaying folk who need to earn to put food on the table.
If you don't understand the concept of 'sovereignty', it's not worth further reply.
This is the whole point. By not allowing goods to come here for free from Slovenia or France people making the old and new defenders would not have relocated production. Less competition for jobs from visa free workers coupled with more demand for workers by not having as many imports (we are net importers) will create jobs here and raise wages.
Yawn. I must have seen 200 posts on the BBC which start with the same sentence.
We have vaccinated thousands because we didn't have to wait for the sclerotic EU decision to licence a vaccine. We vaccinated the first German citizen to have a licenced vaccine. Thanks to that Bild went ballistic so effectively we caused the EU to speed up their licencing, then because we were first we have sufficient vaccine, the EU is facing potential shortages. So many more so little space.
Gove wants social distruption. He is grossly irresponsible and a wanton extremist. Rees-Mogg is not fit to be called human, he is evil.
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This is just the EU making a political point, nothing to do with Covid. The FDF should know better than to be taken in by such crude tactics. The EU and France all know very well that the border won't be closed because of changes in trading rules - they will want to carry on trade as much as the UK does.
Where is your evidence this 'political' - it looks like the much vaunted "led by the science".
This is just the EU making a political point
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40 countries in the EU is there?
Or are all the other countries making a point for them?
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40 countries in the EU is there?
Or are all the other countries making a point for them?
What we should be doing is retaliating... if lorries cant go from Dover to France it is clear they cant come here as they cant return. Simple enough really.
50 countries have closed their borders to us - how many countries do you think there are in the EU?
What a strange comment?
The EU were encouraging France to open it's borders to the UK!
The EU were encouraging France to open it's borders to the UK!
If anything, one could argue that France, a sovereign nation within the EU, has decided to control its borders, like any sovereign nation in the EU has always had the right to do. In fact, it is the EU that is arguing for the opening of the border.
If France unilaterally stops traffic like this for any reason, then we will have problems irrespective of Brexit or not. Let’s hope common sense prevails.
"Let’s hope common sense prevails."
Common sense being "shut up everyone else and do what little England tells you to do"?
Common sense being "shut up everyone else and do what little England tells you to do"?
It will prevails. Blocking trade between the UK and the EU is in nobody’s interest. The EU exports more to us than we do to them.
Are you not aware of the French blockades, this is not the first time and I’m certain will be a regular occurrence in the near future
We have short memories in dealing with France. They have previous on shutting borders to screw trading partners. We have to get smarter with them and sport these issues before they arise. The moral of the experience? We cannot trust the French on ANYTHING. We need to be more careful dealing with them - ALWAYS!
This shows that power lies in the EU and not with us.
So will all drivers coming in to U.K have to be tested.or is there no covid 19 in Europe.
Brexiteers trumpeted "taking back control" ....... well, it works both ways and if a sovereign nation such as France wants to close its borders then it can!!!!!
We'll just have to use Rotterdam and Antwerp, and the Irish will no doubt complain to the EU for the disruption of their UK Land-Bridge, which will be interesting, will the EU be bothered now the Irish aren't so useful as a stick to beat the UK with? Interesting times in ahead in the EU.
Time for the UK to be a bit more self reliant, with regards to food.
Time for the UK to be a bit more self reliant, with regards to food.
It can’t but the obese could eat 40% less, that would be a start.
Which part of " Start becoming more self reliant" means it has to be done overnight?
Not to mention that only last month Richi Sunak said UK farmers would not be getting any more subsidy and would be offered financial incentives to give up farming.
Doesn't sound to me like the UK is heading for self-sufficiency...
Doesn't sound to me like the UK is heading for self-sufficiency...
Reduce obesity in the country would be a good starting point.
This is what driving off a cliff looks like. A precursor of the chaos and misery a no deal Brexit will deliver to the British people. We have a dishonest, corrupt and incompetent government
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This chaos illustrates why both sides are very keen to strike a deal.
And by both sides I mean France and Germany.
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And by both sides I mean France and Germany.
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They do.
im struggling to find the rascism in that statement?
On the bit about France and Germany controlling the EU, given that they are the two biggest net contributors post Brexit and the otehr countries have to rely on that, do you not think they exert a decent bit of control?
On the bit about France and Germany controlling the EU, given that they are the two biggest net contributors post Brexit and the otehr countries have to rely on that, do you not think they exert a decent bit of control?
"We've just proved... that you can't trust British products"
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
"The new variant has been identified all over the world..."
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That's complete nonsense. The BBC itself reported that it has only been identified in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia, and the number of confirmed cases is in single figures in each country.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-55382212
Please don't make matters even worse by peddling fake news.
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That's complete nonsense. The BBC itself reported that it has only been identified in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia, and the number of confirmed cases is in single figures in each country.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-55382212
Please don't make matters even worse by peddling fake news.
Completely wrong. The variant was identified in the UK first because frankly we've got better surveillance. Other countries are now looking (those that can) and are finding it. Usual muddle headed misinformed comment in HYS.
The virus is out of control. It evolved to take advantage of human doubt. Given the diversity and over 300 years of avoiding Darwin in the UK, what do we else can we expect?
If the chinese was more trueful before the pandemic went world wide like Matt Hancock did then perhaps ,There would not have been so many deaths in the world,
They have to have an excuse for the Xmas restrictions, one that takes away from their handling of the virus. Nearly 50 countries have banned travelers from the UK, but because the French one causes chaos and highlights a potential problem of Brexit, criticism is reserved for them.
Agreed! It was their tool to stop people mixing which created this mayhem!
In what way have other countries dealt with the new variant?
Unbelievable! The French close their ports, and the UK is unreliable? Quality journalism at it's finest!!
Your incompetent government caused a disease crisis that other nations want to protect themselves from.
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Quite so. This is all propaganda to persuade the UK to give in to EU trade demands. Covid was just a convenient excuse to put on a show of chaos. Pathetic, childish and too obvious.
You're right of course that this is the wrong conclusion to draw from the closing of Fench ports to travel from the UK.
But you've missed the ney point that PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING. And if an European firm with a British supplier is seriously incommoded by this closure, they are at risk of concluding that buying from Britiain threatens the solidity of hteir business...and of acting accordingly.
But you've missed the ney point that PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING. And if an European firm with a British supplier is seriously incommoded by this closure, they are at risk of concluding that buying from Britiain threatens the solidity of hteir business...and of acting accordingly.
this has fa to do with journalism - it is what was said in the hearing. you are just using any excuse to troll the bbc to satisfy your small hate-filled mind..
Didn't you notice the quotation marks? The article is reporting the views of the chair of the Food and Drink Federation giving evidence to a Commons committee.
with or without a redundant apostrophe
This is partly the problem of living on a island. We cant do to them what they do to us. If we did It would not matter much to me as I don't drink, hate frogs legs, onions and snails and most French cars are rubbish.
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If our produce can't get there. It doesn't matter what the reason is. Leaving the EU was never a smart idea. In the end Europe has the upper hand.
It is not a matter of right or wrong, blame or fairness.
Businesses need reliable supply chains.
UK was already losing the frictionless borders we enjoyed when in the EU.
Now, fresh doubts have been raised on reliability of timely delivery from UK firms by this border closure.
There is no point in pretending it shouldn't matter to customers. It does.
Businesses need reliable supply chains.
UK was already losing the frictionless borders we enjoyed when in the EU.
Now, fresh doubts have been raised on reliability of timely delivery from UK firms by this border closure.
There is no point in pretending it shouldn't matter to customers. It does.
How typical of a Brexiter to twist the story to suit his xenophobic agenda.
‘Cos we kept the new strain of the virus secret. We are to blame , sorry, Boris is to blame ‘cos he never tells the truth.
France and about 50 other countries... The UK did the right thing, other countries took measures to protect themselves until a agreement is found.
48 hours for an international solution is very short, so great cooperation between France and UK.
This is nevertheless a warning in case of no deal brexit, if all trafic is slowed because of border checks
48 hours for an international solution is very short, so great cooperation between France and UK.
This is nevertheless a warning in case of no deal brexit, if all trafic is slowed because of border checks
Couldn't agree more have not seen any coverage of conditions on the French side would imagine situation re queues the same as in Dover what we need is some balanced reporting by our "independent " news agencies but maybe that is asking too much also people need to remember the border was closed on the French side by the French
Nothing wrong with the products, but clearly shows a supply chain vulnerability. That would make me nervous import or export.
the UK is never at faults. Covid was handled badly, Brexit is also handled badly, with Brexit coming the contingency plan was to park the lorry (very clever). You can't trust a system which is constantly bragging and boasting propaganda , not even in Russia there is so much propaganda
Typical xenophibic quitter.
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"We've just proved... that you can't trust British products"
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
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Because we're in the middle of a pandemic and have a new variant of the virus which is preventing other countries from opening their borders to us?
What a stupid and insensitive comment to make in these extremely exceptional circumstances.
Other EU countries have the variant as well but they haven’t closed the borders between each other have they.
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Did they get a clown to announce that they've lost control?
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Did they get a clown to announce that they've lost control?
Their governments didn't use it as a tool to frighten people into stop mixing!
Don't worry, a few French motorways set ablaze by irate French farmers seeing their produce rot, or Irish farmers seeing their trucks held up by their EU friends at the Dover end of the Land Bridge will work wonders for EU solidarity
So you think a virus mutation is the fault of the UK? The same virus mutation that has been found in other countries, with no way of knowing which country suffered the mutation first?
You should be praising our scientists for being the ones to realise the potential harm the mutation might cause. But by all means blame Matt Hancock for his ridiculous over egging of the situation.
You should be praising our scientists for being the ones to realise the potential harm the mutation might cause. But by all means blame Matt Hancock for his ridiculous over egging of the situation.
How did the UK cause a virus from CHINA? Grow up!
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Oh course. We mustn't actually acknowledge the facts, must we? We must just blame ourselves for a pandemic (started in China due to disgusting practices) and the French for playing politics. Obviously our fault. NOT.
Is there a French broadcasting Corporation? Can I go and make antagonistic comments there?
His nation has not caused it!!
1. Ok, you’re not a Brit. Or have little in common with the UK.
2. The UK didn’t cause COVID-19.
3. Macron’s little demonstration may have back-fired.
2. The UK didn’t cause COVID-19.
3. Macron’s little demonstration may have back-fired.
Wrong.
Wasn't the original George Nathaniel Curzon poetically described as 'A Most Superior Person'? Plus ca change.
Spot on George, and there's going to be a lot more "Johnny Foreigner blaming" after 31st December. France is a sovereign nation and can do what it likes to protect it's citizens, pity our sorry shower of chancers arent doing the same!!!
I mean really - if you look over the last 12 months and see the jingoistic garbage coming from this government in relation to every issue. Britain has created an extremely potent virulent strain of a deadly virus, we should be proud of Britain rather than putting us down.
It is Jonny foreigners fault for not wanting to catch this improved version, CATCH BRITISH!!!
It is Jonny foreigners fault for not wanting to catch this improved version, CATCH BRITISH!!!
Yea, we need to close that virus lab in Kent down, the one that is manufacturing mutations.
The only country to block freight was.... France. Everyone else blocked passenger travel.
Oh look, a holier-than-thou Remainer blaming Brexit for everything.
The French could have stopped all non-essential Travel but allowed Trade to flow on. Better still.. it makes you wonder why Boris didn't do this himself now at the UK end, very odd?
It makes you wonder what you didn't do your research......trade is flowing in from France, there are no restrictions on imports.
This is a taste of what is coming if we go down the "no deal" route.
Maybe we need to reflect of this as we are enjoying our one day Christmas
We can always reverse this act of self harm. Everyone makes mistakes. The bigger person admits them.
Maybe we need to reflect of this as we are enjoying our one day Christmas
We can always reverse this act of self harm. Everyone makes mistakes. The bigger person admits them.
It already happened in Jan 2020. The only way to reverse it now is to rejoin at a later date, though clearly on far less favourable terms than when we were still in.
This will happen whether we have a deal or not as we are leaving the customs union and single market. No deal just makes it worse. Alas we warned the Brexit brigade.
Its not self harm to cut imports. That is what a no deal will allow as we can slap tariffs on things including cheese, wine, cars, vans, lorries. This in turn leaves room open for either larger profits (and therfore more investment) and more production at home.
No no no! Its NOT an act of self harm. Its an act of self realisation.
another remoaner who does not believe in democtacy
Just tried to post an important letter to France this afternoon. The Post Office refused to take it telling me that all postage to France is suspended!
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
Try sending a package using DPD to Northern Ireland and let me know how you get on mailing within the UK...
Total shambles.
Total shambles.
Sounds like the French are taking caution more than a little too far. Fairly typical I suspect and we will see worse to come. The only answer is to tit for tat. Lorries cant come to the UK because they cant go back, and of course letters may bring in infection and it seems likely that Germany and France must have variants by now and are just not saying.
"Britain caused the situation that necessitated the border closing."
How exactly? Did UK scientists create a genetic modification of the virus and release it? Or is it that because the UK is the only country that sequences the virus, so detected the new variant? Could well have come from France, NL, Denmark. UK just 'found' the new variant first.
How exactly? Did UK scientists create a genetic modification of the virus and release it? Or is it that because the UK is the only country that sequences the virus, so detected the new variant? Could well have come from France, NL, Denmark. UK just 'found' the new variant first.
How? By openly admitting we had the new variant of CV. Maybe you would have preferred we took the Chinese way out and persecute the doctors who identify it.
Go back to reading the Guardian. Either that or go educate yourself.
Go back to reading the Guardian. Either that or go educate yourself.
Rubbish
Mr Wright said the current scenes at Dover... could be "replicated at any point"
Could be? Have been - Operation Stack has had to be implemented many, many times before (bad weather, strikes, blockades of Calais).
But things seemed to carried on before Mr Wright.
Could be? Have been - Operation Stack has had to be implemented many, many times before (bad weather, strikes, blockades of Calais).
But things seemed to carried on before Mr Wright.
Yes, a lot of this "unprecedented" narrative isn't really helping. But I'm pretty sure that for strikes and bad weather, the drivers were better prepared - and better informed - long before they reached Dover.
Unlikely, we were, as usual, honest in reporting it, unlike other EU countries, Spain, Italy, Netherlands (eggs), France et al.
Nonsense. The virus has mutated, as all viruses do. Do you think it has only mutated in the UK for some reason? The difference is that here in the UK our scientists have done some research and discovered that they THINK it transmits more easily.
But I do blame Matt Hancock for saying the virus is out of control. A ridiculous thing to say and entirely predictable to cause panic among some.
But I do blame Matt Hancock for saying the virus is out of control. A ridiculous thing to say and entirely predictable to cause panic among some.
No they didn't, the existing virus (like all others) merely mutated. The crises are better out in the open than hidden away. Also, we didn't blame China in the first instance so to blame anyone for anything now achieve nothing worthwhile.
Utter rubbish. The British scientific community detected a new strain of the virus and Gov. reported it promptly as should happen under WHO rules.
Not caused it just reported it to everyone as the system requires
Our government has done no such thing. What total garbage you are spouting. This disease originally came out of China and this particular variation is already in several other countries too but their scientists were not good enough or honest enough to declare it. Also, it would seem that there is a distinct possibility that the variant started in the U.S.A. according to other headlines.
A virus from CHINA caused the crisis. The UK has been open an honest about a new varient.
As this latest strain seems to be rife in Kent I think it is no coincidence that Kent is the gateway to Europe regarding ports and the Euro Tunnel. What does that tell us? That it most likely arrived here from Europe. Possibly even France!
I don’t think UK caused a disease, pretty sure it was China. Also we to want to be protected. Due to half a century of EU membership the prevention of flow of goods is akin to a siege. I don’t disagree with the remark of incompetence.
"Your incompetent government caused a disease crisis"
Please don't spread inaccurate and fake information regarding the virus. The UK DID NOT cause a 'Disease Crisis'. it's a virus, it mutates. We saw new strains in the summer from Spain, no one started blaming the Spanish.
Of course, don't let actual science and facts get in the way of your prejudice!
Please don't spread inaccurate and fake information regarding the virus. The UK DID NOT cause a 'Disease Crisis'. it's a virus, it mutates. We saw new strains in the summer from Spain, no one started blaming the Spanish.
Of course, don't let actual science and facts get in the way of your prejudice!
Bozo closed the border by stating the virus is out of control.
Yes, but our border was supposed to be well prepared for big delays from 1st Jan due to Brexit.
The point is, our border is clearly not very well prepared at all!
It took the Salvation Army to feed the stuck truckers! Feeding, toileting and showering facilities appeared to non-existent?
The point is, our border is clearly not very well prepared at all!
It took the Salvation Army to feed the stuck truckers! Feeding, toileting and showering facilities appeared to non-existent?
Remind me, are there any benefits to brexit? I do not mean airy fairy elitist blather about "sovereignty" which matter only to wealthy people who do not need to work but real benefits for ordinary decent taxpaying folk who need to earn to put food on the table.
Hard luck, because it is happening.
Boris created an own goal by panicking everyone with news of a change to the virus. The effects and panic were predictable and any politician worth his salt would have known this. Incompetent to put it mildly
Would you rather the GOVT kept quiet about the new strain? Surely being upfront about it now is better than 3/4 months time when death rates are high and people are looking for an explanation?
Don't panic! Chris Grayling's in charge of ports. Actually, panic!
Grayling is in charge of ports? Oh dear, this will not end well then ...!
Not sure he knows. He's probably forgotten.
Grayling in charge - what could possibly go wrong!
This is just the EU making a political point, nothing to do with Covid. The FDF should know better than to be taken in by such crude tactics. The EU and France all know very well that the border won't be closed because of changes in trading rules - they will want to carry on trade as much as the UK does.
Just as evidentially accurate as project fear I suppose.
Clearly politics because Italy has the variant and last I looked had a very extensive border with France, but was that closed? Mais Non!
evidence? I think it is what Basil Fawlty called 'the bleedin' obvious'.
some crap science then , virus can survive on fomites for 72 hours, symptoms in humans don't show for 10 days, so they close the port for 48 hours? The only charitable interpretation is, they needed time to think, nothing scientific at all about 48 hours.
Over 50 countries now closed their borders to UK visitors. It is the Gov'ts fault for giving the impression that thousands of people are being found dead in the streets from the virus. This has created universal panic. I am very embarrassed in how all the thousands of truck drivers are being treated in Kent, no food, no toilet/washing provision. It makes us look worse than third world countries.
It's Gov'ts fault 4 way drivers R being treated, some of whom R British. Bojo put fear of God into people abroad. I suppose it's French & the other 49 countries fault & no possibility it is HMG's fault. It reminds me of a episode of Ever Decreasing Circles when Martin (Richard Briers) was in a marching band, He would never admit he was wrong & accused the other marchers of all being out of step.
If France unilaterally stops traffic like this for any reason, then we will have problems irrespective of Brexit or not. Let’s hope common sense prevails.
The Conservative Party are a disgrace.
From Covid-19 to Brexit, thanks to Boris and his bunch of incompetent Etonian pals, they have single handedly turned the UK from a respected G6 nation into a laughing stock and now the pariah of the world.
UTTER SHAMBLES
From Covid-19 to Brexit, thanks to Boris and his bunch of incompetent Etonian pals, they have single handedly turned the UK from a respected G6 nation into a laughing stock and now the pariah of the world.
UTTER SHAMBLES
If France unilaterally stops traffic like this for any reason, then we will have problems irrespective of Brexit or not. Let’s hope common sense prevails.
Actually the EU ambassadors have told France to get things moving - not little England - read a bit before making yourself look a fool
This gives further reason why Boris should not do a deal with the EU on trade. It would merely be a capitulation to bullying from France which will not look at all good.
England didn't mind bullying Ireland. Perhaps you should see this as poetical justice?
Think about what you are saying. Childish point scoring? You mean like unilaterally closing the border to U.K. traffic even though the variant is already in the EU states? I find the (non?) British leftwing grossly irresponsible and extremist. And, frankly, not too bright.
Gove wants social distruption. He is grossly irresponsible and a wanton extremist. Rees-Mogg is not fit to be called human, he is evil.
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Other EU countries have the variant as well but they haven’t closed the borders between each other have they.
However what they have done is proved how tough freight between UK and EU will become Jan 21.
However what they have done is proved how tough freight between UK and EU will become Jan 21.
Port chaos for months now, Felixstowe and Dover makingmoney hand over fist and not investing (or in Felixstowes case not testing software properly). However this latest is not really of our making and we really need to stop exports to the UK as well... the lorries cant go home so shouldnt come. Then police should send lorries home and goods to be distributed in the UK.
LOL I was waiting for that penny to drop & so opening of the borders. Like EU & the CIty, the EU were going to stop them trading until EU bankers pointed out the trillions in contracts that would become null & void would destroy EU banking system, - City gets an extension! I bet they pointed out 'UK is going to end up with all our trucks'. and Rejoiners think anything EU is soo smart!
Boris had no intention of making an honest deal with the EU, he will follow his hero Trump in denying reality, and claiming that the other side are cheating and lying. Finally when it all collapses around his ears our illustrious PM can emigrate to the USA claiming citizenship via his mother, and leaving the poor people of Britain the task of rebuilding a broken nation.
This is just the EU making a political point, nothing to do with Covid. The FDF should know better than to be taken in by such crude tactics. The EU and France all know very well that the border won't be closed because of changes in trading rules - they will want to carry on trade as much as the UK does.
Unfortunately this is just glimpse of the chaos to come. The infrastructure is not in place for the processing of "customs" (No one has agreed what they are yet!!) and businesses simply do not have the skills in place to pick up the pieces of this mess in the first week of January. Its a harsh reality that what we are seeing today will pale into insignificance come the first weeks of 2021. .
8 days left to learn all the lessons before it all happens again ...
Rubbish, Rotterdam and Calais are prepared for it, in fact the systems already exist (how do you think all that South African produce ends up in UK supermarkets?) and according to Rotterdam over18 months ago, 82% of UK hauliers were already in their systems then
https://ajot.com/news/article/europeas-biggest-port-says-itas-ready-to-smooth-brexit-bottlenecks
https://ajot.com/news/article/europeas-biggest-port-says-itas-ready-to-smooth-brexit-bottlenecks
Personally I hope this leads to consumer's changing their shopping habits. We don't need to eat fresh (but bland) strawberries at Christmas. Let's instead look forward to eating wonderful British strawberries in June. I wonder how much the cookery programmes on TV influence purchasing habits? When I was a child pineapple came in tins and nobody knew what a kiwi fruit or an avacado looked like.
Yep, my British car and computer orders are coming on nicely. Great I have worked my backside off for 45 years to attain a decent standard of living only for people to tell me how fantastic it will be to be transported back to 1946 and rationing
And there was no internet, HYS, vaccine for polio, treatment for many cancers...
Agree wholeheartedly.
And noone wants to go back to that misery where food was rationed, bland and disappointing. I know where pineapple in tins would go. And the fact no-one knew what a fruit was shows how far people have moved on since the stone age.
I want the freedom of choice - not what someone tells me I have to eat. That's regression
Just HOW old are you? I’m 50 and have eaten Kiwi fruit for at least 45 years!
hope you can get some of our lazier residents to get out and pick our wonderful strawberries, not much sign of it this summer....
Exactly. It beats me why anyone buys the out of season supermarket strawberries when they are completely devoid of any flavour!
Too many cookery shows. Who has to pay for those?
Who's going to pick those strawberries in June?
Oh, look a Brit blaming a foreigner for a problem his nation caused.
Same old racist lies about France and Germany controlling the EU.
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Remind me, are there any benefits to brexit? I do not mean airy fairy elitist blather about "sovereignty" which matter only to wealthy people who do not need to work but real benefits for ordinary decent taxpaying folk who need to earn to put food on the table.
Its not tangible though, like food on the table. Neither is 'taking back control'. They're just simple slogans, for simple people. Ironic that Remain was painted as 'elitist' when you look at the background, private education, wealth etc of leading Brexiteers
"If you don't understand the concept of 'sovereignty',"
Too bad for you, I do understand the idea of sovereignty 100 times more than any brexiter does. For brexiters it means every other nation doing what the UK wants. That my friend is not sovereignty; it is imperialism
Too bad for you, I do understand the idea of sovereignty 100 times more than any brexiter does. For brexiters it means every other nation doing what the UK wants. That my friend is not sovereignty; it is imperialism
So what about all the non EU countries who have shut their borders to the UK too? Are they in on Brexit too or are you talking out of your behind?
That's hilarious. I thought it was Handcock who caused this by declaring that the virus was out of control.
perhaps i imagined that.
perhaps i imagined that.
You're right of course that this is the wrong conclusion to draw from the closing of Fench ports to travel from the UK.
But you've missed the ney point that PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING. And if an European firm with a British supplier is seriously incommoded by this closure, they are at risk of concluding that buying from Britiain threatens the solidity of hteir business...and of acting accordingly.
But you've missed the ney point that PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING. And if an European firm with a British supplier is seriously incommoded by this closure, they are at risk of concluding that buying from Britiain threatens the solidity of hteir business...and of acting accordingly.
Of course this is exactly what it was feared that Brexit would lead to and why the Government has been forced to spend such huge amounts of money to try to avoid. It’s ironic that COVID has given us both a taste of what the future may hold but also clearly shown that it may not be enough to protect our trade. It seems that ‘Project Fear’ was actually’Project Fact’. It’s not too late to reconsider.
It is amazing what some bitter Remainers want to believe.
The BBC are constantly in a rush to use inflammatory terms and always the quickest concerning the reporting of negative news. Apart from when it's one of their own ... Also, if the spokesman (Mr Wright) equates this to not being able to 'trust' British Products, he's in the wrong job! It's not the products but the supply chain .. currently close by FRANCE! Merry Christmas to all!
Over 50 countries now closed their borders to UK visitors. It is the Gov'ts fault for giving the impression that thousands of people are being found dead in the streets from the virus. This has created universal panic. I am very embarrassed in how all the thousands of truck drivers are being treated in Kent, no food, no toilet/washing provision. It makes us look worse than third world countries.
This gives further reason why Boris should not do a deal with the EU on trade. It would merely be a capitulation to bullying from France which will not look at all good.
Or unilaterally quarantining travellers for 14 days whilst our Covid rates were/are higher than where they came from. Nothing political in that human rights travesty
So, you appear to believe that those who have been wronged should wrong other people. Clearly, you subscribe to the law of Hammurabi: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” Charmingly civilised.
Btw, it’s POETIC justice. There again you are George Nathaniel Curzon “a most superior person...” You should select your soubriquet more carefully.
Btw, it’s POETIC justice. There again you are George Nathaniel Curzon “a most superior person...” You should select your soubriquet more carefully.
We learn today that if we cut our self off from Europe we are risking the supply of food and medicines to the UK.
Is this really what 17.4 million people voted for in the middle of the last decade?
Is this really what 17.4 million people voted for in the middle of the last decade?
We haven't cut ourselves off, we have left a Club. Incidentally Netherlands Ports are still open and French will be tomorrow. I voted to leave and we should have done in 2016.
Ian - 60% of the food you eat comes from UK - the other 40% doesn't, this doesn't mean 6 out of 10 bananas are from UK. We would all get very sick very quickly if we became self sufficient - only country that nearly is, is North Korea... are we the new North Korea? will Boris' child already be able to play the violin in Italian.
Same old racist lies about France and Germany controlling the EU.
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Reality is the EU sets the rules for accessing the EU 27 member states. If the EU shuts the borders, then our uk friends have little leverage...actually, no leverage. That is simply the new post EU reality. From Jan 1st, british citizens or any other nationality will be barred from the EU, only freight and EU citizens will be able to make the journey. The uk is learning its new reality.
Barred from travelling from Jan 1st, so no commuting, no business travel, no holiday travel (post Covid), are you sure.
What do you think the long term situation will be?
1. After the COVID threat recedes, people will get back to travelling normally to the EU and other nations, with the additonal need for an Evitsa document like other non EU nations.
or
2. The EU will permanently block British travellers even with no disease threat.
Your statement is a cheap attempt to make political capital out of a virus
1. After the COVID threat recedes, people will get back to travelling normally to the EU and other nations, with the additonal need for an Evitsa document like other non EU nations.
or
2. The EU will permanently block British travellers even with no disease threat.
Your statement is a cheap attempt to make political capital out of a virus
Reality is, that France just made a political statement, Ban our boats France will ban your trucks, of course this has just made a rather big political statement, but remember the Ireland needs that road route to the rest of the EU
France on behalf of the EU has made the UK aware of just how insecure UK trade is with the EU, not something anyone in the UK will like, future relations uncertain
France on behalf of the EU has made the UK aware of just how insecure UK trade is with the EU, not something anyone in the UK will like, future relations uncertain
Does anyone think he might be a remain fanatic lol
Rejoin is a pipe-dream for the LibDems. It won't ever happen.
rubbish
That world-beating buffoon Johnson will go down in our history as the most disastrous prime minister ever.
Brexit voters, look what you’ve done.
Brexit voters, look what you’ve done.
You are either very young or very forgetful. Blair was far worse and is still profiting from his duplicity.
What strange logic. Undoubtedly, Brexit voters voted for Johnson at the later General Election. However, to be elected he must have had a substantial number of Remain voters exercising their franchise on his behalf, not to mention former Labour voters in the northern ‘red wall’.
Project reality. This is what brexit looks like unless you believe that Johnson is honest and “one of us” in which case no doubt the bbc are lying, right?
A no-deal Brexit would still be worse. The border closure doesn't apply to unaccompanied freight (which makes up the bulk of imports and exports) because it can't transmit covid.
The new border checks will apply to almost everything. And even with a good deal, it would still apply to a lot.
We had all better get used to queues of stationary lorries, because they are now a permanent feature.
The new border checks will apply to almost everything. And even with a good deal, it would still apply to a lot.
We had all better get used to queues of stationary lorries, because they are now a permanent feature.
Nobody is going to close the border because of new trading rules. There is no comparison with the present fiasco.
That’s what terrifies me as i believe you are right!
Ask yourself how we manage with other imports (52% EU vs 48% non EU)
These work fine, because the customs documents are sorted in transit. Within an hour of landing, containers on international ships are on the roads and moving.
You're deluding yourself if you think it's impossible to get rapid freight without EU membership. Of course, if EU trade is slow we'll switch to buy from faster nations
These work fine, because the customs documents are sorted in transit. Within an hour of landing, containers on international ships are on the roads and moving.
You're deluding yourself if you think it's impossible to get rapid freight without EU membership. Of course, if EU trade is slow we'll switch to buy from faster nations
That's fine. There may be different timescales but not delays as lead in times will be adjusted. Also, maybe this will stimulate manufacturing growth in the UK because once upon at time, pretty much everything now imported from China & elsewhere was made here - cars, TVs, hi-fi- toys etc.
I bet you are a bundle of joy at home.
"They need us more than we need them!" - how's that working out?
8 days to go remoaners, tick tock, no deal, Merry brexmas :)
What childish point scoring. No wonder the UK is isolated.
I find the British Rightwing grossly irresponsible and extremist. That surely is what we need to be concerned with.
I find the British Rightwing grossly irresponsible and extremist. That surely is what we need to be concerned with.
"We've just proved... that you can't trust British products," he said. "And that's really unhelpful."
What utter nonsense. The justification for closing the ports is a deadly virus strain. It could happen to anyone, it's an exceptional circumstance, it's not a reflection on the reliability of British products.
Or do Schengen countries allow viruses to escape for the sake of trade deals?
What utter nonsense. The justification for closing the ports is a deadly virus strain. It could happen to anyone, it's an exceptional circumstance, it's not a reflection on the reliability of British products.
Or do Schengen countries allow viruses to escape for the sake of trade deals?
Yes but customs controls will be bad, but I would bet a lot of money that IF there is a no deal, French trawlermen will be blockading Calais within days!
Well our imperious leaders have been years planning these operations for Brexit. It seems that a few days before that date this has caught them out and they have forgotten that hundreds of truckers might need food or toilets whilst marooned in the middle of nowhere in their trucks. Unreal
That's true. But it reflects badly on the competence of our current govt who could have (should have) anticipated such a reaction.
At this time, we're not trusted to deliver. Not since the referendum. Everything here is far too uncertain. This lastest debacle is something we could have done without, and was avoidable.
At this time, we're not trusted to deliver. Not since the referendum. Everything here is far too uncertain. This lastest debacle is something we could have done without, and was avoidable.
I think you have mistyped. Surely what you mean was "Realists can't".
The French are not a race distinguishable from us, ie Caucasian, they represent the term ‘nationality’, as we do English, Scottish et al. Language matters, it’s all we have to facilitate civilised discussion.
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You realise that the UK is the same 'race' as France? - IF you paid for your education, ask for a refund.
Do you Brits take responsibility for anything?
The Russians and Americans did that.
8 days to go remoaners, tick tock, no deal, Merry brexmas :)
Over 50 countries now closed their borders to UK visitors. It is the Gov'ts fault for giving the impression that thousands of people are being found dead in the streets from the virus. This has created universal panic. I am very embarrassed in how all the thousands of truck drivers are being treated in Kent, no food, no toilet/washing provision. It makes us look worse than third world countries.
Just tried to post an important letter to France this afternoon. The Post Office refused to take it telling me that all postage to France is suspended!
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
Contrary to the views of many, the PERCEPTION OF UNRELIABILITY of supply from Britain is a serious danger - however far from the truth the perception is.
Because people ACT on their perceptions (informed OR uninformed) - which is why climate change deniers have had such a poisonous effect on the beliefs of the population in their perceptions of danger and the need for urgent and dramatic action.
Because people ACT on their perceptions (informed OR uninformed) - which is why climate change deniers have had such a poisonous effect on the beliefs of the population in their perceptions of danger and the need for urgent and dramatic action.
Try Lomborg and Lovelock for scientific views on the Climate Models inaccuracy or how to address any issues. Meanwhile back in the UK the remainer supposedly promoting UK produce needs sacking, or else needs to say 'and Irish produce too' as their trucks are held up at the end of the land-bridge as well.
back in the spring when European countries closed their borders in order to prevent virus spread, they still allowed trucks to move about
Reality is the EU sets the rules for accessing the EU 27 member states. If the EU shuts the borders, then our uk friends have little leverage...actually, no leverage. That is simply the new post EU reality. From Jan 1st, british citizens or any other nationality will be barred from the EU, only freight and EU citizens will be able to make the journey. The uk is learning its new reality.
"Let’s hope common sense prevails."
Common sense being "shut up everyone else and do what little England tells you to do"?
Common sense being "shut up everyone else and do what little England tells you to do"?
Your incompetent government caused a disease crisis that other nations want to protect themselves from.
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So true
I agree that it was caused by a virus which originated in the UK which in many ways mirrors Brexit. But would have to point out that France is just one of the many countries of Europe, and elsewhere, who have done so. It’s just that France is the closest to us and as so much trade goes through Dover the resulting problems are far more obvious. This is why Brexit is such a bad idea.
Can you prove it originated in the UK - its far more likely that it was brought here by others and discovered here due to all the tests we are carrying out
COVID did not originate in the UK. How could you say that? Maybe you are a Russian bot. Or an idiot. Or both.
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Everyone keeps looking at things through Brexit tinted glasses. If we take a step back:
- The UK alerted the world to this new strain.
- France decided to unilaterally stop cargo when others haven’t felt the need.
- Any country would struggle if a key supply route was suspended overnight.
This move is dangerous, and countries may now be reluctant to announce a new COVID strain if they find one.
- The UK alerted the world to this new strain.
- France decided to unilaterally stop cargo when others haven’t felt the need.
- Any country would struggle if a key supply route was suspended overnight.
This move is dangerous, and countries may now be reluctant to announce a new COVID strain if they find one.
Thank you for sanity.
There are a huge number of idiots on this board who seem to think an emergency border blockade is just what normally happens to countries if they allow trade deals and membership of state unions to elapse.
There are a huge number of idiots on this board who seem to think an emergency border blockade is just what normally happens to countries if they allow trade deals and membership of state unions to elapse.
It’s only 70% more transmittable because 70% of the population have given up on the rules sadly
We closed all traffic/supply routes with Denmark when they had their problem with covid being passed on from minks. Nobody thought that was an unreasonable thing to do.
Over 40 countries banned arrivals from the UK, not just France. It was bozo who stated the virus was out of control, no one else.
Over 40 countries "felt the need".
The French closure was more visible and affected us more due to their proximity, and the fact most escorted cargo goes through ports, particularly Dover.
Consider this: If Macron suddenly announced there was a new strain of Coronavirus in France and it was out of control, wouldn't you expect our Govt to close our borders? Most people expected it in March!
The French closure was more visible and affected us more due to their proximity, and the fact most escorted cargo goes through ports, particularly Dover.
Consider this: If Macron suddenly announced there was a new strain of Coronavirus in France and it was out of control, wouldn't you expect our Govt to close our borders? Most people expected it in March!
What did you think happened in early 2020 when the UK government started travel bans . why is this different?
Ah of course - it affects us, how silly of me. Perspective is everything isn't it
Ah of course - it affects us, how silly of me. Perspective is everything isn't it
France has not unilaterally stopped cargo. France has exercised the sovereignty and control over its own borders that all EU members have in order to reduce the public health risk to its citizens posed by people who have become infected in the UK. France has unilaterally stopped people entering, not cargo. If Dover were a container port, it would be operating normally.
They haven't stopped cargo, only the 20% which is accompanied. RoRo was stopped, ship and collect had not. But RoRo, both ways, is primarily perishable, i.e. food.
"This move is dangerous"
a) Surely they are responding to Hancock saying it's out of control, as the rest of the 50 countries were?
b) Our government says with limited notice people from tier 4 shouldn't travel to the rest of the country, yet you think it's unreasonable for other countries to think "perhaps those people shouldn't come here until we know what we're dealing with"?
a) Surely they are responding to Hancock saying it's out of control, as the rest of the 50 countries were?
b) Our government says with limited notice people from tier 4 shouldn't travel to the rest of the country, yet you think it's unreasonable for other countries to think "perhaps those people shouldn't come here until we know what we're dealing with"?
Just tried to post an important letter to France this afternoon. The Post Office refused to take it telling me that all postage to France is suspended!
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
That's right - an Airmail letter can't be sent to France!
NO ROYAL MAIL TO EUROPE - of course DHL appear to be running.
This unacceptable - we are literally now cut of with no prospect of a solution from HMG.
The Civil Service must hate them
Sounds like the French are taking caution more than a little too far. Fairly typical I suspect and we will see worse to come. The only answer is to tit for tat. Lorries cant come to the UK because they cant go back, and of course letters may bring in infection and it seems likely that Germany and France must have variants by now and are just not saying.