Body & Soul4 mins ago
The Sunny-Uplands Of Brexit
During January of this year, Beef exports to the EU fell by 91.5%, Cheese by 85.1% and Pork by 86.9% - some exports such as breeding animals, seed potatoes and certified seeds stopped entirely – with a total loss of export value of around £100 million (source: Private Eye).
Who amongst us would be stupid enough to vote leave?
Who amongst us would be stupid enough to vote leave?
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The brexiteers' story was that the whole thing would be easy-peasy; but it isn't as easy as they made it out to be. Be honest - if Johnson was at your door trying to sell double-glazing or a roof repair, would you trust him an inch? I certainly wouldn't; he's a born chancer, happy to take risks when he's not the poor mug who'll suffer. Can any of you here really say that they believe him to be an honest man who delivers? The only thing he's delivered was brexit (not his idea or even his first choice) and he may have delivered a disaster for us; I certainly hope not - I want this country to do well.
//DD are you saying that membership of the EU would have tied our hands over the vaccine rollout?//
When the EU vaccine plan was announced we were invited to join in. It was during the transition period. We declined and the government was slated for doing so. All the EU nations were whipped into shape to join the EU scheme - "Far better to have joint purchasing power; stick together to get the best deal; etc.etc." Here's the EU's own information on its vaccine project:
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Who carries out the negotiations with vaccine suppliers?
The Commission jointly with a Joint Negotiation Team carries out the negotiations with vaccine suppliers. The members of the Joint Negotiation Team – representing seven Member States - are appointed by a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee discusses and reviews all aspects of the Advanced Purchase Agreement (APA) contracts before signature. All EU Member States are represented in this Committee, which meets on a weekly basis.
Did all Member States agree with this approach?
All Member States have endorsed this approach, which is at the heart of the EU Vaccines Strategy. At the European Council in June 2020, the Member States of the European Union mandated the Commission to organise the joint procurement of vaccines. As a result, the European Commission has started talks with the most promising vaccine manufacturers.
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As far as the EU's procurement of the AZ vaccine, about which there is so much controversy, here's the relevant extract from their timeline:
14 August 2020
Commission approves APA (Advanced Purchasing Agreement) with AstraZeneca (for the purchase of 300 million doses of the vaccine, with an option to purchase 100 million more)
27 August 2020
Entry into force of the APA with AstraZeneca
For some reason the EU contends that the UK signed it's contract with AZ a day later on 28th August. In fact, as AZ confirms, it was signed in June, before the "...Member States of the European Union mandated the Commission to organise the joint procurement of vaccines."
There is no doubt that had the UK remained a member of the EU it would have been sucked into this scheme and would have been subject to the procrastination and prevarication of the Eurocrats. It was only when that process went so disastrously wrong that individual members struck out and made their own arrangements.
As I've said before, the EU is fine at discussing and debating the price at which beetroot must be traded among its captive members. When it comes to making important decisions in a timely fashion, its bureaucracy sees it come up woefully short.
When the EU vaccine plan was announced we were invited to join in. It was during the transition period. We declined and the government was slated for doing so. All the EU nations were whipped into shape to join the EU scheme - "Far better to have joint purchasing power; stick together to get the best deal; etc.etc." Here's the EU's own information on its vaccine project:
-----
Who carries out the negotiations with vaccine suppliers?
The Commission jointly with a Joint Negotiation Team carries out the negotiations with vaccine suppliers. The members of the Joint Negotiation Team – representing seven Member States - are appointed by a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee discusses and reviews all aspects of the Advanced Purchase Agreement (APA) contracts before signature. All EU Member States are represented in this Committee, which meets on a weekly basis.
Did all Member States agree with this approach?
All Member States have endorsed this approach, which is at the heart of the EU Vaccines Strategy. At the European Council in June 2020, the Member States of the European Union mandated the Commission to organise the joint procurement of vaccines. As a result, the European Commission has started talks with the most promising vaccine manufacturers.
=======
As far as the EU's procurement of the AZ vaccine, about which there is so much controversy, here's the relevant extract from their timeline:
14 August 2020
Commission approves APA (Advanced Purchasing Agreement) with AstraZeneca (for the purchase of 300 million doses of the vaccine, with an option to purchase 100 million more)
27 August 2020
Entry into force of the APA with AstraZeneca
For some reason the EU contends that the UK signed it's contract with AZ a day later on 28th August. In fact, as AZ confirms, it was signed in June, before the "...Member States of the European Union mandated the Commission to organise the joint procurement of vaccines."
There is no doubt that had the UK remained a member of the EU it would have been sucked into this scheme and would have been subject to the procrastination and prevarication of the Eurocrats. It was only when that process went so disastrously wrong that individual members struck out and made their own arrangements.
As I've said before, the EU is fine at discussing and debating the price at which beetroot must be traded among its captive members. When it comes to making important decisions in a timely fashion, its bureaucracy sees it come up woefully short.
//Be honest - if Johnson was at your door trying to sell double-glazing or a roof repair, would you trust him an inch?//
Boris Johnson was had just been defeated in the London Mayoral election when I cast my vote to leave. I had no idea that he would become PM and deliver Brexit. That nice Mr Major was the Prime Minister when I decided which way I would cast that vote, if ever given the opportunity.
Boris Johnson was had just been defeated in the London Mayoral election when I cast my vote to leave. I had no idea that he would become PM and deliver Brexit. That nice Mr Major was the Prime Minister when I decided which way I would cast that vote, if ever given the opportunity.
NJ – I am definitely worse off as a result of Brexit.
If it were not for Covid, I would have made at least two trips to France to stock up on wine.
I got caught out buying something from a seller in Europe having to pay double VAT on the items (although I know NJ loves paying more tax).
Some of the recent supermarket shortages have undoubtedly been the result of Brexit.
It looks like my passport will only last 9½ years for the purpose of visiting Europe.
I’m likely to need to get additional insurance to drive my car in Europe.
Some of my employer’s business involves mainland Europe; Brexit has caused them considerable expense and extra work, these additional costs will be passed on to Joe Public in terms of higher product prices and costs to other manufacturers.
Through my work I’m aware of a number of issues heading our way as a result of Brexit – once they come to fruition, I’ll be posting them on this site.
If it were not for Covid, I would have made at least two trips to France to stock up on wine.
I got caught out buying something from a seller in Europe having to pay double VAT on the items (although I know NJ loves paying more tax).
Some of the recent supermarket shortages have undoubtedly been the result of Brexit.
It looks like my passport will only last 9½ years for the purpose of visiting Europe.
I’m likely to need to get additional insurance to drive my car in Europe.
Some of my employer’s business involves mainland Europe; Brexit has caused them considerable expense and extra work, these additional costs will be passed on to Joe Public in terms of higher product prices and costs to other manufacturers.
Through my work I’m aware of a number of issues heading our way as a result of Brexit – once they come to fruition, I’ll be posting them on this site.
Please dont take notice of Private Eye,thats very anti-British. Obviously after being tied to the EU for 40 odd years there are going to be a few problems getting our historic independence back again,but the asker will see its all well worth the pain. At 76 I have been trying to come out since I was 16.
-- answer removed --
I’ve been a Private Eye reader for well over 40 years – the magazine is anti-corruption, anti-incompetence, and otherwise pointing out the dishonesty of our leaders.
The fact that most of our political leaders exhibit those traits might lead people to believe the magazine to be anti-British; but that it not the case, it also castigates other world leaders for such behaviour.
The fact that most of our political leaders exhibit those traits might lead people to believe the magazine to be anti-British; but that it not the case, it also castigates other world leaders for such behaviour.
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