Editorial: Sir Ed Davey – and even Kemi Badenoch – are saying new things about post-Brexit challenges. It is time for Sir Keir Starmer to do likewise

This quote is a good summary of the article:

It is time to rebuild meaningful working and trading relations with Europe. This does not have to mean rejoining the EU. But it does mean recognising where our security and our prosperity both lie.

Thoughts?

  • RobotToaster@mander.xyz
    0·
    12 days ago

    In the other, the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, called for Britain to join the customs union by 2030 as part of a larger deal with Europe.

    Would the EU actually accept us joining the EUCU without joining the EEA?

  • FuckyWucky [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    0·
    12 days ago

    I don’t care about ‘threats’ from Russia or China, nothing more than new Red Scare propaganda. So, that point can be thrown in the trash rubbish bin.

    Joining the customs union would boost trade by eliminating most taxes on imports and exports with EU member states. It would place Britain behind a European tariff wall with the rest of the world. It would help to align rules which, as Sir Ed pointed out, mean that a UK air cargo company currently has to service its planes in the US rather than in Europe. And it would reduce some of the red tape created by Britain’s own post-Brexit regulations.

    What will EU even import from the UK? Does it even want British goods? Is there even enough demand backed by purchasing power in the EU countries given their own economic stagnation? Relying on exports as a source of demand is a terrible idea, especially when the Government isn’t willing to step in if and when there are any shocks.

    The economic reasons are more valid, I think more open trade between EU and UK would be good. But it’s not going to fix U.K’s problems in any way, that requires Government to do stuff and increase spending, which it isn’t going to do.

  • mannycalavera@feddit.uk
    0·
    11 days ago

    Thoughts?

    Labour isn’t willing to lose 30-40% of it’s voters. Cold hard truth. Thus they will never countenance rejoin on any level.

    Closer “defence” arrangements is as far as they will go.

    • SleafordMod@feddit.ukOPEnglish
      0·
      11 days ago

      You’re probably right. Things like joining the customs union probably won’t happen until at least the next government in 2029.

      • mannycalavera@feddit.uk
        0·
        11 days ago

        Th best scenario as I see it is that the UK pays for membership to all the E* bodies that it would have had membership to when in the union. Stuff like the science projects or standards agencies and the like. Eventually someone might say, hang about why are we paying for all this when we could get this and more via some membership?

        But that’s not going to one parliament away. The UK will be outside for at least 20 years. At least. Unless we stop voting Labour and Tory. But that isn’t going to happen. 30 years.