Brexit

[DrPatrickBarry]

Not just here
https://news.slashdot.org/story/19/0...wikipedia-page

[Oracle]

Not just here
https://news.slashdot.org/story/19/0...wikipedia-page

But then wiki was never an objective source of information, so where is the suprise?
All controversial topics are opinions dressed up as fact on wiki, and defended by creative editing or removal of incovenient fact.

[DrPatrickBarry]

But then wiki was never an objective source of information.

Blanket comment like that is wrong, it very much depends on what the topic is. I remember years ago reading about the "edit-war" taking place on the page dealing with the palestinian israeli conflict. They finally had to lock down the page.

[Oracle]

Blanket comment like that is wrong, it very much depends on what the topic is. I remember years ago reading about the "edit-war" taking place on the page dealing with the palestinian israeli conflict. They finally had to lock down the page.

I qualified it saying " not objective on controversial issues". If you think politics stirs up a wiki hornets nest, try religion!

Although on all matters the scholarship is not guaranteed. Even on such as ohms law, the statements Made lack precision, although it gets closer than most school textbooks ever do. And I actually think it contributes to misunderstandings on philosophy of science, so a false philosophy of scientific relativism, another interest of mine: although that certainly does not belong here!

[Graham Breeze]

..another interest of mine: although that certainly does not belong here!

Ah...but who knows who reads your wise words on the Forum?

A few years ago I wrote some kind words about Pedalare! Pedalare! and the author John Foot (Professor of Modern Italian History at University College, London) wrote and thanked me.

[Witton Park]

Back on topic

It looks like Mrs May is stitching some deal up with the Tories based on a Customs Union. I'm not surprised, as her Withdrawal Agreement contains one and the Future Declaration actually makes it the most likely end point.

When I consider the various types of BRINO that Remainers can cobble together to make the UK as "rejoin ready" as they can, the Customs Union element is probably the worst of them.

I have never heard a proper case put for it. Labour politicians just come out with slogans like "to protect jobs" without explaining how it might protect jobs.
It won't.
I don't think they appreciate how it would work in practice.


EEA works to a degree for Norway. Interestingly the Norwegians are likely in the future to withdraw from EEA to a FTA.
There is increasing discomfort at the creeping nature of EU regs on the Norwegian economy and business.
EEA is after all a mechanism devised as a stepping stone for joining countries and Norway is clearly not joining.

There is certainly no appetite for Norway joining the Customs Union.

EEA for the UK would be more palatable for most leavers. It does come with freedom of movement, but there are ways to deal with that within the EEA.

I'm not advocating it, but I'm surprised that EEA isn't the BRINO at the top of the list. I assume that's because both Tories and Labour see ending freedom of movement as key to future electoral success, which I think is an error.

[DrPatrickBarry]

I have never heard a proper case put for it.

It would never have been on the table, except for the DUPs to refusal to acknowledge the reality of so much small business integration (espically in relation to agrifoods) on the small island of Ireland.

While I disagree with the argument that increased trade with the rest of the world will outweigh the increased friction with the EU, a customs union, really does undermine the whole point of leaving.

[Muddy Retriever]

I have never heard a proper case put for it. Labour politicians just come out with slogans like "to protect jobs" without explaining how it might protect jobs.
It won't.
I don't think they appreciate how it would work in practice.

Apparently last month when Corbyn first met May for talks, they had to haul in Olly Robbins to explain to Corbyn what a customs union (his party's policy) actually was.

[Witton Park]

Apparently last month when Corbyn first met May for talks, they had to haul in Olly Robbins to explain to Corbyn what a customs union (his party's policy) actually was.

That wouldn't surprise me. Labour MP Rupa Huq on Politics Live a few weeks ago said that she wanted to be in a customs union so her child would be able to study in Switzerland.
You couldn't make it up.
Andrew Neil had a little fun with her.

[Witton Park]

It would never have been on the table, except for the DUPs to refusal to acknowledge the reality of so much small business integration (espically in relation to agrifoods) on the small island of Ireland.

While I disagree with the argument that increased trade with the rest of the world will outweigh the increased friction with the EU, a customs union, really does undermine the whole point of leaving.

Pat you'll have to explain yourself a little better.

You say that a Customs Union wouldn't be on the table except for the DUP? Really?