Comments by "TheEvertw" (@TheEvertw) on "A Different Bias" channel.

  1. Brexit has certainly solved the EU collapse problem. All talk of other nations leaving has grown very silent indeed. Thank you, UK!
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  2. When Parliament no longer scrutinises government, democracy is no more.
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  3. "It has already happened". Sobering, that. And true. As the man in the hat likes to say, "numpties put the cross in the wrong box" and gave the charlatan almost absolute power in the UK, much more power than e.g. Trump had. But it is no use looking back. There is a battle to be fought, and it is the battle of common sense. Your channel is playing a vital part in that battle. Keep up the good work!
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  4. It is quite outrageous that they will not lift a finger for regular unemployed, but will make sure they have a cushy safety net for themselves. The pinnacle of hypocrisy.
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  5. Excellent video! Keep reminding people of the Brexit lies.
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  6. "We are a service-based economy" Not any more, you ain't. "Welcome to the Brexit, Sir"
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  7. The EU has no need to put pressure on Bozo or his clowns. As they say: "Never interrupt your enemy while he is digging his own grave, rather lend him a spade".
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  8. Brits threaten all the time, then do not carry through. The EU does not. It speaks softly, and means EXACTLY what it says.
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  9. Brexit is a great example of what a government can do without a free press. The Brexitards don't even know they are being played!
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  10. The changes in the polls show one thing: the immaturity of UK English voters.
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  11. It is funny how quickly the Brexitards have moved from "WTO-rules will be fine" to "The EU needs to co-operate with us". Pretty soon they will propose the EU adopt UK standards on food and products, and call it mean for giving them the finger.
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  12. Canceling the nip in order to make brexit look less bad would be an extremely cruel, cynical and selfish deed. Shows you what type of people the Tories are.
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  13. This Brexit may not be the Brexit he voted for, but it is the Brexit that was predicted by experts.
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  14. I was wondering how on earth a UK minister had found the courage to face a critical public and take questions. Now I understand: the audience was carefully vetted. The BBC is complicit in the destruction of the UK.
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  15. "My friend told me to divorce you." "What?" "She says you beat me up all the time." "But I don't. I am very nice to you. I have never laid a finger on you." "And she says you are very stingy with the money." "But I give you almost everything you ask for, and you are free to use our accounts as you please!" "I am going to divorce you anyway. My friend tells me I will be happier that way." "Well, good luck then. I'll be waiting for you if you ever want to come back. But you will need to leave my house, and won't be able to use my car anymore. As you know, we put that in the prenup contract." "That is SO MEAN of you!" -- A Brexit analogy.
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  16. To paraphrase Robert Burn: "This house has nothing but poverty; promises and poverty".
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  17. "None of his MPs understand how the economy works, otherwise they wouldn't be Tories" Great line, Phil, and absolutely true. Humanity works best when co-operating, so when we allow those who work hard to enjoy the fruit of their labours, everybody benefits. Even Henry Ford, for all his faults, knew that taking good care of his workers meant that they took good care of him. For many reasons, not least of which is that when you pay more, you get to choose & pick the best workers instead of getting stuck with the worst.
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  18. It looks like the EU planned ahead. They couldn't have foreseen this moment, could they?
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  19. Suffering in silence because you believe everybody outside the country is suffering even worse. I thought only North Koreans did that...
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  20. Brexit reminds me of me leaving my parental house to live on my own for the first time. I was 6. I got all of 20 meters before I returned, tears in my eyes, as I reflected on the harsh realities of the world outside the parental home.
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  21. Excellent video, Phil. Life is not a zero-sum game. Brexit, on the other hand, is a negative-sum game. In fact, economical suicide.
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  22. This is a sad day for Scotland.
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  23. People who thought that the Tory government was going to level up the regional funding, will get what they deserve.
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  24. The BBC needs to be very ashamed of itself for allowing the government to use it for propaganda. Lying about Brexit now will only increase the anger when people realise they have been conned.
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  25. "Helping larger corporations crush the smaller ones" One of the reasons why these raised wages will be temporary. If the unions are not seriously strengthened, the power of the bosses will only increase.
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  26. There were always going to be businesses that profited from Brexit. Like those that second customs experts or drivers, builders of parking lots or various types of consultants. It is just that these do not increase UK productivity.
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  27. Facemasks only protecting others? Tories: Great, I won't need one then.
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  28. And this is why you should never vote based on a single issue. Life is not about a single issue, and has a habit of punishing those that think it is.
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  29. I hadn't thought of the invasion as a heist, but that definitely makes sense. Much more, actually, than the accepted view that he wants to "restore" the Russian empire.
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  30. The UK is in a lot of trouble. At a time where the government is facing challenges unseen since 1945, you have a narcissistic pathological liar, who has zero accountability, backed by grifters whose only thought is lining their own pockets at the expense of everybody else's.
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  31. For those paying attention, the UK economy started to drop significantly before the rest of the world. That means the drop has a different cause than Covid, or at least there is a significant other factor involved. As you say, cause and effect. If the drop in jan 2020 were cause by Covid, the UK economy must have been prescient, as at that time the world was still operating as if nothing was the matter. China was still denying there was a problem.
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  32. The UK populace kept consuming this propaganda without recognising it for what it is. For at least 3 decades! And still people do not realise who the real culprit is: Murdoch and the other extreme right-wing media. I guess the people need to suffer a bit more until the get sick of the lies.
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  33. The saddest thing about this situation is that even when after all that pain people do vote for Labour, it will take time before things get better. And voter memories are so short...
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  34. Thank you for representing the viewpoint of the EU! The EU has been EXTREMELY lenient and patient with the UK, making the standard Brexiteer rhetoric all the more ridiculous.
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  35. The EU does not want Brexit to fail. The EU was designed to intertwine national economies in such a way that it would be suicide to extract from it, in order to prevent a third world war. Brexit proves it succeeded.
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  36. This is what you get when you think ignorance is "endearing". It is easy to be ignorant. It should never be a badge of honour.
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  37. ​ Carl Stone  All fascists point to some imagined point in the past where their nation was the King of the World, and then had their "Rightful Position" taken from them by "The Enemy". Hitler had the dolchstoß anti-jew theory, Mussolini pointed to the Roman Empire, Trump has the "Lost Cause" myth and the Red Scare anti-democrat lies, Putin points to the glory of Stalin and how the west destroyed the USSR, Brexiteers point to the glory pre WW2 and the EU as enemy. It is the sentiment of betrayal that makes fascism so hard to beat. Everybody who tries to talk some sense is made out to be another traitor.
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  38. As the Dutch saying goes: "Better a good neighbour than a far-away friend".
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  39.  @peterparker219  Absolutely right. The UK in its current state would fail the convergence criteria. Amongst others, the un-elected House of Lords has to go, or be replaced by something that is democratically elected. Lord Frosty is going to be so upset about this...
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  40. "He needs his braying donkeys behind him" I was waiting for that line ;-)
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  41. The government is desperately keeping up appearances. It won't last.
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  42. All I can say is: British journalists still have a lot to learn. Glad to see some are growing a back bone, though.
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  43. About the Yacht: Exactly what I thought when that plan became known. The Brits aren't particularly know for building super-yachts. The Dutch, Germans and Italians, are.
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  44. It took some time, but the pigs have finally taken over the farm. And they are making a right mess out of it. Oh, wait that was another of Orwell's books.
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  45. The British people have been bred and trained to obey those greater than themselves. Only an extreme pressure can break them out of that mold and force them (or at least, some of them) to start and think for themselves. Will Brexit finally do it? Yeah, Yeah, I now, gross generalizations here, but their continued support for the Conservatives shows it is true to a large extent for about half the population.
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  46. They will be permitted back in the Single Market & Customs Union. Just not as a member of the EU. They will be taking rules, but have zero power to influence them. And they will be fined big time if they fail to adhere to the rules. So much for sovereignty.
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  47. The most despicable part of this is that Patel's parents were immigrants. Utterly shameful.
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  48. The UK used to be inter-dependent as an equal among the EU nations. Now it is quickly becoming dependent on foreign aid. Well done, Brexiteers!
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  49. And both are ruled by the gutter press.
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  50. Has anyone noticed that they way these PPE contracts were awarded would have been illegal in the EU? Given that UK manufacturers of PPE tried to be couldn't sell PPE to the NHS, serious fraud was involved at the highest levels, that willfully endangered the lives of NHS staff and patients, causing actual deaths. It would be a gross miscarriage of justice if those responsible did not land themselves prison sentences.
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  51. ​ @jungbolosse3034  Regulations on services have been tightening for some decades in the EU, mainly to prevent corruption and money laundering. In fact this was the reason why the Tories were so hell-bent on Brexit: to avoid new (internal) anti-money laundering regulations that came into effect January 2020. The EU has every right to demand that the UK keeps the same regulations that apply internally, and it would be stupid not to.
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  52. Aligning regulations with your closest trading partner -- which is also the world-leading exporter of regulations -- is only sensible. The Brexitards were insane to think that deviating from those standards would allow economic growth. Because the EU is such a large trading block, all producers world-wide align with it -- if they want to export, that is. Thinking, even for a second, that you would do well by dropping them when the EU is your biggest and closest trading partner, is INSANE.
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  53. We must be grateful to the Brexiteers. They give the world a graphic illustration of how cooperation is better than strife.
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  54. To want others to fail in order to hide how badly you messed up is absolute pure evil. That attitude will get you that same place in Hell as those that started Brexit without any plan on how to carry it through.
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  55. Bozo using N.I. to pressure the EU. It's a good thing the EU cares more about UK citizens than #10 does.
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  56. As a wise American (admittedly, a rare breed) once said: speak softly, but carry a big stick. That is exactly what the EU is doing. They don't need to show the stick to the UK, or rattle it. Everybody involved knows it is there. It is not militarily but economical: the biggest stick of all these days.
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  57. Nah. All this noise is just Tories struggling to stay in power another day. They need to divert public attention away from what they are really up to: turning the UK into a totalitarian dictatorship.
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  58. Journalists usually have a hard time translating scientific facts into stories. But picking a single line out of context, like they have done, is inexcusable, and all the more so because of the sensitive nature of the issue. This is plain bad journalism, and needs to be pointed out. Thanks, Phil.
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  59.  @Chris-rp9df  She had to choose between Brexit or unemployment in the great purge of the Tory party.
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  60. Yes I do. There are the complaints of bullying, but as those have not been independently verified AFAIK, I don't give them too much credence. But regardless, he was an EXCELLENT speaker who always remained impartial on political debates. He was NOT impartial when Parliament opposed the government, and that is as it should be. The Speaker must be on the side of Parliament, whose job it is to scrutinize the government. Not like Hoyle, who is a staunch supported of the government.
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  61. When that misery gets real, and takes hold of the nation, please remember who led you into this: the Tory party AND the media.
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  62. That you can spend almost two minutes enumerating all groups whose vote has been made inconsequential due to FPTP voting, is a very clear demonstration of how undemocratic it really is.
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  63. In politics, there should be no such thing as a "Safe Seat". It means that PM's are no longer selected for quality or expertise but rewarded for doing nothing.
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  64. The phrase "A Pyrrhic Victory" will soon be replaced with "A Brexit Vote".
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  65. What makes the DUP a sad group extremists is that they want to get rid of the Protocol without proposing a viable alternative. As you say: "About as popular as a ham sandwich at a bar-mitzvah". That was pure gold.
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  66. If any Brit thinks that they can force the EU's hand to lower its standards as it diverges, think again. The EU is in the process of saving the planet by raising standards and forcing international suppliers to adopt them as well. You either adopt EU standards or you are out of the market. There is no way puny UK can oppose that.
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  67. I always thought the joke about quitting your membership at the gym then to expect access as usual, a bit far fetched. Turns out many Brits actually believed they could do that... Never mind about the blokes with the records, a bit of smuggling is part and parcel of having borders. But they shouldn't be too surprised to have their records confiscated when disembarking. Misspelling the name of my city of birth, however, is inexcusable...
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  68. The EU is not too worried about all internal UK shenanigans. As long as the W.A. is being followed. The responsibility for confronting the Tories with their mis-management lies with the media. The opposition has a role to play, of course, but without a platform ("the media") that will report truthfully, what can they do?
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  69. I can understand them alright. They have bought the lie and allowed government and media to blame the EU for everything without accepting any responsibility for decades. The NHS getting less funding? THE EU DID IT! Foodbanks popping up everywhere? THE EU MADE IT NECESSARY! Granny broke her toenail? THE EU DID IT! Now they will discover the truth of the matter the hard way, in the University of Hard Knocks. VERY hard knocks. The Idiots.
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  70. Judges do not stop bad politicians, that is the job of voters.
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  71. Also, the most dire warnings in Project Fear never put a time frame on them. As Britain is being handled with kid gloves by the EU (out of pity, not because England deserves such treatment), what they have experienced now is nothing compared to what is coming in a few years time, when e.g. the financial services will move from London to the EU. All the dirty money in the world can not begin to make up for that catastrophe.
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  72. Brexit is revealing the cruelty of the Tories for all to see. They'd rather have N.I. suffer hardship and even civil war than admit that they lied about Brexit.
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  73. Looks like Brexit will be the modern equivalent of the highland clearances: the destruction of small farmers for the benefit of the large land owners.
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  74. The tragedy of Brexit is that its effects will only become visible over years. And it will take years to repair the damage.
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  75. "Carefully laid out plan" Tories: We don't do plans. Planning is something for businesses. Businesses: Please tell us what to plan for! Tories: Eeerh, that would require us to plan. We don't do plans. "To govern is to plan ahead" -- Dutch proverb (Regeren is vooruitzien).
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  76. Argentina was ruined by populist rulers that tried to hide their incompetence as long as possible by keeping up appearances. UK is on exactly the same trajectory.
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  77. Nobody is talking about the elephant in the room: how are British services doing? The UK made 70% of her income through services, and presumably they have been hit hard by Brexit. But how hard? Is there any information on that?
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  78. "It dominoes until you have ghost towns": Thatcher did it to regions, Johnson does it to nations.
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  79. "The burned hand teaches best". They could have chosen not to light the fire, so I do not feel sorry for them. It was obvious that Bozo was a narcissistic pathological liar before the 2019 election and yet they trusted him. Brexit is a much-needed lesson in humility and common sense. Not just for the UK, but for the rest of the world as well.
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  80. None of the arguments of Brexiteers made any sense at all. They were simply lies to push through a measure that hurt both the EU and the UK very badly. The only one who benefited has been Putin.
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  81. For the next 5-or so years, we will continually get these type of updates. It is the longest train-wreck in history. Enjoy your winnings, Brexiteers!
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  82.  @gauloiseguy  I wel remember the half-dozen pots we used to store left over cash from a European holiday. All the different types of Franks and Marks and Kroner etc... And the stamps in the passports at every border crossing, surrounded by people with submachine guns. The inspections of the car. Praying you wouldn't be picked out for a thorough inspection...
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  83. Great to inject some realism into the rejoiners. Sadly, what the Tories have done within a few years will take decades to undo. First of all, the UK needs to re-establish a base of trust with the EU, including confidence that the next government will not again move in the opposite direction. It would be very dangerous for the EU to let you rejoin the SM or freedom of movement, only to get a government that will try to subvert everything a few years later. Brexit is done, and it will require a MASSIVE, PERMANENT political reform in the UK to undo it. You have lost the EU's trust, and only reform will regain it.
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  84. I love that early negotiation photo. Herrings invited to dinner by sharks.
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  85. "Keeping Up Appearances" is getting more and more interesting. How much longer will he be able to keep up the charade?
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  86. The Conservative company is moving another step towards full-on fascism.
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  87. IF the UK gets another free election, campaigning for Proportional Representation is an absolute no-brainer. Again, IF you get that chance to vote in freedom, you will not get a second one before the UK is dissolved and England has crashed into chaos.
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  88. Correction: this is how you WILL be treated. As the UK economy continues in its death spiral, this government will leave everybody out in the cold.
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  89. Excellent analysis, as usual. I also think the rise of extremist selfishness in France and the rest of the EU, very worrying. People have forgotten the lessons taught by WW2, especially how extremists play on public sentiments, offering easy solutions for hard problems. But these promises are always lies. Because there are no easy solutions to hard problems, and these goons know it. So they make these promises to gain power, only to follow their own, hidden, agenda once they get it.
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  90.  The legend of Spitfire Hunter  Telling lies in all-caps doesn't make them true. Bozo is a pathological liar. He has been fired for lying. He lied about Brexit. He lied about the N.I. protocol. He continuously lies about the EU. He lied about "holding all the cards". He lied about his deal being oven ready. He lied about his deal being better than May's. He lied about NHS funding. He lied many times about Covid. He lies so much that you literally can't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth.
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  91. With two of the nations being taken out against their expressed will...
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  92. This bean counter mentality of squeezing the low-paid jobs is utterly moronic. E.g. Henry Ford proved a century ago that paying workers well, is better for business in the long run, if only because you get to pick the best workers when you pay them more.
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  93. "tougher sentences" That is absolutely useless. When there is too much crime, that points to systemic problems in society. Those problems are not addressed when punishing more harshly. Higher minimum wages and better education are what solves crime.
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  94. ​ @jasbindersingh2441  Some people who are not sure will stumble on this channel and be convinced. It gives ammunition to those who speak with people. It will influence e.g. Labour strategy, if it doesn't already. And it leaves a historic record of everything that has happened for people to point to. So, in spite of having a limited reach among those who really should be listening to this, this is definitely a worthwhile effort.
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  95. Project fear becoming a reality. I well remember the scorn Brexitards heaped on us for warning that the UK economy was going to implode. Turns out we were underestimating the capacity of Tories to muck things up.
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  96. The only thing that can beat any sense into this government is a prolonged public outcry. This will not happen until companies start going tits up by the hundred, as a result of Brexit. It is going to be nasty. The outcry needs to be louder and firmer than what Thatcher had to face over her atrocities.
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  97. "We don't need a Fox-type channel in the UK" The BBC is filling that role perfectly at the moment.
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  98. Another caveat in A16.1: It must be clear that the problems are caused by the protocol. So things that are actually caused by the Brexit / the WA can never be a reason for triggering A16. That there is a border in the Irish sea is part of the WA, or that that border needs to be guarded by the UK, can never be a justification for throwing the Protocol away.
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  99. "Brexit-powered inflation running out of control" That is a few years earlier than I expected! Good thing it is, hopefully the sheeple will remember who promised them sunny uplands than delivered the exact opposite. Anyone still voting Tory needs to be taken into care.
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  100. Nurses are some of the most dedicated and professional people in the workforce. They are acutely aware of the importance of their work. When they go on strike, things must be very, very bad indeed. Compare their work ethic with that of those deciding their future, makes me very angry.
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  101. ​ @custos9209  It isn't about the money. It is about the influence and the help Putin gave the Tories in elections and the Brexit referendum. Putin has pulled UK society in a direction away from the EU, and the Tories have followed that lead. And in typical Boris fashion, he has jumped ahead of that lead and pretended he led it.
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  102. The UK is collapsing. There is no way England can survive the cutting off of financial services like transaction clearing in a few years. Hopefully, Scotland and NI will have left the Union before that.
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  103. As the economy of the UK has started a death spiral which will end in destruction, chaos and most likely deaths, my strongest advice to the Scottish is to leave at your earliest convenience.
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  104. And they still get angry with us for calling them Brexitards.
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  105. "If it was all so easy, then why has nothing of it happened" Excellent point. Bozo is king of promising the world, delivering nothing and blaming others for it. At some point, you'd think people would catch on.
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  106. The Tories are beyond shame. Rules don't apply to them.
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  107. Depending on Food imports is also a HUGE economic risk. If, for some reason, the pound devalues, they will still need to import that food, at even greater cost. This can (and likely will) trigger hyper-inflation. The UK government is being extremely reckless, and its citizens will pay the price.
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  108. It ain't the speaker's fault. It is that of the back benchers. Each and everyone of them is personally responsible to scrutinize government.
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  109. Curious to see if Johnson will announce a GE to get a new mandate, just like May did. I doubt he can count on the UDP this time to form a coalition, but if he can, that will be a disaster for the UK.
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  110. I can just shake my head at the sorry state the UK is in. What a bunch of clowns.
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  111. "other nations have voter identification" I don't know about other nations, but mine (Netherlands) has. But we also have a law that says that every adult must at all times be able to legally identify him/herself outside of private property. Thus, voter identification does not pose any restriction on voting, as in order to walk to the polling station (or the grocery store, or your workplace) you need the same identification.
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  112. Forman: "I believe in free movement and free trade". So does the EU. Why did you leave it then?
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  113. As you say, this is quite a mild transgression. Imagine he had actually broken the Law!
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  114. Brexit will cause the English to grow up. Which is a tremendous benefit, as they have been unwilling to grow up these last 75 years.
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  115. Thought the same. JRM is a sorry excuse for a human.
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  116. The EU is aware of this, and is regulating to keep UK-based businesses from operating inside the EU.
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  117. ​ @johnrussell3961  I don't think the UK will return, period. It has frustrated the aspirations of both Germany and France a LOT during their membership, and both will enjoy the new balance of power. After the (now inevitable) break-up of the UK, Scotland will be allowed to join quickly without much problems. N.I. will join with the RoI to form Ireland. England and Wales will perhaps be admitted after a lengthy convergence period, with a modernized political system that ensures the Tories will never get a majority again, and far less influence than they used to have before Brexit. Instead of one of three leading nations, it will be more like Spain. But with a less viable economy.
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  118. In the Netherlands farmers have blocked highways nation-wide when there was talk of them needing to reduce livestock. Imagine what would have happened if their whole business model was upended overnight. UK farmers are happy to let their crops rot in the fields. Sane people would have covered the streets in Westminster a foot deep in rotting produce. Against the law? What? Are you really going to shoot me, copper? You have any idea what my tractor can do to your patrol car, copper? Or the ones of my mates here? No, copper, just move along and all will be fine.
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  119. The EU has already shot across the bow of London, warning them not to do that or else they will be blacklisted as a black money paradise, meaning that every transaction to and from London will be marked as suspect and investigated. That is even worse than the situation they are in now, so I think they need ensure their dealings are (relatively) clean and co-operate with international investigations.
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  120. I disagree with using the term "Sleaze". This government has moved into Kleptocracy territory.
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  121. "Dancing makes on the table waving..." No, NO, I can't unsee that!
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  122. We can no longer ascribe the actions of this government to mere incompetence. It is malice.
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  123. The great "Blame The EU" game has started for real. Be careful that the Tories do not whip the UK up to a war-frenzy: that is where this path will end if they are not stopped.
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  124. ... possibly their only customers. All other serious customers will move with the banking services, to the EU.
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  125. Yes, you are in trouble. I am afraid that the only thing that can beat some sense into your fellow countrymen is some good old economic hardship. At some point, the house of lies will collapse under that pressure.
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  126. As Brexit means Brexit, this is exactly the Brexit they voted for.
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  127. Or this shows how few people actually do A-levels...
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  128. What worries me more is how the interests & actions of Murdoch seem to align with Putin. Murdoch (and some other right-wing publishers) controls public opinion, which is what controls the Tory party, the US Republican party and the idiots in Australia that e.g. sent volunteers to fight for Putin. The traitors in Murdoch's Faux Spews do all they can to protect Putin. There must be some link between them. Some plan. It must be exposed.
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  129. The UK government reminds me of when I walked away from home when I was about 10. Suddenly all these little practical questions bombarded me like what will I eat, where will I sleep, boy it is cold out in the rain. I didn't stay away long, my parents hadn't even missed me. But then, I am smart.
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  130. The N.I. conflict was hopeless when I grew up. I was amazed when the EU gave it a peaceful solution. Brexit has made the situation hopeless again. Bozo thinks he doesn't care now, but wait till we have a repeat of Brighton...
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  131. Spot on Phil. Politics is not about what you want, but about what you can reasonably hope to achieve. The Art of Compromise. If the UK wants proportional representation (and it should) they had better get used to it.
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  132. And a merry Christmas to you, Phil! May we shortly see a return to sanity in the UK.
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  133. "Perhaps The Sun got to him" Yes, indeed. Your scripts are really getting good! I Love these snarky puns sprinkled into your text.
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  134. This was obvious from the start. It is what you get when you let idiots get away with phrases like "Britain has had enough of experts".
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  135. There is no way that the Tories will go through with this. They will leave it for Labour to deal with.
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  136. Rees-Smug is an absolute waste of space. In fact, Tory leaders are so useless that it were better for the country if they were replaced by a group of baboons.
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  137. If Sunak hopes to become PM, he is a momentous fool. This train-wreck will only become worse, and he will not be able to stop its momentum. The next PM will be required to U-turn Brexit and beg for aid from the IMF and the EU.
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  138. Money can always be recovered. If the will to recover it exists...
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  139. @Old Skool Bodybuilding Routines That doesn't need to be set in stone. Ever laid the Copenhagen Criteria next to the current status of the UK? It will take major reform to meet the criteria for joining the EU. And that is without taken into account how the Brits have pissed-off the French, especially, but also the rest of the EU27. De Gaulle didn't want them to join in days past, and he was right. His successor will be harder to convince to let you in. The EU will need to be convinced that the UK is absolutely dedicated to the EU ideal. And that will take more than a Johnson waffling a bit. During the Brexit negotiations, we were extremely patient with Bozo, because of what he represented. For rejoining, we will very patiently tell you NO, until the UK has fundamentally changed.
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  140. All the better to move British assets out of the UK.
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  141. Also it means that more assets will flow out of the UK, as the profits generated by these offices will move to the EU.
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  142. We need to tell them "I told you so", loudly and often, in the hope they will learn to reject promises by people who "have had enough of experts".
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  143. British voters are angry anyway. The Tories are only directing that anger away from themselves.
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  144. Having competent MP's is always a problem. Once they see how little actual work the PM does, they will quickly realise: "That could be me sitting there!"
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  145.  @WerkstukViva  That is not true. There were very specific promises not to leave the Single Market.
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  146. Speak softly, but carry a big stick. That is how you get things done. Bozo is doing the exact opposite: Loud bluff and bluster, carrying a tiny twig.
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  147.  @edmundbell-king4538  Your comment shows gross ignorance of how international finance operates. Arrogance is no substitute for intelligence, knowledge or wisdom.
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  148. More Braying for the UK press by Frosty. Anyone thinks the EU takes notice? At most, he will get a polite warning not to unilaterally violate the Protocol. But the international community does take note of the unreliability of the UK government.
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  149. True. And none of the Brexitards ever considered that trade adjusts itself to make optimum use of the rules. Change the rules, and trade needs to adjust the way it operates. EU-UK trade was optimized for highly reliable just-in-time delivery of small consignments. That can no longer be done, requiring massive changes in the logistics of many companies. The whole just-in-time model of production has been made obsolete at a stroke, setting UK industry back 30 years.
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  150. Cost of living is a LOT lower in Europe than in the USA. So, in spite of earning less & paying more in taxes, the vast majority of people will live better in Europe than in the USA.
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  151. You are absolutely right in thinking that this conflict is exactly what Johnson has been hoping for. Throughout his interactions with Macron, he has been as insulting as he could get away with, and provoking the French by not giving them the licences they are entitled to. When you have your attacker in a strangle hold, and he refuses to stop, at some point you have to squeeze a bit to let him know you are serious. That often makes him even more aggressive. So you squeeze a bit more. But you don't give up your advantage just because you feel sorry for him. Bozo chose this fight, he can get it and discover he is, in fact, helpless in a strangle hold. Such a shame that it are the British people who will suffer because of it. They definitely put the cross in the wrong box.
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  152. Brinkmanship is a game that is won by the one with the least at stake. Mr. Johnson, you chose ... poorly. Enjoy the chalice.
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  153. They should be. The unification of RoI and NI is now inevitable. And the RoI will NOT rejoin the UK.
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  154. So, Truss will likely lose confidence before the new year. Then what? Re-elect the Clown? The UK is really in for it.
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  155. Absolutely. The EU will just let the French Fishermen do their worst, and if the clowns complain or spout their rhetoric, point to the W.A. Time to let the UK experience how cold the world is without friends.
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  156. But ... they knew what they voted for. They shouldn't complain, they won!
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  157. In spite of all the Brexitard moaning, the EU took Brexit more seriously than the UK government.
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  158. Loads of Tory friends are going to become astonishingly wealthy out of the misery of Tory voters...
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  159.  @justmythought7658  Both, mate. If this disastrous Extreme Tory Brexit goes through, expect the whole economy to collapse.
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  160. At this point, the Tories are not interested in legitimacy or democracy. They just want power to better enslave their subjects.
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  161. So that connection has been forged before Bozo the clown became Mayor, then? Probably got some help getting that post.
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  162. Considering the way England is going, it would be a wise move for Scotland to break away. But I don't think Bozo will let them go without an actual fight...
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  163.  @eimkei1339  Gaslighting again? The referendum demanded that the government got a full-on trade deal. That is what the voters were promised on a YES to Brexit so that is what the referendum means. People who warned for the consequences of a hard Brexit were ridiculed because the Brexit would be so soft you wouldn't notice the difference.
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  164.  @timelwell7002  An empty stomach is a powerful teacher... My fear is that the Tories will blame the EU until violence ensues.
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  165. ​ @timelwell7002  By blaming the EU, the Tories sow hatred and distrust. As the economic situation grows desperate, that hatred and distrust become anger that grows to a point where an outlet is needed. It can either explode inward, at the Tory government, or outward at the EU. So, yes, while it seems inconceivable at the moment, if the UK really does go into an economic tailspin (as is likely seeing how the Tories are bungling everything), it may well turn into war. Possible triggers might be either Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland, but that is very hard to predict. It may also be a civil war with Scotland. That war will be the dying breath of the Conservative Party, so they are playing a game that is more dangerous than they realise, also to themselves. This is one reason why the EU is treating the UK with such forbearance.
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  166. The reason the rest of the world got rid of "Imperial" style units was because they were slightly different everywhere. The Amsterdam voet, the Paris pouce, etc, etc, etc. So when a French scientist invented the metric system, and a certain French general suddenly had to cope with dozens of different unit systems, everybody was very glad to adopt the improvement. As usual, the Brits and the Yanks are a bit behind...
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  167. Talking about u-turns: moving from a production economy to a service economy to an agricultural / pastoral economy. Brexit is moving the UK backward a few centuries. Time to leave the cities and move back to the villages.
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  168. ​ @edmundbell-king4538  IF that is true, you would know that the EU is getting more and more active in hunting down black money and esp. money laundering, with SEVERE consequences for not complying with regulations: 9-figure fines, and possible jail-time for relevant executives. Also, there is no way you would have missed the shot across the bow in Feb 18 2020 that I am referring to. My conclusion: I call BS.
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  169. I have heard some people say that the UK's struggles with the EU were because UK leadership is not used to diplomacy or compromise. In the "winner takes it all" system that is not necessary: the PM states his/her will and it is done. But in a real democracy, that does not work.
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  170. ​ @hunsey  OMG. And what did they do with the letter(s) the French government sent them, advising them to get a residency permit before 1-1-2020? Let me guess: they thought it didn't apply to them? Turkeys voting for Christmas, that is.
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  171. "There was corruption in the EU — we were in the EU" LOL
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  172. ​ @jonathanwetherell3609  The BBC was actively complicit with the Leave campaign. They let academics (who rarely give definite statements where the parameters are unknown) debate with fools of strong opinions but little actual knowledge or wisdom. And then they did not give academics time to explain the uncertainties or point out the lack of substance in the fool's arguments, but let them be shouted over. That is not a fair debate by any means. No, the debate was heavily rigged in favour of the Leave campaign. It is such a shame that those responsible will not suffer any consequences, until they stand before God. As Tusk said, there will probably be a special place in Hell reserved for them, for betraying those who trusted them.
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  173. To the EU, it was crystal clear that all talk about A16 could safely be ignored. In spite of all talk by Frosty, they are not even close to meeting the conditions for triggering A16. The game was up when the gracious offer by the EU was rejected by the UK, without clarification, and instead of pointing to issues that could be a basis for triggering A16, they started pointing to the role of the ECJ -- which can never be a reason for triggering it.
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  174. I expect Truss to deal with the crises by borrowing heavily, and letting the next (Labour) government deal with the aftermath.
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  175. The majority of the People in N.I. are dead-against tearing up the Protocol. Persisting in their rhetoric will damage them and make them loose what support they have. Most people will understand that accepting peace is better than fighting to be part of a UK that has betrayed them.
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  176.  @timonsolus  They should not have supported Brexit, then. They have no-one to blame but themselves. They won, they should get over it!
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  177. Yes! Let Scotland join the Single Market! See how the Tories like that.
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  178. I don't know the mind of the EU, but I don't think they are trying to appease the clowns. They are waiting for the effects of Brexit to become so obvious that Bozo will loose support. Playing hardball will only give Bozo an enemy to rally against.
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  179. They say pigs are quite smart. No so the UK Gammon.
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  180.  @Grokku.61  Right wing press, hedge funds, US multinationals, AND AN ELECTORATE THAT BUYS INTO THIS SHITE. Blaming others seems to be the national sport du jour in the UK. Stop that.
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  181.  @johnrussell3961  That service economy will very soon take a massive hit due to the EU moving Euro clearing to within its borders. That focus on "service", as the Tories want since Thatcher, will bite the UK very hard in the behind, as a service economy needs international costumers. Otherwise it can not import all those foods and goods that it no longer produces itself. And of course, the biggest internation customer for UK services was the EU. Good luck replacing that loss.
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  182.  @ivicacaric8423  "afraid to protest" Bollocks. It means they have given up. <edit> If the sheeple had any fight left in them, they would protest. Instead, they just tug their forelock, go home and cry themselves to sleep. As they say, a nation will usually get the government they deserve. If you want another government, show yourselves worthy of one.
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  183.  @jopmars8168  I disagree Germany will become a super power. The EU, however already are a super power and now have a clearer path ahead without UK opposition. It seems Putin shot himself in the foot when he incited the Brits to brexit.
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  184. Those huge farms that will come when local farms go tits up and sell their land to foreign rich people, will need plenty of low-wage workers!
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  185. Sure they can analyze information. Polls, for instance. But they feel no responsibility for the plight of individuals. That is the key matra of neo-liberals: personal responsibility, no government responsibility. Every man for himself. They don't care at all that what is happening to Britons right now is completely outside the sphere of influence of any individual, but well within that of the government. The UK is doomed: the 1% will greatly enrich themselves out of Brexit, and the 99% are reduced to serfdom.
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  186. Or who understood the core principles underpinning the EU. It is NOT a political project, but a project to promote peace by making countries economically mutually dependent.
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  187. I am a bit conflicted about all this. On the one hand, I welcome the growing disaster as it will teach the Brexitards (and the rest of the world that is watching) a vital lesson. On the other, I do feel sorry for those who voted against all this. Let us hope the necessary lessons are learnt before the real misery starts (hyperinflation, serious food shortages, starvation among the poor, widespread unemployment, violent riots).
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  188. People should learn that a narcissist is unsuitable as a husband, just as he/she is unsuitable as a PM. If you are married to one, get out while you still have some self-respect.
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  189. Let's summarize: cronyism + interfering with the news media + selling a political position for a favour? Definitely enough to sink the career of any politician and land him a position in prison in a normal democracy. In the UK, we can only hope this stays in the news for a few days. There will be no consequences for Johnson.
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  190. I think the UK is following the path of Argentina -- including a war to save political face.
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  191. Still, Axit (A for Alba) will be harder than Brexit. But the chances of doing better than Brexit are pretty high ;-)
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  192. "Never has so much been suffered by so many through the willful ignorance of so few". But the populace has no-one to blame except themselves, as throughout 2019 it was glaringly obvious that Bozo and the rest of the Tories didn't have a clue what they were on about. Please, people, remember, and make sure the Tories get their comeuppance.
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  193.  @kimuvat2461  "Confrontation with Russia will crash EU economy" Nonsense. The EU economy is many times as large as the Russian economy, thus the Russian economy will collapse long before the EU's economy. If you think the EU economy has some shaky fundamentals, those of Russia are much worse. In fact, Putin is playing strong man right now because of the bad domestic situation.
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  194. The best news today is that while the Tory chair felt the need to resign, Bozo was like "What, me, resign? Why would I?" Yet another reason for people to hate Bozo.
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  195. Excellent point! But the Tories (and the shill media) will continue to create enemies to direct the anger of the public to. People who are angry, don't think (can't think) rationally. This is how populist movements work: make people angry so they can't think rationally whether what you are saying / promising makes any sense.
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  196. It is no use calling out lies in the UK Parliament: you get silenced by the Speaker. It is the job of the journalists to do that, who are failing spectacularly in the UK. Usually, Bozo's lies are red herrings anyway, so replying to them would be playing Bozo's game. Starmer sticks to his line of reasoning, and points out Bozo's failure to answer questions to discredit him.
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  197. ​ @karlwest437  Yeah. That is what you get when you vote for a known liar and poser that promises to do in 9 months what May could not do in 3 years, has the backing of the hardest of hard Brexiteers, and has thrown all moderates out of the party. They did not know what they voted for in 2016, but they have no excuse voting for him in 2019.
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  198.  @vincentkermorgant  Only when asked nicely and very publicly. Otherwise Brexiteers will confiscate those parcels, re-wrap them with a big Union Jack on it saying "Compliments of the UK government".
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  199. Indeed. The UK politicians have been antagonistic towards the EU all the time, blaming us for all their errors, and posturing to claim credit for all favours we do them. Enough is enough. Time to take some responsibility. Those who burn their bum need to sit on blisters.
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  200. ​ @Petal4822  "You should be thankful to Britain for helping liberate Europe" We are. Remember, Brexit is not our doing. Unlike in WW2, your food shortages are self-inflicted. Hope you enjoy your lessons from the University of Hard Knocks!
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  201. While it looks bad for Bozo, it has been so ever since 2019. No sane person would want to take over Bozo's job right now, with things this bad and due to get worse.
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  202. He sure is making an entry for himself in the history books.
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  203.  @gdwnet  Re-enter the Common Market, ASAP! A country that relies on food imports MUST have the best of relations with its neighbours, AND it must have compelling exports even during international crises to balance the trade deficit. Brexit has destroyed both of these prerequisites. If the Tories persist with this course, the UK is doomed. Dreams of the UK making it alone in the world are pure madness. Aggressive nations MUST first be self-sustaining.
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  204. The fault is with the Tory MP's who tolerate Bozo's lies. And as long as they do, Parliament is a complete joke.
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  205. When your AG advises you to break the Law, it is time to get a new AG. In general, breaking the Law will not get you very far. Unless you are strong enough to twist the other's arm. Considering how well Putin is doing with that, I am actually looking forward to Bozo having a go twisting the arm of the EU. That would be great entertainment. This also shows the value of that line "I got legal council".
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  206. A memory is such a wonderful thing. Wish more people would use it.
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  207. Countries where photo ID is required to vote, have (or should have) a requirement for all adults to carry such ID at all times. I know mine does. In that way, the poorer people are not disenfranchised because they are required to have that ID anyway, not just to vote. So this is indeed something that can easily be fixed. Putting the Electoral Commission under government authority is the end of democracy. We can no longer consider the UK a democracy just because of that law. The UK is now officially an authoritarian country ruled by an oligarchy.
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  208. "But we want to have our cake and eat it", in our happy place surrounded by unicorns and happy fish!
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  209. The EU had their borders prepared and extra staff trained, ready for the original Brexit deadline of March 29th, 2019.
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  210. I find this "leadership challenge" concept disgusting. Surely, this should be handled in parliament through a motion of no confidence that requires only 40 dissenting Tories to pass. Parliament is sovereign, not the Tory party.
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  211. I bet she was calling all these lefties "snowflakes" when they complained about police brutality last summer.
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  212. Let's hope that people will remember how the media manipulated them to hate the EU and vote for Brexit.
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  213. "Levelling Up": Blackmailers asking for new leverage over you.
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  214. I seem to remember that that successful British vaccine was developed & produced in co-operation with EU companies...
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  215. I think the saying is "‘Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.’" But apart from that, I completely agree. The nerve of these idiots. As Phil said in a previous video, in 2014 Tory warned that if they voted for independence, they would be thrown out of the EU. Only to throw them out of the EU anyway a few years later.
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  216. I hope the Brits have by now had enough lessons from the University of Hard Knocks to finally know to NEVER TRUST A TORY.
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  217.  @michaeloconnor2603  FYI: I am Dutch, lived & worked in the UK for 4 years in the 90ies, so Brexit broke my heart. "Never before have so many suffered so much through the willful incompetence of so few"
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  218. You are reading the EU very well. It is not just that the EU politicians are fed up with Bozo, it is the EU people as well. Many EU citizens are calling for harsh measures against the UK. Bozo is generating some real anger here, with his continuous insults. Something EU populists might take advantage of, so it needs to be taken seriously by the moderate politicians. A lion might ignore the taunts of a mouse for some time, but at some point he will put a stop to it.
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  219. I share the sentiment, but on a whole, Brexit is a net loss for everybody. The UK, selfish and ignorant it was, did provide some value to the rest of the EU. There are no winners in Brexit -- except the top 0.1% in the UK who are making money out of this.
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  220. Bozo was offered a deal by the EU where musicians could still work in the EU, but he didn't want it. So all I can say is: "Welcome to the Brexit!"
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  221. You have put your finger in exactly the right spot. In order to become a functional country, the UK needs to learn to distinguish between confidence based on actual achievements, and arrogance based on an inflated opinion of oneself. Sadly, this will not be easy.
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  222. Looks like it. A PM should never be allowed to operate independently from Parliament. If Parliament lets him, it yields its sovereignty to the clown. And that would be end of story for the foreseeable future. However, his dictatorship would be short lived. The economic disaster that is Brexit will make sure of that. People will rise up because they will have no other option. And from the ashes of a broken England, a new, modern nation may arise.
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  223. Great news. The UK has long been in need of workers flexing their united muscles. If brexit will revitalise the unions, that is a benefit indeed!
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  224. As Phil said, you can threaten people with their career prospects within the party, but you can not hold their constituents hostage by threatening to cut public funding. It is illegal. And about Trump: he should be behind bars right now. His quid pro quo was also illegal. The fact that he isn't behind bars shows that the USA has drifted very far from its lofty ideals. A former French president was thrown in jail for doing such things a few years ago, so no, corruption is not normal. It is only normal when the People get complacent, as they have in the UK and the USA. Both are in real danger of loosing their democracy, instead becoming demockeries. Like Russia or Turkey. You want to be ruled by a fraud like Putin or Erdogan? Who will rob you of all dignity, bankrupt your country and kill progress? Selfishness (of which corruption is a form) always tears down a nation, so that all suffer (including the elites). Willingness to share & help people that are worse off lifts a nation up, so that everybody is better off, including the elites.
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  225.  @onlyme8117  Me, I am pretty comfortable in the NL. Gas price coming down, supermarkets nicely stacked, online orders delivered in one or two days. We only have to deal with a few Covidiots, who thankfully have not infected the houses of parliament.
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  226.  @Jonnythebaker  Democratic decision my arse. If you had asked The People in 2016 if they wanted this Brexit vs. staying in the EU, the answer would have been a resounding REMAIN. This is not the Brexit they voted for.
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  227. Britain needs to be weaned of her admiration of Eton Babies. Dosh does not breed competence.
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  228.  @MouseSharman  How is the original comment mistaken? The argument is not that the ancestors of the English were conquerors, but that they were immigrants -- the exact type of people these white English nationalists rail against. White nationalists don't rail against invaders, because there are none. They rail against the same type of people their ancestors were.
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  229. Nickly, you have out-done yourself. This comment is completely unintelligible. Well done.
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  230. None of them understand that handling refugees is governed by UN rules, not EU rules. Nor do they understand that immigration from the EU was a massive net benefit to the UK. Which is why it is continuing unabated.
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  231. Thankfully there are now also political options to deal with this. A pro-Irish executive is on its way, followed quickly by a referendum and NIxit!
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  232. The UK government should have invested heavily in container handling facilities, and informed business doing trade with the EU that they need to start shipping containers instead of lorry loads. If they had started with that in 2016, all this could have been less painful. They would still have needed a boatload of new HMRC officials...
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  233. "Cascading Failures" That is exactly what is happening, and exactly why this is only the start of the UK's troubles. Brexit has made many businesses marginal or even nonviable. Companies can only take so much before the collapse, so for many UK businesses, the smallest additional setback will cause their demise. In the EU, companies have many more resources to handle disturbances. A vicious circle of collapsing companies has started that will destroy, and I mean destroy, the UK economy.
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  234. Proportional (Direct) Representation means a MASSIVE change to the political climate in the UK. Politicians will need to (HORROR!) co-operate with other parties to achieve anything under PR.
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  235. It is. As a member of the EU, the UK could move these mollusks inside in the EU to have them decontaminated in purer waters before selling them to the public. But no 3rd-nation is allowed to export such mollusks into the EU. All due to a law that was insisted on by some former UK government.
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  236. "ignorant, childish, delusional and deceitful" Like the child that walked away from a playground in anger and then wonders why his friends left him. If only there were an institution that could educate them. O, wait, there is! The University of Hard Knocks...
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  237. Another reason these people should have know how trump would be bad for them, is that trump promised to get rid their workers (the illegal immigrants).
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  238. It is such a pity that all these Brexit disasters take years to unfold. And that it will take even longer to repair them. But after all this, I am sure there will be much more respect for those experts that Bratain had had enough of, and much less for lying Tories. That will be the only Brexit benefit.
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  239. Tory levelling up!
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  240. Citizen assemblies is a great idea. It would inform the people, get them more interested in politics, lessen the gap between politicians and voters, etc. And electoral reform is the ONLY thing that can save the UK. Otherwise it is just a matter of time until the Tories get an absolute majority again and tear everything down quicker than Labour can rebuild it.
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  241.  @tarsxenomorph8845  "a knife" Don't be silly. But should the UK dare to demand its old privileges back, I am sure France will have a few things to say about that. Till then, the mere act of the UK begging for re-admittance to the SM / CU will be enough satisfaction for France.
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  242. ​ @lindabastable3021  I share your views, but extrapolated to The End. Brexit is slowly teaching the English people that they need the co-operation of the other European nations to survive (long term). That is the final step in development from juvenile Independence / abusive bullying to adult inter-dependence. Until they make that step in development, the English economy will continue to spiral downward. As there is no-one who can stop that spiral except the English themselves, they have a choice to either sink or swim. Obviously, the UK is no longer viable. The English are too blatantly abusing the interests of the other nations for their own benefit. My personal expectation is that the UK will dissolve rather quickly (a couple of years), and that the English economy will continue to spiral down. At some point they will enter hyper-inflation with government debt out of control. This may take a decade or so. Then, finally, there will be a different government. They will ask the IMF for help. The IMF, not being dummies, will co-operate with the EU for a rescue plan which will include political reform, abandoning the Pound, and membership to the Customs Union & Single Market. The political reform will include proportional representation, which means English politics will finally grow up, and there will never be a Tory government again.
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  243.  @fba90130  Read a bit about the history of North Korea, before you make such statements. N.K. has lost millions of citizens due to famine. Its inhabitants are little better than slaves who live in constant fear of their oppressors, without most of the modern amenities we take for granted. Is that a future you want for England? And also, North Korea has a good friend in China, which out who it would have collapsed long ago.
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  244. I like the thought. But that is not how sovereign nations make deals with each other. The only consequence you can have for breaking a trade deal, apart from fines, is the termination of said trade deal.
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  245. With a government that is so ineffective and useless as the UK government, you wonder why they bother. Our government had extensive campaigns to prepare businesses and people for the original Brexit date of, what was it again, 30-3-2019? We have been waiting for almost 3 years now for the UK to actually Brexit. What was that campaign slogan again? Get Brexit done? Looks like the oven-ready deal is getting over-done.
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  246.  @mariogmajner6549  TL;DR -- blablabla -- what about --- blablabla The Tories are destroying the UK. Stop them if you can or it will dissolve and English living conditions become Victorian.
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  247. Tory investment into the NHS: Let's call for volunteers!
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  248. It is clearly the EU's turn to "take back control", of its finances. London was the financial capital of the EU, but did not want to submit to anti-whitewashing and tax-evasion regulations. Now, Amsterdam (or Frankfurt or Paris) will be the EU financial capital.
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  249. "This can't go on for very long" Never a truer word spoken. I would almost say "This is where the sh!t truly hits the fan", but there are even greater problems coming GB's way, due to this collective suicide pact called Brexit.
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  250.  John Russell  "we will have to marginalise the nutters in the Tory Party" You forget how brain-washed the UK is by at least 3 decades of continuous anti-EU propaganda. Brexit did not come about because of the Tories, but because no-one could mount an effective attack on its lies, being shouted down by the media. The UK will have to go through a de-sensitisation program. First step is to get rid of the right-wing propaganda media. Obviously, that is illegal in any democracy, so what is needed is a concerted attack on those media, pointing out their lies, and shaming anyone who consumes them. This will take a lot of time. Auntie Beep also needs to be cleansed of Tory arse-lickers, preferably by exposing their failure to adhere to basic journalistic integrity standards, and publicly shaming them for it. For the BBC, presenting a biased or unbalanced narrative should be a firing offence.
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  251. The only thing that can save the UK is for the opposition to work together.
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  252. ​ @frankieseward8667  The UK government has promised they would respect the wish of the people, surely they would never do violence to their countrymen? Did it ever resort to violence to keep North Ireland or Scotland within the Union? I am sure we can all rest assured this would never happen.
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  253.  @timonsolus  You mean the V for Vaccine salute.
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  254. Sadly, that decision by trump was so popular biden didn't dare to reverse it, even if he wanted to.
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  255. ​ @mike-bv2jc  I am talking about 2016, when every politician swore on their father's grave that the UK would remain in the single market. In 2019, the majority of the UK voted AGAINST Brexit, the Tories only got 45% of the vote -- but due to the undemocratic peculiarities of the UK voting system, they got a majority in the house. So your statement is demonstrably false.
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  256. "Weaker than any time since the Dark Ages" That is a great find, and also true.
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  257.  @johnrussell3961  And more than a few North-Irish...
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  258. The only reason I would consider setting up in the UK is when they start ticking some other boxes: - Willing to pay considerable bribes - Willing to hand out huge government contracts without a bidding process - Willing to forgo tax, financial and regulatory scrutiny - Willing to give huge tax breaks for executives - Access to the black market - Facilitates money laundering Who cares about integrity when you can grift billions out of government's coffers!
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  259. I firmly believe that at some point, common sense will finally prevail in the UK. Until then, class is in session for the University of Hard Knocks.
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  260.  @petermoxham2625  Please drive 60 in the pit lane, Lewis. -- Don't you think that is a tad fast?
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  261. As you say, killing an MP serves no purpose. Even the responsibility for their policies ultimately lies with the people who voted for them.
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  262. "When ... hauled out of government " You will need to wait until the Gammons have completed their Brexit course at the University of Hard Knocks.
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  263. You misunderstand the Brexiteers. When they said "Take Back Control", they meant: "Take Back Control From The Plebs". They never meant "Take Back Control From The EU". Because the EU is strongly supportive of the working classes, the two were synonyms in the mind of Brexiteers. Not in the minds of voters, but Brexiteers don't care about that.
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  264. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 How is that for an own-goal. The English have quietly ended the Union, with the full support of the DUP!
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  265. The opposition must choose between serving the party-political interests, or serving the country.
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  266. The UK is knackered for at least a generation. If only people learned that vital lesson: NEVER TRUST A TORY.
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  267. "the more the questions went further and further from the original accusations, the more her anxiety increased" Instead of blaming the investigators, he should have been honest to her about what he had done. Some people have no conscience. Seems to be a common trait among these Brexiteer Tories.
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  268. ​ @Marvin-dg8vj  That is because it is deeply disturbing to have a pig in such a high office blame the investigators for the consequences when they unearth something rotten. What else could they have done? Not investigate the corruption? That would have made them just as guilty as him! Tories are far to quick to blame anyone but themselves for the mess they create. Time to take some responsibility.
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  269. ​ @reasonerenlightened2456  Phil has enough to say about the classes. It is just that Brexit is such a colossal fuck-up even without class differences being considered. The problem in the UK is not that there are different classes. It is that the lower classes believe the lies that are spoon-fed to them by the upper class. If the lower classes started to vote Labour, things would get better real quick. Sadly, Corbyn was a really bad leader. That prick could have prevented Brexit without the 2019 General Election, if he had co-operated with the other opposition parties. But he wanted to become PM himself... I still don't understand why Labour was not dead-against Brexit in 2016. Everybody could have foreseen that the lower and middle classes would bear the brunt of the Brexit costs.
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  270. The DUP are the sorest winners of Brexit. You won, get over it!
    8
  271. ​ @HelenHarvey1959  Prove it by getting out of the UK, ASAP. And I really mean that. You have no idea how bad things are going to be. England will go bankrupt, and take the rest of the UK with it. That little ditty Phil had about an "exodus" from the City, he wasn't kidding or exaggerating. It even has a timeline. The main source of income for the City will be cut off by mid-2025. The longer you dither the harder it will be.
    8
  272. Asking a bully to step outside is fully within historical context. The opposition is physically separated from the government to prevent just such an occurrence inside the chamber. Well done, Mr Speaker.
    8
  273. England won't get a services deal until it fully commits to EU regulation.
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  274. "let the industry sort it out" That was the attitude of #10 during the Irish Famine...
    8
  275. I love that little smile. It says "I own you" like nothing else would, and Bozo hates it.
    7
  276. Also, the main goal of the EU is to reduce red tape. It's reason for being is to make trade so easy that it would make wars economic suicide. Or to try to get out of it... The British media & politicians didn't tell you that, but that doesn't make it less true. It seems the average Brit is totally ignorant about why the EU exists. And they are very slow to learn their lessons. Time for a fresh course from the University of Hard Knocks!
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  277. Raab was being especially despicable yesterday. His replies to Blackthorn were the worst I have seen yet. There he is, sounding perfectly reasonable, but on second thought he is basically saying: "We won't help Ukrainian Orphans even if it causes us no bother at all, let them sod off". This would have been a great opportunity to grandstand actually doing something and being humane and helpful, but he refused to take the opportunity. Shame, Britain, for letting such excrement in power.
    7
  278. ​ @timelwell7002  Indeed it is. But simply ask yourself how you would feel if you believed the lies the Tories are spreading, and your company went bankrupt, and you could no longer pay your rent. You would want to get even with the evil EU, wouldn't you? You would demand your government take harsh action. Now multiply that sentiment by tens of millions, and you have a powder keg waiting to explode. Similar situation is now enfolding in the USA, where a good part of the population actually wants a civil war. The world need to learn how to deal with the lying media that incites this hate and anger.
    7
  279. "the issues go much deeper" Not at all. It is just that they have been spoon-fed a diet of exceptionalism, jingoism, xenophobia and excuses by the government and the media they consume that have tainted their ability to think clearly. The big challenge for this time is how to combat extreme-right propaganda media effectively. Sensationalist shaming of their leaders & anchors might be a good step.
    7
  280. The UK (or England, after it breaks up), will need a thorough thrashing economically before they can learn the right spirit. Then they need to put action to words by (finally) adopting a proper constitution for a modern, democratic government. Then, they will finally be ready to get on their knees and beg for admittance to the EU. I guess it will take some 25 years.
    7
  281.  @johnrussell3961  Russia also belongs to the latter group.
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  282. ​ @Peter-ud9bx  Blair did OK-ish, except for starting an unjustified war at the behest of Bush Jr. However, many other western countries fell for that as well. Blair did much better than his opposite number would have done. All too often people try to put Labour in the same category as the Tories. However, Labour is actually doing its best to improve the country, whereas the Tories are actively destroying it, starting with Thatcher (or even earlier). It is just that the Tories are very good at blaming Labour for things they did not do, so good that it even affects people who should know better.
    7
  283. Asking someone for tangible benefits of Brexit? What a strange question. That is like asking someone for the negatives of the person they are in love with.
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  284. Truth is still available, but there is just one variety. It is only a bit more expensive than lies, but much better for your constitution.
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  285. The EU will not try to appease Bozo, you can be sure of that.
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  286. ​ @lindabastable3021  Even the Germans were set straight in the aftermath of WW2, and the Argentinians were set straight following their economic melt-down in the early nineties. Severe economic hardship has a tendency to shape a nation for the better. The English are in for a humiliation of Biblical proportions, and I see no way for them to escape it. Even if Labour were voted into power now, they could not quickly stop the developing disaster, it would take decades to undo the worst of Brexit. Only a miracle can save the English. I do believe miracles are possible, but they generally require a change of heart.
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  287. The UK will never rejoin the EU. It might be allowed back into the Single Market, but only after a great deal of repentance and with the hardest of guarantees, submitting in full to the authority of the EU. All of the rules, none of the influence. I don't think the English will ever accept that. After the inevitable break-up of the UK, things will be different. Scotland will be allowed membership pretty quickly: we like the Scots. N.I. will simply join with the RoI. England, however, is another matter. Their Xenophobia, Stupidity, Parochialism, Selfishness and the offensive, rude, dictatorial and belligerent politicians have pissed off the European voters. It will require massive political, economical and social reforms before being allowed back in. That will depend on how quickly the required reforms will take place. My bet is it will take a generation.
    7
  288. Excellent point not to get bogged down in fights of semantics. Important points at this time are: a). the EU is being more than reasonable with the UK in spite of UK media reports. b). UK economy is going to crash hard with a no-deal Brexit, much harder than the EU economy. c). International confidence in the UK will be destroyed by reneging on the withdrawal agreement.
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  289. And sadly, those agricommerce and SMB's are what an economy is built on... The government was wise in cancelling your rights to protest.
    7
  290. Well spotted that Bozo is mistaken about what you can and can not do with A16. Somehow the Gammons think it is like A50 of the EU treaty, and that you can just cancel the whole thing by triggering it. It is not. A16 is ONLY applicable when the Protocol "leads to serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist, or to diversion of trade". If Bozo can not clearly indicate one of those issues (and he can't after the recent EU proposals), than he is not permitted to invoke A16. So, the clown is bluffing and spouting more hot air.
    7
  291. Step by step, the UK is loosing its deference for the "upper class". A century or two after most comparable nations, but well done anyway.
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  292. The French used to believe that as well. Until things came to a head in the 18th century...
    7
  293. I am sure both Orban and the Polish rulers will stay in the EU. They know what is good for them.
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  294. I understand that some glass plants can be scrapped after an unplanned shutdown, due to the blockages the glass forms when allowed to solidified. Some steel mills may be in similar situations.
    7
  295. Exactly. Brexit means the logistical system will need to step back into the eighties: large consignments shipped in bulk. Meaning more storage, more waste, more costs. Also means only large(ish) companies will be able to import and export. But everybody knew what they voted for.
    7
  296. No, this is NOT a bad deal. This is the BEST DEAL EVER! That is why you dupes signed it without reading it.
    7
  297. Well done! Nothing better than a bit of a laugh at how ridiculous the Tories & their propaganda machine are behaving. Countering the BS is important, as more & more people will start to see through the charade.
    7
  298. The FPTP voting system encourages political extremism. If somehow the country could switch to Proportional Representation, that would mean much more for the UK than the destruction of the Tory party.
    7
  299. ​ @dominiccaccamo1437  That The Netherlands were better prepared for Brexit than the UK. That "Get Ready For Brexit" shirt is being worn by a Dutch port official.
    7
  300.  @vicsomeone  Excuse me, you are right.
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  301. Hold your tongue, man! That is Project Fear! Oh, wait, it is already Here... 😂😂😂
    7
  302. The only thing in the UK that is really amazing is its humor. That troupe led by Bozo the Clown is absolutely hilarious.
    7
  303. Considering that she is from immigrant stock, her hypocrisy is mind-boggling.
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  304.  @michaeloconnor2603  You should perhaps look up the meaning of the word "sarcasm"...
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  305. As a rule, Right-wing parties are voted for out of selfishness and greed. And they bring forth those qualities when in power for too long. "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" Happy to see you have a heart.
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  306. Brexit is not something people get sacked for in business. They get prosecuted for such disasters. Even God Himself will punish those who inflicted this outrage on their own people. As Mr. Tusk said: "I wonder what the special place in Hell looks like for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan to carry it out safely." I don't think he was kidding.
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  307. The question is: when will the Britons have had enough of this incompetent, indifferent government? When will they finally take to the streets?
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  308. You do not understand them. Tories have no interest in the well-being of the average Johnny English. None what-so-ever. As long as they can be persuaded to tick the right box in the voting booth, for which they have a HUGE propaganda apparatus. The only thing that interests them is how to stay in power, and how to grift as much money out of government and into their Swiss, Cayman and Jersey bank accounts as possible.
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  309. It is getting harder and harder to keep up appearances. This ship is sinking FAST!
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  310. Wanting Proportional Representation is like Solomon asking for Wisdom: with PR you get everything else: a modern political system that can effect real change for the good of the country.
    7
  311. Like that Iraq minister of propaganda proudly proclaiming decisive victories over the allies each day, except that these victories crept ever closer to Bagdad.
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  312. I don't think the EU is that worried. There are mechanisms in place to twist the UK's arm in case they truly break the NIP. Case in point: all this hoopla is not in the EU news at all, it is ONLY in the UK news (and the Irish, because they have a direct interest). Not a single news item in the NL, for instance. The concrete point that the DUP & Frosty did bring up (difficult in getting GB food items in N.I. shops) was valid, and it was taken to heart by the EU. Much to the consternation of Frosty who hoped to put the EU in a bad light. Instead, the EU proved itself co-operative and reasonable. The points that Frosty is currently bringing up, however, are NOT valid, and the EU will not yield on them. Thus the change in EU stance.
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  313. No, EU businesses were ready on 1st January 2019, after long government campaigns warning about the consequences of Brexit.
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  314. Stagnation? You wish. We are talking collapse here.
    7
  315.  @richardmetcalfe920  "for a decade if not longer" I saw it happening three decades ago when I lived in the UK, and it has probably been going from even before the UK joined the EU.
    7
  316. "Fruit rotting on the trees due to Labour shortages" Indeed, there is a definite shortage of Labour in certain places in the city of Westminster.
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  317. I love the little reminder Starmer gave the "honourable gentlemen and ladies" opposite of the fact that they, too, can experience severe consequences for their actions.
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  318.  @michaeloconnor2603  On the other hand, they were mighty disappointed when what the EU called red lines, turned out to be, red lines.
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  319.  @zigowl1193  The whole career of the idiot is based on lies.
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  320. Almost as good as the country that revolted against a Monarch to institute an Emperor.
    7
  321. I am fine with this statement, as long as you understand that this process will involve, as preparatory steps, the drastic reform of the UK media and the UK political system. Don't bother asking for candidate status until you have done both.
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  322. ​ @sebastianwendl603  This "self-sabotage" is a Neo-liberal thing. They believe in "trickle down" economics, which have been proven to be false again and again. They believe that if you help the rich get richer, the wealth will spread to those who are less rich. But history has shown time and time again, that when the rich get richer, everybody suffers. Even the rich. Because the rich will hoard their money instead of letting it circulate in the economy. "The lust for money is the root of all evil"
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  323. Well done attending, and glad you got some recognition. You definitely deserve it.
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  324. The Tories never cease to amaze me. They will literally sell their old granny for a quick win.
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  325. ​ @Willywin  Any snowflake can decide to feel hindered or inconvenienced by a protest. Does that mean all protests should be banned? Some people inconvenience me just by breathing. The right to protest is one of the hallmarks of a free state. It is just as important as the right to free speech (i.e. to speak against government without fear of retaliation). When those rights are limited, you know you are well along the way to an authoritarian regime.
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  326. This was one of the more laughable ideas of the Bozo circus. It would have isolated the UK from the international market at a stroke.
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  327. If gaslighting could keep you warm, the UK would be in great shape!
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  328. The EU is busy unblocking it. What is the UK doing?
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  329.  @neilmchardy9061  Oil prices are very quick to rise, slow to come down...
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  330. The UK should not have invested in more ferry routes. It should have invested in more container handling capacity. Containers don't mind sitting in a dock for a week. A lorry does. And containers can be stacked.
    6
  331. Smaller economy also means less tax income, so a government that either has to cut back or raise taxes, or print more money.
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  332. What you say is probably true. But it is not up to the EU to hold Johnson to account. That is something the British People need to do. The EU is responsible to confront Johnson with his alignment with international law.
    6
  333. This is such a good point! This is why I love your channel, the way you spot the various incongruities and fallacies in politicians.
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  334. You could complain with the WTO. That would stop the EU from giving any more favours to the UK, 'cause that is against WTO rules.
    6
  335. The problem is that two tiny islands within those territorial waters claim an exorbitant exclusive zone -- against all regulations and Status Quo. These islands never controlled they area they now claim.
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  336. As it has effectively been made illegal to protest, I have little hope on that front. The UK is being sold out to the highest bidder, regardless of environmental impact.
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  337. Oil companies are just stuffing their pockets. The petrol we buy now is made from oil that was bought months ago, so there is no reason except extortion for prices to have risen already. Ever noticed how prices rise sharply but drop very slowly? Time for massive windfall taxes!
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  338. It is very simple. Dealing with Bozo is the UK's responsibility. Retaliating to Bozo's bad behaviour will hurt the whole of the UK, but will only strengthen Bozo. The EU can permit itself to be patient. At some point, its patience is up, and then they will target the UK with very specific measures designed to hurt certain politicians as much as possible with as little as possible collateral damage. You can be assured that while they seem to be doing nothing, they are in fact studying which measures will be most effective. <edit> Also, it may well be that the Brexit fallout will make the Tories' position untenable before the EU's patience runs out.
    6
  339. "I can see a whole lot of holes in this plan" I can see a whole lot of holes in buildings' walls coming up...
    6
  340. Mankind works best when co-operating. Brexit released the spirit of division, and the Tories drank deeply from it. Heady stuff, but ultimately self-destructive.
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  341. The Tories never speak about the average voter. They only speak about their rich mates, and by being vague let other believe they are talking about them. "Take back control" needs to be seen in that light. As does this comment.
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  342. You can not sue a government unless they explicitly break the law, and even then it is difficult. Most courts will not touch a case like this because it is not under their purview, being a political and not a legal matter. Basically, you are screwed if the wrong people get voted into power. Your only course of action is to get public support. Which is damn hard because most media are full of Tory sycophants.
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  343. Keep up the good work, Phil! The pressure is building, just keep on adding to it, and something will give. Let the Tories burn through leaders in such a tempo that even their depraved entitled minds balk at the risk.
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  344.  @geraldwagner8739  Agreed. Brexit makes no sense. When I lived in the UK 30 years ago, I noticed articles in the tabloids that always painted the EU in a very negative light. Most were completely fabricated (100% lies). So apart from the xenophobia against Eastern European workers that "took away British jobs" -- that common though wrong idea right-wing extremists echo all over the world, UK people have been brainwashed over decades to see the EU as an enemy. The UK government contributed to this by blaming the EU for any pain their own policies caused, and claiming credit for everything the EU did for the UK. The media has encouraged this, instead of confronting those politicians. So, Brexit shows what misinformation and brainwashing can make a nation do. In that it is quite similar to how a certain mustached corporal came to power.
    6
  345. The current crop of UK leaders are terrible advertisement for UK degrees...
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  346. I don't consider myself the oldest generation, but I well remember "Pravda" and the speeches by Breznev. There is no difference between him and the current populist strongmen like Bozo and Dump (and Erdogan, Maduro, Duda, Orban, etc. etc). People are fearful and vote for people who exude confidence and strength, even when there is no basis for that confidence or strength.
    6
  347. There is nothing to be done except speak truth to power, as Phil is doing. Regimes like the one developing in the UK are self-destructive, and the Tories are even more self-destructive than most, so it won't last very long.
    6
  348. ​ @Elderrion  "the threats feel a bit more.." No, they don't. Ukraine was not actively engaging with either the EU or NATO for membership -- complying with Putin's demands -- yet it was still invaded. So, it is not the threats that feel more real, but the DANGER. Personally, I think it would be very wise for Finland to join NATO ASAP, knowing Putin can attack in spite of appeasement. Appeasement did not work in 1939, and it does not in 2022.
    6
  349. ​ @hmkbch  I do not share your optimism. Financial hubs exist grace of the business they facilitate. The only area that remains where London better facilitates business than other financial markets is dirty money, and the pitiful, quickly shrinking internal UK market. London has been gutted. And as @CMI2017 notes, this will trigger negative feedback loops that will devastate the UK economy. I believe the UK has entered a death-spiral similar to what we saw in Argentina a few decades ago. Especially as so many people fail to see the warning signs and prepare alternative sources of income. As far as I can tell, much of the UK is in denial and keeping up appearances. Sadly, there is a limit to how much the government can borrow before the credit rating drops and interests become prohibitive.
    6
  350.  @andyknowles772  There were plenty of people who taught the lesson before 2016. Project Fear, they shouted. No, the information was given well in advance. People just didn't pay attention. Now they pay the price.
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  351. Absolutely true. When living in Scotland in the nineties, I couldn't bear reading tabloids because of all the anti-EU nonsense in them. The anti-EU campaign had been going on at least twenty years by the time of the referendum. This has affected the mindset of people living in the UK more than they dare to admit to themselves. I regularly catch even remainers with preconceived notions that are the result of this propaganda campaign and have no relation whatsoever to reality.
    6
  352. Most religious people are much more rational than Brexitards.
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  353. Does this surprise anyone? This will not change until another exporter to the UK, e.g. China, makes a complaint on basis of the "most favorable nation" rules.
    6
  354. Looks like 1984 picked a date about 40 years too soon.
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  355. I expect a massive brain drain from plague island. I know I would not want to stay around for what is coming. I expect fighting in the super markets with perhaps even a few deaths before rationing is finally implemented by this do-nothing government.
    6
  356. All these machinations sound quite interesting. I am sure someone will make a movie out of this! Question is, will it be a comedy or a psychological thriller.
    6
  357. ​ @frankieseward8667  Can't come soon enough. May he rot in Hell, for all the misery he has caused. That man is pure evil, and it seems one of his sons is as well.
    6
  358. Well, EU drivers won't cross either. No fun driving in xenophobic plague island, getting stuck on the motorway and having to pee in a bottle. Guess we will just pass your goods to the people trying to cross in dinghies.
    6
  359. The EU is simply going by the book, taking the UK more seriously than it does itself. Expect the sanctions to be textbook examples of how to undermine a rogue state.
    6
  360. In order to rejoin, you will need to get rid of the anti-EU media. That will be very difficult...
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  361.  @mogznwaz  Lay off the koolaide, PLEASE. The UK announced its intention to violate the contract it signed TWO MONTHS ago. And you think it strange that there is outrage? If you think the deal was a bad one, have a word with the one who pushed it through your parliament. Don't blame the EU: that would be immature.
    6
  362. ​ @Jonnythebaker  Reality, mate. Brexiteers in 2016 were on a massive deception campaign, helped by the right-wing propaganda machine. 2019 was an aberration due to the UK's flawed election system where a lost election (45%) can lead to a massive win in parliament. You may call that hindsight, I call that intelligence. In 2016 there were plenty of people who pointed to the dangers of Brexit and the lies of the Brexiteers, but they were drowned out by the propaganda machines.
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  363. In decades past, we drew conclusion on what was actually happening in the Kremlin from what was or was not reported in Pravda. I get a very similar feel now. Not a good thing for a country purporting to be a democracy...
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  364. Brexit may even cost some of you your lives. That is a sacrifice I am willing to make. -- Boris Bozo Johnson
    6
  365. Helping those who will help them.
    6
  366. Think about the confusion between Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton!
    6
  367. ​ @awo4618  Brexit is not a leap into the unknown. Everybody with half a brain knew this was going to end badly. Very badly indeed. Brexit is a power grab by the ultra-wealthy who want to make even more money over the backs of their subjects, mainly by facilitating illegal transactions & trade.
    6
  368. My country, Netherlands, in spite of a shortage of some 300.000 houses / appartments, has created space for 25.000 Ukrainian refugees. In a situation where Dutch citizens may need to wait up to 7 years for a place of their own.
    6
  369.  @garrywynne1218  The EU is still MUCH more democratic than the UK ever was.
    6
  370. The English forget that every other part of that "Anglosphere" has been brutally oppressed by the English in the past, with many genocides as a result (Scots, Irish, native Americans, Maoris, Aboriginals, (South) Africans, etc).
    6
  371. Brexit happened because no-one dared to explain facts to the people. They were afraid the anti-EU sentiment would cost them votes. Spine-less opportunistic politics got you in this mess.
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  372.  @davidpowell6098  That is what Louis 16th thought...
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  373. Excellent analysis. The Magic of Brexit was that they purposely kept it vague, so they could make it out to be anything for anyone. But those who drove for it and determined its contents wanted one thing only: taking the UK back into the 19th century where rich men were rich, and poor men were poor. The natural order how things should be, in their mind. Christ was right to say "It is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" -- because the thinking of these rich people is diametrically opposed to God's principles. Brexit in principle is not to blame for this, but it was used as a vehicle for greedy, corrupt people to con the Public. But they knew what they voted for, when they put that cross in the wrong box.
    6
  374. An union protecting its members. What an excellent idea! If you do not listen to your workers, those workers will walk away.
    6
  375. ​ @playcloudpluspc  Let me break the news to you: you have already lost your democracy. Only a small minority wanted Brexit to go the way it did, yet it does. Only a small minority wants the NHS treated the way it is, yet it was. A minority of voters voted Tory in the last GE, many more voted opposition, but Tory has a huge majority in Parliament. And I could go on. The 2019 GE was the last chance you had of keeping a form of democracy, and you let it slip. The UK will need to go through hell and back before you get another chance. I feel for you.
    6
  376. "By the open window next to Colonel Clumsy" Brilliant. Pure Gold.
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  377. Personally, this I think is one of the saddest developments highlighted by Brexit: the fall of the BBC. The whole Newsroom should be fired for failing to adhere to basic principles of journalism.
    6
  378. The EU understands the damage that shock changes bring to the economy. Therefor it is taking away financial services away from the City step by step. A major step is due for mid 2025, when the EU will move transaction clearance to within its borders. That will have a major effect on London.
    5
  379. "Depressive thoughts" Indeed. This is a difficult time for people with a heart. But you will get through, and Britain will be the better for it. Just keep emphasizing the lessons people need to learn.
    5
  380. Thank God Brexit is getting rid of so much red tape!
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  381. "Singapore on the Thames"
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  382. Nonsense. Scientists use models to predict effects all the time. You do not understand science, do you.
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  383. And use SI base units ONLY. And have a proper constitution. And have PR voting. And have an elected higher house or none at all. And where papers are punished for spreading lies. And where there is a separation of church and state. And where fox hunting is illegal. Brexit may well bring it all!
    5
  384. Hopefully, they will spring into action before starvation has weakened them to much. The little twats felt so strong and proud giving the finger to the EU. But they still don't realise their own government was taking abusing them all the time. Time for some painful lessons.
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  385.  @dwhizzleentertainment588  If you think I defend the UK government, you are mistaken! But I am looking at cause-and-effect. The sleaze media have been surreptitiously corrupting the English mindset for at least 3 decades now, and I believe the current government is the result of it. Not the other way around. For example re-admittance to the EU will in part depend on how popular those tabloids remain. As long as they remain popular, the EU will know that the UK is still a liability.
    5
  386. Brexit will feature in economic, politicologic and sociologic text books for at least a century.
    5
  387. Farmers are discovering what blind, slavish trust will get them. Let the anger rise and hope they wake up before they have to sell their land. The Tories have betrayed them, and should suffer the consequences.
    5
  388. Bozo must like experimenting! First this massive economic experiment, now a public health one. Both with predictable outcomes: more suffering for the British population. You sure knew what you were voting for.
    5
  389. Truth is: humanity is interdependent on each other.
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  390. Finding out exactly who wanted Brexit and why will be the biggest challenge for Scotland Yard in the next decade. However, this behaviour of the tabloids will be a clue. Hopefully, the whole nest of corruption will be eradicated.
    5
  391. UK voters must have been really thick to need a Brexit to set them straight...
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  392. I would expect the Tories have a choice: to acknowledge the bad political & human choices they made that led to Brexit and truly repent of them, or to become totally irrelevant. For now, they are kicking the can down the road trying to hang on to power for a little time more. But that will not last.
    5
  393. Keep underlining the truth, Phil! In the end, all these lies will be acknowledged.
    5
  394. Good point re. the life-choices having less gravitas for the privileged. Reminds me of the Lord Farquaad quote: "Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make".
    5
  395. Hear, hear. The UK was united through much Scottish and Irish blood.
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  396. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..." But remember, that is not the EU's doing. The EU was happy to advice the UK on how to exit properly, but would they listen?
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  397. The EU is playing the long game. In the end, the UK needs to discover for itself how much it needs the EU. Playing hardball will only give the Tories more munitions to attack the EU, whereas letting the Tories play along will quickly show their lies and incompetence.
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  398. ​ @lloydbelle3406  "many of the passengers did not vote for Captain Boris" True, but Brexit was not only due to the Tories. It is also a consequence of unfocused and uncommitted opposition. The EU has never had a champion in UK politics: anti-EU sentiments were allowed to fester, and no-one dared to mention its benefits. Brexit suffering has been well deserved by the UK as a whole. I hope they learn their lessons.
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  399. ​ Pe Ba  Perhaps because you under appreciate how important those minorities and facilities are for your nation? No worries, Brexit will teach you.
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  400. People, there seems to be someone impersonating Phil replying under his channel name and logo, but clicking on that account takes you to a different channel with 2 (!) subscribers and no uploads... Don't fall for it!
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  401. It is so good to see you enjoying yourself ;-) The tide will turn for the UK as well. Keep up the good work, you are making a difference.
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  402. You forgot to mention they were cannibals.
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  403. ​ @davidgreen6490  You know that our submarines routinely blow US aircraft carriers out of the waters in war games, don't you? Diesel-electric is a lot quieter than nuclear.
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  404. It is an illustration of the principle "Repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it". The lie being that the UK has enemies. It does not. The UK was the most respected and most pampered member of the EU, with many EU nations feeling a great debt of gratitude for their efforts in WW2, and it nearly always got its way. Yet flocks of sheeple believe the exact opposite. People should have paid more attention to the discrepancy between what the Tories promised, what they actually did when they were in power, and what they said they did.
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  405. You remind us of the greatest tragedy in UK politics, ever. The opposition had Bozo by the balls. They had a majority in Parliament. But instead of getting together and work out how to form a coalition government with the then-Parliament, Corbyn bet everything on a GE. It cost the dissident Tory MPs and many Labour MPs their seats, Britons their freedom, many entrepreneurs their business, and it will cost the UK its Union. I hope Corbyn can sleep at night, knowing he could have stopped it.
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  406. Selfishness is unconducive to people working together to run a nation. That is why populism always leads to hardship, division and strife. As Bozo is about to discover. <edit>Unless he is able to direct the anger he has fomented at a common enemy...</edit>
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  407. The Tories are totally incapable of negotiations. They are spoon fed entitlement, they rule by dumping vague ideas and expecting the civil servants to sort it out, they can't be bothered with dossiers, they live in a bubble where their egos are constantly stroked, and don't understand the concept of "rules". I am always reminded of the first day of the Brexit negotiations. The Brits, all fluff and bluster who hadn't done any preparation and without any dossiers near them, facing a composed team of expert negotiators surrounded by reams of papers, most of which they knew by heart. Lambs led to the slaughter. But still they believed they had all the cards.
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  408. The love of money (greed) is the root of all evil. If a contract no longer is a win-win, the other party can always walk away.
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  409. Calling a situation where "smart" checks are performed, an improvement over when no checks were necessary at all, is a wonderful bit of Tory logic.
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  410. Looks like it is going to take some time for the truth to finally sink in. Keep up the good work, Phil!
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  411. ​ Rich Foley  That would not just be a border between the RoI and NI. That border would surround the whole UK. It would make the UK a pariah nation and lead to massive economic sanctions. It would force Scotland to secede, and cause the DUP to be annihilated at the next NI elections. It would secede, and England and Wales would stand alone against the whole world. Not something even a Tory would want to trigger. They do not want to make England + Wales the next North Korea.
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  412.  @FlyingFun.  The EU has stimulus funds for disadvantaged regions....
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  413. An excellent analysis of the problems of modern supply chains. Brexit ended British just-in-time manufacturing, putting all British companies at a severe disadvantage.
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  414. Competent people want nothing to do with the Tories right now. Just look at the criticism they are getting from previous Tory leaders (John Mayor, Michael Heseltine), and e.g. John Bercow. That is a competent man, he wants nothing to do with the Tories anymore.
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  415. If you don't respect your workers, they will walk away. The UK used to be able to attract people from poorer nations to do the work, but not any more. The problem is that because there was zero time to adjust to higher wages and better circumstances gradually, the relevant businesses are going to collapse, taking the UK economy with them.
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  416. I would imagine that no sane person would consider Braverman a vote puller. Surely the vast majority of the UK is disgusted by her words and actions.
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  417. ​ @justonecornetto80  Hey, SF or the EU did not want Brexit. The DUP actively supported it, so they must be fine with the consequences!
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  418. There is a reason so many Americans claim Irish roots.
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  419. I have news for the Brexiteers: You could have been more like German while inside the EU... That would have been MUCH easier, in fact, than trying to be like it after cutting all your trading connections.
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  420. Absolutely true. Sleaze has been the norm for these people for centuries.
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  421.  @richardcory5024  In civilised countries, it is the Speaker's job to keep the proceedings on topic. The PM waffling on about his imaginary achievements in lieu of an answer to a specific question is definitely NOT on topic.
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  422. Instead, they keep blaming the EU. That will be of great comfort to them when their stomachs growl and the roof of hovel leaks.
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  423. ​ @kevinmorris4168  Please explain why it is an EU problem when the DUP is angry with the UK government? I fail to see any connection.
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  424. The UK has entered the economic state of "Stagflation". It is very hard to get out of, even with competent leaders.
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  425. People think all that money is going to Rwanda. Knowing the Tories, I am pretty sure a large part of it is siphoned off into somebody's pockets. Someone who the Tories like.
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  426. The UK had better move to more container transport before they start these customs checks. Recently I had a short discussion with a Brexitard who maintained that truck transports are cheaper than containers. But that is only so because the UK is not performing customs checks. Containers are much easier to queue somewhere to wait for Customs to get round to checking them. Use the lorries only for goods that can't wait in a dockyard for a week, like fresh food. Because checks will drastically reduce the number of lorries the UK can handle per day.
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  427. I can remember some battles with you when you were pro-Brexit, and also your swing in position. My hat off to you, Sir. It is no small thing to be honest enough to change your standpoint.
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  428. It is only fitting that Brexit causes the disintegration of the Union, as it was a Dutchman that unified the UK and caused London to become the financial heart of Europe, instead of Amsterdam.
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  429. Rejoice, oh children now crying, for the black shadow of the Evil Lord EU has lifted! At last, we are free! No-one looking over our shoulders messing with our affairs. We are free to live our lives as the Master intended!
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  430. 😂😂😂 I have had a perfect holiday in Switzerland, thank you very much, with plenty of service in restaurants, no reservations required. But then, I am an EU citizen.
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  431. ​ @red.aries1444  "the situation will get much worse" Yes, those who supported Brexit will need to see the error of their ways first, and that is notoriously difficult. Also the constant drip-drip-drip of anti-EU propaganda from the Putin-owned media will need to stop first. As they say, it is far easier to deceive someone than to convince them they have been deceived.
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  432. "Moving people from low-paid productive jobs to low-paid unproductive jobs". A nice summary of Brexit.
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  433. There will be further steps after the ones you mention. The EU will not accept you back without fundamental, democratic reforms. Like a formal Constitution, an elected higher house, proportional representation, a government independent from parliament, etc, etc.
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  434. Last year they weren't. The few Brits that applied for picking fruits did not have the physical strength required for a day on the fields. So, they demand more money, work shorter hours, and get much less done.
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  435. Would be funny, but the issue that was addressed in those concessions was a valid issue that the EU could solve without compromising its internal market too much. No need to go back on it.
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  436. ​ @cathlaurs9754  Normally, that is the job of the media. Starmer only gets 6 questions, he must use them wisely. It is up to the media to rub it in and make it clear to everybody what an inept wanker Bozo is. Britain is not suffering for lack of brains in opposition, but for lack of integrity in the media. Well, OK, the previous Labour leader did throw away his advantage in the House when he could have used it to completely prevent Brexit. But certainly Starmer is doing things right.
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  437. The impact will be a drawn-out affair of ever-increasing misery. It will take years for the dust to settle.
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  438. All this "seize the opportunities" is just the Tories shifting blame to the businesses. I will not repeat it. The Tory government is to blame for this Extreme Tory Brexit, and the associated fall-out. There is no way UK Businesses, and especially the SMB's, could have prepared for it, they are victims just as the UK people are. I wish there was a way to herd all these rabid Brexiteers into one region, let them boil in their own juices, and have those who are not at all happy with Brexit get back inside the Single Market. Oh, wait there is! Saor Alba! Reunify Ireland!
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  439. I thought political reform would only become an issue after the UK economy had completely crashed, but Tory sleaze and corruption has done that much quicker. I so hope Labour can win the next election on it. If they run on repairing the Brexit damage, they will fail as that can not be repaired in 5 years time.
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  440. What I find disgusting about this whole thing is that it takes 54 Tory MPs to have a leadership challenge. But only about 40 to have a Motion of No Confidence pass.
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  441. ​ @candidaprout8441  Some people are too dense to understand the principle of "Speak softly but carry a big stick". Some people think people will only respect them when they shout abuse. Not the EU.
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  442. UK politics 2021: "Keeping Up Appearances" is airing a new season.
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  443. I read that letter of resignation, and it sure looks genuine. Enough was enough, it seems. Too many times of ignoring good advice, his temper getting the better of him, digging his own grave. Or perhaps she did not want to be part of the dismantling of UK democracy. If you have lost the trust of those who worked closest with you for so long, it is time to resign.
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  444. "synapse twisting activities" Great find!
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  445. Brexit's goal was to get out from under unelected bureaucrats. And it may well end with an unelected bureaucrat dictator ruling the UK. Well done! Hope they don't mind us calling them Brexitards, because while the Brexit failure is even more spectacular than predicted, it was predicted to be a massive act of self-harm. The epithet "Brexitard" is well deserved.
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  446. Good on you, Britain. Finally coming to the realisation that you should never trust a tory.
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  447. I am sure they put pressure on people, that is what Whips do. But to blackmail using public funds? That one might be new. Somehow I don't think so. Personally, I thing Wragg spoke up now because remaining silent would implicate him and cost him voters.
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  448. ​ @chrismurray3224  We do feel sorry for you. Please consider your options, like emigrating or becoming politically active.
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  449. ​ @chrismurray3224  While I understand your frustration, apparently you and yours did not do enough to prevent this catastrophe. If this had happened in many other European nations, there would have been massive protests disrupting the whole nation already. And that is no exaggeration. The British are far too meek, and the Tories know it. Don't take this as a personal attack, it is up to you to decide if you personally have done enough to protect your own future and that of your children. For all I know you have been organising protests. If so, good for you! But perhaps it is time to become (even) more active. The Tories are known to bend because of public pressure. My hope is that Brexit will teach the British how to protest, that they will learn how to confront the government with the effects of their actions.
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  450. ​ @patchso  Ever hear of the "Highland Clearances"? That caused untold misery, and many consider it a genocide. Yes, it was perpetrated by their own Lairds, but only after they had moved to London en-masse. Scots blame the English for them.
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  451. Brexit is what you get when you give a bunch of in-bred, over-confident frat boys the keys to your apartment. It doesn't look pretty, and it stinks.
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  452. I experienced my first Bonfire day in Scotland, and thought it quite cheeky to celebrate an attempt to blow up Parliament...
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  453. I love your bit about peeling the orange ;-) A fitting rebuke for putting a foot on Macron's antique table.
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  454. Brexit is the result of a long, systematic mis-information campaign. The UK media have been blaming the EU for everything wrong in the UK for some 3 decades that I know of, possibly longer. And the UK government took personal credit for everything the EU achieved in the UK, helped by the media. Now they are paying the price for not differentiating between propaganda and facts. For the life of me, I can not understand why Murdoch and the other media moguls did this, but they sure have something to explain when they approach the Heavenly Judge. They single-handedly destroyed a nation, causing incredible grief, all to enrich themselves that little bit more?
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  455. No way. They will keep gaslighting the public and blaming the EU for every ill in the UK. The UK MSM is not innocent in Brexit. In fact, it is the main driver behind Brexit. UK politics follow the MSM. I do not know what their motive is, but you can be assured there is a LOT of money involved.
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  456.  @RealMash  Yep, it will at some point come apart. The UK government will do all it can to direct that rupture away from itself. I pray to God they will not succeed, and those that are to blame will be blamed by the People. Many regimes in similar circumstances start a war, like Argentina did in the eighties...
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  457.  @williampatrickfagan7590  Add a zero to that. 50,000 officials by them selves cost several billion pounds each year. IF you can find them.
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  458. To be honest, I was rooting for Italy. Bozo and the other Brexiteers were already insufferable after the previous match. Waffling on about Brexit and how great England is, suddenly acting like great fans. And because of the unfair advantage of having only a handful Italian supporters compared to the mass of England fans. And because of the way they won their previous match, compliments of a laser pointer. If England really was so good at football, how come this was their first major finale since 1966?
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  459. Somehow, the Etonites have not yet learned that vital lesson that all cities are three meals away from revolution. They will soon.
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  460. Unicef is already treating you as a third-world country, so yeah.
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  461. We are seeing yet another exciting action in Project Save Big Dog. Get on with it, put the dog down already.
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  462.  @nettcologne9186  Same for the Netherlands. There are debates on how to keep the Dutch Language alive in Universities, English has become the norm. PhD students have been majority foreign for a loooong time.
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  463. Until the right-wing press starts pointing it out. I.e. NEVER. The Tories are doing very well out of Brexit, turning the nation into a totalitarian Kleptocracy. With them the winners.
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  464.  @hannahdyson7129  "army on the streets" It is that belief that makes it so. The French put it to the test. Most of the times, the People won. If things go as I think they will, the British people may soon have no option but to take to the streets.
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  465. Just imagine, your ex still wanting to drive your car? Brexitards 🤦🤦🤦
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  466. A LOOOOOT of people. They'd better learn to be paper pushers, that is the current area of growth.
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  467. Many people know the quote "There are lies, dreadful lies and statistics". But most do not realise that the fault lies not with statistics per se, but with the people who purposely abuse them to mislead those who do not understand statistics.
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  468. ​ @BENTWOONEZERO  Of course it is not growing. Trade is down, services are down, pigs are culled, crops rot in the fields, many workers have left, many more are filling in new forms instead of producing things of value, the HMRC has warned for lower tax revenues, of course the GB economy is shrinking. But the UK government is very good at hiding such things... Also you need to take inflation into account. That is why GDP's are compensated for purchasing power when compared.
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  469. Apart from a great tactical move by Truss, this is the perfect type of red meat that continues to save Big Dog. The only reason to give it attention is to demonstrate the utter lunacy of the derailed Tory party.
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  470. It isn't the politicians. It is the garbage media that dictates the public debate in the UK. For England to begin to heal, the Sun, the Daily Fail, the Telegraph etc need to go out of business. And the BBC needs to be cleansed of all political appointees.
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  471. Well said. News papers are not diplomatic channels
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  472. ​ @pauln6803  Make that "selfish short-term political gain". His scope for decision making is weeks. The decisions he has made will cause the long-term destruction of the Tory party, but he couldn't care less. Like his great example across the pond.
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  473. ​ @rippspeck  If (when) the UK splits into three or four parts, most of those parts will I think be very welcome. The England-part will not be welcome until it has been thoroughly humbled, adopts the Euro, and changed its constitution to have direct representation. No more district / First Past The Post voting!
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  474.  @blameyourself4489  Try explaining that to a Yank. Trust me, I have.
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  475. Pretty soon they will be seasonal workers tugging their fore-locks for the new owners of what used to be their land. The nasty thing about Brexit is that you only get to make that stupid mistake once, and then have to live with the consequences.
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  476. "This country is lost" It breaks my heart, but I think you are right. As long as they continue to blame the EU for everything that goes wrong in the UK, even now when the EU has zero power over the UK, there is no way the UK can learn from its mistakes or reverse its course. There is a nice spot reserved deep inside Hell for the main instigators of Brexit, but that will be small comfort.
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  477. Given that the Tory government consistently acts to hurt Scottish interests I am amazed there is not more desire the break off the UK. The UK is on a strong downward path, I'd leave the ship as soon as possible.
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  478. ​ @vectravi2008  "The fault that the EU must accept" The EU did many things for the UK that should have been noticed by the public. However, there has been a consistent anti-EU campaign in the right-wing media for at least 3 decades now, and UK government has also consistently been blaming the EU for everything that went wrong in the UK, and taking credit for things the EU did for the UK. The ultimate fault is with the UK populace that chose to listen to the lies. The UK needs to grow up and start taking responsibility for the state it is in. At all levels, starting with the populace. Government won't change until the people change.
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  479. Excellent analysis as usual!
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  480. All over the world, Murdoch has created blatant fascist propaganda channels that brainwash whole populations. That empire needs to come down. A few good law cases might do it, like the Dominion suits in the US. Even better would be some in-depth investigative journalism pieces revealing how and why Murdoch manipulates nations. There must be illicit financial links to political parties or nations intent on destroying Democracy.
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  481. I am sure Bozo will claim he inherited a mess from May, come the next election, and that she is guilty for the Brexit fiasco.
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  482. A trade war with the EU has a BIG benefit for the Tories: it would mean they can blame all England's misery on the EU again, no matter how unfairly. For this reason, I doubt the EU will take decisive action. They will certainly wait until the Ukraine war is over to avoid dissensions in the anti-Russia alliance, but probably they will wait until 2025 when they pull the plug on the financial centers in London. Which again would suit the Tories fine because that will be after the next GE. It is unimaginable and revolting how much damage these clowns are willing to do to the people in the UK, only to stay in power a few more months. As Tusk said, there will be a special place in Hell for these monsters who betrayed the trust of their People.
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  483.  @Kohanman  We did NOT elect said blatant racist. Wilders got less than 25% of the vote. He still needs to form a government that can count on the support of the majority of Parliament. If he is unable to do that, someone else will be PM. And even if he is able to form a government, the moment he acts on his racist impulses, his government will fall.
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  484. "whose bacon looks to be getting saved" Thanks, Putin. In fact, I wouldn't put it beyond him to have organised this whole kerfuffle to keep Bozo in the saddle.
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  485. I still remember the arrogance with which Bozo rejected the idea of an extension. The EU is having a good laugh, and I think Gove will return empty handed.
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  486. You are incorrect about how Poland is being treated. It is being fined 1 million euros PER DAY for its government control of the judiciary, and its Corona support of 13 billion euros (of the top of my head) are permanently frozen. Also their seat at the ECJ has been taken away. More sanctions will be taken as and when necessary, but let them chew on this for a week or two (these sanctions were taken last week).
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  487. I think they will. The withdrawal agreement was between two nations in a trading block, but any changes to it will be between the EU and "a third nation", ie. subject to WTO scrutiny.
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  488. There are lots of little ports in France who are also getting a piece. We can't be selfish.
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  489.  @matthewq4b  Same troll using a different screen name.
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  490. Great point! No sending off of the brave troops this time, just needing to pay a bit more for specific items, and a few companies going bust -- that just happen to be in e.g. Johnson's district.
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  491. Excellent summary of what has been going on. Keep up the good work! At some point, the Brits will become sensible.
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  492. Big thing is, you can prove you deserve better -- by doing what is necessary to change this situation. If you don't you are indeed proving you deserve this government. (talking about massive protests, Gillets Jaunes style)
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  493. @Nettcologne: your comment hit a nerve: the resident trolls are stirring! Well done.
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  494. A Tory. Straight from the mold of Ebenezer Scrooge.
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  495. Yeah. It is high time for the EU to step up to the plate, economically, politically and militarily. The Euro will soon replace the USD as the currency of choice for international trade. The USA will be focused inward for the next decade at least, and the leadership vacuum it leaves must be filled by someone. Let that be the EU, that would be much better than China (the only other serious contender).
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  496.  @mixodorians12  If you had made your plight known to the EU, they would likely have acted on your behalf. As I understand it, it was up to the UK government to list which areas were up for EU subsidies... You should have protested, vigorously, against the UK government. With Brexit you have made things MUCH worse for yourselves.
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  497. Brexit is giving the UK a crash-course on the value of experts. So far, its students are failing at the exams by ticking the wrong box...
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  498.  @geraldhewing2076  "he's doing his best" No, he is using the opportunity to siphon money into his mates' pockets...
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  499. It isn't the call for ceasefire by itself. But this call is one-sided, and penalizes the defendant in this situation. Hamas is undoubtedly the aggressor, and that should be reflected in the motion.
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  500.  @jjefferyworboys8138  They may not vote Tory, but given enough hunger, they may well hunt Tories.
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  501. They knew what they voted for...
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  502. ​ @maciej9280  "eu subsidies for farmers are ending as well" You mean "eu subsidies for British farmers are ending as well". The EU takes food security very seriously, as it understands that being dependent on third nations for food means they have you very much by the balls. Any society will collapse within weeks when there are serious food shortages. Which is one reason why this Brexit experiment will end very badly indeed.
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  503. I grew up in a badly insulated home. I had ice crystals on the inside of my windows of my bedroom. The only thing I regretted was my fingers being too numb to write for my home work. But then, our bottom floor where we spent most of our time was nice & comfortable, and had plenty of hot water. That is what these morons with their tall tales forget. There is a huge difference between sleeping in a cold room with a hot water bottle at your feet, and living in an unheated house, all the time. Trust me, I know. I visited our unheated holiday home in November for repairs, but did not last a full week where we had planned two. The cold just drains the life out of you if you have no way of getting warm. Which is why Fire was such an important invention for human kind. Humans just can't live at our latitudes without fire.
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  504.  @peterebel7899  Once the OS is this far gone, it needs re-installation. My advice: install the OS developed by the people, for the people.
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  505. It is the fruit of voters being desensitized from lying for decades by the tabloids.
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  506. Wars never solve anything. It is the diplomacy and other civic actions after a war that permanently change things. The allies never had a civic plan for Afghanistan, so this was inevitable.
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  507. The idea that Starmer can not attack the government on Brexit handling when he agreed with a deal is absolutely false. Starmer and Johnson are not on the same footing during PMQ. Johnson is there to explain his handling of Brexit to Parliament, and Starmer has both the right and the duty to attack him on anything the government does wrong. Parliament is sovereign, not the PM.
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  508.  @michaelmouse4024  🤣🤣🤣 Best Comment of the day.
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  509. Brexit was ever only about dodging taxes and whitewashing money. But I never thought the Tories would be greedy enough to actually go ahead with this national suicide. But it is too late now, England will see much worse than this before they come to their senses.
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  510. ​ @namesurname2958  "harmed the uk" No kidding! Bar any totalitarian 17th century-style suppression wars, it will break it apart with only Wales staying with England. If England is lucky.
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  511.  Theomen Thorne  "whether people agree or not" While I believe you things will turn out as you say, the UK must realise that the EU owes you nothing at all. England will need to better its life (i.e. political system and media) and ask VERY nicely and politely before you have a shadow of a chance of rejoining. Don't forget that your media and your politicians are continuously insulting the EU, and deeply as well. That will not be forgotten for quite some time. You have certainly lost all goodwill you had from the past you played in ww2.
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  512.  @peterebel7899  There is currently not a large group of people that might be tempted by higher wages. And it takes time to train them. And the companies need time to raise their prices so they can pay those higher wages. What makes Brexit the train wreck it now is, is the suddenness with which it was introduced. No-one knew the details until a single week before B-day.
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  513. A vital computer system is off-line for a week? That is gross incompetence. GROSS incompetence. Bar perhaps an infiltration with ransomware there is not a single thing that could not be fixed in a day or so, if the will to act is there. Most any system can be rebuilt from scratch in that time. So several things must have gone wrong, including inadequate backups. Which is a sacking offense in this business, and cause for massive fines or even to terminate the contract. But I guess the contract has been award to a firm Tory supporter, a pal of a minister somewhere, so he gets to rip-off the public overcharging for a bad service. Probably self-hosts everything at a "very secure location" -- as if regular hosting providers know nothing of security. They'll probably even be more secure than this farce. And then he skimped on the standard redundancies expected for a professional hosting site, like duplicate power and telecom connections entering the site at different points. And unwilling to spend the money to solve the issue quickly, because the SLA is either weak or he knows it will not be enforced. That is what you get for Tory corruption & incompetence.
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  514.  @josephfisher6745  Same for Scotland.
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  515. ​ @GermanGreetings  All Trump's business doings will be under a HUGE magnifying glass after this. I expect many criminal acts to be found, and for Ivanka to be implicated. That is what will nail her.
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  516. "This house has nothing but pride. Pride and incompetence."
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  517. They will. In 2014 (or was it 2015?) the EU will require financial services pertaining to the Euro to be located inside the EU, so that the EU can monitor and investigate them according to their strict rules, and so that the ECB can underpin the transactions. That will leave the UK economy absolutely gutted. They have given the affected companies a good period to make the necessary arrangements, then the hatchet will fall.
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  518.  @mariogmajner6549  Nice example of Whataboutism, traitor.
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  519. There are so many reasons why exports are important. As the UK is dependent on other countries for its food, it needs to import. But in order to pay for imports, you need to export. Otherwise your currency will crash. That is why the trade balance is important. Currently the Tories are masking the problems with the trade balance by increasing the interest rate. That has a finite effect. When you stop increasing the interest, that effect will end, and devaluation will continue its normal trajectory. This is the reason the BoE interest rate is fully double that of the ECB. House owners with mortgages and businesses pay the price for temporarily propping up the GBP. They must be happy, having voted Tory, and knowing their sacrifice will ultimately be in vain.
    4
  520.  @MegaNewriver  Eurosceptic trash has been predicting the demise of the EU every year for decades. So far, the EU has been far more democratic than both the UK and the US.
    4
  521. ​ @justmythought7658  LOL. You wanna go back to snail mail and corded phones? Loosing the internet would hit the global economy hard for the same reason Brexit hits the UK economy hard. The world has changed since 1990.
    4
  522. Well, UK businesses are screwed then. Having to compete against outside companies that can produce and export cheaper and flood the UK market is not easy. But as the clown said, "F-business". Looks like that is a promise he is keeping.
    4
  523. About the growth for the UK being expected to be the biggest in the G7, I don't know on what data these forecasts are based, but I find this extremely suspect, knowing that both UK export and UK services have taken terrible hits as a result of Brexit, and that these are expected to suffer further this year. Last year the HMRC also warned of lower tax revenues. I guess the UK government is very slow in accounting for the year 2021, and that in the mean time old data is being used.
    4
  524. Wasn't that mantra started by an MEP?
    4
  525. British papers, like Americans, have a license to lie, especially if they can quote someone, if only one of their own readers who posted a comment online.
    4
  526. Looks like Brexit only made the EU stronger.
    4
  527.  @abbersj2935  You will be happy to scrap the Pound in a few years time...
    4
  528.  @infrasleep  If that is so, then why do all the top-10 nations with the happiest citizens have proportional representation? Perhaps it is time to have a look at other countries and see why they are doing so much better than yourselves?
    4
  529. That is like celebrating today because rations were raised to 17 grams, when yesterday they were raised to 20 grams. Or like the general yesterday celebrating decisive victories 100 miles from the capital, and today celebrating the route of the enemy 50 miles from the capital, and tomorrow celebrating total victory 10 miles from the capital. Sadly, there is not much the Public can do.
    4
  530. He's probably hoping to save his paper.
    4
  531. What are you doing to re-earn our respect? Done any protesting lately?
    4
  532. The UK Sheeple have no idea that this is going on. Their PM leads the way in clapping for the NHS. But what he does in policies is a different thing altogether. The main problem in the UK is that there is no scrutiny of government by the media, and the sheeple don't care about that.
    4
  533. "This calls for a severe punishment" Not until they actually do something. You may hear some comments from the EU like "I hope Johnson realises the consequences of uni-laterally breaking the good friday agreement treaty".
    4
  534. Which is why you need good laws protecting food quality, labor rights and the minimum wage. Brexit has been the excuse to get rid of them. The food production industry will suffer greatly from brexit.
    4
  535.  @vesatuomassihvonen1316  "has grown up" You know the three stages of development: Dependence, independence, inter-dependence? Brexit was a huge step backwards on this scale, from inter-dependence to independence. From adulthood back into puberty.
    4
  536.  @olmostgudinaf8100  Brexit was always going to destroy the UK trade balance, both for goods and services. The Gammons don't understand what that will do to an economy. Probably think that printing more money will solve it. That is what you get when you trust leaders that say they have had enough of experts.
    4
  537.  @Jonnythebaker  History will tell who had the skewed view. <preview>I aint me</preview>
    4
  538. This all is very revealing. The Tories, Brexit and Russia are so closely linked that they are unwilling to join the rest of the free will to put Putin in his place. If it turns out Brexit was conceived to help Putin weaken the EU, Bozo and the Tories have committed Treason. I have no hope in the legal system dealing with this, but I hope the UK public is paying attention.
    4
  539. In the mean time, the UK University of Hard Knocks is offering classes. Remember, the classes are not optional: they need to retake them until they pass.
    4
  540. Conclusion: the DUP should have supported May's deal. The backstop would have prevented the divergence between N.I. and GB!
    4
  541. It is MUCH easier for EU companies to find alternative sources of UK products, e.g. from the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, EU companies can charge UK buyers for the extra costs involved, whereas UK companies can not charge EU buyers extra.
    4
  542. Those politicians need those flags to make you think they support the whole nation while their words and actions say otherwise.
    4
  543.  @charlessandoval3382  To fix something, you first need to acknowledge there is a problem.
    4
  544. As all money is siphoned off to marginal English Tory seats...
    4
  545.  @garrywynne1218  The UK doesn't elect its government, nor does it elect the house of Lords. Your comments show your utter lack of understanding of both the UK and EU political systems.
    4
  546. It shows how corrupt the UK media have become. They time the release of these red herrings to coincide exactly with nefarious steps by the government. They held this story for almost a year, to be released just when the government was undoing the Magna Carta.
    4
  547. ​ @andygass9096  "court of public opinion" Not true. During PMQs, Parliament is the Court. In most democracies, Bozo would have been fired right after this shameful display. I have NEVER seen the likes of it in my country, for example, and I have seen ministers sent off for far less.
    4
  548.  @HandyAndyHomer  No, it is not, but you are not worth the effort.
    4
  549. Not all taxes are going up. Some are going down. But most Britons will not benefit from that, only Shoesnake and his mates. But HMRC warned already last year that tax income was going down due to Brexit.
    4
  550.  @mariogmajner6549  Johnson lies, 100% of the time. Starmer was not involved in the Saville case.
    4
  551.  @FuriousImp  It is happening as we speak. The US has temporarily escaped, but the UK is well down that path. Other nations as well: Hungary, Poland. And in others nations more and more people fall for the lies. Like in the NL, people voting for FvD.
    4
  552. What are the odds that the moment Labour comes into power, the media start crying murder about the same policies they welcomed under the Tories? The media are the main cause of Britain's problems.
    4
  553. ​ @Jay...777  Just look at the concept of the whip. That is an absolute mockery of democracy. As a government, it is your job to satisfy the MPs, not the other way around. MP's derive their authority from their voters, not from their party. In our (Dutch) constitution, it specifically says that MPs vote without burden (or obligation, the word has several meanings in English). Even mentioning something like a whip would cause the immediate termination of a government where I live.
    4
  554. These trade "deals" and food imports will only make things worse. Apart from undercutting what is left of UK agriculture, they will place more demands on logistical systems and worsen the trade imbalance. For a real solution, I am sorry to say, a lot of people need to move from the cities to the countrysides and start work in agriculture. A sensible government will create incentives to do that. But then, a sensible government would work on realigning with the EU as a first priority, so I fully expect this government to make things worse than they are.
    4
  555. Reminds me of the propaganda in East-Germany: "No-one mention any shortages of bread. There is plenty of bread."
    4
  556. ​ @mickeythompson9537  Corbyn should have not been so egoistical and co-operated with other parties. Then a non-tory would now be PM without the need for the 2019 GE. But no, he wanted to be PM himself. Well, he gambled with the future of the UK, and lost.
    4
  557. Seems like BRegret will be the word of the year 2022...
    4
  558.  @jasbindersingh2441  "The issue ain't brexit" As Brexit was about getting rid of the forinners that stole British jobs, the sudden shortage of drivers is definitely a consequence of Brexit. Or, at least of how Brexit was executed. They got rid of the forinners, all at once. Turns out, those forinners did work vital to the British economy. Now everything goes tits up. Who would have thought?
    4
  559. "We hold all the cards" Utter bollocks.
    4
  560. Sadly, the period between the short term and the long term is going to be dark indeed. Britain will be needing food aid: another Brexit dividend.
    4
  561. ​ @andypeutherer4218  Sadly it looks like the Tories will be in power for the foreseeable future, and disaster will strike before they give it up. Time to leave the sinking ship...
    4
  562. "not to let them drive the trucks" But where could they go? You're on an island!
    4
  563.  @Gary-bz1rf  Obviously you are ignorant of the billions (!) of € in fines that have already been issued to banks that were slack in rejecting dirty money.
    4
  564. Exactly. People who still think Conservatism (neo-liberalism) is any good, should read up on what liberalism originally led to. Any Dickens novel will do. Or e.g. Les Miserables. The main duty of any civilised government is to protect the weak from the strong. All nations that do not are doomed to self-destruction, at tremendous cost to the weak.
    4
  565. ​ @tonymccake3057  Indeed. A wise man once taught me to NEVER go away from a bad situation, but only to go TOWARDS a better situation. The only valid exception I know of this rule is for a wife to seek shelter from an abusive husband. That she should definitely do, even if she doesn't know yet where to go. So the capital mistake at the heart of Brexit is that they only wanted to get out of the EU, without the foggiest notion of where to go from there. Bozo revealed his deeply flawed approach to Brexit with his infamous and infuriating "Brexit means Brexit" wisecrack. The Moron. I don't normally insult political leaders or heads of state, but make an exception for Bozo and Dump for their total lack of sense of responsibility or duty.
    4
  566. Only for their mates. Brexit and the pandemic created opportunities to make oodles of money for some people close to the government.
    4
  567. What, Tories being hypocrites? The horror!
    4
  568. He didn't need Brexit to buy beer from outside the EU. Could have done that for centuries already. I hear Corona (the Beer) is getting real popular here in the Netherlands, for instance.
    4
  569. "No way to restore party discipline" -- which would be one step towards a real democracy. The whole concept of "whips" is an affront to democracy. The practice is outright illegal in my country (Netherlands).
    4
  570. A constitution would not help you. You need direct representation. And you need good media, who tell things as they are instead of misleading the sheeple.
    4
  571. Project Fear, mate! Or is that Project Hear? Cause that seems to be the problem: the Brits only listened to who they wanted to listen to.
    4
  572. WTO rules with added economic sanctions...
    4
  573. ​ @watfordgap6737  Not at all. If you are divorced already, the divorce of someone else does not change anything for you. You wanting all marriages to fail only shows how bitter you have become.
    4
  574. He tried. But the Ukrainians stood up against it and made the traitor run for his life (in 2014).
    4
  575. ​ @robertlee6338  Knowing that people were shot during the protests, that uprising definitely required balls, and big ones too. Between 70 and 100 protesters were brutally murdered by the traitor's security forces.
    4
  576.  @alanhollands8901  US voters have been voting against their self-interest for decades as well.
    4
  577. At the moment the Pound is keeping its value at between 1.1 and 1.2 euro per pound. That is because the BoE is doing its worst to keep the pound high, and the ECB is doing its best to keep the Euro low. We will see that value of the pound drop as the impact of Brexit comes home.
    4
  578.  @johncoffey1483  Most certainly: the Brexit referendum caused an immediate drop from 1.3 euro per pound to the current level.
    4
  579. Boris description of his government was spot on.
    4
  580. The biggest bonus of a PR voting system is that parties become less adversarial. British politics is permeated with the "winner takes it all" mentality, and all-or-nothing policies. With PR, the winner does NOT take it all. He needs to work together with other parties to find a majority coalition. This will weed out extremist policies, like Brexit or Free Cities etc, and will make politics much more civil and respectful -- because politicians know they may need to work together at some point. It tends to move major parties towards the center, where most voters are, and gives room for more extremist / visionary / activist parties to represent the views of various smaller groups of voters. That will result in more political engagement of the voters.
    4
  581. Logistics is like a delicate conveyor belt. Stop it anywhere, and the whole system collapses. Ships that can't unload can also not load for the return trip. Lorries stuck in customs areas the same. And the UK is more than ever dependent on imports from the EU.... It's going to be a long, cold and hungry winter...
    4
  582.  @therealrobertbirchall  Obviously there will be a real, hard border between Scotland and England. Luckily, most of the border is river with just a few crossings.
    3
  583.  @therealrobertbirchall  I am not anti-English, I have lived there. But I fear the political realities will make any alternative impossible. I expect England to harden its anti-EU stance making any deal that requires trust a pipe dream. Scotland has to choose between freedom and rebuilding its economy together with the EU, or sinking into dictatorship and poverty with England. In 2014, I was against independence. But now, to remain with England will mean suicide.
    3
  584.  @baronvonlimbourgh1716  Shell will not be barred, it will be forced to pay the taxes it dodged by moving to the UK using the new international minimum taxation frameworks. But this time, the Dutch government won't be able to help them.
    3
  585. Perhaps now the Tories will be in favour of PR. In the past, the Tories have always benefited from First Past The Post. But now it seems they have sunk below the threshold where it hurts them.
    3
  586.  @creativecascades1328  That is definitely not true. There are many people in Britain that are in food poverty. Cheap food is usually not healthy. Obesity is not so much caused by too much food, but by unhealthy food with too many empty calories, that make you fat without fulfilling your nutritional needs (proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals etc).
    3
  587. The comparison of what these media figures do with the discharge of effluent is a nice one!
    3
  588. Great metaphor. Indeed, this is the goal of the EU: to bind economies together so that future conflicts become suicide. As the UK is kindly demonstrating.
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  589. Brexit has always reminded me of the "upper class twit of the year" contest.
    3
  590. ​ @ADifferentBias  While at the surface and in the short term Hungary is a challenge for the EU, it will come round in the future as its culture is infused with input from freer nations and its economy gets more sensitive to "gentle nudges" from the other member states. We see this already in Poland, where support for its dictator seems to be declining. In the end, Hungary is too small to permanently endanger the EU, and the strength of the EU is its diplomacy and economy, not its rhetoric nor sanctions.
    3
  591. Labour shouldn't let itself be pinned down when asked about their Brexit plans. They should give two barrels to the Tories for a). turning Brexit into a disaster, and for b). making the poor pay the Brexit costs, then shift to how they will fight for more equality.
    3
  592. Phil is also leaving a public record of his observations that can be used to reconstruct exactly what happened and when. It will be useful in the post-mortem phase to understand how it could have gone so tits-up. More and more people will find this channel and understand how they have been conned.
    3
  593.  @rocketsurgeon2135  Me, I am all for the UK triggering A16! As someone said, "Go ahead, make my day", and "Do you feel lucky, punk?" But then, I live in the Netherlands, and Brexit has been a big win for us up to now.
    3
  594. As everybody who had a look at the UK trade balance would have noticed long before Brexit.
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  595. The fun will really start when the UK government runs out of international credit and won't be able to import food anymore. It will take a few years, but that day will come.
    3
  596. The biggest issue with Britain right now is not the corruption of the Tory party but the corruption of the media. The UK can not recover as a democracy while the media is carrying on as it is.
    3
  597. So they want to get back to the conditions of the 19th century. But they forget that what level of luxury a Lord had in 1820, pales in comparison to what is available to the average Joe in the EU. The riches of the wealthy are created by the spending of the poorer. Poorer spend less, rich get less profits. By making everybody poorer, they also reduce their own standard of living compared to what it could have been.
    3
  598. Tories are all for a devolved government. Devolved into a dictatorship, that is.
    3
  599. The public will slowly come to realize that the UK government is acting in Russia's interests instead of its own...
    3
  600. ​ @johnproton259  "They presumed the EU would always behave reasonably" I think it is perfectly reasonable to confront a bad-faith negotiator with a foretaste of the consequences.
    3
  601. Why is this a thing in the UK? It is a politician's job to enter into conversation with opponents etc., and to do things to draw attention to his message. It is a bit weird to think everyone writing in the Sun does that to slight Liverpool.
    3
  602.  TheNewblackdog  I.e. when pigs learn to fly 😂
    3
  603. No it could not. Bozo has maneuvered himself soundly in a corner that he could not get out of except through a no-deal, by on the one hand committing to the 2019 WA in order to win the GE, and on the other hand promising the ERG to renege on that deal at his earliest convenience. That he showed up at the negotiations in feb 2020 without a proposal was proof positive that he was acting in bad faith. His mission has all along been to crash out of the EU without a deal, and his posturing has only been in the hope the Party would not be blamed. Sane people hope that he now will be disposed by back-benchers who know they will be held to account by their constituents if this goes any further. How likely that is, is anyone's guess.
    3
  604. +1 for the "Yes, Minister" reference. At the time it aired, I was young and shocked at how everybody treated the Minister and later PM. Now, I see the script writers were understating reality.
    3
  605.  @timelwell7002  You assume that things are not pushed to a head by an economic collapse -- Argentina-style. Argentina tried to direct blame to the UK (hence the Falklands war), but when that failed things were sorted pretty quickly (politically, not economically)... We need to hope for a moment where the Tories overstep, and do something for which blame can not be shifted. Like Trump with his 6-1 insurrection, Argentina for the invasion of the Falklands.
    3
  606. Your remark about the difference between the old Fascists and the current crop is insightful. Power for power's sake, that is the name of the game with these people. The have no principles, no policies, are not interested in actually doing something for the good of the nation. They just want to be in charge, and will jump on any bandwagon that promises more votes and/or more power. A dead giveaway on their character was the failure to answer what Brexit was going to mean for the people.
    3
  607. I prefer the analogy of the train driving off a cliff edge. The cab is hitting the bottom right now, but most passengers are still enjoying the view.
    3
  608.  @garychesters6994  The job opportunities are for work that most Britons consider beneath them, like driving lorries or picking fields or slaving in a restaurant. For most, working those jobs would mean a serious reduction of income compared to their previous one, even apart from the investment needed to learn to drive a lorry or work as a nurse or cook in a restaurant. Those are not unskilled jobs. Even for a job like picking fields you need to be much fitter physically than the average Briton is. So that is how there can be unemployment and a labour shortage at the same time.
    3
  609. Right. France implementing its law is justification to break the North-Ireland Protocol? Great example of clear reasoning.
    3
  610.  @mikez2779  I doubt Scotland will want opt-outs. Certainly not out of the Euro, as the Pound is a symbol of the UK.
    3
  611. The prospect of an independent Scotland being welcome to join the EU is very real indeed. Part of the process of becoming a full member will include finalizing their breakup with England, though, and that will probably take some time, but there certainly are things that can be done before that, like joining the Euro and the single market.
    3
  612. European fishermen fishing in "British" waters is about 4 centuries older than the concept of a 200-mile economic exclusion zone. The UK has never had exclusive rights in those areas. Completely ridiculous that the UK thought they could simply change that unilaterally with a stroke of the pen.
    3
  613. That is what they call trickle down economics...
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  614. You mean statistics ;-) Stochastics are concerned with chance and likelyhood.
    3
  615. I am sure there are people at Labour already listening to Phil and rewrapping some of his ideas as their own. (This is not intended as critique: it is what I would do, were I active in Labour)
    3
  616. It will be. Spain, as a PIGS nation, was doing very poorly a decade ago. Seeing its recovery compared to the downfall of the UK will highlight the effect the EU can have on your economy. Also, Spain has been one of the hardest hit by Covid in the Euro zone.
    3
  617. With politicians, that rule "don't ascribe to malice" doesn't usually apply. All politicians are ambitious, goal-oriented people. Everything they do or say will contribute towards those goals. If their actions or words don't match up with their professed goals, that always is because they have a hidden agenda. And that hidden agenda is invariably nefarious. Otherwise they wouldn't hide it.
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  618. ​ @barrywebber100  If the BBC were impartial, they would have had economic experts comment on these statements. If the BBC had done its damned job, Brexit would not have happened.
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  619. More than 800 euro for the water company? That is a bit steep. Here in the Netherlands we pay about €350 euro per household for our water management & treatment, plus about €250 for drinking water, for a total of about €600 per household per annum. So what Thames is asking is a bit on the high side (35% higher than what I am paying). Add to that the service they are delivering is extremely bad, in no way comparable to what the Dutch are achieving.
    3
  620.  @ulfosterberg9116  The EU has lost patience with the Tories, not the UK. But I agree its situation is very bad indeed. It is on a course to a failed economy, but that will take some years. Sadly, the Tories will be allowed to destroy the country for a at least a few more years. Hopefully the voters will have come to their senses by the next election, but then it will take decades to clean up their mess, with things getting worse before they improve. I hope the voters will denounce the Tabloid press and the Tories who caused these problems, and accept radical change. But I am afraid they will continue to let themselves be brainwashed, and that the Tories will destroy democracy to create a Russia-like dictatorship. 2019 may have been the last open election the UK has had.
    3
  621. "if only to exact revenge" Self-preservation is a much stronger motivator for these people. Like the latest defector who had noticed a radical shift to Labour in his constituency. Most if not all of them stand to be wiped out due to Tory scandals in the next election.
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  622. Yet another example of the British media lying to stir anger against the innocent and defending the perpetrators. There is one solution: stop buying them.
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  623. The biggest problem with the current hit on export, is that it takes some time for the repercussions to percolate through the economy. Now, Brexiteers can say that it is OK to sacrifice certain businesses that impact the economy in a limited way. But also the suppliers of those businesses will be hit. And then the suppliers to those suppliers. UK economy is in a tail-spin, but people haven't realised it yet.
    3
  624. Don't forget employment.
    3
  625. Neo-conservatism is always bad for the economy.
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  626.  @alanheyes694  They do understand selfishness and looking after #1...
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  627.  John Russell  No they are not. These red lines are linked to the fundamental principles underpinning the EU. Suggesting they can be moved is a sign of delirium. Note that I am not talking about fishing. This whole fishing thing is a red herring, not a red line.
    3
  628. Tories want the status and trappings of governance, but not the responsibility. In their eyes, the liberal principle of "small government" means government should do as little as it can get away with -- which is not very much at all. How they continue to manage to con the nation is beyond me.
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  629. Keep pumping truth into the UK, Phil! Change will come.
    3
  630. ​ David Riffon  The 25th amendment provides for the situation where a president is (temporarily) incapacitated, e.g. by a mental illness. It is not the same as impeachment, where a president is permanently removed from office for committing "High Crimes or Misdemeanors". Considering the events of the last few years, Trump qualifies for both.
    3
  631. We can drink pints as well in the Netherlands ("een pintje pakken"), but pint refers to the beer not the amount. When I first came to the UK, it baffled me no end to talk about a pint of milk.
    3
  632. It is amazing that all these Brexiteers agree it is a good deal when the text of 2000 pages has only been available to a limited group for two days...
    3
  633. Funneling aid money out of a vital refinery: time to nationalise it, and give the owners of said refinery a hefty claim for maladministration, equal to the value of money funneled out.
    3
  634. I think a debt solution is exactly what Truss will do, because the alternatives will cause massive political problems NOW. It will take several years for a debt crisis to develop, by which time the Tories most likely will no longer be in power. And then they can happily blame Labour for the hardship. Slash-and-burn politics at their worst.
    3
  635. England will also need to meet the Stockholm criteria this time around. That will require massive reform of your political and economic systems and the way the government is organised. For starters you will need to get rid of FPtP voting and the House of Lords and write a constitution. That in itself will take a decade once there is the political will to do that. The big question is when will the political will to change be there. When will people turn en-masse against the Express, Mail, Sun, etc, etc? When will people demand change through massive strikes and protests? When will they hold the Tory party accountable for the evil they have done? When will the gammons realise they have been conned?
    3
  636. Taking back control, eh? Seems like all the arguments for Brexit are one by one turning into a huge deception. All except this one: the weaking of the UK and the EU to benefit Putin. Can't say we didn't warn them.
    3
  637. Blame it on the French, LOL. Though I am appalled at what may happen to the citizens, it may be for the best to let a no-deal run its course. Let time and circumstance teach the lazy, gullible voters to take responsibility and vote for their own well-being. But there is the considerable risk that the Tories will try to aim the coming anger and turmoil to external entities, a war even to keep the UK united. They will say that this war will be of limited scale and duration....
    3
  638. The Tories let the likes of the ERG bully them. They are learning the hard way that bullies don't go just away, but instead take everything they can from you. Bullies need to be confronted & stood up to. Democracy is not a game for the cowardly.
    3
  639. My thoughts exactly. The bozo did claim that Brexit was done, didn't he? Time to have his cake and eat it, as promised.
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  640. Also in higher management roles there are no probations. That is because of the disruption uncertainty about the leader would cause. And who would evaluate their performance? The employees? Nonsense. The performance of such leaders is evaluated every single day, and as soon as stakeholders (or Parliament in this case) lose confidence, the man is out.
    3
  641. Also, it was an advisory referendum. Yet the Tories (and Labour) took it as the final word by the People. One of the reasons other EU members won't be overly enthusiastic in welcoming the UK back, is how such incredible BS could be accepted by the People.
    3
  642. This episode is not only great advertisement for Labour, but also for a constitutional reform. PR will make it much less likely that a single party will get the majority, and with coalition governments you will never have the situation that 0.2% of the population, who also happen to be barking mad, get to decide the country's leadership.
    3
  643. I noticed that when the Ever Given made its return voyage to Asia, it was (mostly) empty...
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  644. So sad we can't get an actual preview of what Hell will be like for these clowns.
    3
  645.  @nicodesmidt4034  No more rabbits, no more badgers or foxes or stoats or hedgehogs, no more butterflies, no more birds. No doubt Hedge Funds will join the buying spree. They should rename them, serious!
    3
  646. So, the only reason the Tories did what they did was to play domestic political games. That is sure to make them friends internationally.
    3
  647. Too early, mate. As they say, never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. At the moment, only the right-wing press has any influence on what the government does.
    3
  648. Not at all. Supermarkets are fully stocked. But then, I live in the NL.
    3
  649. That was an EXCELLENT summary of the Dutch government. Populists getting some power is usually a blessing in disguise in a PR system. They won't get enough power to be truly dangerous, but enough to show their supporters how utterly untrustworthy they are.
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  650. I know a true Brexit benefit: it will destroy the conservative party and the right-wing media.
    3
  651. Brexit put the UK in such a weak position they have little option but to let other nations walk all over them in negotiations.
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  652. Sad thing is that 60% of 52% is only 31%. They are getting their wish. 10% are making a killing out of Brexit. The other 59% have their lives and futures destroyed. "Never in the history of mankind have so many suffered so much at the hands of so few".
    3
  653. If I were an MP, I'd abstain, as there is no time for proper scrutiny. I am not going to vote for something I haven't read properly. And there is no way I can digest 2000 pages of legalese in a week's time.
    3
  654. Absolutely. Bozo even managed to come to the final Brexit negotiations in Feb 2020 totally unprepared. The idiot even had to ask the EU for proposals that should have been made by the UK. The fool literally had zero proposals on how brexit should work. As Tusk said "I wonder about the place in Hell for those who initiated brexit without even a sketch of a plan to carry it out safely." But I hope voters will judge him and the Tory party before God does, for the misery he inflicted on his people due to pure laziness.
    3
  655. Bullying is a very serious offense, also for children, where it also leads to depression and suicide. Or, in the case of the USA where the victim can get access to a gun, mass murder + suicide. Bullying seriously damages a child psychologically. So, your statement that bullying primarily being connected to children "downplays the serious harm it does" is wrong. You could say that an adult who still bullies people is very immature and/or has a serious character defect, that would be true. But the impact of bullying is just as hard for an adult as for a child. Probably even harder for a child, as a child can not easily escape the situation where they are bullied, where an adult can. BTW, bullying is associated with fascism. Fascists bully people.
    3
  656. Good one. I wonder how Brits will feel when they visit the EU and discover the 'war' has been a figment of their leader's imagination.
    3
  657.  The legend of Spitfire Hunter  Actually, that is something that worries me. The rhetoric in the UK is preparing it for war.
    3
  658.  The legend of Spitfire Hunter  But the UK doesn't stand a chance against the EU in a trade war, so why bother?
    3
  659. The opportunities for the Opposition to challenge the government are limited to 6 (six) questions per week, and none of them are answered. As long as no debate has been scheduled on the particular topic, a topic can not be discussed or mentioned by the Opposition. And in this phony democracy, the Opposition does not have the right to schedule debates (or have them scheduled). This is very much unlike mine own parliament, where any MP can request to have a debate and when he/she can find 30 (20%) of MPs who agree, the debate will (usually) be scheduled.
    3
  660. The UK economy will drop off a cliff-edge in 2025. Transaction clearing, a key pillar of the UK economy, will be relocated from London to the EU before July 2025. 30-6-2025 is the last day EU transactions will be allowed to be cleared in London.
    3
  661. Current Tory politics is "We Do What We Want, F*CK Everybody Else". That honourable attitude will not go very far. I think the EU will let the UK continue to ignore the NIP, but that it will move the financial services from London to the EU before mid-2025. We can not trust these maleficent clowns with our financial heart, not even if Labour manages to win the next election because Tories may well be back in power after that. After taking the heart out of the UK economy, the UK itself can not continue. The NIP will become irrelevant due to the UK's breakup. The peaces left (Scotland, Wales, England) can apply for EU membership after that. England can expect to be kept in the waiting chamber a LOOOOOOONG time.
    3
  662. ​ @rabbitbobo4131  Handling subprime packages is a great way to launder money, so that makes sense.
    3
  663. ​ @cfhutgfre  About the City being silent: it has voted with its feet. Something like $1.6 trillion in asset holdings has left the city in preparation of Brexit and moved across the channel. And usually, the City does not play politicians through the media: it has direct access. My guess is that with the EU clamping down on money laundering, the City is more than happy to become Singapore on the Thames...
    3
  664.  @cfhutgfre  https://fortune.com/2020/10/01/banks-trillions-jobs-brexit-move/ There are lies, damned lies, and what comes out of a Brexiteer's mouth.
    3
  665. Brexit will likely cause the complete collapse of the British economy. But let those who can enjoy it do so while they can.
    3
  666. The HMRC must have seen the shitload of extra work coming their way because of Brexit and thought "Can't have that!"
    3
  667. Sadly, even joining the single market again will not immediately solve the problem. Eu workers need to get the confidence again that the UK is a safe place to work. Putting innocent holiday makers in prison is not wise, pretty awful Patel. Confidence comes on foot but leaves by Concorde.
    3
  668. Gekolonizeerd!
    3
  669. You could say the sympathy level is off the scale. Or would that give people the wrong idea?
    3
  670. The Bible has a story of the trees electing the Bramble to rule of them (Judges 9:8-15)
    3
  671. He will be stopped, in time. Bozo is still sensitive to public opinion. But it will take quite some time. The evil of Toryism has taken deep root in England. It needs to be purged, and it isn't going to be pretty. If you have the opportunity, I would advice you to find employment outside the UK. Not in the US, they are in the same position....
    3
  672. I can't imagine Von der Leyen is snubbing Starmer. But he isn't her top priority either.
    3
  673. The UK is no longer the 5th largest economy. It is the 7th.
    3
  674. One of the benefits of greenhouse-based agriculture is that harvest time can be adjusted to suit worker availability. The UK should invest in greenhouses big time.
    3
  675. From a project management perspective, Brexit has been one humongous clusterfuck. If the government were a company, they would have been long fired by now for incompetence, and sued for damages.
    3
  676. As simple rule in life protects people from making stupid choices: never move away from a bad situation, but only towards a new situation. Brexit is an illustration of that rule on a national scale. Brexiteers wanted away from the EU, but had no idea what brexit was leading to.
    3
  677. Damage control itself will not be sufficient. Drastic reform will be required before the UK will have any standing again with the rest of the world, let alone renewed trust. We see through even his current infatuation with Ukraine: it has come to our attention that he usually visits Zelensky whenever there is a pressing matter requiring actions in the UK. Not that we mind, though. He is actually doing some good in Ukraine, to my amazement.
    3
  678. It is also the part of the economy that pays for British imports. No exports, no imports. The UK is dependent on imports for its food supply...
    3
  679.  @peterebel7899  And the very next NATO member will be Finland, closely followed by Moldavia and Sweden.
    3
  680. And both caused by the same evil genius: Murdoch et fils.
    3
  681. That is because the MPs only have a limited amount of questions they can ask. They can not get into a back-and-forth debate, as PMQ's is not a debate. They ask a question, the PM answers (nominally), and on to the next question. What would really fix the situation is if the Speaker were to exercise his authority to keep the PM on the question, and force him to actually answer it.
    3
  682.  @richardcory5024  And that is the difference between a mature, professional Parliament, and the amateurish farce you have going on. Why let a PM insult Parliament and waste its time by not answering the question? According to convention (in your case) or the Constitution (in mine), Parliament is sovereign. The government answers to Parliament. Not answering Parliament or answering in a misleading way is a grave insult to Parliament and by extension the nation. Also, MP's sit in Parliament on the authority of their Constituents / Voters, not on the authority of their party. This means that it makes absolutely no difference which party the MP asking a question belongs to. In my country, all MP's can always ask questions to the government, during debates or in writing, and have them answered. Refusal to answer in a timely manner or giving misleading answers are sacking events for the minister in question. This is what is fundamentally wrong with UK democracy. It has forgotten that the government works for Parliament, and that it is Parliament's job to scrutinize the government, and it is government's first responsibility to submit to such scrutiny, regardless of party politics.
    3
  683.  @alanmarr3323  And Karma is teaching them a mighty lesson for it. Or call it the University of Hard Knocks.
    3
  684. The only benefit of Brexit being in its final tailspin is that the trolls have packed up and left. Nice and dry in their winter dacha, no doubt.
    3
  685. It took a generation of lies and hate to prepare Britain for Brexit. It will take a similar amount of time to prepare it for rejoining the EU.
    3
  686. UK trade is so far out of balance that it will cause the complete collapse of the UK economy. It will take some time before your credit rating starts to drop, but then the end will come. The pound has (miraculously) more or less kept its value these past months, but that will change. The UK is heading for hyper inflation.
    3
  687. There is only one solution to the queues. And it will come without any government interventions. Trade in and out of Britain will be vastly reduced, and that what is traded, will be in bigger shipments. SMB's and the public will suffer, but large companies will not. Welcome to the Brexit, Sir, I am sorry.
    3
  688. ​ @geraldwagner8739  Think so too. No driver will want to wait days in a queue without pay. It makes much more sense to let Customs do their thing over containers instead of trucks with drivers. A container can be left in the yard for a week until all the paperwork is sorted, no problem. A Container will probably become the smallest item that can be shipped across the channel, with airfreight catering for small volume - high value - high urgency shipments. The rest will just have to live with a 1 or 2 week delay due to Customs.
    3
  689. The Spitting Image would have a field day with the Dyson episode...
    3
  690. I don't see a new Cromwell hiding in the wings yet. He/she would need to be forceful. Perhaps Rayner?
    3
  691. The Netherlands had a comic duo (Van Kooten en De Bie) that had satirical sketches about a populist party "The Anti-Party" (Tegenpartij). Their slogan was: "For you and Mine Own" (Voor jou en van mij). The two leaders were small-time criminals. Sounds pretty applicable to the Conservatives. The absurd thing is that quite a few people wanted to vote for them in the general election and were disappointed they didn't run for real....
    3
  692. Labour might have put the proposed Brexit deal before the Public in a second referendum. That might have prevented Brexit all together.
    3
  693. Well done, Tories. You only had, what was it? Some 5 YEARS to prepare these IT systems. Massive, massive failure of the Tory government.
    3
  694. Congratulations with the win! Now, Labour and LibDem and SNP need to bloody co-operate and put an end to this sh*t show in 2023 or 24. Or, celebrate your differences while the UK goes tits-up.
    3
  695. Exactly. Which is why Labour is not campaigning to rejoin but rather re-align with the EU. They know rejoining is well outside the reach of a single sitting of parliament. And Phil is aware of this, he has defended this position many times. The best the UK can hope for the next 20 years is joining the Single Market, in a Norway deal. I.e. all of the rules, none of the influence that they had as full EU members.
    3
  696. ​ @johnpritchard8946  The EU does wish the UK good luck. But the UK has broken trust with us, not the other way around... The consistent, deeply insulting language coming out of the UK towards us will have consequences. The EU has learned to "Never Trust a Tory", and until the UK (or England after the inevitable break-up) thoroughly distance themselves from the Tories and sincerely apologise for their rhetoric and behaviour, you still haven't learnt your lessons. Brexit has been compared with a divorce. England should consider getting back in the EU like re-gaining the trust of a woman you have betrayed badly and then dumped. And you can be very grateful the EU is ruled by pragmatic, rational people, otherwise you'd be told to piss off. However, some EU countries will probably have referenda on re-admittance of England... Regardless, England will NEVER regain the influence and privileged position it had before Brexit. You'll not be one of the big 3, rather one of the big 10. And you will need to adopt the Euro and thoroughly reform your political system. Imprisoning Bozo and his cohorts for fraud & corruption (if not treason) will be a good start.
    3
  697. The public is absolutely to blame for Brexit: by trusting a Tory, and believing a person making incredible promises who has been fired for lying twice, once from journalism and once from politics. This should be the absolute death of the Conservative Party.
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  698. When a poor man spends his money, that money is circulated in the economy: they pay the wages for other people, who spend it again, and so on. Rich people don't do that. They "invest" it, e.g. on the stock market or the housing market, where it generates zero benefit to the economy, because these are not new stocks or houses, but (mainly) existing ones. Also, these assets are often in other countries. Thus, giving a tenner to a poor man may well benefit the economy more than giving fifty quid to a rich man.
    3
  699. There is a third discussion that needs to take place: how could the brexiteers deceive so many people into voting against their clear self-interest, and how do we prevent a similar deception in the future?
    3
  700. Brexiteers failed to understand that economic activity is usually not a zero-sum game. The economic activity of migrant workers creates more jobs than they take away.
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  701.  @BENTWOONEZERO  TL;DR: Yes. Long answer: there are short-term and long term effects. The short-term effects are that the migrant workers pay taxes and spend a significant amount of their wages in the country of work. This means that much of what they earn is not lost to the economy, but pumped around. That money is now taken out of the economy, as these positions are not taken over by others. And obviously, their efforts made profits for their employers, which are now also gone. The long-term effects are that migrant workers used to take specific types of jobs. This allowed a large part of the native population to specialize in other types of jobs, usually better paying jobs. As at least some of the vacancies need to be filled by native workers who used to do better paying jobs, this will further diminish the UK economy. Also, the wages for these people need to rise, putting profit margins under pressure for these businesses. That in it self is not a bad thing, as higher wages lead to economic growth as that money is pumped around in the economy as long as the companies can compensate for the higher wages by increasing their prices. This is not possible in areas where the produce is to be exported. Some of these jobs are also pre-requisites for other jobs, as most jobs interconnect through supply chains. These now need to be reshuffled. So, long term it means that there will be less people available for the more lucrative, high-margin jobs that made the UK an advanced economy. This not only reduces the per-capita income, but also taxes raised by the government, the value of housing, etc, etc. As many of the migrant workers were seasonal, this affects job security for the people replacing them. They can probably get work for the summer but not for the winter, leading to poverty as the UK is still an expensive place to live. As the migrant workers needed to stay somewhere during their time in the UK, their loss will lead to a reduction in house value. etc, etc, etc, etc. The main principle is that in a healthy economy, every worker generates more value than he/she costs, value that can be used to create more value. Not all work creates value, e.g. the military protects value but does not create any. But migrant workers were as far as I understand, not involved much in the military. Work in the e.g. NHS does create value, as it allows people to work more efficiently. Sadly, the UK is now discovering how much value their membership of the EU created...
    3
  702. ​ @BENTWOONEZERO  I did mention the sending of money abroad. I mentioned that in spite of that, a significant portion of their wages was spent inside the UK. I doubt very much that some tens of thousands of migrant workers would significantly stress housing, schooling or the NHS. It is much more likely that the powers that be blamed said workers for stresses caused by decades of under-funding ("austerity"). Also, due to Brexit, you will see a large number of expats return "home". Most of these do not contribute much to the economy, and will probably be as big a drain on NHS and housing resources as the migrant workers, if not bigger.
    3
  703. This will probably get ugly, and I don't think the Tories will give in. The UK made a terrible mistake in trusting BloJo the Clown. The price is hefty, and I fear they will continue paying it for many years to come. We need to pray for mercy for the UK people.
    3
  704. The ports in the EU have been ready for Brexit for 3 years now, so why should the UK do its bit?
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  705. This move by the government may mean that contractors will require payment for bringing out a bid. Personally, I think that is how things should be. It is not sustainable to have to spend a LOT of money for a 1 in 6 chance that you will win. Especially not when, as with the Tories, your connections to the government determine how likely you are to get the contract.
    3
  706. They'll need to be careful not to violate the French part of lake Geneva.
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  707. True. But that is up to the UK government. The EU has little option but to accept the person that is sent to them, except from walking away from the table and giving Bozo and his clowns a wonderful casus belli.
    3
  708. "It will be years before you see the benefit" That is the main reason why Tories don't like to invest. They forget the immediate boost to construction by these large-scale projects.
    3
  709. I well remember that insufferable twit Bozo accusing the EU of having no respect for Brexit or the wish of the UK people. But the EU ports have been ready for Brexit for 3 years now, so who is taking Brexit serious? The EU Custom officials know exactly what changed, witness that official impounding an illegal fresh meat transport disguised as sandwiches from the hapless UK trucker: "Welcome to the Brexit, Sir!"
    3
  710. The stories about EU citizens having their papers and even vital medicines taken from them and being detained for a week have put me off from traveling to the UK for a long time.
    3
  711. The Tories couldn't care less. They will just keep feeding the media the figures from 2015. The only metric that interests them is the value of their own portfolio.
    3
  712. I love this idea. A prime minister should not be controlled by a minority of his MPs.
    3
  713. As Bozo is surviving scandal after scandal, the least of which would have destroyed any previous PM, the chance of him becoming a dictator rises quickly. Apparently, that is what the Public voted for.
    3
  714.  @artmcteagle  Exactly. The withdrawn support from corporations is what really triggers these grifters.
    3
  715.  @johnjeanb  The moral values in the USA have been severely corrupted these past years...
    3
  716. And without exports, the UK can not afford imports.
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  717. Labour is being eclipsed by the LibDems. As they will run in tandem at the next GE, it does not matter much anyway.
    3
  718. The Tories could hardly have made a bigger failure of Brexit if they had tried. The level of incompetence and idiocy is infuriating.
    3
  719. "Do something" You wish. Whole industries have gone bust, and what did Westminster see of it? The British are still stuck in a servantile mindset. Just tug the forelock and feel sorry for bad choices made, instead of taking those responsible to task. Or blame those who want to help (Labour & the EU).
    3
  720.  @stephanguitar9778  "They wanted to finish it their way" Which would be reneging on the WA and the GFA, and then violently repressing the resulting IRA resurgence, making the UK an international outcast pariah nation. That would bankrupt the UK in an Argentina-style melt-down. It would also spell the end of the Tory party, maybe lead to the criminal prosecution of those responsible, and probably cause the UK to finally break apart in the aftermath. Then, each individual part would rejoin the EU. I agree that is a likely scenario. Woe's you, UK.
    3
  721. ​ @Petal4822  In the last election, only 45% voted for a party that wanted Brexit. So it is not correct to say that the UK voted for Brexit, and certainly not for the Brexit Bozo gave you. If you see people walking towards death and destruction, it is our duty to warn about it, which is what this channel is about. And to unmask the lies that are spread by their right-wing media and the UK government. You have no idea how bad things are going to be. Pretty soon you will desperately need the EU to bail you out.
    3
  722. Farage is a disgusting bag of hot air. I don't understand why anyone puts any confidence in him.
    3
  723. People who long for the "good olde days" forget that the population the UK could sustain was only a fraction of what now lives in it.
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  724. The price of tomatoes will skyrocket.
    3
  725. The Brexiteers succeeded in making a real enemy out of an imaginary one. Well done!
    3
  726. Keep up the good work, Phil. At some point people will start to see the madhouse that acts as government in the UK.
    3
  727. Excellent point.
    3
  728. ​ @markwilkie3677  You have my blessing! In 2014, I thought it unwise to break up the UK due to the threat the Tories would kick an independent Scotland out of the EU. Who could have known you would be in this sorry state just 7 years later. In my opinion, that betrayal of the Scottish voter alone is more than enough justification for independence.
    3
  729. Give it a decade or so.
    3
  730. Brexit will continue to drag on until British myths of grandeur are well and truly beaten out of them.
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  731. Overpayed fobs looking down on those who actually do the work. I hope a culling is on its way.
    3
  732. It is going to be a bleak, grim, cold and hungry autumn & winter. But not for me, I live in a sane country.
    3
  733. ​ rick rolling  "uk will still be worst off than before brexit" That is inevitable. It will require a miracle for the UK to come out of Brexit as one nation and with a somewhat functional economy, 50 years from now. IMHO, it is more likely the UK will break up and the English economy melt down before their eventual rescue by the IMF and the EU.
    3
  734. About the F1 racing analogy: the race ain't done till the finish line is crossed, as one Brit recently found out. It might not be your own car exploding that causes you to loose it all.
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  735. What maddens me is that the solution to most of the UK's woes would have been to improve the minimum wage and worker conditions. They didn't need Brexit for that. By improving those, these jobs would have become attractive to UK workers again, who would have replaced the foreign workers naturally. But now it is too late. The UK economy has entered a tail spin from which there is no recovery.
    3
  736. I hope the outcome of Brexit will mean a real change in how politics are done in the UK, and how the media reports on it. Then it might have been worth it.
    3
  737. There is a reason people in an agricultural economy don't grow as old as in modern times...
    3
  738. It is feeding frenzy time. I see even the UK press has (reluctantly) joined in. Soooo, Johnson will not be the ultimate Brexit scapegoat. Who will it be? Sunak or Truss? Both have the proper qualifications: expendability.
    3
  739. Good one! The UK no longer deserves to be in the G7, let alone preside over it. The UK should have an alternative G7 with Trump, Putin, Kim-Jong and Xi. If they accept the invitation.
    3
  740. Pretty difficult to plan ahead when all you are interested in is staying in power for just one more day...
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  741. The Tories have no idea. Never a truer word. Personally I expect to see food riots in the major English cities in a year or two. And I expect those riots to get out of control and lead to a proper revolution.
    3
  742. There are those (me included) who think the realities and contradictory goals of Brexit will cause indefinite extensions to "transition" periods, until the UK rejoins the EU in 2035 or enters into a dependent status like Norway at the cost of much sovereignty. That, or the UK will rip itself apart as Brexit hits, with NI and Scotland joining the EU independently, and England and Wales following suit after some time. That, or there will be civil war in the UK with authoritarian rule by the Conservative Fascist Party, who first put down the rebellions and then start a war with the EU over Gibraltar. They will of course loose that war, the Conservative Party will be disbanded, and the Labour government will rejoin the EU. It are going to be some exciting weeks, but I don't see any path forward for the UK separate from the EU...
    3
  743. ​ @happyguilmore4253  Not exactly. These are often people living at their parent's place longer than they would want to, and the accomodation for the refugees is non-permanent -- i.e. converted offices etc. But, yes, housing should be the TOP priority for our government, but it isn't. We, like the UK, also have had a right-leaning government for too long.
    3
  744. And for outside viewers. Pass the popcorn, please!
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  745. Exactly right, I fear. Corbyn wanted to be PM himself, where he should have done business with the rest of the opposition and made a new government with a PM acceptable to all. His ego cost the UK very, very dearly.
    3
  746.  @HandyAndyHomer  Troll.
    3
  747. If Parliament does not do its job, it raises a big flag that says "Reform Urgently Needed!" You are absolutely right in calling the UK government a dictatorship.
    3
  748. It seems that even the "remoaners" underestimated the damage Brexit would do. The UK is in danger of a complete economic melt-down like we have seen in Argentina.
    3
  749. There is a common theme between the two countries: the massive influence of the Murdoch media empire...
    3
  750. And this, children, is why you consult experts BEFORE making drastic changes. The sad thing is that there is no quick solution to this mess. The EU is thoroughly fed-up with the UK, and has moved on. No chance Tories will get any significant favours from the EU, and even when Labour comes to power they will first have to convince the EU that the next government won't simply U-turn again. Britain has chosen to step back into a subsistence economy. But wait, aren't the farmers selling their land en-masse now? To wealthy, foreign, landowners? Guess it will be back into feudalism, then. But of course the Brexitards knew what they voted for.
    3
  751. That is what the Tories have been doing for decades...
    3
  752. A Tory speaks, a Tory lies.
    3
  753. Slash - and - burn economics focused on quick fixes for political problems are rapidly destroying the UK. I see no way they can avoid the fate Argentina suffered in the late 20th century.
    3
  754. Selfishness leads to self-harm.
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  755. I hope the gammons are suitably grateful to the EU for being so lenient & patient.
    3
  756. Well done for highlighting the deceit in blaming leaving the EU for the extra charges, instead of the extreme Tory Brexit. These extra costs people need to pay are sluiced into Tory coffers, nowhere else.
    3
  757. It is not the time to stand firm. It is the time to do something. Like pointing out the outrageous things government does to your friends & neighbours. Or to protest for real.
    3
  758. As health care is organized such that there is no effective competition, "free markets" mean the providers will charge you as much as they can get away with. Very lucrative for those companies. Very bad for the population. Guess who the Tories support.
    3
  759. ​ @magyarbrit5631  About the future for the UK: there is no future for the UK. The UK will dissolve, NI and Scotland will join the EU as separate entities, and England + Wales will go through a long period of deep hardship including hyper inflation and famine until they call on the EU for rescue.
    3
  760. Next thing will be the re-introduction of tenant farming and/or serfdom.
    3
  761. Excellent rant against the Corbynistas. At this time, public infighting makes them complicit with the Tories.
    3
  762. I understand that these biometric checks were even introduced at the behest of the UK.
    3
  763. EU closing borders & UK not. I would laugh if it weren't so serious...
    3
  764. Followed by those "rather found dead in a ditch"...
    3
  765. They should do the same with the water treatment infrastructure. Due to lack of investment, that infrastructure has been written off (financially) anyway.
    3
  766.  @hannahdyson7129  Sure there will be. Just like there are elections in Russia.
    3
  767. The saddest part is that the Johnson plague has already been exported through the European Championship and other events. Such a shame.
    3
  768. ​ @Jay...777  All afraid that Big Bad Bozo might fire them, eh? Pathetic.
    3
  769. Exactly! Frost and the DUP have together done more for Irish unification than anyone these past 100 years.
    3
  770. Excellent point.
    3
  771. Why is it so hard for these Brexiteer shills to understand that other parties also have the right to exercise Sovereignty? That the EU will not lower its standards just because that is convenient for the British? We uphold these standards against nations that are far more powerful than the UK! You want to visit us? You abide by our rules. Especially if those rules have been in force for ages.
    3
  772. British politics are weird, but I think the parliament in 2019 could have appointed a non-Tory prime minster without any elections, if Bozo had resigned. If they could have come to an agreement on who that would have to be, that is. Not all in the opposition trusted Corbyn, so they should have picked another instead of agreeing with a new election. And that same division caused them to lose the election.
    3
  773.  @oorwulliesbucket  If it were, most UK politicians (certainly all Tories) would be in jail.
    3
  774.  @martincopeland8153  The Pound originally referred to 300-odd grams of silver. That is why it is called a Pound Sterling. It would now be about 1.8 grams of silver.
    3
  775. US healthcare is the best in the world. If you can afford it...
    3
  776.  @Willywin  No mate, the EU is not to blame. Of all EU nations, the UK got the one of the best deals. What is to blame for the reduced standard of living in the UK, is Austerity. Let me predict that things are going to be even worse a few years from now. Are you still going to blame the EU for that? Of course you are. I hope it gives you some comfort.
    3
  777. And this winter home-made woolen jumpers & cardigans will make the best presents.
    3
  778. Selling out the environment for the sake of headlines sure is going to make a good impression during that climate summit in Glasgow two weeks from now...
    3
  779. I wonder how the Tories are going to blame this on the EU being mean.
    3
  780. Exactly. Many (me included) have been saying this ever since 2016. The clouds were appearing on the horizon, but people still failed to see them. We need to thank God that Trump has been defeated by Biden, but the EU needs to be able to hold its own militarily against any aggressor, without help from the US. In fact, if the Republicans regain power, it may well be the US that is the aggressor.
    3
  781. It is great to plan a roadmap for rejoining the SM, but I'd think the EU is leading in its contents. And to prevent another debacle like the last 6 years, I'll wager the EU will have some ideas about necessary political reforms in the UK.
    3
  782. ​ @Holliethedog  No, it was the purpose of Putin to weaken the EU. He achieved that: the EU has less power & prosperity without the UK than with the UK. Fartage et al were at best useful tools, at worst fully complicit in Putin's plans. The idea that Brexit would collapse the EU was always idiotic, and anyone with even the slightest insight would have said so in 2015. I most certainly did. I remember what things were like pre-EU, how hard it was to cross borders (in person or shipping goods), and the hassle of needing cash in four or more currencies when going on a holiday. We used to keep left-over coins in photo-film containers at home, because you couldn't convert them back to our own currency. And you needed insurance, a carnet for the car, traveler checks, proof of ownership for valuable stuff you took with you, to avoid having to pay duty when bringing them back into our country, etc, etc, etc. Guess the idiots who voted Leave forgot about all that. Well, good luck proving that you owned that boat on your trailer before you left the UK, or proving that you are not going to sell it in the EU when you enter.
    3
  783.  @michaelwear2252  No, that is very much untrue. The literal text on the referendum was: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” Remain a member of the European Union Leave the European Union" The Brexiteer misinformation got to you, meddled with your brain. There was never a firm explanation of what "Leaving the EU" actually meant. I know, because during May's time it was still very much undecided. I warned people to not trust politicians who would not clarify their plans. Same for Bozo. We had to wait until 24-12-2019 until it became clear what Brexit meant. Everything was up for grabs until that time.
    3
  784. There will be considerable reform in the UK before it will be allowed back in the EU. However, that does not necessarily need to take very long. But the steps will take time. My guess, about 10 years.
    3
  785. Finally, the coaches of this train are hitting the bottom of the cliff. I actually thought it would be a bit longer, but there you have it. They drove off the cliff last January, now it is time to absorb the impact. Mind you, quite a few coaches are still in the air. Some haven't even passed the cliff-edge yet. But they will. They will.
    3
  786. Bozo will grow the economy using that ancient crutch of populist dictators: inflation. Just print more pounds.
    3
  787. This was already discovered by Henry Ford: pay good wages and your workers do good work.
    3
  788. Before there can be talk of re-joining, the UK needs to cleanse itself of its anti-EU elements, especially the right-wing propaganda channels.
    3
  789. When this government has fallen, the UK needs a full investigation of the flows of money between Russia and government members and other politicians.
    3
  790. Brexitards thought that stepping out of a powerful group would make them stronger. It will make them stronger alright, give them a stronger character through all the hardship they'll have to endure.
    3
  791.  @kirishima638  "Extreme economic conditions lead to popularism" And sadly, popularism leads to oppression. People should learn from history.
    3
  792. Have a look at the Dutch system. The way we plan detailed government policies ahead of forming a coalition has made our politics pretty predictable and boring, just as we like it.
    3
  793. The Tories have been very successful in convincing the Brits that it are the forinners who want to take away their cookie, while in actual fact it are the wealthy Britons who have hoarded all the cookies and refuse to share more with the common man. A good regulatory framework where workers on British projects must comply with British law with regards to pay, hours, qualifications etc would have gone a long way in preventing the situation you describe. But then the oil companies would have had to pay a bit more....
    3
  794. Bozo signing the treaty under duress? Then why did he whip the MP's into agreeing with it without scrutiny?
    3
  795. 5:00 - I don't think anyone will ever again think Putin is making "desperate threats". Like with Trump, he usually says exactly what he wants. Rather, I think Finland and Sweden take heed of what he said, and will expedite their application for NATO membership. Moldavia likewise.
    3
  796.  @jyvben1520  The Scottish border is mainly river, with very few crossings. I traced it some time ago, I think I found 8 crossings in all. It would be child's play to make it hard. Except for the inevitable farmers who have land on both sides of the border, but perhaps they will see the wisdom to sell or swap the offending bits. Remember that the Scottish border has historically been just that: a hard border between two separate, sovereign nations.
    3
  797. Theoretically, Parliament still has the power to force Bozo to involve them. But only if a majority will agree. As most Tory MP's were selected for their slavish, mindless obedience to the party Whip, no chance that is going to happen.
    3
  798. ​ @nodrinkingproblemhere9095  That twit that sat at the EU fisheries commission for nice afternoon snoozes, then suddenly woke up saying the EU was stealing your fish? The most vocal Brexit advocate that fled responsibility the moment the referendum outcome was clear? The tool that only joined the GE with his party to pressure Bozo into a more extreme Brexit trajectory? And then turned around to bemoan how Bozo was doing everything wrong? How could I forget. There are few people I would punch on sight, him being one of them.
    3
  799. Nah. They'll just hate the EU even more.
    2
  800. ​ @wiamoaw  That coward is nowhere to be found when important work is to be done, but all to ready to criticise afterwards. I can't believe people still listen to him.
    2
  801. Pretty soon the only step citizens can take, will be to the streets.
    2
  802. You are doing a great job, educating the People about what the Tories are doing. It is having an impact, and even more so because you are leaving a great wealth of documentation that can be used to study what when on. Guess the nation needed a teacher to set them right ;-)
    2
  803. I hope the people will remember who got them in this mess. Mogg has done much more to deserve a sticky end than did the Marquis de Launay... Not that I advocate violence, but if Brexit goes the way I think it will, it will end in bloodshed.
    2
  804. Yet another Brexiteer digging her own grave by not acknowledging that the various Brexit goals everybody has are unrealistic and mutually exclusive. I love it.
    2
  805. She would wet her diapers... Something more discrete might be better, like Huis Doorn. A quiet retreat for the (formerly) high and mighty...
    2
  806.  @10Tabris01  I like the message that gives ;-)
    2
  807. Those apologies sound extremely insincere. To show sincerity, start fully implementing the NIP protocol and WA. Then, they need to apologise to the British People for the hardship they caused.
    2
  808.  @johnrussell3961  Even Johnson wasn't mad enough for that. It would cause immediate civil war and the aburpt end of most exports.
    2
  809.  @geraldhewing2076  That ain't going to happen. The UK would suffer embargoes that would cause massive civil unrest within days.
    2
  810. Keep up the good work, Phil. At some point, people will realise the amount of lies coming out of Downing street. And then change will come.
    2
  811. Brexit was never going to survive the confrontation with Reality. And neither will any PM that does not do his/her utmost to re-align with the EU. That both Sunak and Truss want the job says all you need to know about their cognitive functions.
    2
  812.  @baronvonlimbourgh1716  True. But this will leave the UK economy shrunken, and devoid of high-paying jobs. The Brits will be forced to do the work they refused to do up to now, replacing the workers that left that were willing to do them.
    2
  813. Hearing about the human rights violations perpetrated by UK customs officials, and general UK xenophobia, I will postpone my trip back to Scotland until the Tories are well and truly gone, or until Scotland has joined the EU, whichever is sooner. The Tories may cling on another 4 years...
    2
  814. You can't grow potatoes every year, you need to rotate crops. Preferably with crops that capture nitrogen.
    2
  815.  @johnrussell3961  That would not be an issue with orphans. But I'll tell you why the government is so scared of these refugees: their Russian overlords are scared an Ukrainian will pay them a visit in London.
    2
  816.  @geraldwagner8739  "experiences with the IMF" I believe these Bexiteers will have the mortification to see their project lead to Britain becoming dependent on monetary and food aid from the IMF, UN and EU. Unless they change course.
    2
  817. ​ @geraldwagner8739  What benefit would it be to the EU to not help them? It would only embitter the Englanders. By helping them after they have been properly humbled, the EU is strengthened in the long term, at the cost of a few billion. The EU is not about emotions, but about long-term benefit.
    2
  818. Enjoy it while you can. They are caused by a contracting work force, meaning companies are fighting over people. But many will not be able to sustain the extra costs, leading to bankruptcies before long. Then wages will stagnate again while inflation will continue to rise.
    2
  819. We knew what type of a man Vance was before November. Yet this is who the USA wanted. Shame on you, USA. Shame on you.
    2
  820. The Tories are led by people who have been spoiled as children. This has developed a sense of entitlement in them, and a complete lack of conscience. They don't have the ability to reflect on their actions, or assess how the general public will view them. Exemplified by the "Rules for You, but not for Me" attitude. I don't know what the clinical name for this is, be it narcissism, psychopathy or sociopathy. Probably all of them. Hopefully, the last decade has taught people to distrust these people, both it in corporate life and in politics.
    2
  821. Finally, we are coming to the bottom of the matter. Brexit's purpose was likely to achieve exactly the worsened workers' conditions and opportunities for big businesses you mention. Shaft everybody in the UK for the benefit of the "ruling" class.
    2
  822. Personally, I think the measures that were adopted a few weeks ago already irreparably damaged UK democracy. But regardless of that, the only way to put the UK back on track towards democracy will be public pressure. STRONG public pressure. Thanks Phil, for doing your bit in explaining what is going on.
    2
  823. I would love to have Bozo replaced by someone else. That would make it clear to people that the evil is not in any individual, but that the whole Tory party is rotten to its core, beyond any hope of redemption.
    2
  824. At some point, they will no longer be able to keep up appearances. Than there will be BIG trouble in the UK, as people realise they have been fooled.
    2
  825. Truss enhancing her standing with the extreme Right inside the Tory MPs to the detriment of the rest of the cabinet, I hadn't seen that side of this apparently insane proposal. If true, that is well played by Truss. Enhancing her personal standing at the cost of the UK's standing in the world, and possibly the peace in N.I. Only a Tory would even think of such a move.
    2
  826. Absolutely. A worker costs about 100k€, including taxes, pension etc. So a company with 1000FTE should have a turnover of about 100M€. The pound is still worth more than the Euro, but not that much.
    2
  827.  @sirmeowthelibrarycat  Details are yummy. While sitting behind one's desk inside the EU...
    2
  828. ​ @miakeogh6844  Let's hope the voters remember her former positions. A leopard can never changes its spots. Politicians who vehemently advocated policies that are known to be suicidal should never be allowed in power, even if they change their minds. It just proves that they do not have the wisdom required to govern a nation.
    2
  829.  @simonjohn9525  Container terminals can be quite good at sorting stuff according to priority (at a premium, to be sure), but the really fresh stuff would benefit from much reduced waiting times at the ferries. At the moment, they just stand in line with all the TV's and cabbages and other non-priority stuff.
    2
  830.  @johnrussell3961  It was used for raising sheep, wool being the prime commodity for making easy money. And, of course, as hunting grounds for the very rich.
    2
  831. Musk is scared of the EU coming down on him for amplifying disinformation. Which it will, in due time. It will be the end of Twitter.
    2
  832. These Tories literally believe the world did not change since the 18th century.
    2
  833. ​ @eimkei1339  The Brexit crowd was completely unanimous in ridiculing people who warned there might be a no-deal Brexit, so the vast majority of those who voted for Leave did so assuming their would be a nice trade deal so that Brexit would be smooth. You may say that you were not fooled by the rhetoric, and I'd say good for you. But to claim that people voted Leave knowing it would be a no-deal is gaslighting, rewriting history, and just plain old lying. The vast majority would have voted Remain if they knew a no-deal was in the cards.
    2
  834. Brexit was always about freeing the British elite from burdensome rules and regulations that prevented them from doing as they bloody well pleased. That is what they meant by "Taking Back Control". It was always for the benefit of the Rich elite, never for the commoners. So they will not tell you that by getting rid of EU laws, they are also getting rid of previous English laws that did almost the same as the "EU law" that superseded it.
    2
  835. Same here. This is no laughing matter. Shame on the trolls who continue to sow their poison. Their repayment will be swift and just.
    2
  836. That will not solve the problem, only make it worse. It will worsen the trade imbalance, and that is what will do the UK in (if it doesn't explode in flames before that).
    2
  837. ​ @hannahdyson7129  The University of Hard Knocks knows how to deal with that. Classes continue until the student passes.
    2
  838. The UK is still in denial about the effect of Brexit: blaming the EU for things they did to themselves. After denial will come realisation. After realisation will come panic.... This buffoon is wailing like a banshee now (liked that choice of words). Wait till financial firms start going bankrupt or laying off masses of people....
    2
  839. So, yet again, the UK government is the main bottleneck preventing companies dealing with an issue. Why is this not more in the news?
    2
  840. I have read something similar, coming from a right-wing economist professor. The clear answer is that when the ICU's get overloaded, many people die that did not need to. The argument that they were going to die anyway only holds when the ICU's are not overloaded. And apart from being false, that statement is inhumanly cruel, and forces doctors to make the traumatic choices to decide who to treat and who not to treat.
    2
  841. The Brexit voters don't know yet, but they will be the ones doing those jobs. Those that survive the great famine of 2025, that is. Singapore only has 5.7 million inhabitants. Singapore on the Thames won't need many more.
    2
  842. Good on Sky. One of the very few independent news sources left in Britain.
    2
  843. "A license to print money" Well put. I have seen that many times: a company that is doing well is taken over by another company, loaded with debt to pay-off the money it was bought with, and lo and behold there is zero budget left for investment. Shareholder-owned companies are rarely interested in investment, only in short-term profits. Short term profits drive up share prices, which they cash in on before the failure of the company becomes apparent. We the Public desperately need more regulations protecting companies from greedy shareholders.
    2
  844. I can imagine that Bozo's response to a question for ideas would have exasperated Von der Leyen. This is laziness to the extreme. "Your house is on fire. What do you want us to do?" "duuuh, I don't know." "OK, let's have a nice cup of tea then."
    2
  845. Thank you, Phil, for explaining all this. I didn't know much of this. My advice for you: don't forget to keep Looking at the Bright Side of Life. This will not last forever. The worse Tories make it for the People, the shorter their regime will last. At some point, the People will remind the Tories that they are, indeed, public servants. Some inspiration (1581): "And when he [the prince/ruler] does not behave thus, but, on the contrary, oppresses them, seeking opportunities to infringe their ancient customs and privileges, exacting from them slavish compliance, then he is no longer a prince, but a tyrant, and the subjects are to consider him in no other view. And particularly when this is done deliberately, unauthorized by the states, they may not only disallow his authority, but legally proceed to the choice of another prince for their defense. This is the only method left for subjects whose humble petitions and remonstrances could never soften their prince or dissuade him from his tyrannical proceedings; and this is what the law of nature dictates for the defense of liberty, which we ought to transmit to posterity, even at the hazard of our lives."
    2
  846. Because there is no solution for it, except rejoining the Customs Union. If Starmer leaves it be, he can blame Sunak for the situation. If he draws attention to it now, people will (rightly) expect him to solve the situation once he gets in power.
    2
  847. ​ @thegrandmuftiofwakanda  You have no idea what a CU is, do you? A Customs Union is a region where there are no customs checks on goods traveling inside that region, because all goods are guaranteed to comply with all the regulations.
    2
  848.  @thegrandmuftiofwakanda  Not only are you impolite, you are also dead wrong. "A customs union is generally defined as a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area with a common external tariff." The single market is what allows free movement of services and people inside the EU, which is definitely a bridge too far for the UK at this time. But the joining of the CU is what would avoid the checking of goods at the inner borders, as they are (mostly) so as to levy the right tariffs on goods. Free trade means vastly reduced Customs checks at the border. I'll be awaiting YOUR apology post haste. And I recommend you tune down the verbal aggression, especially when you are on shaky ground factually.
    2
  849. To be true, it is a serious slight of Parliament when they do that. Hoyle pointed that out many times before, so I understand his anger.
    2
  850. Sound is excellent. The image is still a bit gray, but that might be due to the stubble that wasn't visible before ;-) Overall: new camera = big improvement.
    2
  851. I remember the outrage at the plan of moving elderly exposed to or suffering from covid back in care homes. The consequences were predicted, and the Tories ignored the warnings. Hancock and Johnson need to be prosecuted for manslaughter.
    2
  852. It is all fine and dandy to critizise Bozo. He is a clown, and clowns like him need to understand the consequences of entering a high office without qualifications. But those morons who voted for him really need to take responsibility for what they did. You don't vote for liars because lying makes them relatable, nor for buffoons. Both make you unqualified for high office. The same principle holds as in engineering: Garbage In, Garbage Out. If you let toddlers run a household, you can expect lots of filth and dead toddlers. And don't come here with "Labour is just as bad". No they are not. Bozo is the worst PM the UK has ever had, and his government is the worst the UK has ever had. By a large margin.
    2
  853. Some have already been detained. The UK does attack these fishermen. So instead of catching a few fish they will now strangle the UK.
    2
  854.  @e3498-v7l  Brexiteers bemoaning remoaners. Sorry, I have to yawn. You won, get over it!
    2
  855. ​ @dariuszgorski7133  The fools fell for Russian propaganda. They have been brainwashed. But they will wake up. When their stomach starts to growl and they wonder "now where was that Brexit dividend?"
    2
  856. Yeah. Phil needs to add some sound dampening surfaces to his studio.
    2
  857. Gave a +1 for the snarky comment, but if you mean the EU with "competitors", I hope you realise that the EU does not do zero-sum games. The departure of the UK did hurt the EU, though not very seriously. It would be better for everyone if they returned, in spite of the added complications at the political level. In the end it is the economy that affects us all, while politics make for good entertainment.
    2
  858. @UCs1wE5PYuJOTH50Yul3mpTQ Same for NL. We are grateful for the billions of assets that were moved into our stock exchange, and the companies and agencies that came our way. But these wins are not as large as we would have had when the UK were still inside the EU. Economic co-operation is not a zero-sum game. Sadly, 28 - 1 = 25 (or thereabout).
    2
  859.  @peterebel7899  Revising history is a hobby of incompetent, populist leaders who want to keep their mindless minions in the dark. Words can not be retracted, only turned into lies. Promises can not be unmade, only broken. Facts matter.
    2
  860. Never have so many suffered so much for the incompetence of so few.
    2
  861. They used to be defined as the size of various appendages of the relevant monarch, so defining them in Metric is a definite improvement...
    2
  862.  @gustavmeyrink_2.0  Same with the mile. You have the Imperial mile, the Geographical mile and the Nautical mile. All different, and the context determines which to use.
    2
  863. Excellent analysis. I hadn't thought of option 3. A Norway-style deal with the EU is a serious option. It would mean surrendering so-called "sovereignty", but I am sure most Britons would rather have food on the table than the sovereign right to starve to death.
    2
  864.  @50043211  Stochastics is also a hot topic in financial markets, using stochastics to try to discern the difference between a stock that is about to collapse or that can be expected to continue to grow. Not a particularly sound application, but as long as some make fast money using it, people can be expected to jump on the bandwagon.
    2
  865. Hopefully, these holidays will cause some light to shine through the fog of cognitive dissonance.
    2
  866. Actually, that is from the Bible.
    2
  867. Well, with the state the UK media are in, being criticised by them is an endorsement.
    2
  868. At some point, you have to wonder whether the UK is worth saving. The problem isn't even the Tories. It is the media the idiots consume. As long as the tabloids still have a customer base, the UK is not ready for saving. Imagine we get a Labour government after the next GE. They will need to spend years, many years, repairing the damage before things will improve. All the time, the rabid MSM will accuse them of England's ills even though they were all caused by the previous government. Labour will be soundly defeated after one term in government, just like the Democrats are standing to lose their majority in the house next year, and the presidency after that. Just because they haven't dealt with the source of their delusions. I am afraid the UK will only be saved through some real hardship. Just be glad that the Tories are dumb enough to give it to the people. At some point, people will wake up and wonder what has become of their country, and what has become of all the promises made by the Tories.
    2
  869. ​ @ftumschk  A key benefit being that the metric system was the same all over his empire, and not different for every city / region.
    2
  870. The best satire strikes nearest home. The only difference is that I believe Bozo and his clowns only act incompetent, but that in the mean time they are adroitly floowing their agendas.
    2
  871.  @ericajohnson3504  "left wing bias" That is from x years ago, when a BBC reporter asked a question the minister didn't like. That reporter has promptly been fired, of course.
    2
  872. Signing up to the CPTPP would be a HUGE betrayal of Brexit.
    2
  873. Yeah. And then discover that without electricity, the population of the UK can not be fed. You'd need to ditch about 30 million people to get back to the level that can be sustained using 1899 tech.
    2
  874.  @jrrussell9070  France is not threatening to invade the UK, mate.
    2
  875. Space Karen's priorities are pretty clear. Within weeks of him buying Twitter, pro-Ukrainian channels were muted so that views, likes etc were cut by a factor of 10, and shortly after the pro-Russian right-wing nutters were amplified by a factor of 10. That made it pretty clear that he is NOT on the side of free and open debate, but has bought Twitter as a political tool.
    2
  876. @Brexitisfor dummies "neither biased towards Brexiteers nor Remainers." Not quite. During the Brexit campaign, the government was officially impartial (Cameron was a Remainer, if I remember correctly), but the BBC was strongly biased towards the Leave campaign with only lackluster rebuttals of their wildest claims.
    2
  877. As the man said, "fuck business". The EU is grateful.
    2
  878. Over time, Brexit will give UK entrepreneurs an opportunity to adjust to the internal market. The BIG question is how fast they can do that. If it takes too long, the UK will go bankrupt from the increased trade deficit. This is why it was so insane of the Tories to go for their Extreme Hard Tory Brexit. If they had spread Brexit out over a period of say 5 years from the moment the final deal was made, businesses would have had time to prepare. Now they did not: businesses had just 1 week, and were given almost no information about what to expect. Most exporting companies will not survive the sudden change, leading to what I expect to become catastrophic damage to the UK economy.
    2
  879.  @lazytitan9987  True. If the process had been more reasonable, the UK might have survived striving for self-sufficiency -- albeit at a much lower standard of living than the rest of the world. A bit like North Korea. There would be very little interest in UK exports, so as a consequence they would not have the cash to import much. What I wanted to point out is that with the current Extreme Tory Brexit, the UK is heading for a complete economic collapse.
    2
  880. Brexit is the result of at least 3 decades of poisonous reporting on the EU in the UK media and in UK politics. The UK should not try to rejoin or move in that direction until both are dealt with.
    2
  881. Only in Britain will trash like this article be accepted as "journalism". And there you have the single most important reason why Britain is in the sorry state it is in. OK, perhaps it would also be accepted in the USA. But there things are not much better.
    2
  882. I really wonder how long it will take before the common man realises that the Tories have been taking their money and giving it to themselves, all the time since at least Thatcher (that I know off). And then I wonder what will happen. Considering the amount of hardship the Tories have caused, I would expect serious riots until the Tories flee Westminster.
    2
  883. With the amount of respect Bozo is showing Parliament in proposing a clearly illegal bill to it, I am amazed he hasn't put the place on fire yet.
    2
  884. ​ @davidharris5736  Talk to a UK fisherman, a UK manufacturer, a UK trader, a UK farmer, or anyone living in NI and they would disagree.
    2
  885. Brexit is such a c*ck-up, Project Reality is even worse than Project Fear predicted it would be. A long, long list of moronic ideas all crammed together in the shortest possible time to do the maximum amount of damage. The question is: how long will The People tolerate it. Some things can't be solved through the ballot box: you have to make yourselves be heard. When will the sane half of Britain make itself heard over the Gammons?
    2
  886. Hearing these Tory wannabees bray about cutting the civil services, it does seem likely they know next to nothing about the actual situation of Britain. Or they just begrudge every single penny that the government spends on something else than their own companies. Perhaps they are setting the civil services up for failure so they can out-source the work to companies that will "Save Britain from ineffective bureaucracy".
    2
  887. For your Brexit benefits, I was going to add "The total humiliation and annihilation of the Tory Party", but you put it more poetically. "Consign the Gammons to the corner with the pointy hat of historical judgement". You are getting good at this!
    2
  888. Good point! Braying something to the local pundits is not the same as actually doing it.
    2
  889. The drop in infections may be caused by the different way of registering the UK government adopted recently. This means that the number of infections for the latest week is INCOMPLETE, and will be corrected in the following week. Due to this trick, all UK Covid infection charts show a significant drop in the last week, for the comfort of the unwashed. I believe you reported this?
    2
  890. That will take a decade at least.
    2
  891. Listing the most glaring examples of government corruption is well done. The UK needs to be ashamed of itself that it has not punished those responsible yet. These warrant at least a parliamentary investigation & sacking of those responsible.
    2
  892.  @BigHenFor  You are loosing already while there is no trade war... If what you are experiencing now was the result of a genuine trade war, your government would already have surrendered. Truth is, the UK has absolutely no leverage over the EU, or anyone else for that matter. You are in an extremely vulnerable situation.
    2
  893. While the navigators are blaming GPS satellites for sending data that is clearly wrong, and the chief engineer decided this is the right time for a major overhaul of the fuel system. The captain? He has gone to bunk after telling off the tugs trying to help for getting in the way.
    2
  894. ​ @ellied.violet7372  In Phil's defense, I think he needs to think that way to keep his sanity. I know I would have trouble staying sane in Britain at the moment. Their situation is hopeless. And also, many in the EU have the sense that the UK belongs inside the EU. The EU is designed as an open community. And finally, to have the UK back will increase its power considerably. Personally I think the UK will split up first, and then the parts will join the EU as sovereign nations. For Scotland that will be an easy process, for Wales & England, not so much. Faith has been broken by England, confidence needs to be restored. That will indeed take decades.
    2
  895. If they had asked me in 2019, I could have explained that the way Tories are going about Brexit will destroy the Tory party. I am so sad they didn't listen...
    2
  896. The problem with Brexit was not voting for Brexit, but trusting the Tories to implement it. The Tories do not have your best interests at heart. Never trust a Tory.
    2
  897. All part of the scheme to reduce the population of England to a level that can be sustained by 18th-century technology...
    2
  898.  @JesusHChrist-q9d  "he's spent billions" I am sure to. Spent them on various projects run by his buddies that somehow fail to deliver.
    2
  899.  @ellied.violet7372  There are plenty of reasons for the EU to accept England back into the fold. It would strengthen our market position, strengthen the EU militarily and politically. Also it would reduce the likelihood of violence or civil war in the region, especially North Ireland -- which is the ultimate goal of the EU. So, provided England prove its dedication to European co-operation, honest reporting, democracy and Rule of Law, I don't think there will be too much trouble. Obviously, some members will milk the situation to get concessions, but that is par for the course. I understand that many of us feel deeply insulted by the Brits, and I do believe that Bozo is doing his best to burn as many ships behind him as possible. But he has been paid by Putin to do that, perhaps indirectly. As the situation in GB is growing worse and worse, at some point we will take pity with them. It would help if Bozo (and Frost, Trust, Patel etc) are convicted for abuse of power and betrayal of the interests of the British people.
    2
  900. I think the British people will have caught on that with the Tories, it is not at all about the policies but about egos. Even though they say it is about policies.
    2
  901. Keep up the good work, keep pointing out that Bozo is completely unreliable. Publicly deceiving voters by politicians should be a crime!
    2
  902. ​ @davidleatham5173  Perhaps let some experts explain how trade works? The Tories have opened the gates to all the junk in the world, and in order to keep that stuff out the EU demands checks and loads of paperwork. While that junk is undercutting local producers, especially those who want to export and thus need to comply with EU standards regardless of UK standards. It would be MUCH better to simply adopt the EU standards, making trade much easier and protecting domestic producers. And I am not to afraid of how Brexitards feel about this stuff. Soft doctors make stinking wounds. Brexit was very dumb, and people need to learn better. The clearer you are, the better people will learn.
    2
  903.  @peterebel7899  You are much mistaken. That British expertise will have relocated to the EU before long. Everyone who can leave that disaster area, will do so.
    2
  904.  @factstrumpprejudice6740  That is why we need these dorks to be prosecuted. There can be no peace without justice.
    2
  905.  @robduncan599  The USA is at best at the beginning of the end of their regression. The UK is at the end of the start of its.
    2
  906. Kick anyone who considers voting Tory!
    2
  907. ​ @ADifferentBias  The French got it right in 1789, but even then it ended with a populist abusing the turmoil to cause misery all over Europe.
    2
  908. Brexit has been gestating in these sewers for many decades now. They were always ready to blame the EU if the local official farted in the wrong direction. That created the atmosphere of hate that caused the UK to cut off its own hands and feet.
    2
  909. Any Tory wanting to replace Johnson probably has his/her raw greed and ambition checked by the likelihood that he/she will be blamed for the Brexit fall out when it can't be hidden anymore.
    2
  910. I remember well all the brexitards telling us in the comments "trading under WTO rules: it'll be fine". And, like clockwork: BOOOM, REALITY HITS.
    2
  911. No more wriggle room for our spoiled Eton boys, the sh*t is hitting the fan, and THEY are to blame.
    2
  912. And still they haven't linked what they see to how they vote... But seriously, this is something the opposition can be blamed for. They have not stood up for the little man in a way they could understand, instead wasting time on petty idealistic squabbles Joe Average couldn't care less about.
    2
  913. ​ @BENTWOONEZERO  Truth is that by keeping the poor, poor, it turns out everybody (including the wealthy) loose out. An economy is driven by the consumption of the masses, so by letting the masses have more spending money, the economy grows. And the wealthy profit from that, more than they would have by skimping the salaries of their slaves workforce. This is why under a labour government, the economy grows much faster than under the Tories.
    2
  914.  @atomiccritter6492  the UK left the EU to escape its clamp down on money laundering, and you expected us to continue to allow a large part of the EU's finances to be cleared through Tortuga on the Thames? This is no punishment, it is a consequence for undermining our financial stability.
    2
  915. The UK needs financial investigators finding out exactly how the various paths of corruption run through the Tory party. Reporting on this is much more relevant than endless reporting on alleged malfeasance by the husband of an PM that the police is already on top of. Report on the stuff the police is not yet on top of.
    2
  916. I'd say "Choose and cry, the laugh is ours". -- an EU citizen.
    2
  917. I really like your proposal to not let anyone who is not a genuine expert debate an issue on television. One can always dream... The problem is that real experts always give nuanced views of issues, and that is not as attractive to the general audience as one-liner sound bites. It seems most British voters have trouble following a sentence of more than 11 words or containing words of more than three syllables. So that is the underlying neo-liberal strategy: first, knacker education. Then, 20 years later, you can let voters vote against their own interests by promising unicorns and green uplands, and blaming the EU or the opposition when these fail to appear.
    2
  918. As no-one has ever answered the question "what is Brexit", I propose the following definition: "Brexit, verb, inflicting permanent and irreparable self-harm while blaming the EU".
    2
  919. ​ @timonsolus  Of course people vote to give someone a job. There is a meeting of managers and other people who evaluate the interview, and they vote.
    2
  920.  @peterebel7899  UK Parliament may have had its manes pulled out and a tooth beaten out, but it is still Sovereign. Bozo is not, and serves parliament at its pleasure. Perhaps it will remember it some day, but I am not holding my breath.
    2
  921. Keeping people in the dark after Brexit may not be such a problem if wide-spread panic breaks out...
    2
  922. What are the odds that many of the people we talk about today, will be in jail 10 years from now? The level of blatant corruption and even treason in the Tory party is off the charts.
    2
  923. Tories should know how that ends. (Thatcher soundly defeating the Argentines in the war they started to re-direct popular unrest due to mismangement). Let's hope and pray the Tories get their comeuppance before they start a war.
    2
  924.  @robertmacfarlane2358  Oh, I don't know, perhaps Gibraltar? After they had enough of being hung out to dry and declaring their interest in joining the EU as an independent nation or a part of Spain? Or North Ireland doing the same?
    2
  925. She sure created a stink!
    2
  926. Sorry to burst your bubble, but politics is the Art of the Achievable. Not the pie-in-the-sky unicorn-trodden land of sunny uplands. Ned Stark should have made that clear to you.
    2
  927. In any democracy (except perhaps the USA) Bozo would have been voted out for his contempt of Parliament. No parliament should have confidence in a PM that lies to it and refuses to answer questions.
    2
  928. Thank God, some sense is finally coming out of #10. I hope that by speaking directly with Von der Leyen, Bozo can finally understand that the so-called red lines are actual lines the EU can not pass, and stay a functioning body. Thus I am not without hope that Bozo will at least ask for an extension, or even better achieve a deal.
    2
  929. SNP is waiting for the Covid emergency to be over? Please don't give Bozo a reason to mis-manage it even worse....
    2
  930. ​ @hologram1211  Not true. Currently, it is the sole responsibility of the UK to carry out the NIP. When Ireland re-unifies, Ireland will carry out the necessary checks for goods moving into the EU. This makes a unified Ireland the best solution for this situation. And ultimately, this will be the inevitable outcome of Brexit. So silly for the DUP to support it... Massive own goal. The DUP and Lord Frost have done more for Irish Unification than anyone in the past 101 years. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
    2
  931. The biggest problem in the UK is its media. At some point, proper journalistic standards will have to be enforced.
    2
  932. These lectures are great! You haven't lost your lecturer's sarcasm or wit.
    2
  933. Perhaps we will need to wait for the next generation, the Brexiteers are so entrenched in their beliefs they will deny all evidence to the contrary and persist in their folly till they die.
    2
  934. The tried and true actions of fascists. Starting a fire and claiming only they can extinguish it, meanwhile blaming an imaginary enemy. Bozo will use the fires to claim more and more executive privileges until Parliament is only there for show. Oh, wait, that is already the case! The UK is doomed. And that, my friends, is no exaggeration. Leave while you still can.
    2
  935.  @davidfewtrell3479  I don't know where you get your information, but you are very wrong. The current speaker is currently independent (as all speakers are), but he used to be a Labour MP. Be has carefully refused to take a position in the Brexit debate. The speaker is elected by the House of Commons from the House of Commons. No involvement by government whatsoever. Usually speakers have the same colour as the government, as they have the majority in the House, but not always. Bercow was a Tory and first elected during a Labour government. Hoyle was Labour and elected during Tory governments--though the first time parliament was Labour-dominated. The house elects people they trust and know to perform the duties impartially.
    2
  936.  @vermicelledecheval5219  Nice one. The only thing the EU is a bit shabby on is its protection. The USA is becoming more and more unreliable, and we need to be able to defend ourselves against Russia and China -- hopefully not at the same time.
    2
  937. ​ @vermicelledecheval5219  I very much agree with you on this. We also need not just a military, but also the industrial base to be self-sustaining. By buying American stuff, we are subsidizing their industry instead of subsidizing our own. And I don't believe for a second American stuff is better than European. For example, Thales makes radars that beat American radars with two fingers in the nose. And all those fancy-pansy US machines have chips in them made by European machinery. The EU should become world-leaders in drones, on land, in the air, and in the ocean.
    2
  938. The way Bozo treats the Protocol only shows that he is indeed mad. No sane person would throw away his honour like that.
    2
  939. What is most shocking is that in the UK, the PM should never have absolute power: Parliament is Sovereign, the PM is its humble servant. But the degradation of democratic standards in the UK is one of the things that enabled Brexit.
    2
  940. The UK needs some new laws to break the propaganda in the rabid media. Three things that should be outlawed: 1). Repeating a lie when it can be reasonably know that it is a lie, regardless of the source, unless the lie is debunked in the article. 2). A headline that is contradicted in the main text of the article. 3). Treating the words of a non-expert the same as the words of an acknowledged expert on the issue being discussed. I am all for freedom of the press, but the Fascists have been abusing that right for far too long, time for some push-back.
    2
  941.  @harrybruijs2614  The World ganging up on the UK? That is not going to be pretty... Though Bozo is doing enough to deserve it.
    2
  942. Look at the plus side: Brexit will cause the dissolution of the UK. Scotland will be a full, independent EU member pretty soon, as will North Ireland.
    2
  943. What has happened in the UK is extremely disheartening. There is still the slim hope Bozo will not make effective use of all the opportunities afforded by these laws. But apart from that, there are dark days ahead. We need to pray for the people in the UK, because it looks like only Divine intervention or a revolution will improve their lot. Apart from those it is a steep down-hill slide from here.
    2
  944. It is not the responsibility of the EU to take care of the UK's mess. We warned many, many times that it would be better to postpone Brexit until all the nasty details were worked out. That is also why we wanted the Backstop. But those fancy Eton boys thought they could do it in under a year, and then even showed up without having done their homework. But even they are not (really) to blame. Everybody with half a brain could have known that what Bozo promised was impossible, yet they still voted for him. As the sign says: "Your failure at planning is not my emergency".
    2
  945. The Netherlands has many similar problems due to an aging population. Again, which country would you pick to work in?
    2
  946. ​ @roywiseman  The EU has a long memory and many ways to get even... Biting the hand that feeds you is not a viable long-term strategy.
    2
  947.  @mariogmajner6549  It will take more than one Labour government to undo the damage done these last 3 years...
    2
  948.  @mariogmajner6549  "further damage the Country" Absolute nonsense. Historically, every Labour government has caused an upturn of the economy, whereas the Tories always cause recessions. The Tories do not know how to run a country. Labour does.
    2
  949. @Perry Brian You should try to unionise again. Everybody becomes better off when workers get fair wages. Even the ones paying those wages. Henry Ford proved that.
    2
  950. Being sarcastic, eh?
    2
  951. Sadly, the most hardest hit are the disenfranchised poor people. Those who should have voted Democrat, but for who voting was made too difficult. But there definitely are going to be more deaths from this demonstration than the 4 that died already. Couldn't happen to better people.
    2
  952. The problem is that Parliament is Sovereign. No-one is authorized to judge their conduct (bar flagrant violations of the Law), except the voters who put them there. So, as long as conservative voters are OK with rampant corruption, there is not much that can be done about it. A country often gets the leaders they deserve...
    2
  953. First the gammons need to complete their courses at the University of Hard Knocks. The mandatory courses include "Economics 1.0.1", "Distinguishing Propaganda from News", "How to Form an Opinion", "Recognising an Untrustworthy Politician", and "Taking Responsibility".
    2
  954. "The Ruler rules by the grace of his subjects and must rule justly and reasonably, protect them and love them like a father his children and like a shepherd protects his sheep with all his heart and soul. ... [Otherwise] he is not a Ruler but a tyrant. In that case his subjects can, after deliberation in Parliament, denounce him and choose another leader." Plakkaat van Verlatingen, 26 July 1581.
    2
  955. Proportional Representation! Not that PR is a panacea, but the Bodger would not have been PM if not for FPTP voting.
    2
  956.  @AndrewMundellAndrewJMundell  No need to punish the UK. The stupidity of their leaders is enough punishment for anyone.
    2
  957. The reason why the rest of the world is adopting EU standards is that if they build a product or service out of imported parts and want to export to the EU, they need to prove that those components themselves comply with EU standards. Without having adopted EU standards as the national norm, that is very hard indeed. The EU is smart, you know. They understand that if they allow companies to circumvent their standards by moving to a nation outside the EU and then import to the EU, many businesses would move out. So, good luck, UK, trying to export to anyone after your bonfire of regulations.
    2
  958. People need to take note of which Tories are supporting or condoning the sleaze, corruption and totalitarianism, and repeat their statements to the public come election time. Should make kicking the Tories out of power like shooting fish in a barrel.
    2
  959. Oh UK, when are you going to wake up to the fact that the Conservative party does not have your best interest in mind? How long are you going to believe the lie? The most striking fact was that somehow PPE for tax havens had priority over PPE for the NHS. Sickening hypocrisy.
    2
  960. Your final point is especially poignant. The ultimate responsibility for the Brexit fiasco does not lie with the politicians, but with the public voting them in power. Brexit will serve as the ultimate object lesson to the grave responsibility we all have in the voting booth.
    2
  961. Hear, hear. It is important to focus on what you can do, not what you can't. Phil can't fix stupid. But he is great at using his brilliant mind to point out the failings & foibles of those arrogant twats in power.
    2
  962.  @Madyetmellow  that story has been debunked. I am sure the people who spread that lie will face charges, like those lying about the voting machines.
    2
  963. What I don't understand is how everything the Tories do, makes Brexit even worse. Do they want the UK to self-destruct?
    2
  964. As someone said, "When I was 18 my father was the dumbest man I ever met and when I turned 21 it was amazing how much that man had learned in 3 years".
    2
  965. Bozo & numbers: not a happy combination...
    2
  966. These hot-shot CEO's are just as bad as politicians. They claim to be the only ones capable of doing the job, award themselves outrageous salaries for the effort, but when push comes to shove, they fail miserably, often because of over-confidence. I had a discussion with a libertine last week who defended them. I explained that these CEO's need the same skill-set as a good home-maker. That was a bit too close for comfort, he was not amused. How long will be tolerate these sociopaths who destroy our companies & society, playing people against each other?
    2
  967. Brexit is the greatest economic and sociological experiment in history, eclipsing even the forced collectivisation of farms in Soviet Russia that led to the great famines there, and the rise of the NSDAP. It will be studied in economy and sociology classes for centuries to come. Bozo is either a very brave man, or does not know enough to be afraid.
    2
  968. Not in the UK at least.
    2
  969.  @habi0187  No need to apologise, I was not offended by your remark. It may surprise you, but there is no formal British constitution. There is a large set of rules that have been acquired over the centuries (the UK being the oldest, continuous democratic state that gradually transitioned from a Divine Right monarchy to a Parliamentary Democracy). The UK constitution was started with the Magna Carta of 1215 AD, and laws, rules and traditions have been added and changed throughout the centuries. However, UK Parliament has the undeniable right to dismiss the Prime Minister through the Vote of No Confidence. This only requires a simple majority in either house, so dismissing the PM (and thus the government) is quite easy. This can be done without having to organise a new election, so politically it does not have a large penalty. If a PM looses the support of the majority of a house of Parliament, he is gone, sometimes within hours. Thus it is not possible to get the kind of stale-mate we see so often in US politics: Parliament is undeniably stronger than the government, none of this "three co-equal branches" nonsense. No, Parliament is Sovereign. This also means that Parliament is not beholden to a Supreme Court like in the USA. It does have to abide by the existing body of law, and courts have the authority to judge whether it does, but they are free to rewrite the laws as they see fit -- as long as both houses of Parliament support the changes, and the proper procedure is followed. And as long as Parliament has full jurisdiction over said laws, which is not the case for international law (like the Brexit withdrawal agreement or the North Ireland Protocol).
    2
  970. Slowly, VERY slowly, the Tories are waking up to the fact that every argument they (falsely) used to justify Brexit, is in fact a valid argument for Scottish Independence. And By God, the SNP will whip them with that truth.
    2
  971. The Tories were talking about the emerging markets of money laundering, smuggling endangered species, and other nefarious enterprises. Robespierre had a nice one about some Brexitard voting Leave to be able to trade glass eels (an endangered species) with Belarus.
    2
  972. No way that Trump Jr. will get away from this without a conviction. And that will make him ineligible for office -- if he is out of jail long enough to run.
    2
  973. Each and everyone of these UK emigrants that are about to be deported, had every opportunity to nationalise as EU citizen. But they didn't, and now they are legally tourists in the EU and subject to the relevant rules.
    2
  974. Personally, I think the EU as a block will just let Lizzy do her thing, knowing the UK will implode when the financial services are moved from the UK to inside the EU by mid 2024. That will be the mother of trade wars. Truss's behaviour will be an extra incentive to go through with it. HOWEVER, individual countries like France may well feel the need to apply strict controls or sanctions on the UK, as much EU-UK and EU-IRL trade passes through France. So the question is not even if the EU has the stomach to start a trade war, but if individual EU members feel that need. Seeing how Lizzy treats the French, there is little doubt Macron will hit hard when she invalidates the TCA, as he is fully entitled to. And he may well work in concert with other north-sea countries like the BeNeLux and Germany. And the USA.
    2
  975. Great. Finally the veil is being dropped so people can start to see what is responsible for all these new struggles they are encountering.
    2
  976. Labour will have only a single task after the GE: institute Proportional Representation. That is the only way in which they can permanently improve the futures of the UK. They will get no breaks from the EU until it is guaranteed the Tories will never again get an absolute majority. I doubt they will even begin negotiations when at the next election, Tories can be voted into power who will immediately subvert any arrangement.
    2
  977. Apparently, Brexit did not mean what Bozo said it meant last December...
    2
  978. Afghanistan was (more or less) part of your dear empire, want it?
    2
  979. Perhaps it is time for some farmers to have a holiday in France. Might teach them a thing or two on alternative uses for their equipment.
    2
  980. This was to be expected: Bozo is owned by Putin. Hopefully, as this becomes obvious, it will be Bozo's end. But I am not holding my breath...
    2
  981. Comply in a "limited and very specific way"
    2
  982. The government needs to take responsibility for unmasking in its entirety how British society has been compromised by Russian influence and money. ESPECIALLY the Tory party and the media.
    2
  983. Bozo is executing a very interesting economic experiment, that will be analyzed by many generations of economists for the coming centuries.
    2
  984. Hang in there, Phil, and keep up the good work. At some point, people are going to realise how they have been conned by the fascist Tory rhetoric.
    2
  985. Migrant crisis? Yet another red herring. Very old populist / fascist tactic: create a problem, then point it out and say you are the only one who can fix it. In the mean time ignore all other, much more important issues.
    2
  986. "This is a Brexit - information issue" Brexit as a whole is an information issue, or rather the lack of it. Brits think they can stuff themselves with the intellectual equivalent of candy bars and still make informed decisions.
    2
  987. Lying to Parliament in general, even feigning ignorance when it can be shown you did know or should have known, results in a swift end to a political career where I live. Lying to a Parliamentary Inquiring is a crime and will land you in jail.
    2
  988.  @richardcory5024  I do not expect minsters to answer questions real-time. They head enormous organisations, and can't possibly know all details. So it is acceptable to postpone answering a question for a (short) period of time, and get back to it later. To say "I do not know the answer but I will have my staff find it out and will get back to you" is an acceptable reply. But it is imperative the minister reports back with the full answer, or he/she can pack his/her bags. In the end, politics is not about emotions or theatrics, but about managing a country. Parliament has given the government a mandate to do certain things, and government needs to report back to it. Often things go wrong, and MPs need to bring that to the governments attention in an attempt to do right by their voters. This is a rational effort, based in facts. Emotions only lead to sore mistakes (like Brexit). So instead of "keeping the rawness at the heart of democracy", it is time to tone down the theatrics, and start governing based on truth, facts, and expert advice. By God, you need it.
    2
  989. Brexiteers: celebrating a life raft is floating while Britannia is sinking.
    2
  990. That mollusk is doing very well because there are no longer caught by fishermen. UK fishermen are no longer able to export them so they don't catch them so they are multiplying like rabbits.
    2
  991. Biden is the polar opposite of Trump. Where Trump has mocked disabled people, Biden has been bullied for his stutter disability. Where Trump has never suffered tragedy (except those of his own making), Biden has lost his first wife, daughter and son far too early. Where Trump has dedicated his life to gathering more money, Biden has served his country his whole life. Where Trump tried to cling on to power, even inciting the Jan 6 insurrection, Biden relinquished his second term voluntarily. I am sad that Biden doesn't get his second term which he so clearly deserved based on his excellent performance. But as the man says, this is too important an election, with far too much media manipulation to continue the way it was going.
    2
  992. I am sure Brexiteers will enjoy life on sea... Ruling the waves and all...
    2
  993.  @arnoldsaunders7885  Press-ganging was only for the British Navy and military, not the merchant marine or fishing.
    2
  994. This should be the gold standard for all civil servants (including politicians). Politics should only be entered by those who want to serve the Public. NOT by those who wish to serve themselves.
    2
  995. What can you expect if you don't plan?
    2
  996. No sympathy for these Brexit-voters. You won, get over it. Idiots.
    2
  997. It would help if people recognized that there was a war going on, and who played what role. People need to see how the Tories conned them and are enriching themselves out of the misery and poverty of the People. Some anti-corruption trials against the likes of Zahawi, Sunak, Johnson etc might do the trick. But most of all, the UK public needs to understand the absolutely evil role the vile right-wing media have played. The Torygraph, Daily Fail etc etc need to go bankrupt before the nation can heal.
    2
  998. And yet another for an expert to sell his integrity to those in power.
    2
  999. ​ @Gary-bz1rf  "not what they believe people want" Labour probably campaigns on what they believe people should want. At least, that is what Leftist parties in my country campaign on. Apart from being patronizing, it is absolutely stupid.
    2
  1000. ​ @Gary-bz1rf  The sad thing is, Labour probably wants at least 80% of what you want. But they focus on the bits you are not sure about, or that are easy to spin negatively by the Tories.
    2
  1001. ​ @Gary-bz1rf  "people vote tory because Labour fail" That is nonsense. Every time the Labour party was in power, that resulted in an economic boom. Labour is hindered by the vast majority of the UK media being part of the Tory propaganda machine. Also, the Tories also never campaiugn on viable policies. And when they do, they completely ignore their promises when in power. But I do agree that Labour is at least partially to blame for Tory dominance. They should learn to co-operate with other opposition parties so their vote is not split.
    2
  1002. ​ @Gary-bz1rf  Exactly the opposite: the Tories ride the booms created by Labour.
    2
  1003.  @lindabastable3021  Noted.
    2
  1004. "Move along, nothing to see here". As with the Russia investigation, the only thing this is going to show is how utterly corrupt the Tories are, and how tolerant the average Tory voter is of said corruption. As long as he gets his beer and sexy pictures in the tabloids, he is happy.
    2
  1005. If they force the suspension of the NI Protocol, that will be the end of the Union. Unlike in England, there is a powerful opposition in N.I. that will be sure to underline how England dragged it into the Brexit Troubles kicking and screaming.
    2
  1006. ​ @rocketsurgeon2135  "Labour will fracture" As will the conservatives.
    2
  1007. Second that! At some point, people will wake up. I hope Phil will not get depressed before that, he (and bohlerhatman) are bearing the full brunt of Tory negligence. I don't know about Max Robespierre, whether he lives in N.I or the RoI.
    2
  1008.  @frankoneill5675  Unilateral alignment is a prerequisite to specific deals to open the EU to the goods that fall under that category.
    2
  1009. The UK is the only side playing little games with big egos. If the UK asks for any sort of extension they will most likely get it. It is in no-one's interest to deny it. But they have to ask for it. 10 days to go...
    2
  1010. There is a quick way to restore trust with the EU: prosecute the Tory leaders for their blatant corruption, adopt Proportional Representation and STOP SUPPORTING TORIES. We know that the Tories do not represent the majority of the UK or even England. Relegate them to the refuse heap of history, then.
    2
  1011.  @anonnemo2504  The EU does not care about Brexit, but it does care about nations breaking international law. It also cares about foreign leaders insulting and provoking us.
    2
  1012. The EU knew about this UK insincerity all along, this "apology" is no news to us. Until the UK starts sending reliable representatives to negotiate with, the EU will protect its own interests. Don't count on getting any favours soon. In fact, better brace yourselves for the gutting of the City in 2024.
    2
  1013. ​ @Nickle314  Have a look at this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuZ5WO8xoks Turns out "socialist welfare states" are just plain better than greedy capitalist states. Not a little better, A LOT better, on all fronts.
    2
  1014.  @timonsolus  After breaking up and rejoining the EU, England will be the 4th largest country in the EU -- depending on how many survive Brexit.
    2
  1015.  @gloin10  Absolutely. I am very curious what the offered aid package will look like when England needs to be bailed out. That will may well include access to the SM / CU and political reforms, which the Gammons & Tories in general will be very unhappy about 😈. But as you say, we will need to be patient.
    2
  1016. Wham. Project Fear hits again.
    2
  1017. ​ @SirAntoniousBlock  "know that they have a shit life because they are stupid and lazy" The maddening thing is that they would not have been so stupid and lazy if they had voted more for Labour. Labour will improve education and opportunities for these people, the Tories will not. The Tories are actively dumbing down the nation, so they keep voting for them. Anyhow, Labour is also to blame, as they have lost contact with these people. If they started to campaign seriously on Tories being corrupt liars that are damaging for their circumstances, they would win a lot more seats.
    2
  1018. 0:23 -- a technical note: your microphone is clipping on many moments including "Own Laws". That means that somewhere along the line, there is a gain set too high -- probably before your compressor. Alternatively, it may be that the attack of your compressor is set too long or you should enable the limiter as well. The compressor is intended to limit the dynamic range of your voice so that it is easy to hear on computer hardware no matter how loud or soft you speak: amplifying soft signals and attenuating loud signals. The limiter is intended to keep the signal from clipping, i.e. to keep the level below an acceptable threshold.
    2
  1019. That is doublespeak for "I am confident you will not blame me when we don't get a deal".
    2
  1020. I do not understand the ERG. They must understand that if pushed to its conclusion, their position will cause war. If not a full-blown one, certainly a trade war. And the UK will never be able to stand up against the EU, especially if all its allies can very clearly see that the UK is in the wrong. The ERG will cause the destruction of the UK, and thereby itself.
    2
  1021. More like a moth. During the delays in Brexit, the EU economy grew so much that the negative impact of it has already been compensated.
    2
  1022. "Maybe he joined parliament to make a difference in people's lives" You are getting funnier. I had to laugh out loud at this one.
    2
  1023. ​ @mikedutch6113  I am Dutch, have lived in Scotland for 3 years in the 90ies. Just saying that you should not underestimate the shock a separation from England can be if you do not prepare properly. If you do prepare properly, it may be quite painless. Some of the more interesting bits will be e.g. what to do with the submarine bases in Scotland.
    2
  1024.  @stuarthart3370  The Tories meant it when they said "Take Back Control". However, they meant it personally. They wanted to take back personal control of the UK. I.e. back to feudal times, where the ultra-rich rule the country with an iron fist and have the right to abuse all the peasants and serfs. And they may still achieve this goal.
    2
  1025. I am amazed by how the Gammons cry foul over this perfectly legal action by France. They should save their voice for when things get really nasty.
    2
  1026. I am sure the people hired to develop and implement the "smart" border system, will consider it a huge benefit!
    2
  1027. The most shocking thing is not Bozo's behaviour, but that his peers haven't already shown him the door. This proves that the Tory party is corrupt to the bone.
    2
  1028. ​ @abbersj2935  I predict a stepped re-entry. First step will be re-entry into the Single Market & Customs Union. England will have no power at all, just take the rules the EU dictates. There will be little opposition from the EU against this. The next step* will be replacing the Pound with the Euro. It will likely be part of an economic rescue package. This is more sensitive, and will require a massive overhaul of English politics including adopting proportional representation and getting rid of the House of Lords. As it will have the urgency of a rescue mission (the English economy will have collapsed), likely this will also pass quite easily. The final step, full membership of the EU, will take MUCH longer, at least a generation. But this is also the step that has the smallest practical impact for the citizens of the EU or the UK, so who cares. So, the net result of Brexit will be: dissolution of the UK, abolishment of the Pound, restructuring of UK politics, the destruction of the Tory party, complete loss of international power, being subject to all rules & regulations the EU can come up with, and untold suffering by the English people. Well done, Brexitards. (*: there is a chance a future government can avoid the economic destruction of England by rejoining the SM & CU quickly, but I doubt this will happen. Also the train wreck has already been put in motion.)
    2
  1029. That is partly due to Brexit, but compounded by the pandemic as all those people forced to stay at home want those homes improved. As a result there are shortages of craftsmen (tradesmen?) in the EU as well, but not as serious.
    2
  1030. The MASSIVE error the Brexiteer idiots in control at the moment made, is that they assumed the "free marker" was able to adjust to the new circumstances. For example, in a free market, when the pool of drivers is reduced, wages for drivers go up, and after a period of time this will attract more drivers to the profession. This is true for small changes. But with the HUGE change that is Brexit, there is the high probability of systemic collapse. Like we saw and are seeing with logistics and the NHS. And also, they forgot to tell you that having more Brits do menial work means a drop of living standards for everybody.
    2
  1031. Britain's biggest problem is not even Brexit. It is the lying media. Britain's living standards will drop until the People stop buying these rags, and instead start buying stuff that speaks truth.
    2
  1032. That only means he has flunked his course at the university of hard knocks. He'll need to take the course again until he passed.
    2
  1033. Couldn't have happened to a better person...
    2
  1034.  @isthereanybodyoutthere9397  It is hard to be patient when your livelihood is being destroyed... The Tories have a much tighter grip on the UK than Trump had on the USA, much more opportunity to do mischief, much more complete power. Scary thing to realise.
    2
  1035. ​ @walkingwithshadows  Brits with the right degrees and/or skills can still migrate to the EU, as any 3rd party national can. Just get hired by an EU company and apply for a work permit.
    2
  1036. "Businesses can't change quickly enough" That is exactly why Brexit is an absolute train wreck. The transition period after activating article 50 was intended for businesses to adapt. Instead, the Conservatives pissed away that time playing brinkmanship games, leaving them only a single week over Christmas to adapt. At the time, I already explained what a good way to Brexit would be: 1). Negotiate a comprehensive agreement with the EU. 2). Let all relevant parliaments approve the agreement, or go back to step 1. 3). Widely publicize the timeline and consequences of the agreement, perhaps even organizing a final referendum on it. 4). Trigger article 50. 5). Let businesses adapt, taking care to solve issues quickly. 6). Brexit. Instead, May and Bozo wanted to look like decisive leaders, and did 4 before 1 and 2. 3 was never done at all. So, now the UK business are knackered, and will start dying off pretty soon. It will be a bleak autumn & winter for the UK.
    2
  1037. Some makeup might do the trick, like TV hosts do. Also at sound stages, the colors are exaggerated so they will look good on film.
    2
  1038. ​ @piccalillipit9211  "they WANT chaos and food riots" I am afraid that you hit the nail on the head here. Fascists create division, fear and chaos, then stand up and loudly claim that their Glorious Leader is the only one who can save the nation. However, to succeed they need to be able to point to an enemy, so the nation can rally against them instead of the real cause of the chaos. The could continue pointing to the nasty EU, but I would think that that will grow thin. They could point at the people taking advantage of the changed economic reality to demand better wages, i.e. a communist / socialist scare, I don't know. But I do think very dark times are ahead for England. I hope NI and Scotland can escape that doom by breaking off the UK, which in itself might create the enemies the Tories need to turn anger away from them, but England entrusted themselves to lying, dividing, self-serving and corrupt clowns, there will be a heavy price to pay.
    2
  1039. 0:48, Ah, now I understand! I was wondering what was on your schedule every Tuesday now that you have stopped teaching... Good on you, and thanks for letting us know.
    2
  1040. What infuriates me is that this self-satisfied schmuck is trying to shift blame on the hauliers. He deserves to be <censored> as the traitor he is.
    2
  1041. "Brexiteers keep telling me they are not thick" Priceless.
    2
  1042.  @paulsaunders6536  That is not necessarily the case. If the Scots prepare their separation from the UK better than the Brexiteers did (which is not very hard), it may be pretty painless. Brexit is such a mess because Bozo pissed away all the time needed to prepare playing juvenile brinkmanship games. You need to think these things through, plan the actions to take, then sign the deal, and only then set things in motion with suitable implementation and transition phases. Bozo, of course, hasn't done any of those.
    2
  1043. So much for "Taking Back Control".
    2
  1044. More like the passengers are yelling to the pilot: "Should we brace? How do we brace? Where do we brace?"
    2
  1045. In fact, the EU is bound by law to hold the UK to the deal it signed. It would break the law and become liable for sanctions if it were to give in to the demands for unicorns.
    2
  1046. You are so right. I lived in the UK in the late 90ies, and was shocked by the anti-EU rhetoric and slave mentality of many workers. It is now coming to fruition. All the best for you and yours.
    2
  1047. Little Lizzies bid for PM is making good progress.
    2
  1048. The biggest reason for Tory success has been a divided opposition that does not speak the language of the voters. Should be a simple thing to change!
    2
  1049. The lettuce won. And it was a post-Brexit lettuce as well, with a shelf-life significantly shorter than what they used to be before Brexit.
    2
  1050. We all knew Dump has no regard for human life or the constitution. The biggest culpability lies with the senators who have sheltered him all this time. In fact, if Dump is not condemned during a future impeachment trial, one can argue that those senators are complicit, giving "aid, shelter and comfort" to a criminal after he committed the fact. Senators are not above the Law. They have the legal duty to remove a president guilty of "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", and if ever there was a guilty president, it is now. Not just for the coup attempt, but also for the corruption we heard last Sunday on tape.
    2
  1051. Oh, wouldn't it be great if all those groups that were knackered by Brexit, would campaign in earnest against the Tories. Fishermen, Farmers, Businessmen, Finance, all uniting against these suicidal maniacs. One can dream, right?
    2
  1052. He should get a Bafta award for acting so well.
    2
  1053. That is a fast improvement over triangular wheels!
    2
  1054. While it may be damaging for the Tories to rid themselves of Johnson now, it will be MUCH more damaging to keep supporting him.
    2
  1055. When the reports came of 127 drivers, I was amazed. I never thought that many drivers would be leaving for Xenophobic Plague Island. 27 is more in line with what I expected.
    2
  1056. At some point, Poots will need to be sent off. A minister does not have authority to fail to execute the will of Parliament.
    2
  1057. Personally, I think England will have no chance of a closer co-operation with the EU until it has gone through an extensive economic melt-down, and has been thoroughly humiliated. It will not just need to vote out the Tories. It will need to get rid of all the underlying tendencies that led to Brexit: a very weak democracy with apathetic voters, an acceptance of right-wing propaganda, and its sense of entitlement. Economic pressures will first move England away from democracy and towards fascism. It may take a decade or more until things get so difficult the People will see through the lies and start to take responsibility for how they have allowed their government to treat them. The English will need to really break with their past before the EU will trust them again. Unless Scotland wants to go through the same, it had better leave the UK.
    2
  1058. It is not Parliamentary Privilege that allows government members to lie to parliament. It is Parliament itself. It is the ONLY body that has authority over the government, especially now that it no longer needs to take judicial review seriously. The only proper cause of action is a Motion of No Confidence. That is the obvious course of action when a PM can no longer be trusted to speak the truth. However, that is being blocked by the corrupt Tory party. Parliament derives its authority from the voters. So the next proper step is for a MASSIVE phone and letter-writing campaign by the voting public to their MP's to voice their anger at the way this is handled. Calling each other liars is not a proper way to hold a debate, as it moves debate out of the realm of fact into the realm of personal character. And a country is not managed based on personal characters. That is why lying is a capital crime in most parliaments. I have seen many ministers (including PMs) fired mere days after it was found they presented a lie to parliament.
    2
  1059. This is what you get when you leave the biggest challenge the UK has faced since 1940 to a narcissistic pathological liar with a Churchill syndrome.
    2
  1060. At this point you have to wonder why there is still ANYONE voting Tory. They are completely incapable of even appearing to govern the country.
    2
  1061. Oh, that Blitz mentality! Somehow, I don't see Bozo drawing all together for a common cause like Churchill did. Rather, I see him making remarks like "They have no bread? Then let them eat cake"...
    2
  1062. The good news is that the administration of England will change drastically when you hit rock bottom, and people will be much more eager to go out and vote.
    2
  1063. The Brexiteers argued that they left the EU in order to raise standards. But you don't need to leave the EU to raise standards. Only to lower standards. This was pointed out before the referendum, but loudly derided as Project Fear. That is why I feel no pity for the Brexitards who are now suffering because they put that cross in the wrong box. And ESPECIALLY for the Lexitards.
    2
  1064. He didn't attend to give himself plausible deniability, a way to heap blame on others.
    2
  1065. Perhaps not so near you. All these city dwellers needing to go out to Yorkshire and other agricultural areas....
    2
  1066. It is such a shame that the only time that Starmer can work on these Tory crooks is at PMQ's. It would be so much better if the police and the media were not actively working against him. But he will get the job done, I am sure. Truth and Justice will ultimately triumph.
    2
  1067.  @thomashering1482  "this will not happen in 200 years" People can change pretty quickly once hunger starts to bite...
    2
  1068.  @johndonson1603  My supermarkets are fully stocked, and I am enjoying a considerable pay rise.
    2
  1069. ​ @colonelmustard6799  The French do need the occasional bashing! My dad once made this point at a communal 14-7 dinner to the major of the rural French village he lived in, who was waxing lyrically about the Glorious French Revolution ;-)
    2
  1070. ​ @kimwit1307  "PATO" More like NPTO. The A in NATO stands for Atlantic. But it does make sense for nations in the region to organise, like South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia and New Zeeland forming alliances. UK-AUS-US does not make much military sense at all, in my humble opinion.
    2
  1071. ​ @markwilkie3677  Stock up on popcorn indeed! The entertainment from Brexit is also far from over. As the effects are more sorely felt, verbal Tory attacks on the EU will also become more ferocious -- and similarly futile as the latest Article 16 bluff. But I am greatly looking forward to Scotland gaining its independence. I lived there once (in Glasgow), and want to be able to visit again in safety. <well, safety from illegal detention by immigration forces and insult by xenophobes. The dangers from Glasgow itself will likely be the same as always >
    2
  1072.  @markwilkie3677  Made fae Girders!
    2
  1073. "Brexit means Brexit"!
    2
  1074. In functioning democracies, the journalists and opposition crucify a PM who publicly U-turns but then does not act accordingly. It seems most Britons consider politics with the attention span of an ADHD-child that has been stuffing him/her self on candy. And Bozo the clown is more than happy to provide the candy.
    2
  1075. That Gormless is allowed to make these bogus arguments without an uproar proves how damaged democracy in the UK is.
    2
  1076. How daft do you have to be to know that you left the EU to prevent stringent anti-money laundering rules, then to expect to do as you like? EU banks have payed billions in fines for money laundry, you think we are not serious about it? Especially as we put the Pitcairn islands on the black list well before Brexit? I said at the time that this was a shot across the bow to warn London not to expect special treatment if they don't comply with the rules. It seems British public schools only teach pupils how special they are, how everybody will accommodate them, and that they somehow deserve that. Thank you for bankrupting the UK, you twats.
    2
  1077. ​ @Demun1649  Me too! Brexit is such a dumb move, it is beyond comprehension. It will even be disastrous to the corruption that caused it: democracies all over the world are more & more serious with dealing with it.
    2
  1078. He didn't say that. He said it might take 50 years. Or 100.
    2
  1079. Moreover, the Public is paying his salary in order NOT to be surprised by such things.
    2
  1080. North Ireland has always been the most difficult issue in Brexit. And therefore it was totally ignored by Bozo. As demonstrated by him ignoring Varadkar, the one person he should have spent most time with.
    2
  1081. Clear example of party over country. I pray labour will have the sense to adopt PR during their time in government, otherwise the Tories will win again in 2028/29.
    2
  1082. Tories are fine with increasing the workload for others. As long as it allows them to fill their own pockets with as little bother as possible.
    2
  1083. While I expected Brexit to be bad, I did not expect it to be this bad. The Tories seem intent on making Brexit as hard on their populace as they possibly can.
    2
  1084. These people have been lied to all their lives by the Brexit media and the Tory party. It is a rude awakening, but I am afraid they aren't woken yet. More of these nice little surprise coming to the cretins.
    2
  1085. The bell just tolled for Bozo. Time to get the bus out of the parking lot.
    2
  1086. The UK has rejected the latest EU proposals, so the ball is firmly in the UK court. Let Frosty and Bozo waffle on in their local press, the EU is not at all impressed. If they dare to step outside of their happy Brexiteer Bubble, they will get a stern talking down to. And if they dare to talk about "triggering A16", they will hear loud laughter from across the channel and the sound of thunder from across the pond.
    2
  1087. Businesses are versatile. It is possible that importers and exporters are learning to deal with the trade issues, e.g. by shipping standard containers instead of lorries (which is the common mode of transport for international, 3rd country trade). This saves the cost of having a driver & lorry + tractor waiting while customs checks take place. With containers, there is no additional cost for delays.
    2
  1088. The Netherlands has prepared for the original Brexit Day of, what was it? 29th march 2019? And as we have a (relatively) diligent government, we spent 2018 preparing for it, assuming a reasonable worst-case scenario.
    2
  1089. 2:00 The season for bi-valve mussels is whenever there is an R in the month. So April is the last month for the market, at least in the Netherlands...
    2
  1090. ​ @hypsyzygy506  When they have a choice between doing nothing and starving or getting thrown in jail for 10 years, those poor that the Tories think are not important, will revolt. And if they are met with violence by the police, we might even see the things that happened in the 18th century in France.
    2
  1091. There are a few points I disagree with. 1). Even if the nutters loose the next GE, the EU will be very hesitant to enter new negotiations with the UK. In all likelihood, the nutters will come back to power in 2028-2029. The EU will not want to negotiate until there is demonstrably an overwhelming majority in favour of rejoining, and the media that lied about the EU for 40 years has changed views permanently. The UK rejoining the EU will not be in the cards for at least a generation, and I am doubtful entry to the SM will be possible much sooner. The English-dominated UK has shown itself to be a very unreliable partner, even before 2016, but especially since. Do not underestimate the way Bozo's behaviour has damaged the English reputation and destroyed any remaining good-will. We do not just see an evil clown at work, we see an evil clown that continues to have the full support of the majority of Parliament, the media and the English nation! 2). It will be in the EU's interest to fast-track certain aspects of membership that will greatly aid the transition and the Scottish economy, such as joining the Euro and scrapping border measures long before a fuller agreement is reached. The EU can be creative, flexible and quick when it wants to, and Scotland has a lot of good-will in the EU. 3). Due to the devolved nature of Scotland, it can start to work towards convergence with the EU before it actually leaves the UK.
    2
  1092. ​ @piccalillipit9211  Not even considering that PR would also have to pass the House of Lords, or be delayed until the next sitting of Parliament.... But I have my hopes on the alignment criteria the EU will demand a decade or two from now, when England is desperate to rejoin the EU.
    2
  1093. The Tories swore in 2014 to get Scotland removed from the EU if they dared to go independent. That was a very serious threat.
    2
  1094. ​ @chrismurray3224  " I’ll be helping out at the local food bank this Christmas." Excellent. And I am glad you were prepared. "Can you honestly say the same" I have a government that takes reasonable care of the poor, though we did organise Christmas dinners for poorer people before Covid.
    2
  1095. ​ @jayklink851  Yeah, I know. This is a very dark day in UK history. Much darker than anything that happened in the previous 3 centuries except the Highland Clearances and the Irish Famine -- but as Phil said, those were probably due to ignorance or ineptitude, not wilful malice. Luckily it hasn't led to spilled blood. Yet.
    2
  1096.  @markwelch3564  Tories are very adept at point fingers: "No that wasn't me, it was the EU" or Labour, or whoever. But as soon as Tories enter the room, the smell comes with them...
    2
  1097. 8:43 No, you bloody well can't. If the UK wants to rejoin, it will be as a regular member, and as a full member. That will mean getting rid of the Pound, accepting Sjengen, introducing a proper Constitution, and embracing direct representation.
    2
  1098. The assumption that a single EU-member can not make trade deals in isolation is wrong. Every EU member is sovereign, and they can make any trade deal they like as long as they comply with other EU regulations. However, EU members know that they are much more likely to strike a good deal when moving in unison.
    2
  1099. Brexit was forced upon the British by claiming that "the UK has had enough of experts". So the University of Hard Knocks has been giving them a few lessons in why you need to listen to experts. Especially when they flatly contradict journalists and politicians. Because most experts have no financial interest in lying, whereas journalists and (some) politicians have.
    2
  1100. So it does. Parliament in the UK is just an extension of the government, a fact they desperately try to hide by organising some theater like PMQ's.
    2
  1101. And this strategy is sure to fail, as no matter how cheap the imports are, you still need to export in order to pay from them. These "cheap" imports will only increase the trade deficit even more. Next thing we will see is an accelerating devaluation of the pound.
    2
  1102. "Where there is no vision, the people perish". The Tories made a capital error by letting go of their principles to keep everybody on board. They will pay a terrible price for it, but sadly the rest of the nation also. Now it is up to Labour to proclaim a compelling vision for the future of the UK. Hitting on the Tories is necessary, but not enough.
    2
  1103. I thought that the whole purpose of Brexit was to take back control over the GB-EU border. Guess that was a deception as well... NEVER TRUST A TORY!
    2
  1104.  @chriswood3252  And get some coal in the process. Hopefully most houses still have the chimneys to fire it.
    2
  1105.  @janlievens6964  Good one, I had forgotten about that show ;-)
    2
  1106. As a SW project, this is on-course for a major disaster, on all fronts. You can be certain that the system will not work as expected (if at all). The nasty thing is that this piece of SW is a vital part of the primary process of the UK, if the UK can be seen as a company. Disruptions in the primary process can bankrupt any company very, very quickly. Within a few weeks, for many companies... Time to get the popcorn and a good chair, and watch as the comedy unfolds.
    2
  1107. The only thing Tories want is to get more money into the pockets of their mates and themselves.
    2
  1108. PMQ's was quite amusing. But in a functioning democracy, there would now have been a feeding frenzy in the press where all the lies Bozo uttered were dissected bit by bit, like you are doing here, and dozens of Tory MP's would have been badgered by journalists to comment on those lies.
    2
  1109. Tell me, how did Dover vote on Brexit? Oh, did they? Well, then it is a simple case of "You won, get over it"! Cheeky bastards calling us "remoaners". So who is moaning now?
    2
  1110. There are few people I despise more than this waffling pile of hot air.
    2
  1111.  @YouTubesucksdonkeyballs  A Tory takes no pleasure in the death of the poor, but in their servitude.
    2
  1112. ​ @psf8428  What drug are you on? I am talking about the future. You are revising history. Why do you feel the need to do that? Brexit happened. Why complain about what remainers did?
    2
  1113. ​ @mariogmajner6549  "Johnson must take full responsibility" Agree. So why is he still in office? And if anyone should take responsibility for the failure to prosecute Saville, it should be Jack Straw and/or Kenneth Clarke. But from what I have understood, it was simply that there was not enough hard evidence to convict Saville. Sexual crimes are exceptionally hard to prove.
    2
  1114. This is how the University of Hard Knocks works. You do something stupid, then suffer the consequences. Rinse and Repeat until you realise that those consequences are due to your stupid action, and not to anything else. Brexit has enrolled the whole nation into a course.
    2
  1115. If Johnson thinks that all the photographs and movies of him partying while people could not visit their dying relatives have surfaced, he is even more stupid than I thought.
    2
  1116. The loss of freedom of movement for Brits should have tough them that if they take away rights for others, they are taken from themselves as well...
    2
  1117.  @normanchristie4524  Time to pay the piper... And as always, it are the young that will suffer the most.
    2
  1118. ​ @cautiousoptimist1926  Sadly, yours is the model the Tories are aiming for. Me, I am lucky, I live in the Netherlands.
    2
  1119. The DUP seems to be stuck in the past century. They had better come to the realization quickly that it is either the Protocol or Irish reunification, if they want to keep their identify. The third option, staying in the SM & CU has been rejected by the Tories. Perhaps they should campaign for Labour and hope they will steer the UK back into the SM & CU.
    2
  1120. "It is not as bad as some said it would be" The words of that wise, green sage came to me: -- Oh, it will be. It will be.
    2
  1121. Far too many people complaining that Starmer is "boring". If you think so too, please do us all a favour and don't vote until you have been back to school. Governing is about FACTS & POLICIES, not about whether it is entertaining or not. If you want entertainment, go watch a circus.
    2
  1122. "[in the USA] the system functions" There are a LOT of people who would disagree with that claim. Most of the recent controversial Republican Presidents were elected without winning the popular vote. And there are MASSIVE gerrymandering projects, mainly again by the Republicans, to disadvantage the Democrats. So, even in the USA with a two-party system, FPtP voting is a disaster. Trump nor Bush jr would never have been able to do what he has done but for it, and that has caused the world a LOT of trouble.
    2
  1123. Someone should remind Parliament that those laws are there to constrain the government into doing what Parliament wills.
    2
  1124. The "accusation" that Starmer backed Corbyn will backfire when he points to Sunak backing Lizz Truss after her election as party leader. Or when he reminds people of Sunak's dagger in Johnson's back.
    2
  1125. What amazes me about Tory incompetence is that there is not a constant crowd of people surrounding Westminster demanding their departure and new elections.
    2
  1126. There are not many people with a wider reach than Phil talking for the opposition, sadly...
    2
  1127. Usually, the people we hear are not actual scientists but people interpreting their findings.=--like the example Phil points out in the video. I like his 5 rules to judge whether to give much weight to a scientist's opinion. > Following science inherently flawed Actually, sciensts make models to predict events. They did predict that a virus pandemic was going to happen sometime. Listening to relevant scientists is always better than listening to anyone else: they are trained to make the best use of that data that is available. No-one else can do any better. Certainly not journalists or politicians.
    2
  1128. Inflation can drop, but that doesn't mean the massive inflation of 2022 is gone. That inflation has permanently incorporated itself into the prices people have to pay. It will take several years of good pay rises to catch up. And STFU to all the goons who threaten with "wage-price spirals". Wage rises do not cause inflation. It is obviously clear that the current inflation is caused by some companies raking in massive profits. And even if so, it is immoral for CEO's to grab 30% wage increases and then say there is no money for a pay rise for their employees. And that is putting it mildly.
    2
  1129.  @bigkdog5091  "I think the people of this country have had enough of experts". So now they need to learn from the University of Hard Knocks instead.
    2
  1130. My question is if we need watch this slow-motion train crash for the next 4-odd years (till the next GE) or if the mounting public pressure will cause government to change course or fall before that. It is a pity we can't fast-forward a year or two. Good luck, Phil and everybody in the UK. May God bless you -- 'cause the current government certainly ain't.
    2
  1131. ​ @rodoherty1  "view ourselves as one community" The current situation is actually quite good for that process. With a status aparte, both in the UK and in the EU, the country can slowly de-radicalise -- as it has done for the decades since the GFA. After the dissolution of the UK, it can become part of the EU as a separate entity. Then, after some decades most likely, it can unify.
    2
  1132. Well done, Phil! The realisation how the UK government is actively taking from the poor to give to the rich, is spreading across the nation. The day of reconing is coming for the Tories and their puppet masters. If things get dire enough, the UK might even become a democracy again.
    2
  1133. At some point the UK has to admit it has been betrayed by the Tories and Brexiteers. Brexit is SUCH a destructive blow against the UK, it could only have been conceived by enemies of the state.
    2
  1134. The Lord showed us that there can be no peace without justice. In particular, the ring-leaders need to be punished for these acts. As you say, they need to face up to facts. Deceiving the public is WRONG. Inciting violence is WRONG. Storming the capitol is WRONG. Soft healers make stinking wounds.
    2
  1135. ​ @mickeythompson9537  "having a go at him" Of course she would. The honourable thing would have been to confess his corruption to the investigators and suffer the consequences. Perhaps she could have had peace with that, and may even have supported him throughout. But by withholding the truth, he was also betraying her -- as he was betraying all UK citizens.
    2
  1136.  @Marvin-dg8vj  Are you mad? Of course not.
    2
  1137. Before becoming a full EU member, the political situation in the UK needs to stabilize and a broad, consistent cross-party support for the European project needs to be demonstrated. Before this happens, we will see the UK break up and probably even hyper-inflation (because the UK keeps borrowing heavily to prop up a failing economy). Scotland will join the EU before England, North Ireland will join the Republic of Ireland. In the end, England will be happy to let go of the pound.
    2
  1138. Absolutely. So I presume you are a member of a union, and are arguing for strikes? Any company that gives its CEO a 23% (average) raise yet refuses proper compensation for its employees should stop operating.
    2
  1139. Best of health, Phil!
    2
  1140. Lying to the public is no crime. The public should be wise enough to recognise a charlatan when they see one, instead of believing them.
    2
  1141. 1:50 - What worked for them will work for us: This is why these fringe groups are working to their own disadvantage. They will have success for a short period, but soon more moderate people, who would like to be re-elected, realise that those fringe groups are working to their disadvantage, and they will put a stop to it. Either that, or the party will doctor the election laws so they can't loose.
    2
  1142. It is education that makes you middle class, not the way you vote. A person is middle class if he is more useful to the upper class than people from the lower class, based on his/her skills.
    2
  1143.  @reasonerenlightened2456  That clarifies things.
    2
  1144. If only journalists applied this level of questioning to the Tories. The UK would have been a different place.
    2
  1145. Brexit gives no opportunities that were not available in the EU. Except opportunities to do things like money laundering or trading endangered species, that were illegal under EU rules.
    2
  1146. These happenings are completely anti-democratic. It should not be the party deciding who will lead the country, it should be Parliament. How hypocritical can you be when you would remove a leader through an internal vote amongst MPs of a party, but not through a vote of No-Confidence in Parliament? Through party vote, 180 MPs are needed, but through a parliamentary vote, only about 40 are needed.
    2
  1147.  @Gary-bz1rf  Glad to have provided a few minutes of joy. But the last laugh will be on me, I am afraid. Looks like your strong man has failed, and will continue to fail. Recent events will ensure that anti-money laundering systems will be enacted in the EU, and eventually, the UK.
    2
  1148. ​ @peterebel7899  I was talking about the EU, wasn't I? I am aware the UK is built around money laundry, and that for many influential people this was the reason to Brexit: to avoid the financial scrutiny regulations adopted by the EU on 1-1-2020.
    2
  1149. The UK is fast asleep. The only thing that will wake them up is when the Brexit disaster becomes too obvious to ignore nor blame the EU for. Give it another year.
    2
  1150. The courts may halt Bozo temporarily, but it will only give him more incentive to undermine the power and independence of the courts. The UK is on a course to become a new fascist dictatorship, fueled by hate for the EU.
    2
  1151. ​ @Raggman42  My remark was sarcastic. Most people in the USA can't afford their healthcare either. USA healthcare is a huge scam, US citizens paying twice (per capita) as in e.g. France, but whereas France has universal, free, health care, in the US people need to choose between going bankrupt or dying. That is what the Tories have in store for UK citizens. Healthcare is so important to people, that it is something that MUST be organised collectively (by the government), or else you get scammed big time. It is NOT something you can leave to the market.
    2
  1152. Tories fighting to keep their corrupt income. Now why does that not surprise me. It should, but it doesn't.
    2
  1153.  @nickbarton3191  Romania has been part of the EU since 2007... I did not mean to "absorb" people, I meant "absorbing" the economic impact without too much change to your own economy.
    2
  1154. There is nothing in this government but lies. Lies and incompetence.
    2
  1155. 3:40 Also, assuming there are no other limiting factors, we must assume that exports are already optimized to all areas of the world. A business does not think, "well I am doing so well in trading with the Netherlands, lets sell less to e.g. India. So less exports to one area does NOT mean export to other areas will automatically pick up. Entering new markets takes a LOT of effort, money, and time. Another example of the outrageous fallacies Brexiteers believe.
    2
  1156. Did you expect it to?
    2
  1157. Governments have learned that they need to MASSIVELY interfere in the market, especially to prevent the formation of monopolies and cartels, and through regulation like minimum wages. Most all governments have stepped away from full-on Capitalism, curbing its most evil effects. However, globalisation is now forming cartels that are beyond the ability of a single government to control. Which is why there are now internationally-agreed minimum tax levels. To get an idea of what hard Capitalism leads to, read some 19th-century literature like Dickens. The USA and the UK need to re-learn the lessons these books (and many others) teach us.
    2
  1158. So, the Tories managed to keep the party together by giving the lunatics everything they wanted. Turns out that instead of fracturing the party, they allowed mad opportunists to create a new party -- splitting the right-wing vote. Sadly, in the long term, this may be good for the party -- allowing it to get rid of the lunatics. But that would need a brave leader to take a stance against the ERG, and select moderate (sane) candidates.
    2
  1159. And National Sovereignty sounds all good, except that the only one benefiting from it is Parliament, which is using it to better extort its civilians.
    2
  1160. One BIG problem with these long queues is that lorry drivers get paid different rates for time waiting than for time driving. Some don't get paid at all for lost time, with bosses trying to increase efficiency. That means that drivers will most definitely give their bosses the finger if they need someone to make that trip, until rates are changed. Which means that hauliers will give their customers the finger until the pay for the extra costs.
    2
  1161. This is not a PMQs matter. This is a matter for a Twitter Storm and massive public demonstrations. I don't know if you noticed, but the Tories don't follow the rules during PMQs. They couldn't care less about PMQs, as they control the narrative.
    2
  1162. The UK eked out a nice little playground. For itself. I hope they are happy. Just don't get angry the adults don't want to join you.
    2
  1163. Tories certainly look like a party that would turn the UK into a dictatorship. Protest, and protest hard against these anti-democratic laws.
    2
  1164. May's proposal was pretty decent. She would have done a decent job at minimizing the fallout.
    2
  1165. ​ @tonycook7679  "makes the cost crystal clear" Except that Bozo continually lies about it. Brexit was always going to leave the UK subject to EU rules without representations -- except if it stopped trading with the EU altogether. That is a simple result of the EU economy being 10 times the UK's. I liked May's approach for being pragmatic. A sudden break with the EU was always going to upset the UK economy in a way it could not recover from. Only a very gradual break spread out over a decade was going to have some chance at not destroying the UK. As it is, pass me the popcorn please while I watch the train wreck unfold.
    2
  1166.  @pam-gw6uk  No it is not. The opposition is doing what little it can. It is mainly due to the media towing the government lie so that people do not realise they are being abused.
    2
  1167. Brexit's ONLY goal was to protect the financial interests of rich people dodging taxes and white-washing money. It will forever stand as the most brutal cash-grab ever. Never in the history of mankind has an ultra-rich minority hurt the interests of a nation as badly. But it will end very badly for the ultra-rich in the UK. When all this is over, the UK (or what is left of it) may well be one of the most pro-EU and anti-tax evasion countries in the union. At some point, the People will discover that they are more powerful than the moguls.
    2
  1168. I guess no previous UK PM has ever done more to deserve the epithet 'liar' than Bozo the Clown, so this is quite fitting.
    2
  1169.  @piccalillipit9211  So, you basically end up with a police state like North Korea where food riots are repressed so violently people rather starve to death, or with a scenario where (part of) the military sides with the rioters and you get a violent revolution. If it boils down to those two, I hope the Brits are brave enough to bring the consequences of this mess to those who created it.
    2
  1170.  @olmostgudinaf8100  It seems the Gammons have enrolled the whole country in the University of Hard Knocks...
    2
  1171. I'll have some wine & cheese, thanks.
    2
  1172. I'd think the Scots would be more mature than that, but I do hope that they let the English PM make a humiliating trip up to Edinburgh for some proper begging. That would be too funny. Similar to that trip they made Bozo make to Ireland to beg with Varadkar, before the withdrawal agreement.
    2
  1173. There is a lot of hate driving Brexit. Such a pity that they direct it at the wrong people.
    2
  1174. Tusk fittingly wondered about the "special place in Hell for those who pushed for Brexit without even a hint of a plan how to execute it safely". The point is, there is no solution for the Dover queues. The UK needs to start using the normal mode of transport for international trade: CONTAINERS. Except for really perishable goods: these go by airplane, also in standard-sized containers. Having that container sit on a lorry with a driver while the necessary checks are performed is absolute madness. It is far too expensive, and you also need additional checks for the lorry and its driver that you won't have for just the container. This is just one of the many things the government should have thought through before leaving, and taken the time to organise regular (daily) trips between e.g. Southampton and Antwerp, or Thamesport and Rotterdam, and advertise them. I guess these do-nothing conservatives have never heard of "To govern is to look ahead". Must be a culture thing. I see there isn't even an English proverb saying it. Well, there is in Dutch ("Regeren is vooruitzien"). Which is probably why our economy is doing so much better than yours.
    2
  1175.  @Sphere723  Perhaps Phil is trying to stay sane... Long term, there is a good chance the UK economy will come to a complete standstill, with hyperinflation, massive unemployment and government defaulting on foreign debts. But the Gammons will only call that "Project Fear". Better to confront them with tangible, undeniable proof of how project Fear has turned project Reality.
    2
  1176.  @Sphere723  You forget that the UK has had a negative trade balance for a long time. It used to compensate by exporting a lot of services, mainly to the EU. That has now come to an abrupt end. So you are VERY wrong in saying the UK economy is fundamentally sound. It is inevitable that the pound will devaluate. Combine that with the (growing) need to import food, and you have all the ingredients for a failed state. There is a chance a new equilibrium can be found after the initial round of devaluations. That will require massive cuts to government spending, in order to keep up repayments of foreign debt. But my expectation is that the Tory government will try to keep up appearances for as long as possible, leading to defaults and hyperinflation.
    2
  1177.  @Sphere723  What I find frustrating in all this is that there is no attention in any media on how the services are doing. There are some reports, of course, from the various companies involved, but those reports are misleading in that the company as a whole may have weathered Brexit OK, but if they did that by moving a large part of their operations to the EU, that is still a massive hit to the UK economy.
    2
  1178. The Tories are trying to increase the anger in society, not reduce it. People who are angry are no longer able to think logically. That is why they trigger emotions in their speeches. That is Fascism 101. It is time for the moderates in the UK to start using strong and clear language, designed to trigger feelings of disgust and loathing, towards the Tories. By staying civil and logical, you play into the cards of the Tories. Because the People will tend to listen to those who trigger their emotions most. Obviously, you need to stay within the truth. But it is not difficult to trigger loathing for Tories while staying within the truth. Tories are trying to make people so afraid of Labour that they would rather cut off their own hand than vote for Starmer. And in the mean time it are the Tories who are making Britons poorer, taking away the future of their children, forcing them to sell their homes and land and businesses to foreign investors. And they smile while doing it. Because they benefit from you becoming poorer. They have sold your water companies to the highest bidder, and you get sh!t in return. They have sold your train services, promising that fares would become cheaper and service better. They lied. Fares are up, service is down, and those working for those companies are squeezed until they can't afford their home any more. There is no money to raise their salaries, but there is plenty to raise that of the CEO by 30% or more. etc, etc. It is time to seriously up the rhetoric. They hit low using lies. You need to respond by hitting low and hard with the truth. Truth will win, but only if you also hit low.
    2
  1179. Wouldn't want to miss the moment he pees his pants ;-)
    2
  1180. The Don has always been the crime boss in chief. He was raised amidst the NY mafia, so that was to be expected.
    2
  1181. No-one has done more to promote PR than the Tories these past 3 years. We must be grateful to them.
    2
  1182. One Brexit benefit: Brexit is clearly underlining the faults in UK society: * Unwarranted respect for the "upper class" * Backward political systems that assume politicians behave as honest gentlemen * MSM are right-wing propaganda channels * BBC is a government mouth-piece * Lack of respect for those who form the back bone of society * Rife with xenophobia * Wide-spread corruption etc, etc, etc
    2
  1183. Great stuff, Phil! I am pretty certain Labour is taking notice.
    2
  1184. It is quite outrageous for the Speaker to voice such a political statement. He should be severely reprimanded for this, perhaps even replaced.
    2
  1185. I am sure their enthusiasm will grow as the economy continues to implode.
    2
  1186. Does Bozo now get to blame the EU for the driver shortage, because we wouldn't force drivers to quit their steady long-term jobs for a 3-month adventure in Angerland? Bozo will be lucky if 500 EU drivers take up this offer.
    2
  1187. These DUP hoods are against anything that endangers their scams.
    2
  1188. Bozo is essential for Brexit, as the necessary scapegoat for when the Brexit fallout becomes unbearable.
    2
  1189.  @PaulStargasm  The problem with the term Brexit is that it is not defined. Bozo purposely avoided to pin any definition or clarification on it. So Brexit can mean a dozen different things to a dozen different people, and for politicians Brexit can mean one thing one day and something completely different the next. That is why Phil has started referring to the Extreme Tory Brexit, and I think that is a good idea.
    2
  1190. It is about time the opposition started to take on the government in earnest. Personally, I am shocked that Labour is not organising huge demonstrations against the Brexit disaster, Tory sleaze and the cost of living crises. Tories have abused democracy, time to use democracy against them.
    1
  1191. Bozo is not affected by effects on the public / constituents, as his domestic media will always spin it such to give him a boost instead of a hit. But target the people Bozo does listen to: Tory donors, and he will capitulate real quick. Some of the Clowns also have exposure in businesses (looking at you, Sunak), those businesses would probably be the first targets. That is the big drawback to being corrupt: it exposes you to outside pressures. That is why politicians should not dabble in business!
    1
  1192. Things will eventually get better, but it will require the People to get involved. Have a look at how e.g. the French deal with a government that crosses them, and get organised. The government & media love blaming everybody for the mess the government causes, why don't you and your pals start to hold them accountable.
    1
  1193. Great discussion! It would be very helpful if there were a move to arrest Hamas terrorists, also those having refuge in e.g. Qatar and those inside Gaza, and extradite them to either Israel or Den Haag. That would stop the violence. Peace-loving Palestinians should be empowered to deal with Hamas.
    1
  1194. The only thing that could prevent an authoritarian regime in the UK, is a media that are alert and vocal defenders of human rights, and a public prepared to take action. So, I am sure it'll be fine....
    1
  1195. Brexit: picking a fight with the biggest, baddest boy in the schoolyard. Not a good idea?
    1
  1196. This has been reported e.g. by nu.nl.
    1
  1197. Spot on. Any competent politician would not want to get burned by the Brexit fallout that is yet to come.
    1
  1198. Your analysis is stop on, as usual. I also expect Bozo to never actually trigger A16, as that would require him to do homework. And he has played this brinkmanship game many times before, always to capitulate at the last moment.
    1
  1199. Should the Conservatives decide on an early election, Labour needs to let them win it. This anti-EU madness needs to run its course and come to its final conclusion. The effects of Brexit are not yet obvious enough for people to have learned their lessons.
    1
  1200. The Britons still have it too good.
    1
  1201. There is a third option for the "Try your luck" or "wait for someone competent" dilemma: Do it your self. Sure, you will do worse than a competent worker, but most will do better than a careless one like has been let loose in your house.
    1
  1202. The Tories are disgusting. There should not be a single person voting for them after all they have done, except the ultra-rich.
    1
  1203.  @sirmeowthelibrarycat  Apart from that law being an outrage, does the government really think it can stop riots when food grows scarce in this way? In the end it will boil down to this: will or will not the UK military be willing to shoots its own citizens for the Tories?
    1
  1204.  @therealrobertbirchall  I see your point. Personally, I am pretty sure that an exception will be made for UK citizens who have residence in Scotland but hold English nationalities, like has been made for the many who continue to have residence in the EU. The problem cases that were in the news are the ones who took no action, assuming they would just be permitted to do as they were used to. But every Brit in the EU could have applied for the right to remain in the EU, and be granted it. I know for a fact that all Brits in my country received personal letters telling them what they had to do and by what time, twice. France the same. The dummies who were extradited when the 90-days period expired somehow ignored all that. So you will be all right even when Scotland becomes independent. Though I can imagine having to choose a nationality (Scottish or English) will be painful for many.
    1
  1205. The whole N.I. think is what worries me most about Brexit. The rest of Brexit just causes untold misery and, after some time, the end of the Conservative Party. Violating the Good Friday agreement will unleash civil war, and also offer the Tories something to take public attention away from their economic plight.
    1
  1206. Anyone still thinking Bozo is an affable fool should now undeceive him/herself. The man is ruthless.
    1
  1207. "Labour announced not rejoining the EU" That is because they know that it will be more than 5 years before they can realistically make that application. And because there are far too few people demanding it right now.
    1
  1208. This is very true. It is very rare to have a sellers market, and usually there is fraud involved. Except the Dutch real-estate market... Usually, the customer (buyer) is King.
    1
  1209.  @andrewburman9469  Labour divided? Not as much as the Tory party. You won't see former Labour leaders publicly calling for Starmer's resignation.
    1
  1210.  @andrewburman9469  didn't you hear lord Hesseltine?
    1
  1211. "How democracy works in the world" Not true. District first-past-the-post is the cause of this. In PR systems, it is more a matter of which parties can I co-operate with to form a viable government, than how to target a specific group.
    1
  1212. Stay tuned for tomorrows episode of ...
    1
  1213. Bozo will pee his pants as soon as he sees the gloves come off.
    1
  1214. Forming an alliance is what Corbyn should have done in 2019, instead of agreeing to a GE. Knowing that, and Labour's current infighting and lack of a stance on Brexit (which is arguably the most important item on the political agenda for the coming decade), I think another, any other, progressive party should lead the alliance. It is time for Labour to take some time and rethink what they stand for.
    1
  1215.  @TheHoveHeretic  This is not true. There were a lot of people who said he vociferously supported it, but in his own words he was "vaguely in favour" of Brexit and has since changed his mind. He is strongly anti-Tory, in any case.
    1
  1216. Everything the Brexiteers said about Brexit turns out to have been a lie. When a politician lies about something, you know he is trying to achieve something completely else that he doesn't want to become public. Turns out the ERG is not at all interested in Europe, but very interested in turning the UK into a totalitarian, kleptocratic state.
    1
  1217. The Tory attitude that they do you a favour by not throwing you in as hard as could be, is exactly why humanity needs governments that imposes social measures on society. As soon as people get rich, they see the poor as "them", and will ignore their situation. All people who think that caring for the unfortunate is a private responsibility of the rich, not to be imposed on them, do not understand the human condition. Greed has already caused untold misery on human kind. And the Tories are all for it.
    1
  1218. ​ @justmythought7658  Or, you could get a lecture on responsible leadership...
    1
  1219. You are very right in pointing to the media for the condition of the UK. However, the media is not to blame. It are the people who read it and let it affect their mind. To be honest, the UK is in a very sorry state. But hopefully something good will rise from its ashes.
    1
  1220.  @baronvonlimbourgh1716  Have a talk with some forensic accountant, will you. This is their bread & butter.
    1
  1221. For all her tough talk, I really wonder how Truss will combat strikes with heavy fist -- when her favorite propaganda outlet is refusing to work.
    1
  1222. Henry Ford already proved that it pays to pay your workers well. Well-paid workers means you can pick the best, most creative, that are most pro-active etc. Cutting wages or worker protections only works in the very short term.
    1
  1223. What the British voters need to realise is that Labour works differently than the Tories. The Tories make outrageous and misleading promises that will never be implemented in the way the voters hope they are. Labour does not do that. The promises they make are sincere and what they believe the country needs, whereas Tories will promise anything that will get them votes. So they big question is: would you rather be swindled out of your livelihood by a posh character who smiles nicely to you when you are looking but pisses on you when you are not, or would you rather trust someone who speaks the truth (even when unpleasant), is genuinely concerned with you, and knows how to improve your lot. As they say, when you are conned once, that is the con's fault. But be conned twice, and it is your own. The UK usually votes conservative, especially since the eighties. Is your country better off now than it was 40 years ago, when compared with neighbouring countries? If not, then the Conservatives have no clue how to run a country.
    1
  1224. Rather than the gym analogy, I like the analogy of a woman who divorces her rich husband hoping to get her half of his assets, only to be reminded that she had signed a prenuptial agreement... How dumb can you get! And Brexiteers are lawyers who encourage said woman, saying that she is definitely entitled to half the assets in spite of what the contracts say.
    1
  1225. "Spirit of reconciliaten" Good point. In the end, everybody is making choices based on too few facts. The main evil of the Tory party is that they encouraged division within Britain. The biggest challenge for Britain in the coming decade(s?) is how to heal those rifts. I think your approach of coolly presenting facts is the best remedy. Repeated exposure to facts will cure some (most?) that are deluded by misinformation.
    1
  1226. While it is true that were Brexit done in a more gradual way, it would not have been as bad, still Brexit in and off itself would have hurt the UK economy and its influence on the world. Going from being one of the most influential members of the most influential power-block in the world, to being just a single nation, was always going to have the opposite effect as what Brexiteers sold the public. The UK will never regain the position it had. Well done, Brexitards.
    1
  1227.  The legend of Spitfire Hunter  Coming to a home near you. You don't need much intelligence to predict what a 68% decrease in export will do to your economy...
    1
  1228. I don't know if it matters who gets elected and when. UK politicians are clearly out of their depth. We can only pray that whoever gets into power will rejoin the SM & CU asap. Then at least those people who have had their futures shattered can look around for a better place to live.
    1
  1229. "Can you show us a tangible example of where we actually got to decide something for ourselves then" Made me smile. Follow-up questions would of course include: "Where is the extra money for the NHS?", "Where is the money we used to send to the EU?", "Which fisheries are flourishing now?", "How could the EU close its internal (Schengen) borders before the UK closed its external border during the first Covid breakout?", and "In which ditch is Boris Johnson to be found dead?"
    1
  1230. Tories are just as sure to lie, as babies are to sh*t their nappies.
    1
  1231.  @vencik_krpo  I stand corrected. God bless you, Sir.
    1
  1232. ​ @k.t.5405  You mean, as long as the Conservative party is still being voted for by a double digit percentage of the population. The only sign that the UK has dealt with its jingoistic party of banality, is its final destruction in the polls.
    1
  1233.  @cfhutgfre  You forgot the BBC: pro-Brexit
    1
  1234. Explaining to the public why things have not improved x-period after getting a Labour PM will be the biggest headache for the new government. People forget that the Tories had two decades to destroy the country bit-by-bit, and that it will take at least two decades to get it ship-shape again. But your media will immediately blame the new PM for the results of Tory policies. To be honest, I hope Labour will not come into power until after the nation has collapsed. The Tories need to carry the blame for what they have done.
    1
  1235. The current class in the University of Hard Knocks is: "don't allow the government to play the blame game". And the elective class: "Read the last paragraph of a news article, not the first".
    1
  1236. Nibbling away at the lunacy and mendacity that has the UK in its grip right now. How long until the realization of truth comes crashing down? I am really curious what will happen when it does. There is a good chance people will react violently, or that the government reacts violently to suppress the truth. I will be praying that the transition from "post-truth society" to normality will be peaceful. But there is no doubt that transition will happen. Truth is stronger than lies. As we Dutch say: "Al is de leugen nog zo snel, de waarheid achterhaalt hem wel" -- no matter how quick the lie, truth will catch it.
    1
  1237. Who wants to bet that copy-paste is what Bozo learned at Eton?
    1
  1238. Brexiteers knew exactly what they were voting for, and they got it. No sympathy, instead loads of schadenfreude 😂😂😂
    1
  1239.  @cartmann227  "This ship has sailed" Don't be silly. If little England asks very nicely, EU will come to the rescue.
    1
  1240. Truss making noises? Yawn. She is still digging her own grave.
    1
  1241. Good on you, PD. And you do have a way with words, I must say. Hang in there, stay sane.
    1
  1242.  @ianlogan1150  "He cant win" Well, he could, if he actually started serving the interests of the nation. Somehow, I think that is beyond him.
    1
  1243. It isn't just that the UK just wants to announce these deals, it is that every other nation knows that the UK is desperate to close deals. The UK may hold all the cards, but they hold them the wrong way around. The UK is very easy to read, except by the Brits themselves.
    1
  1244. The UK not following EU rules? The man is absolutely right. The UK is sovereign, so it only has to follow its own rules. Like complying with the W.A. and N.I.P. in full. And then, of course there are the rules concerning border traffic. Those are actually WTO rules which the UK adopted as a sovereign act. And all rules & regulations covering products exported to the EU, it is not the UK government that needs to follow those rules, but the UK businesses. So, the UK is already not following any EU rules. Mission accomplished, Mr Smug can go back to sleep.
    1
  1245. The UK government had better get used to acting like adults. Because the EU will treat them as such. A child will get a pat on the back and be told to do better next time, for failing to do as promised. Not an adult...
    1
  1246. Huzah! Another Brexit dividend!
    1
  1247. At some point, the Brits will come to realise that they were the victims of a Special Economic Operation by Putin assets to destroy the UK. I hope.
    1
  1248. If Trump were to get tough on Russia, he could actually achieve what he wants: peace in Europe, international fame and respect, his Nobel Peace Prize, and would still be the dictator of the USA -- raking in the profits by the billion. Trump doesn't need Putin anymore. But somehow he is not clever enough to realize that. Putin never made a better deal than when he started supporting Trump in the eighties.
    1
  1249. Tin Lizzy is again trying to walk around in big boy pants? Someone should tell her she looks ridiculous. But her base seems to love it. Weird. The UK is just collecting more mud on its face.
    1
  1250. Nice results, but too fast. People still need to hold those who did the lying accountable. And that is not just the politicians, but also, and more importantly, the media. Politicians will lie if the media does not hold them to account, or even crucify them for telling facts. So the media is more to blame for the one-sided and erroneous Brexit propaganda they spoon-fed the British public, than the politicians they quoted.
    1
  1251. Spot on, Phil. These extremist propaganda rags are actively hurting both the UK and the rest of Europe. There may be some simply shilling for the Tory party, but in this instance, there is no benefit to Bozo / the Tory party. There is only one who benefits from that: Putin. So, logically, he must somehow be pulling the strings behind the Express. Considering how much damage they have already caused, legal action must be taken against them. That is what we have anti-hate speech and journalistic standards for.
    1
  1252. Not so. People were full of fear and suspicion, everybody could be a government informer. And they hated their governments. Though there were some differences: the closer you got to the USSR, the harder life was for the citizens. Why do you think the Comecon nations we so eager to join the west once the police states that kept them in check collapsed? Most of them are full EU members now. Do not try to romanticise those dark times. Many, many, many people were murdered by their own governments.
    1
  1253. Bozo the clown. You have to pity the fool. He has spun all these lies trying to keep everybody happy, now he has to keep up appearances... At some point, the house of cards is going to come crashing down.
    1
  1254. Tories have proven themselves to be the party of lawlessness and chaos. Like their brethren in the USA. They have betrayed the public trust. NEVER TRUST A TORY!
    1
  1255. ​ @Nickle314  Why then are you not aware that running a model is called 'evaluating' the model? You clearly should know better. Also, you can evaluate models using partial data, so model validation can begin way before all data is available. The main time constants for the corona virus seem to be in the order of 2 (for infections) to 4 (for deaths) weeks, so the effects of the lockdown can certainly be evaluated at this time. You can strew all sorts of high-sounding words around, but the fact of the matter is that your initial comment is complete rubbish.
    1
  1256.  @Nickle314  You are confusing evaluating a model and validating a model. Comparing model output with real measurements is called validation, not evaluation. Anyway, from what you say it seems you are doing some interesting work, and I wish you all the best with it!
    1
  1257. ​ @Nickle314  Well, if you are such an expert, then your errors in terminology and methodology are completely inexcusable. I'd say you are a fraud who has done some quick googling on different model types. My point still stands: your initial remark of only being able to validate a model after all data is available, is false. You can validate on partial information, to within a certain level of certainty. And even after the event you don't have enough information to fully validate a model. Now if you can stop insulting me, I'll continue validating my own models.
    1
  1258. Make it happen, then! Learn from the French. The government fears the People more than you fear them.
    1
  1259. ​ @CYCHIATRIC  "it's a zero sum game" The way the Tories are playing it, it is a negative sum game. Normally any economic transaction is a win-win, i.e. value creation, i.e. positive sum. You'd be an absolute moron to enter into a zero-sum deal. The Tories (and e.g. Trump) are very wrong about how the economy works.
    1
  1260. When fascism hit Germany in the 30ies, it caused a mass exodus of scientists. Now that fascism has hit the UK, the same is happening. And we can expect the same to happen in the USA, as fascism is gaining more and more ground there. I'd say: EU, prepare for a major injection of people with brains!
    1
  1261.  @sirmeowthelibrarycat  I am sorry, I thought you were a Brit. My last comment was a (cynical) joke at my own expense, me being that brave person commenting on the situation from behind a safe place inside the EU (Netherlands, in my case). All the best to you and your family!
    1
  1262. My bet is still on Colonel Clumsy...
    1
  1263. Great video, applying some game theory to these 'talks'. I am afraid you are right, that there is no personal benefit for Bozo to make the talks a success, and thus they will fail. Such a sad state of affairs. In business, a CEO's loyalty is bought through stock options, so that when the company prospers, he prospers. Might be a good idea for PM's...
    1
  1264. Excellent video, pretty much how I think on the issue, though I would argue against a Republic on the basis of the additional costs of campaigning and the danger of the power that is concentrated in that single person. We Dutch like to have a figurehead we can blame for things but that leaves the actual power in the hands of a larger group. I do live in a constitutional Monarchy where the government is held in check by the opposition, the journalists and the Public: Netherlands. The Brits would do well to copy our system, which was written by Thorbecke in 1848, but revised in 1983.
    1
  1265. Instead, you see idiots protesting against the "nasty EU" for something their own government did. The English & North-Irish deserve what they are getting.
    1
  1266.  @rivolinho  Seems like the Brits are in a crash-course Democracy 1.0.1: swim or sink.
    1
  1267. ​ @eugenenoonan1886  Having a container wait on a dockyard for customs clearance is a LOT cheaper than having a lorry waiting in a queue for that same clearance. Sure, Brexit costs money to be sure. Those who understand logistics know that Brexit changed the criteria for which the logistics system needs to optimize. What was optimal before Brexit (lorries & RORO ferries) is not optimal after Brexit. And certainly not after the UK has implemented the full checks WTO trade requires. Brexit has broken the assumptions underpinning JIT delivery (fast, efficient, reliable transport of small quantities), requiring companies to have more stock and transport in larger batches than before BREXIT. All this was warned about but ridiculed as "Project Fear". For those interested in another tidbit: containers don't have restrictive cabotage rules. Think about how that impacts logistics. If I were the UK, I would invest in a few relatively small container ships that would ply a regular trade between e.g. Rotterdam and the London Thamesport, where there seems to be a small container terminal -- a rarity in England.
    1
  1268. ​ @roderickmain9697  True, though I wouldn't call Felixstowe or Hull examples of container terminals. Only Southampton has some significant capacity -- about on-par with Le Havre -- i.e. pretty pathetic as the biggest port available to a large trading nation. France can divert to e.g. Antwerp or Rotterdam which are several sizes up. But, as you say, the true bottleneck is HMRC personnel -- and equipment to e.g. X-ray a container whole, like Rotterdam has.
    1
  1269. This is a great point to attack the Tory party. They made a promise, it would really help the people of the UK, and they are just unwilling to keep their promise. Why? Presumably because it would mean a rise in another tax, or a cut to the various grifts by those on the gravy train. It makes the treachery and corruption of the Tories felt by the lower-income voters.
    1
  1270. Excellent, though depressing, analysis. Sad thing is that with regards to anything in the UK, we are reduced to praying for a good outcome. The brexitards handed the reigns of Power to a clown who is corrupt to the bone, and he now has the power to keep them. Just like his puppet master. My guess is that Bozo will vocally condemn Putin's actions, but will work to frustrate any actions against him.
    1
  1271. You wonder what it would take for the Brits to start protest a government that is taking the Mickey.
    1
  1272. I really wonder how this develops. My initial thoughts are that this will blow over, like every other Bozo-related scandal. But it is weird that he has not hidden in his safe place, fiery anti-EU rhetoric. If he did that, I am sure his base would love him as much as ever. I had expected at least more A16 talk and threats. Perhaps he was informed by the right-wing media that his bluff was going to be called? But why would they do that? Does the right-wing media have a replacement in their sights? Oh, to be a fly on the wall...
    1
  1273. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never, never leave" Brexit has always been a pipe dream. Nice in concept, but completely impossible to implement. Except for a Norway or Swiss-style deal where the EU decides the rules but they operate in the single market as a result.
    1
  1274. I thought the term "sick man of Europe" was used to describe the Ottoman empire before WW1...
    1
  1275. Sadly, there is nothing Labour can do to hinder Bozo in Parliament. They need to use the media to call out the Tory lies.
    1
  1276. What is at stake here is nothing less than the political system of the UK. Theoretically, Parliament is Sovereign. But if they let Bozo get away with this, with the government blatantly misleading Parliament, the Government will be sovereign. The UK will have become a dictatorship.
    1
  1277. Yet another Brexit disaster in the make, destroying more British jobs. When will it end? When there are no more SMB's in Britain?
    1
  1278. Meanwhile, Meshell Barnacle is langousting in Mussels.
    1
  1279. Glad you are feeling better!
    1
  1280. Nonsense. The character of bozo was well known when people voted him into a huge majority in 2019. UK voters have none to blame but themselves.
    1
  1281. Your list of special sights to see in Brexit Britain: hilarious! Personally, I'd also visit to see the happy fish and the lambs running around Welsh towns ;-) But my main reason NOT to visit is Pretty Evil Patel's treatment of legal travelers.
    1
  1282.  @Tybalt-si9wf  "but what did you win?" Happy Fish 😂😂😂
    1
  1283. A large number of pro-Trump pollers are fudging the numbers in favour of Trump. Presumably to be able to claim the elections were rigged, when there is a large discrepancy between the predictions and the election outcome. But these poll "results" are included in the results poll aggregators produce, and thus bias these polls as well towards Trump. At least, that is the explanation I have heard. But also, it is known that a large voter turnout in the USA favours the Democrats. I understand there are unprecedented high turn-outs in early voting, It can be that the pollers didn't take the new voters properly into account.
    1
  1284. 28:00 - To continue being optimistic, we are also overdue for an end-of-humanity-level eruption of the yellowstone super-volcano. But virus epidemics are much more common than that, and we should be prepared for them. At least governments should know what to do.
    1
  1285. The next election will be a test of UK intelligence. If there is a significant part of the population still voting Tory, they are dumb indeed.
    1
  1286. They pissed away at least 50 billion in their botched COVID response, giving most of it to their mates.
    1
  1287. Too late. The UK will not have free elections anymore.
    1
  1288. Wining and dining on a luxury yacht sure beats being found dead in a ditch.
    1
  1289.  @peterfireflylund  no, the Nazis were definitely not socialists. They just put that word in their name to appeal to more voters.
    1
  1290. Watching Bozo wriggle to get his authority back, is great entertainment. The problem is that if he rides roughshod over the EU to do it, the EU will remember that. They may not act quickly, but you can be certain that the UK will not get any new favours from the EU as long as there is the possibility that the Tories get back in power.
    1
  1291. You know, I don't understand UK politics. The Tories are known for never keeping an election promise, even though they have full control of Parliament and all departments of government. In my country, election promises are often not kept because of the need to compromise with other parties. Our parties rarely make hard promises for this reason, and say things like "We want so and so", or "We will fight for this and that". And usually they do exactly that. But in the UK, the Tories make hard promises, only to ignore them. Why on earth are people still voting for them???? And don't come with that drivel of "Labour is just as bad". Research will show that Labour usually makes good on its promises.
    1
  1292. Populists say "Trust me, it'll be fine". I say: show me your plans, and I will decide if I will trust you or not.
    1
  1293. This is definitely the ERG or other fascist nutters in the Conservative party pulling Bozo's strings. It probably means they will make a killing in the financial, stock or futures markets (probably all three of them). What do they care if the UK is going down faster than the Titanic. They have their lifeboats well prepared.
    1
  1294. I am hoping that the Brexit debacle will teach the Brittons once and for all to distrust Eton-educated politicians. That would be a proper Brexit benefit, though at at very high price.
    1
  1295. I think the British are a noble race. Just like Phil reads the trash Tory tabloids so we don't have to, they left the EU.
    1
  1296. "Sovereignty" makes no difference in the life of an individual. The economy does. The British Parliament may have gotten more sovereignty, but they are using it to take rights away from their citizens. There also is the difference between sovereignty and influence. Inside the EU, the UK had MUCH more influence than now that it is outside. It used to be a rule maker, now it is a rule taker. In theory it has the right to refuse to take those rules, but not in practice. Personally, I'd rather have the influence than the "sovereignty".
    1
  1297. The good thing is the misery caused by this government will finally wake people up to what Tories really are: incompetent and indifferent money grabbers.
    1
  1298. The window of opportunity for a Deal has long gone. EU leaders had mentioned the end of September as a practical deadline. The British media keep amazing me, for insisting there is still room for a deal. Currently EU leaders are just playing along with Johnson to prevent the blame being put at them. I doubt there will be real progress, so in the end Johnson may well have to insult parliament on Saturday by submitting the May deal for a fourth time. That would be fun!
    1
  1299. Even when there is a proper trade deal, a transition period would still be needed while laws and systems are changed to come in line with the deal.
    1
  1300. The Tories change the definition of that word at will. Brexit means Brexit, the moron said smugly. And the chattel still voted for him.
    1
  1301. Having followed these developments for some decades, I am of the opinion that the Palestinians as a people have made their bed with the terrorists, for a long time. First the PLO, then Hamas, have the explicit goal of genocide on the Israelis, and they seem to have wide support among the Palestinians. Also, I have seen the Israelis made significant peaceful overtures towards Palestinians several times. For peace to have a chance, the Palestinians must start or make a serious good-faith promise to prosecute the terrorists.
    1
  1302. Brexit by itself was bound to be a disaster, but letting it be handled by these morons... It is like trying to cut off your hand and managing to cut of your head as well.
    1
  1303. At some point, you'd think the general public would catch on and get fed up with Tory corruption. They don't realize Tories play with their emotions in order to steal their money.
    1
  1304.  @johnmyers8493  When Thatcher broke the Unions, and started the descent into poverty for the majority of the nation, there have been many more Tory governments than Labour. So I understand you are angry at my statement, but WHY THE HELL DO PEOPLE STILL VOTE TORY???? And why the f*ck does the opposition not succeed in opening the eyes of voters???? Why in Gods Name do people still read these extremist right-wing rags????
    1
  1305. One caveat about news from Gaza: Hamas is known to spoof and misrepresent events. News from Gaza, especially that is intent to outrage, needs to be fact-checked. <edit> Phil made that same point a bit later on in the video.
    1
  1306. The rise of both the Tories and the US Republicans are massive cons. These are parties where the rich rule for the rich and only for the rich. But they are served by large propaganda networks that dupe people into believing otherwise.
    1
  1307. What a load of nonsense, mate. The Theresa May "backstop", that was a temporary measure. The NIP is here to stay until either Ireland unifies or the UK re-joins the Single Market and Customs Union. Or, theoretically, until the EU dissolves, which should have happened by now according to the Brexiteers, if you can believe them.
    1
  1308. ​ @tugpilotsmiffy  Not so, my friend. You'd better read the documents: they are publicly available. If they were only temporary, they would have said so in the documents. Because it is the documents that get signed, not the words lying Tory politicians describe them with. So, unless you can give me chapter & verse where it says exactly that they are valid for 4 years or subject to a popular vote, I'd say, get used to the NIP. You will have to live with it for a LONG time. We warned you that it was unwise to sign these documents without proper scrutiny, which is why the EU delayed signing them for 3 months. But no, you had to trust Bozo -- probably the least trustworthy politician the UK has ever seen. Not such a smart move after all, was it. And now you are stuck with it. If you aren't happy with it, take it out on Bozo and Lord Fristy who did such a grand job negotiating it. And start begging the EU to allow you back in the SM & CU. Expect it to take some time before the EU will respond, it has more urgent things to deal with, and you will need to do some serious boot-licking and ass-kissing with the many nations you insulted these last 5 years.
    1
  1309. Neo-liberal parties exist because people fail to understand the difference between the economy of a household and the economy of a country. In a country (as in business) it is good to spend money now to get more money in the future. Neo liberals do not understand this. They think a country needs to be run like uncle Scrooge runs his household.
    1
  1310. The Rule of Law is not just the foundation of Democracy. It is the foundation of any good government, and has been a foundation of the UK since the Magna Carta where the rights of the Sovereign were limited by the Law for the first time since antiquity. The UK is now officially a dictatorship.
    1
  1311. Bozo does not have authority to "scrap parts of the protocol". Trying to will land him in a whole lot of trouble as the UK will be branded a rogue nation, despised by its allies and trading partners.
    1
  1312. I am ambiguous about this. An early election sets the next government up for failure, as the heart of the UK economy will get ripped out of it by mid 2025, as a result of Brexit. No matter how much the new government explains it is due to the previous one, the rabid media will blame them anyway. Unless the Tories win again, in which case they will blame the EU. However, a Labour / progressive government might be able to soften the blow to the economy for the poorest, instead of just letting them starve as the Tories undoubtedly will.
    1
  1313. Good point about Blackfords question and its response revealing Johnson's thinking. He sees politics as a game only that is either won or lost by getting the prime seat. He has zero regard for the good of the country. Perhaps he even does not see a link between what politicians do and the welfare of the nation. In that case, I say lets get rid of the whole circus!
    1
  1314. I have never ever heard a policy from Tory that is good for the majority of Britons. The only way they can get any votes at all is by appealing to the baser instincts of mankind: greed and selfishness. Their marks fail to understand that "what is good for you is usually, on average, also good for me". Whereas what is bad for you will, especially in the long run, also be bad for me, no matter how good it may seem for me in the short term. They could have learned that from their own history, just look back 100 to 150 years, perhaps read some Dickens or Hugo. But it seems they must re-learn this lesson through painful experience. Mankind works best when we work together, not against each other. (I am not talking about naivitee here. For example Russia and China are ruled by vicious kleptocratic regimes. Our co-operation with them must be carefully and strategically chosen to empower their people instead of strengthening their oligarchy. Nor how you should think towards those above you in financial status. But I am talking about how you treat your peers and especially those on a lower social level in your own country, those who many will look down on -- hurting themselves in the long run.)
    1
  1315. I would expect that the Tories are prosecuted for more than just destroying evidence. But it will take time, like with the prosecution of the Orange dump.
    1
  1316. "We are not talking about checkered flags today" We do, a lot! Can't get enough of it, to be honest!
    1
  1317. The UK was United only through violence and bloodshed. It is poetic justice that a Union that was created to prevent violence will be the end of it.
    1
  1318. We are watching the final days of the Tory party. The only question is, how much more damage and deaths will they cause.
    1
  1319. And the most depressing thing is that both the elderly and the low-middle class will fall for these tricks again. Greed and culture wars winning out over common sense and just plain good governance. What the f do political parties have to do with culture wars anyway?
    1
  1320.  @johnrussell3961  "What next?" The bankruptcy of tribal politics and a return to utilitarianism... Tribal politics do not produce a stable system but lead to break-up, civil strife and ultimately civil war.
    1
  1321. Votes have consequences. The yanks were too dumb to learn the lesson in 2016-2020, so they enrolled themselves in the advanced course of the University of Hard Knocks. I hope the 🍿 exports aren't affected too much.
    1
  1322. Not to worry, Phil! At least the Clown is making the effort to talk about the situation.
    1
  1323. The International Court of Justice? Oh, no! That is located in the EU as well!
    1
  1324. Liz Truss may be a blessing in disguise. It will be required to keep the Tories out of at least the next two governments, and knowing how the Tories poisoned the well, the election after the next one will be very difficult to win for Labour. Especially with the removal of the London financial services to the EU in mid-2024. But in the mean time, the crash of the UK continues.
    1
  1325. An import trait for any business owner is to be able to tell a charlatan or a conman. Those in the North sadly failed at this. Time for some lessons from the University of Hard Knocks.
    1
  1326. Brexiteers only do smoke and mirrors. Trying to keep up appearances as long as possible while blaming the EU for everything they have caused. Sickening.
    1
  1327. At some point the Public will realise the Tories are treating them the same way Amber Heard was treating Johnny Depp. And then they will show whether they have what it takes to be a democracy, or whether they will continue in serfdom.
    1
  1328. ​ @garychesters6994  You are very mistaken on many points. I have strong compassion with the UK people, I have many friends living there. You assumptions about what I think about the UK and its people have made a right ass of you.
    1
  1329.  @jake0r  What do you mean, "not allowed"? In a parliamentary democracy, like the UK, Parliament is Sovereign. If Parliament wants to scrutinise government, there is NO-ONE who can stop government from being scrutinised. Government serves at the pleasure of Parliament, remember. It has had the head of leaders who dared oppose it.
    1
  1330.  @jake0r  Yes, I know. UK Parliament is not fulfilling its role as it should: the Tory bench consists of a bunch of lazy and/or deluded sycophant simpletons. Which is the point we are making. But should Parliament choose to do its job, Bozo would have no choice but to dance to its tune.
    1
  1331. ​ @hugh_mungus621  "That's the job of Labour as the opposition." NO, IT IS NOT! That is what it has become under the Tory regime, but that is not how Parliament is supposed to act. The level of errors, U-turns, bad policies, betrayals and even deception of Parliament that is being displayed by the Bozo regime should warrant him a Motion of No Confidence in any democracy. Lying to Parliament used to be a capital crime for a PM. The constitutional role of Parliament is a). to define through laws what Government should do, and b). to check that Government executes them faithfully. UK Parliament is failing at both their duties. A PM is not the King. But if Parliament does not perform its duty, there is no-one to stop him from acting like one.
    1
  1332. ​ @hugh_mungus621  Did you watch the video? The point is that Bozo fails to answer questions, and even lies to parliament. Normally, such behaviour would be dealt with through a motion of No Confidence, but the opposition has no power to do that on its own. The opposition has done what it can: Bozo has been found out, he lied and misled parliament. There is nothing more the opposition can do nor that it should do. It is time for the majority of Parliament to put a stop to it.
    1
  1333. ​ @hugh_mungus621  You have very strange ideas about how Parliament should operate. What do you want Starmer to do? Talk to the media? Most are in the government's pocket, and the others already carry these stories. Take a leading role in Parliament? He can't even have an item added to the agenda. He could rally protests, but that is about it. And government is about to put 10-year prison sentences on that. Or he could go to court, but Bozo is not breaking any laws that we know of. No, the opposition is far less powerful that you think it is. Bozo has absolute power as long as he has the backing of the majority of Parliament.
    1
  1334.  @hugh_mungus621  If you think you can do a better job than Starmer, by all means get involved in politics!
    1
  1335.  @hugh_mungus621  "Out of interest, did you think Starmer was the best candidate to lead Labour?" I don't vote in the UK, so I wouldn't know. I do know that Starmer seems a lot more competent than Corbyn, who held Bozo by the crown jewels and then pissed away his advantage because he wanted to be PM.
    1
  1336. Interesting point! Every now and then, voters need to be reminded of the grave responsibility they have when they enter that booth. First of all, the responsibility to inform themselves. The Brexit fiasco will teach Europe that lesson for at least another 50 years.
    1
  1337. If only the home office were as diligent in deporting fat, badly coiffed liars from american extraction... But he is Eton schooled, so rules don't apply to him.
    1
  1338. Anyone with half a brain could have understood that Brexit was a moronic idea. Many voices including past PM's warned the people. But the people chose to believe the lies. Brexit is a great reminder of the grave responsibility every voter has when we step in that booth. The first responsibility is to inform ourselves.
    1
  1339. At some point, those hurt by Brexit will not care anymore if they are arrested. Then, finally, we will see the UK citizens stand up. The final outcome of Brexit may be that it will no longer be "Elizabeth, by the Grace of God", but "Elizabeth, by the Will of the People". One can dream, can't I?
    1
  1340. For someone who likes to go on about abuses of statistics etc, you pull a nice one in the dog-comparison. The legend says the height is representative of trade volume, but people looking at the comparison will intuitively compare by the VOLUME or mass of the dog shown, which is linked to the third power of the height. By looking at the picture, you get the feeling an elephant is compared to a mouse. But the difference in trade volumes is nowhere near as big.
    1
  1341. Another Tory policy heading for the brick wall of reality...
    1
  1342. I find it hard to understand how the ERG can have a platform. What is written here is completely void of sense. What are they not laughed out of the room as soon as they open their mouths?
    1
  1343. Well, there you have it. Tories are quite smart and have a clear long-term vision. It is just that they hide it from the people who vote for them.
    1
  1344. Looks like this journalist has flunked his exam in the University of Hard Knocks, by blaming Johnson instead of the principles behind Brexit. Global Britain is not big enough to matter on its own.
    1
  1345.  joe bloggs  Yes, an aging population that produced too few children to do all the work that needs doing, complains that foreigners are picking up the slack, then sends a large part of them home. I am sure it'll be fine.
    1
  1346. So, by embracing Brexit, the Tory party is finally succeeding in splitting the party? That is great news. But don't let it keep Labour from implementing PR.
    1
  1347. ​ @highpath4776  Those common law standards are having a great effect on the quality of UK water... Seriously, I don't think the UK will suddenly start making dangerous products. But I do expect worker rights to be reduced to 19th century standards (i.e. you are free to work somewhere else if you don't like it here), the environment to be sacrificed as soon as someone can make a quick bob, the UK strengthening its position as the global home for dirty money, and finally gross corruption at all levels of government. But hey, they knew what they voted for when they gave that huge majority to the Clown.
    1
  1348.  @normanclark933  Patience... The Brexit medicine takes some time to take effect.
    1
  1349. ​ @bobbobbing12  "my rate being stagnant" Why are you blaming the EU for this? The UK government has explicitly approved of all measures taken by the EU, including letting Eastern European nations like Poland join the EU. You were stiffed by your own government, not the EU. Therefore, while I am glad you are doing well, I have a suspicion it may be temporary. Those who stiffed you in the past will likely do so again.
    1
  1350. ​ @bobbobbing12  Famous last words...
    1
  1351. Excellent as always! About sources, what showed me that Russia was not as powerful as it pretended to be was an analysis by Binkov that pointed out that Russia's air force was not properly maintained at strength or modernized: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amIQklYDHdM&t=576s He turned to be spot on.
    1
  1352. This talk about article 16 is all bluff and bluster from the clown. It knows the UK has zero leverage over the EU, while the EU has considerable leverage over the UK. If it does trigger article 16, the UK will be on its knees begging for mercy in weeks if not in days.
    1
  1353. Bozo and his Clowns are at it again. I don't know why the news papers repeat the things they say while cavorting in the circus. Does the paper think anyone in the EU will take this seriously? What a laugh.
    1
  1354. The Bozo clown circus has done everything they can to aggravate the Brexit fallout.
    1
  1355. ​ @vectravi2008  A PR department is of little use when the most popular media in the country are being directed by their owners to spin everything you do in the most negative light possible, with the full backing of the dominant political party. EU propaganda wouldn't have changed a thing.
    1
  1356. It is absolutely ridiculous that the UK media are not all over the government for this.
    1
  1357.  @thetid8852  Re capital punishment: of course there is a middle ground. There are valid arguments for both, and it is a matter of debate which approach is taken in the end. Personally, I am against cp, but I understand why some people have different views, and respect some of those arguments.
    1
  1358. I agree with your analysis. Brexit may be the trigger to finally make the UK a real democracy, which might make it worthwhile.
    1
  1359.  @TheSuperPsychoKiller  Only while they are immature, however long that may last.
    1
  1360. So, Brexitards have a blind hate of the EU. I know of only one entity that can be the source of that unreasonable hatred: Vladimir Putler.
    1
  1361. The Tory party has lost its credibility. The only credible way forward is a GE. But in the mean time, if the Tories want to continue wrecking the party, that is fine with me.
    1
  1362. Of course the Tories will privatise the NHS! In the USA, health care is tripple the cost of e.g. French healthcare. All that extra money ends up in the pockets of those that finance the political parties.
    1
  1363. I still can't believe that people voted for these charlatans three years ago. But they knew what they voted for, so they say. Votes have consequences...
    1
  1364. You have to wonder what place in hell will be reserved for these morons. But of course, the Brexitards knew what they voted for.
    1
  1365.  @matbritton6816  There are many reasons why I would not trust a person with my kids, him/her not giving a damn being one of them.
    1
  1366. The UK is in a right old mess. The Tories are entrenching themselves on their hard stance against unions and strikes, but people have to eat and avoid freezing. And as you rightly point out, the current offer is an effective 6% pay CUT. I.e. even further growth of inequality in the UK. Unlike with coal, the UK can not do without trade. So in the end, the unions will win this fight. The government had better start negotiating.
    1
  1367. Defeating the Tories will be difficult in the next GE, no matter who is the PM. The Tories will bleat false promises, blame both Labour and the EU, and have the rabid media declare her a saint. Then they will also gerrymander and manipulate the election in any way possible.
    1
  1368. I hope that with Bregret, comes an understanding that not only the Brexitards were responsible for Brexit. There are many things that are fundamentally wrong in the UK, that sane people have allowed to persist. One thing in particular that should have been dealt with long ago, is the acceptance of right-wing propaganda media. Journalists should be held to account for malpractice. The anti-EU sentiment has been nurtured by the UK press for at least 30 years, with the papers full of slanderous and erroneous stories blaming the EU for everything. There should have been a strong movement inside the UK putting a stop to that, by fact checking. Instead, it has been allowed to fester and hey presto, 25 years later people wanted out of the EU. Even "sane" people have been influenced by these lies, without realising it. Another area is people exercising their democratic right to protest. It is absurd that Steve Bray has been all alone protesting this farcical clown show you call politics. You know this would never have happened in e.g. France, because the People would have acted to ensure politicians worked in their favour. The Remainers did not do this, so they got themselves to thank for Brexit. The UK as a whole, including Remainers, share responsibility for Brexit. Yes, you too, Scotland and N.I. I didn't see you protesting for weeks either, and the right-wing rags are also for sale in Glasgow etc.
    1
  1369. ​ @roderickjoyce6716  Originally I had written "smitten", but then thought that some would mis-understand that word... Sorry for the confusion. In my language (Dutch) the word for "smitten" (verliefd) is related to the word for loving a person, not hitting that person....
    1
  1370. On the other hand, right-wing nutters use the social media to push pure propaganda.
    1
  1371. Well done for switching from warning people to offering some hope. And also giving us all a good laugh at the stupidity of some 🤣🤣🤣
    1
  1372. Becoming an economy that focuses on design, marketing and high-tech is something that could well have been done within the EU. Many other EU nations are doing the same. These have now become competitors, especially in the fight for educated & skilled people. What, you work in hate-filled plague island with shortages for Christmas and steep price rises? Come live in the EU! Better climate, friendlier people, better food!
    1
  1373. ​ @ADifferentBias  Thanks for clarifying that.
    1
  1374.  @landsgevaer  In the UK they get 14 years.
    1
  1375. Absolutely right. If the UK is unhappy with what its government is doing, they should say so. Loudly, publicly and in large groups.
    1
  1376.  @landsgevaer  1). I am not British. 2). This concerns a new law introduced by Patel, that would make "being a nuisance" during a protest punishable with up to 14 years in prison. I kid you not. I am not sure whether this has been already been signed into Law by the Queen yet, and I have certainly not heard of any convictions yet, but it is striking that the UK government is introducing harsher anti-protest laws than Russia itself.
    1
  1377. Michael Lambert has identified a set of things needed to fix the UK. Dealing with corruption is a big one. Because you can be certain that there is a corrupt motive behind each and everyone of these Brexiteers. They should all be prosecuted for the massive harm to the country they have done. But as that is not possible, the corruption angle should be investigated.
    1
  1378. The HoL reform as you propose is a prerequisite for rejoining the EU.
    1
  1379. Tories literally take from the poor to give to the rich. Shame on anyone who isn't rich and still votes for them.
    1
  1380. If the Tory media are screaming now, wait until Labour gets to regulating the media.
    1
  1381. Excellent analysis. By being an early adopter of net zero policies, the UK could get a good position in a new global market. Net zero is an opportunity, not a threat.
    1
  1382. You mean Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon?
    1
  1383. I like the new color balance!
    1
  1384. These proceeding are a fine illustration of how corrupt the UK has become.
    1
  1385. Wham, another hit by reality -- project fear, I mean. Political consequences, this time. Sooner or later, those idiots warming those benches must realise Brexit has doomed the Tory party long term. Question is, do they care?
    1
  1386. The Labour party is absolutely right in not making Brexit a campaign issue. The country is NOT ready. Just compare the latest rejoin match to the protests taking place in Georgia. And Georgia is less than a tenth the population of the UK. First hold those responsible for Brexit, responsible. That includes the tabloid press who purposefully brainwashed the nation.
    1
  1387. You hit the nail on the head.
    1
  1388.  John Russell  While it had a large trade deficit, it had a HUGE surplus in services. That these have also been wiped out is an even greater deathblow to the UK economy than the wipe out of exports, and hidden even better by the government than the trade figures. It will probably be years before we know the full extent of the damage.
    1
  1389. Personally, I would not want to be the grown up in this situation. The children would continuously bite my legs and try to trip me over, then blame me for their work and cause me to loose the next GE. I am afraid the UK needs to go through a very deep recession before it discovers who the real culprits are. However, it might be possible for a new government to prosecute the Tories for Treason, given their corruption & loyalty to Putin. That might help in cleaning out the nation and making them ready for better times. A very large group of English people is deeply deceived on how the world works, and completely passive with regards to politics. That needs to change before things can get better.
    1
  1390. The biggest problem in the UK, and the cause of their sub-standard government, is the UK media. Most are owned by foreign billionaires who want to turn the UK into a safe haven for their illicit cash, and have turned those media into extremist right-wing propaganda channels. Also there are few legal regulations for UK media. They have a License to Lie, almost as bad as in the USA. One of the signs that the UK is ready to rejoin, is when the far-right media are going bankrupt because nobody is buying them anymore.
    1
  1391. It isn't just the UK that is having these problems. In our country, the Justice minister was caught snogging his new Mother in Law at his wedding, during lockdown. The party largely complied with then-current regulations, but still there was a massive uproar in the media and he payed an appropriate fine. Parliament decided he didn't have to step down.
    1
  1392. 🤣🤣🤣
    1
  1393. Labour (and the rest of the opposition) needs to switch from wanting back to things were, to joining the EU because that is better than being outside of it. For this, Brexit needs to be given time. Then they can hammer the Tories to death by comparing the effects of Brexit with the promises they made, and the benefits of joining the EU.
    1
  1394. Here's hoping those emergency powers will not be used to silence those spreading 'panic and misinformation' about Covid. Phil will surely be found to be doing that... You are a brave man.
    1
  1395. Brexiteers do not recognize the dependency of Britain on the EU. Nor that the EU does not depend on Britain. Until that realization breaks through, they will just continue to fail their courses at the University of Hard Knocks. Very much like a teenage son who is fed up with the household rules, but fails to recognize that those same rules will still apply when he has his own family.
    1
  1396. The UK economy is in a tailspin. The crash is going to be hard. That is what you get for voting for a pathological liar.
    1
  1397. I'd start preparing for civil war, if I were you. You may have to fight to get out of the UK. The Tories will not let you go.
    1
  1398.  @welshskies  There is a small glimmer of hope in that there seems to be a civil war going on in the Tory party. It may be impossible to find a PM who is acceptable to a large enough number of Tory MP's, which would force a GE. But I am not holding my breath. Were Bozo to be re-elected, that would be a good reason for riots.
    1
  1399. All this Brexit nonsense achieves, is to make the EU shine ever brighter.
    1
  1400. UK politics is such a shambles. In any sane government, Johnson would have been ousted long ago for his treatment of Parliament or any other of his gaffs. However, I do not envy his successor, as the Brexit fall-out is becoming clearer and clearer to see. But then again, Lizz Truss is sitting in a spot where she will likely not survive the confrontation with reality for long, so she may want to move on quickly. She will hope to be able to pull a Johnson and sacrifice some dumb body on the altar of Brexit instead of herself. Than you have those raving lunatics from the ERG who are holding the party hostage, and the MSM owned by billionaires that thrive on chaos directing the masses. Pass me some popcorn, please. I like a good disaster movie.
    1
  1401. Bozo is not going to allow a Scottish referendum, being the staunch democrat he is. The SNP will just have to do it on their own.
    1
  1402. To really see how Britain is doing post-Brexit, have a look on the government deficit, and the associated credit rating. Obviously, it has grown massively due to the pandemic, but what is important is what will happen from this point. Eventually, it will be the credit rating that will stop this charade.
    1
  1403. The stated need to "throw the ERG a bone" is deeply offensive to me. I do not understand how the Tory party allows these people to hijack them. My advice? Call their bluff and find out how strong or mad they really are. Because if they do torpedo the government, it will be game over for them as well.
    1
  1404. Brexit has been a HUGE scam. The Brexitards were told to vote for "taking back control". Turns out they weren't part of the group that was taking back control. The Tories took back control for their donors, not for their voters.
    1
  1405. Especially liked Phil's previous video where he compared the taxation under Tory and Labour governments. Turns out Labour is the actual low-tax party, and Tories increase taxes even more than they threaten Labour would. NEVER TRUST A TORY
    1
  1406. Due to the senate wins there is a real chance to reverse some of the damage done to democracy, i.e. to outlaw some of the tricks republicans use to suppress democratic voters. It may change the advantage Republicans now have in elections. That is a big deal.
    1
  1407. Ever since 2016 I have known that the Tories were trying to prop up a house of cards on an ever more shaky foundation. They were VERY lucky to win the 2019 election, which came about by some extremely misguided maneuvering by Corbyn. The 2019 election should NEVER have happened. There should have been a conference of opposition MPs to decide a PM (NOT Corbyn), any leader that had the support of all the opposition. But Corbyn went for his "winner takes all" gambit, sacrificed the defecting Tory MPs, and plunging the nation into the current disaster.
    1
  1408. Loved the way Starmer got back on the confidence vote last week, deriding the Tories for their hypocrisy.
    1
  1409. It is a shame the UK is not a real democracy, where governments are sent off through a vote of No Confidence in Parliament. But the opposition and impartial media will have a field day every day until the next GE. I already look forward to the long train of scandals to be revealed as we near the GE.
    1
  1410. This issue is very simple. A government's purpose is to solve issues that individuals or companies can't solve themselves. That is the social contract, the raison d'être for a government. If the Tories can't be bothered sorting out these MASSIVE problems, they have no business in government.
    1
  1411. ​ @ab-ym3bf  Tories would deny the contract exists. But the Public should be reminded and hold the government to account. If a government no longer acts in the interest of its citizens, those citizens have the right to do away with said government, as the Dutch did in the 16th century, and the French and Americans in the 18th, but I would be happy already if the UK saw some serious protests -- as they surely will this winter.
    1
  1412. ​ @ab-ym3bf  Classes for the University of Hard Knocks continue until the lesson has been learned... The British anti-EU sentiment has been carefully nurtured for over 30 years by the tabloids. But as it is all based on lies and fabricated stories, it can change when people start to realise how they have been lied to. Truth is, the UK can not exist outside the EU. NI and Scotland will break away as the government continues to hang them out to dry for the benefit of South England. They will soon enter into relations with the EU. Then England will have no choice but to become an associate. It will probably be a condition for the IMF / ECB rescue package England will need, together with political reform that will make Tory governments like they now have impossible (direct representation, elected second chamber, proper constitution, etc). They will likely also be forced to adopt the Euro, the Pound having become worthless through hyper inflation. When the generation of EU-haters has died out, it will rejoin as full member, but without all the privileges it used to have.
    1
  1413. ​ @ab-ym3bf  True, but they will become associated with the EU much sooner, and from then on there will be little practical difference for the people. And, what should not be underestimated is the change direct representation will bring. From then on, England will also have coalition governments, meaning their political culture will become much more "European". I understand that one of the reasons for the EU / UK conflicts is that the EU is used to coalitions & compromise whereas in the UK the winner has total authority, making UK politics authoritarian and confrontational. That will change once England has reached rock bottom and comes to its senses. All Brexit benefits, these! The clowns have put a wheel in motion that will only stop when the UK as we know it is no more. One almost hopes Labour will loose the next election. But things will get very tough for the average Brit, and many may even die...
    1
  1414. Bozo and the other Brexiteers played the divide & conquer game in order to get into power. But in doing so they opened pandorra's box. Very gratifying to now see that same spirit consume the Tory party.
    1
  1415. Very interesting, these new sounds in the Tory party. Are they starting to realise that Brexit is a dead fish tied around their necks? That when the next GE comes, they will be held to account if the people continue starving, unable to heat their homes, and waiting for hours and hours in queues? Personally, I had expected them to double down on their lies and distractions, perhaps even letting the NI situation get out of hand with some well-timed bombs going off. Perhaps, instead we will see a civil war inside the Tory party, with some FINALLY seeing that Bozo is not acting in their personal best interests. Because I am under no illusion they suddenly grow spines and start to act in the interest of the country.
    1
  1416. Want a real, tangible Brexit benefit? Amsterdam is grateful it drove the EMA towards it.
    1
  1417. In hiring labour, as in everything, you get what you pay for. "They pretend to pay us. We pretend to work".
    1
  1418. There are a lot of people who think the Tories should be prosecuted. But no. The only thing the Tories are guilty of, is lying to the public. Which is not a crime (though I think it should be). However, the Responsibility for Brexit does not lie with the Tories. The Responsibility lies with the UK public. Because a). they gave Bozo a majority in the 2019 election, b). they failed to protest sufficiently to change government policies, c). they allowed the right-wing media to poison their minds for decades concerning the EU and to continue with that to this day, d). they failed to hold the BBC to account for misleading the people, etc, etc, etc. The RESPONSIBILITY lies with all the Britons. There are lessons to be learned from Brexit. Up to now, the Britons have not been learning them. The main lesson is this: To make democracy work, the "silent majority" needs to stop being silent.
    1
  1419. I warned this would happen a few years ago, and that interest rates would become untenable for the UK. At the time, I was ridiculed by Brexitards bleating about the importance & respect of the BoE. Guess who is laughing now... <edited a sentence that could be interpreted in two ways>
    1
  1420. "Bozo is still secure" Only an absolute fool would want to take over his job right now, with the full effects of Brexit still to be felt.
    1
  1421.  @davidharris5736  OK, that clarifies things ;-)
    1
  1422. If you can't find unicorns today, you won't find them in 50 years time.
    1
  1423.  @simonjohn9525  There never was a majority of voters in favour of this Brexit. That is the big lie, that the Tories somehow honour the wish of the People with this Brexit.
    1
  1424. I am so sad that you, Phil, and other people I know in the UK are part of this experiment of what happens when you trust an ultra-right government. I had hoped that the experiences of e.g. Germany, Argentina and others would have made people wiser. But too many in the UK have drank the Kool-aid and are now in for a lesson from history. Future generations will point to your lot and shudder. Perhaps you should consider moving to the EU?
    1
  1425. You explain the legal points very well! Recently, in the Netherlands we have had a pressure group get a judge to rule that the government illegally used a certain provision in Law to implement a Covid curfew. In appeal, the high court has given parliament time to implement the curfew in another way. As long as the government has the support of parliament, they can basically do as they want apart from e.g. the constitution and basic frameworks of good government.
    1
  1426. The enchantment by the Brexit piper will break once the hunger-pains begin.
    1
  1427. Assets are rarely static numbers in a bank account. The bank uses those assets to make its money, through interests, transaction fees and other premiums. Take the assets away, and that income is gone, too. A quick count sets the total of assets in London in 2019 at something like ₤5tn. According to some reports, ₤1.6tn had fled by oct 2020. That is about a third, probably cutting income for these banks also by at least a third, probably more as they lower rates to try and halt the exodus. A 30% loss of income is catastrophic for any business.
    1
  1428.  @ohgosh5892  Ah, you learned to count the way big boys do! Very impressive. No run along and play.
    1
  1429. As predicted, the only UK benefits are for disaster capitalists and Tory donors. But no, that was Project Fear... Idiots.
    1
  1430. The Tories are like a dam trying to hold back a lake of raw sewage. They are straining under the pressure as storm after storm dumps on them. And all the while Brexit is digging away at their foundations. Sensible people drain the lake before there is a catastrophic failure. But the Tories chose not to be sensible. <edit: corrected lake for lack>
    1
  1431. The biggest and nastiest rats are trying to leave the ship. There must be consequences for the Telegraph and other rags for their role in misleading the public concerning Brexit.
    1
  1432. The class "Distinguishing Propaganda from Balanced Reporting" is in session in the University of Hard Knocks, and it seems the majority of the UK populace has enrolled.
    1
  1433. The Conservatives are not in it to govern, they are in it for the grift. Same for the GOP in the USA and the VVD in the Netherlands.
    1
  1434. Tories hate education. People with education get uppish. Demand more money than is good for them. Makes them see through our lies, it does.
    1
  1435. Constitutional Monarchy is actually a great system. Better than electing a President. Even if our King becomes like Trump, he won't have any power.
    1
  1436. Well said. The house of cards has started falling. The pressure to do something to look like the government is actually useful is getting larger: it was again in the Dutch news that the clowns want to cancel the NIP. I dare them to do that, it will shut them up. The EU will retaliate in good time, probably after the war in Ukraine is over. As long as UK businesses have not diverged significantly from the EU there won't be much harm anyway. Labour had better get on the offensive quickly, or they will not be in time for the next GE.
    1
  1437. Shame on the Telegraph for now, belatedly, complaining that Brexit was always going to be a disaster, now that it can not be undone easily. If they had let some real experts write a piece ahead of the 2016 referendum, the UK would probably be in a much better state than it is in now. They are complicit in what the Brexiteers have unleashed on the country.
    1
  1438. At some point, Bozo will have to experience the consequences for his failure to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, and his continuous provocation of the French. While I agree that a surgical strike on Bozo's constituents would be preferable, allowing the clown to hurt your own voters without consequences is definitely wrong. Thus I do have respect for France's actions: the clown needs to understand that not adhering to these agreements results in an economic war. Those that play with fire will get burned. While I agree that this will strengthen Bozo's position with the Gammons, that is NOT France's problem. Bozo is not the only one who (needs to) act for his national stage.
    1
  1439. A lot of people are praying for Bozo to be gone, and Brexit with him. If he goes because of the parties, good riddance to him, and let the poison Brexit chalice be emptied by someone else. Because at some point, the PM will have to take responsibility for its failure. And the closer to a GE, the better. So, by all means sacrifice Bozo now, and leave the Brexit reckoning till later, Tories!
    1
  1440. Just another red herring. Ask the MPs about how they are undoing the Magna Carta, or turning the UK into a police state, see how they talk themselves out of that.
    1
  1441. ​ @Bruce-1956  Also the non-English voters. They should have left the UK by now. And they could have made themselves heard in Westminster. You think e.g. Ukrainian democracy came about by accident? Or Dutch democracy? Or French? Or Belgian? Most nations had to fight for self-rule and democracy. I am afraid the UK voters will soon have to fight for theirs. But lets start with some decent protests. 'Cause if you think this is as bad as it will get, you are mistaken. Things in the UK will get A LOT worse.
    1
  1442. Brexit was a con. A terrible con wherein the British citizens were duped into yielding their rights & freedoms to a group of extremely rich people who want a return of the 19th century. And they will have it. They could have read a bit of Dickens to see how life was for the common man in the 19th century, but I guess a burnt hand is the best teacher. Incidently, @thehistorysquad recently did a (sometimes a bit gruesome) video that highlighted life for the lower class in the 19th century. It was the item about Jack the Ripper. People having to choose between a bit of food or a place to sit so they can rest. Absolutely appalling. And that is what those dear Tories want for a large part of the UK: extreme poverty.
    1
  1443. Considering how the UK treats foreign workers (looking at you, Patel!), truckers will be daft to face that while the demand for transport in the EU is picking up rapidly. Boy, did "The Spitting Image" get Patel's image right.
    1
  1444. 4:14 Don't stop criticising corruption! Governments handling contracts to their friends at exorbitant rates is definitely corrupt. That is why the EU has strong rules on how government contracts need to be awarded: public calls for tenders with clear rules and possibilities to contest contracts in court when the rules were not followed correctly.
    1
  1445. Exactly. But then, NL is a true democracy, where government is held to account even by its supporters. There are people who want a stronger link between the Dutch MPs and their parties. But that is a very bad idea. MPs sit their on their own responsibility, and if their party wants something they do not agree with, they should be able to refuse to co-operate. As it says in the Constitution, an MP votes "zonder last of ruggespraak", i.e. free to follow his/her own conscience.
    1
  1446. The best yacht builders in the world will welcome you business. And of course, those yacht builders are located in ........ the EU.
    1
  1447. Brexit might have been a success if the Tories had done it in a way to avoid these shocks to the work force and to businesses. Perhaps. But these stupid shocks have made its failure inevitable.
    1
  1448. Right wing populism will only go away when the perpetrators / incitors face the consequences. There can be no peace without justice.
    1
  1449.  @nicadi2005  Because it pays for them to be cretins. The right wing extremists get to keep their guns, flags and are still able to abuse colored people at will. The inciters have their loyal followers who vote for them in droves and continue to donate millions. There can be no peace without justice.
    1
  1450.  @nichotto  Nah, it is just a sign of the rampant systemic racism in the USA. If this had been a BLM protest, there would have been a bloodbath, no doubt about that. For decades, the FBI has identified white right-wing extremists as the biggest threat to national security -- yet nothing has been done about them.
    1
  1451. Great stuff, Phil! We will see these goons behind bars, someday. I believe the next decade we will be hunting down illicit Russian funds and the politicians who received them.
    1
  1452. Excellent analysis, great for pointing out the long-term effects of Tory Austerity and the Extreme Tory Brexit. Wonder how long it will last before it dawns on the Brits that the Tory government is not working in their best interests. Perhaps the Stockholm Syndrome needs to be renamed "Tory Syndrome". There are a LOT of subjects to study!
    1
  1453. Excellent explanation why every democracy needs Proportional Representation. In fact, countries that don't have PR can hardly be called democracies.
    1
  1454. It is about time the British lose all respect for these privately-educated posers. Intelligence can not be bred with money.
    1
  1455. Love the rhetoric against Corbyn. Corbyn is responsible for the Brexit you got. He had the Clown by the crown jewels and could have ruled as PM except in name only, if he hadn't acquiesced to the 2019 election. But no, he thought he had a shot at the top job, betraying both the Tory MPs who had crossed the isle, and the People of Britain. What he should have done was have a few good talks with the rest of the opposition, select a moderate who was acceptable to all, toppled Johnson, and installed a new PM. Who could have handled Brexit properly. But instead he let his vast ego get in the way, to the detriment of all. It is time for him to step down and retire to the speech circuit.
    1
  1456. The German reunification at least had a strong dividend.
    1
  1457. Now the little Englanders won't even be able to have their pie and eat it...
    1
  1458. The UK reduced their education budgets, and instead adopted Brexit as a teaching tool.
    1
  1459. Make that every 5 days and you'll be nearer the mark.
    1
  1460. Instead of continually roasting Johnson, we should roast the Tories who supported and enabled and shilled for him for so long. All Tories, but ESPECIALLY those turds that continue to support Bozo. Bozo did not corrupt the Tory party. The Tory party chose Bozo because he suited them. The Tory party is totally corrupt.
    1
  1461.  @BrianMcGuirkBMG  You should have a look in Russia and China about how private companies decide what happens on the internet.
    1
  1462. ​ @roywiseman  I really hope you are right about exports picking up. But I wouldn't hold my breath. About export being at the same level as in April 2020: well done! That was right after the single biggest crash in exports ever (before 1-1-2021, of course). As we know that was an anomaly caused by Covid, I wouldn't take that as a reference nor feel too smug about being at the same level. I agree the rise in feb 2021 is hopeful, as is the forecast by the IMF. But as the government has been known to doctor such figures, I wouldn't put too much trust in the first, while the latter only discussed the bounce back from Covid -- which hit the UK particularly hard. As the UK is now doing well in vaccinations, a rapid bounce back can be expected. I do not know if they took the effects of Brexit into account. I expect not, as there is still so much uncertain about it.
    1
  1463. ​ @roywiseman  As someone else said, you need to check your eyesight. The bottom of the graph for 2020 was NOT March but April. The reading that was about the same as the reading for Feb 2021 was March, not February. In March, the effects of Covid were already well felt. Or how else do you explain the precipitous drop in 2020? Was that some sort of magical fore-shadowing of the future lockdown? About your fascist anti-EU rant: TL;DR.
    1
  1464.  @roywiseman  Why do you persist in lying? Feb 2020: 88% relative to jan 2019. Feb 2021: 77% relative to jan 2019. That is more than a 10 percent-point difference (in percents, the difference is even larger). I would not call that "almost the same level". Your ideas about the EU are completely misguided, and a result of decades of brainwashing you got from UK media. You should try living here, find out what it is really like. But wait, you can't, not since you gave up that right. Anyway, the long-term outcome of Brexit will eventually set either you or me straight. I hope for your sake it is not you.
    1
  1465.  @BrianMcGuirkBMG  Yes it is.
    1
  1466. It will be such a disappointment for the Gammons to discover that the laws that govern immigration and sea-rescue are international law, not EU law. I.e. unless the UK wants to become a rogue nation, it still needs to comply in spite of Brexit.
    1
  1467. The problem with Labour is that they lost touch with the common voter. They need to campaign on things that are important to them, like globalization and austerity. Instead, they have been scaring the voters with the dangers of climate change and the importance of PC talk. It is hard to be concerned about racism when you see foreigners undercut you in the job market, or about CO2 exhaust when you struggle to feed your family. You know, Maslow's pyramid. So, Labour is to blame for much of the Tory popularity.
    1
  1468. The Tories have completed their mission to leave. Now. Where do you go? Does anyone have any idea? What a way to lead a nation. Even a family holiday needs more preparation than that.
    1
  1469. There is some talk of either impeaching him or removing him from office due to incapacity. That could be done in a day, if the relevant Republicans co-operate.
    1
  1470. The damage will continue to increase at an ever faster pace. Brexit has put the UK economy in a tail spin that will probably end with hyper-inflation and a complete collapse of the economy.
    1
  1471. It should be illegal for media to broadcast such nonsense without a commentator eviscerating her.
    1
  1472. But, but, but FASTEST RECOVERY...
    1
  1473. At some point, the USA is going to see Dump for the conman he is. But it is taking longer than I expected. Their bad luck. The EU will happily take over the position the USA had.
    1
  1474. The Tories will try to shift blame until their dying breath. Such a great epitaph for our Churchill wannabees: "It was the EU's fault".
    1
  1475. The example of Brexit will do a lot to prevent any such event from happening ever again. Keep up the good work informing us!
    1
  1476. IDS is shameful. No integrity whatsoever. He is a little child that likes to change the rules of a game as he is playing. Sorry, boy, you are playing with adults now. Why is this moron not immediately crucified by the UK press???? He should be made to resign for tweeting this nonsense.
    1
  1477. You have a very bad selection mechanism, rewarding the loud-mouth braggarts that promise heaven and deliver hell.
    1
  1478. The difference between the government and opposition is INITIATIVE. If you are the opposition, and want to become the government, TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
    1
  1479. These French Fishermen will hammer the UK until they get what is rightfully theirs. They do not care that the Tories will benefit from it, nor should they. It is the job of the UK sheeple to hold their government to account, and until they do, they will be shaved ever closer. And also gain the loathing from everybody else in the world.
    1
  1480. ​ @johnavey3165  Common sense. The EU parliament gets a full 2 months to study the thing before they do their Ayes and Neys. That Bozo is instead pushing it down parliament's throat says enough. The herrings were invited to dinner by the sharks.
    1
  1481. Obviously, the DUP Brexitards knew what they voted for. As I have said several years ago, there has been no-one in the past 100 years who did more for Irish re-unification as a free and sovereign country, than the DUP. Oh, is that not what they wanted? Than I can only conclude that they are utter morons. But binding agreements were made that can not and will not be broken. They made the bed, now they lie in it.
    1
  1482. UK democracy is long overdue for an overhaul. Brexit will be the incentive to actually do it, as if the will of the People had been followed, it would never have happened. So there is hope. But first, the Brexit / Tory disaster needs to bring widespread suffering.
    1
  1483. Perhaps some Danes, French, Dutch or Norwegians might be willing to lend a hand, if asked nicely and at the right price.
    1
  1484. At last, some people are waking up to the consequences of Brexit. That is step 1. Step 2 would be to take responsibility for their own actions in causing it. In spite of this being one of the Tory mantras, I somehow don't see them doing step 2...
    1
  1485. The Tories are getting the UK back to the 19th century, the last time it had a truly Liberal economy. Time to re-learn a few lessons. People need to read a bit of Dickens or Hugo, to get a feel for how cruel that economy really is. How can you fulfill a good job if the education you got is bad? How can you learn well if you are under-nourished (hunger affects your brain, esp when a child)? How can you get to work if there is no public transport? How can you work if your health is failing? How can you work if you have to stand in line for a bread-queue? etc, etc, etc. Very rarely people are poor by choice. A bit more frequently, people have psychological issues and need care. But usually "The System" takes away their options and forces them into poverty.
    1
  1486. And the Conservative party.
    1
  1487.  @chichestermaritime8174  "Brexit has already happened" Not in any practical way that regular people would notice.
    1
  1488. The poor British sheeple are being fleeced where they stand. And instead of taking those responsible to task, they assault those who do their utmost to improve their lot. Why, FFS, are people in the UK still protesting against anti-covid measures or anti-vax? And then assault Starmer who ordered the investigation of why Saville had not been prosecuted? And they think that they are the ones who have critical thinking abilities. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
    1
  1489. It wouldn't be so bad if bozo had used the past 5 years to actually build that electronic border he loved bragging about.
    1
  1490. So, logically, the next step will be a massive manslaughter charge against Hancock for directly causing the death of thousands of people. Because he acted unlawfully, his normal protection against making mistakes in government service will not hold. When will he be jailed?
    1
  1491. Phil, The Netherlands have a huge shortage of teachers. Just a thought... Because like you, I can not see this ending well. The Tories are entrenching their power and will "tweak" the election by 2024 so Labour has no chance, with the full support of the UK media. There will be elections, but they will have the same relevance as those in Russia. The only thing that can stop the Tories is the complete economic breakdown of the UK, like in Argentina a few decades ago.
    1
  1492. Bozo will listen to reason and not risk a trade war with the EU. In a trade war, he is the one with the most to lose. He has played brinkmanship games before, and always folded at the last possible moment. It is no use to play hardball when you have no balls.
    1
  1493.  @trident6547  Oops, you are right.
    1
  1494. The difference between Churchill and his anti-thesis is that Churchill knew how to unite people.
    1
  1495. The current version of Brexit is already doing a great job at that!
    1
  1496. These shenanigans are THE settlement for Proportional Representation. Parties.
    1
  1497. With the trade balance this bad, I dare not think about what the balance will be for Services... For trade, there was a deal in place to reduce problems...
    1
  1498. The margin with which democracy was maintained in the USA was very slim indeed. The legal plan was to have the Vice President bundled off the premise by his security detachment, which would have prevented Congress to certify the election results on the day appointed by the Constitution. As the rules regarding the transfer of power would not have been followed, a situation would have arisen that was outside the Constitution. This would have given the Orange One an excuse to declare the election null and void. The only thing that saved the USA was Mike Pence's flat out refusal to comply with the orders by his security detail to step in his escape car. That man should get a medal.
    1
  1499. It is to the EU's benefit to have better trading relations with Blighty, especially if UK regulations re-converge with EU regulations.
    1
  1500. You know what is also worrying? That youtube put this video before me just now, instead of months ago. I am an avid viewer of your channel, and most of your video's get top billing on my homepage, but this one didn't, arguably your most important and most timely video. Why? Who paid youtube to keep this one under wraps until the election was a done deal? Scary stuff.
    1
  1501. Yeah, utter idiots. As if UK companies were not already doing their utmost to increase their market outside the EU.
    1
  1502. Blaming Rejoiners when a poll doesn't produce the results they wanted? That proves that GB "news" is not interested in facts but only in manipulating people to do something they would normally not do. Just like the Tories have had a LOT of help from foreign-billionaire-owned media to let voters vote against their own interests. Several words come to mind to describe such media. "Scum" is the most flattering one.
    1
  1503. Giving for-profit companies a (local) monopoly on a service that is of vital importance for the people and the environment in that locality? Sure sounds like a good plan. What could go wrong?
    1
  1504. Why is Lizzy holding the receiver up side down in the picture?
    1
  1505. It is a bit shocking to hear all the hoopla about a few illegal parties by Tory leaders. While at the same time, they are taking away the right of peaceful assembly & protest, and giving police hold & search rights whenever it pleases them. The UK is literally being turned into a police state as we speak. And how are women to protect themselves from rapists disguised as policemen?
    1
  1506. The next step would be a vote of no confidence in Parliament. The Opposition would surely back that, and if there are enough Tory back benchers who have had enough, then Bozo would no longer be PM from that moment on. Bozo could then try to have a military coup to end Parliament, but I doubt the UK has gone far enough down the path of dictatorship for that to work. Problem is, after Parliament voted Bozo out, it would leave Parliament 14 days to come up with a replacement or else a GE would need to be held. Thus Tories prefer to keep matters in their own hands, and hold their leadership contests without such deadlines.
    1
  1507. You probably refer to Trumps lack of co-operation with the peaceful transfer of power. But as in the US, that process is very clearly established. Trump never had a shadow of a chance to legally prevent Biden from becoming the next President after he lost the election. He had hoped to incite a violent revolution, but played that stupidly. The Jan 6 riots could never have stopped the transfer of power. Even if they had taken over the Capitol, some federal judge would have sworn Biden in somewhere, and Biden would have taken charge of the military and the police to have the squatters removed. Personally, I would have liked to see that. Anyway, the UK also has a very clear sequence to follow when the PM is deposed. Squatting in #10 will not keep Bozo in power. Only the full support of the Police and the Military can, and I don't think those institutions have any personal loyalty to Bozo. So any effort to stay in power without the support of the majority of Parliament is doomed to fail.
    1
  1508. You did not discuss the elephant in the room, that the UK depends on its financial services, for which the EU is the biggest market. London is/was the financial heart of the EU. The EU can not accept that situation. It must have control over its financial heart. In the next few years, UK-based financial firms will be denied access to EU markets. This will destroy the UK economically.
    1
  1509. Neo-liberals are deluded on two things: that taxes are bad for a nation, and that regulation is bad for a nation. Both were introduced to curb the worst excesses of capitalism, and were very successful at what they are designed to do. Get rid of them, and they will re-discover why we need them, the hard way. Instead, they could just read a bit of literature from the second half of the 19th century, e.g. Dickens or Hugo. Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
    1
  1510. A near-majority of UK voters are lead by the nose by media moguls that are only interested in safeguarding the privileges of the rich. What could possibly go wrong?
    1
  1511. ​ @roywiseman  Of course you have proof for those accusations. But if so, why don't you and yours bring charges against the EU? Do you (or your source) dare to repeat these accusations in front of a real judge? No, I thought not. The (social) media is not the place to voice legal grievances, dummy!
    1
  1512. ​ @ab-ym3bf  True, and it is a logical flaw that is used a lot by fascist trolls (making legal claims in social media they don't dare to make in court). I wanted an official rebuttal to inform those who might be swayed by his claims. I was especially disgusted by the 2020 American Election Deniers who made very loud claims in the media, but when challenged by a judge to make a claim, didn't dare to make any. And still the Sheeple believe their lies. Claiming someone broke the law in the media is always wrong. Not even investigative journalists make such claims. They just name the facts and let people draw their own conclusions.
    1
  1513. No it would not, as the prices are fixed by the lowest taker. Which will now be the Aussi farmers.
    1
  1514. It was a pity the vote was only by acclamation. There were no Nays as far as I could hear, but we didn't get to see which individual Tories supported it or merely abstained from voting. But the house had filled up, so I guess all those Tories did not come in only to be silent during the vote. It was a historic moment.
    1
  1515. I disagree with your statement that UK parliament stands or falls with the people at the top. Instead, it is Parliament's legal and moral responsibility and duty to check the government and prevent abuses. The BIG problem is that MP's no longer take this responsibility seriously. They allow themselves to be whipped to follow the Party line, turning their Office into a sham. This whole concept of a Whip with regards to MP's shocks me. No-one has the legal or moral right to instruct an MP to do anything. Having a whip completely undermines Parliamentary Sovereignty and makes MP's subservient to Government or the Party Leader.
    1
  1516. ​ @keithparker1346  Hamas has always been a terrorist organisation intent on the destruction of the Israeli state and the Jewish people, without interest in a 2-state peace. To further that goal, Hamas has always attacked Israel with rockets and terrorist incursions. That is aggression. The 7-10 attack was a casus belli, formally making Hamas the aggressor and Israel the defending party. The UN call for cease fire is very one-sided. It calls Israel the occupier of Gaza, which is untrue. And it forbids Israel from reacting properly to the massacre, without even mentioning let alone imposing consequences for the massacre by Hamas.
    1
  1517. The FBI long ago recognised domestic white nationalist / supremacist terrorists as the biggest danger to US homeland security. But what do you do when the ringleader is squatting in the WH?
    1
  1518. Reminder: The Tories are TRAITORS to the UK and the EU. They need to be persecuted like the BUF was in 1940.
    1
  1519. "He is just one guy who lost an election to a dolphin" I had to look that one up. What a great characterisation of the clown.
    1
  1520. I never understand the idiots who press for rejoin and decry Labour for not having it in their Manifesto. These people vastly underestimate the amount of time rejoining would take, nor the political realities in both the UK and the EU. If Starmer were to approach the EU in order to rejoin, he would be given a long list of reforms & alignments that would be required, that would take at least a decade to work through and require changes to the constitution (like, putting it down on paper), replacing the House of Lords with something democratic, etc, etc, etc. As you say, what is needed is to step away from the brinkmanship, the rabid anti-EU stance and back into a constructive relationship with your most direct and largest neighbour.
    1
  1521. Bad as the trade situation is, it is a mere bump compared to the catastrophe that will come when the EU requires financial Euro services be held on EU soil under EU regulations underwritten by companies operating from within the EU. Within a few months of those regulations being announced, the majority of the financial service industry will move out of London. It will be a blood bath, gutting the UK economy. And it will happen in a year or three. But obviously, the Brexitards knew what they voted for.
    1
  1522. As they say, To govern is to use foresight. It is quite difficult to govern when those with foresight are ignored or even ridiculed...
    1
  1523. Phil: don't worry about Danish bacon being cheaper than local bacon. Inflation will soon correct that.
    1
  1524. Correction: I should have said devaluation, not inflation.
    1
  1525. Given the lack of preparation by the UK government for the things they knew (or were responsible for knowing), you'd think they want Brexit to fail. As they say, never ascribe to malevolence what can be adequately explained through incompetence, but did the UK government actually do anything to prepare for Brexit? Except move their personal assets out of the UK, that is... Bunch of clowns, the lot of them. Idiots who think that because they look good on Telly, they can govern a nation. At least this paper has the decency to suggest talks instead of wild & outrageous demands. Lets hope the clowns will also use language better becoming their inadequacy, instead of loudly blaming the EU for implementing things it had been planning for a decade, with the full knowledge of the UK government.
    1
  1526. In winning the Brexit debate, the Tories have set something in motion that will destroy them. They have sown division, and that will divide the UK. They have sown corruption, and that will corrupt the party. When all is done and dusted, and England is recovering from Brexit, the Conservative Party will be no more. I only hope those corrupt crooks who sold their country to the highest bidder will get their just reward.
    1
  1527. Step 3.5: Tell the Unionists that it would be easy to come up with a different agreement, and that the EU are being mean.
    1
  1528.  @wijjf8064  Shatner is not punishing the UK, it is just not economically viable anymore. So, consequence.
    1
  1529. A simple-minded government making a simple problem unnecessarily complex and expensive. Rather than force all small companies to jump through hoops, they'd better make deals with large companies to force them to let purchases go through UK-based subsidiaries. Than they would not just get the VAT, but also tax over profits, and some employment. Let Amazon, alibaba, ebay etc. work through local offices. Leave the little fry alone.
    1
  1530. LOL. I am sure that while in the EU, UK MEPs such as Farage blocked such standardisation activities.
    1
  1531. Given all their obvious failings, when is the opposition going to realise that Tories are in power because they failed to unite around a sensible narrative? When is the opposition going to realise that people will not vote for their pet projects or their nihilistic fear mongering?
    1
  1532. Excellent comment on the complaints of Tory MP's. The dummies forget that they are personally responsible for their voting record, f@ck the whipping system. If they think they can't explain their voting record to the voters, they should vote differently in Parliament.
    1
  1533.  @markhackett2302  I like the way you are thinking! But government personnel has formidable legal protection against being sued personally for what they did as part of their job. That makes it harder to sue a government official than to sue government itself. The Law only judges if government acts within its own laws, e.g. in upholding the Withdrawal Agreement. The body that should scrutinise government for doing the right thing instead of merely what is legal, is Parliament. So now that people have voted these Brexiteer nutjobs into Parliament, Britain is screwed. The only way out of it is public pressure. Even a terror campaign will not help, as this will only strengthen government authority.
    1
  1534. All the best to you and yours! Sadly, there is not much comfort I can offer you -- except that when push comes to shove, the EU will be ready to help the UK, if you ask nicely. But first it is time for the Brexit and Tory supporters to learn some hard truths.
    1
  1535.  @Temo990  More like remembering what the various politicians promised, the various experts predicted, and measuring those up against what actually happened is happening.
    1
  1536. Just another form of corruption. "Justice delayed is Justice denied".
    1
  1537. The Tories have been playing Delay, Delay, Delay with this. However it was certain to catch up with them at some point. Now it is a great opportunity to prove to everybody that the party is rotten to its core.
    1
  1538. At some point, truth will overtake even the worst lies. (Dutch proverb)
    1
  1539. Brexit hitting home. Project Fear has become Project Stark Reality.
    1
  1540. ​@Oritra Kar Many thousands are not as fortunate as you, having lost their jobs or about to loose their homes, so your glib answer is an insult to many of your compatriots. The UK economy is in a tail spin, and will crash hard. The government may succeed in keeping up appearances for a year or two before the actual crash, but it is coming. If you wanna see what is coming, have a look at what happened to Argentina a decade or three ago. They also had a government that kept up appearances as long as possible.
    1
  1541. ​ @pixelplayground  Afaik, sleaze has been the national passtime of the British nobility since the dark ages...
    1
  1542. The only way I will keep a modicum of respect for the UK populace is if the Tory party gets at least 100 seats less than Labour at the next election.
    1
  1543. Typical Tories. Refuse to take responsibility, then blame the People. Get rid of them already. Even our neo-con PM has instituted a sudden hard lock-down last Sunday to halt Omicron, when its incidence here is much lower than in the UK. The Tories just want to avoid paying support or compensation. They rather let the bodies pile high and tank the economy.
    1
  1544. The EU has announced it will take the heart out of the UK economy, by mid-2025. Presumably, the companies affected will start to move business well before that, to prevent market shocks that might cost them. The UK will not survive that. And after the UK breakup, the NIP will have become irrelevant as N.I. automatically unifies with the RoI when that happens.
    1
  1545. There is no greater proof that FPtP is a bad system than that there are people actively sabotaging a campaign because that would mean their fraction gets more (relative) power. In PR, it is much more likely that people who disagree with the party course split off and start their own party. That would mean they get some seats, and might even form a coalition. But you'd be sure that people who vote for them, actually agree with their policies, instead of voting out of habit.
    1
  1546. ​ @Boppy-B-B  It is impossible for radicals to get more influence than they currently have in the Tory party. Or in the American Republican party. In both countries, these parties have been hijacked by radicals. And in both countries people are elected by FPtP. Extremists are moderated by the coalition partners in PR. Not so in FPtP.
    1
  1547. Conservatives shooting down a Scottish referendum, would be the ultimate of hypocrisy. So, I fully expect them to first discredit it then to block it if the outcome is Leave. If that leads to riots, they will send in the military to keep the Scots properly subdued.
    1
  1548. Tories are only interested in Power. Not in Governing. And they are entrenching themselves. It will be very hard to get them out of power, but thankfully they are doing everything they can to antagonize their own people...
    1
  1549. "Who has tested positive on Covid" Hope they are going to let Rees-Smug eat his words from last week...
    1
  1550. I am so happy that Brexit only has benefits!
    1
  1551. Another layer of UK corruption laid bare. The EU is taking note and adding it to the list of convergence criteria.
    1
  1552. At some point, we will need to start putting people who vote Tory either in an asylum for the mentally impaired (those who believe Tory promises), or imprison them (those who are fully on board with what the Tories actually do).
    1
  1553. Parliament is supposed to keep these ministers in check. The problem is not the ministers, it is the complicitness of all the Tories in Parliament. So if you are frustrated, got hold of your local MP and express your frustration and demand that something is done about it. Especially if he/she is a Tory.
    1
  1554. I am sure that the EU will be willing to sell you two pounds of sugar for the price of a kilo, for a premium...
    1
  1555. Boris will join Trump in the history books as the two worst leaders of their respective countries that Putin managed to get elected.
    1
  1556. Bozo is offering more than just a (single) win to the Conservatives: loads of Russian money!
    1
  1557. I see your pain, Phil. You care about Labour. At some point, they will again catch the wind in their sails, with a leader who is clear about priorities, lucid in his policies and brilliant at humiliating the Tories. Labour has a future.
    1
  1558. Lizzy is doing Labour a great favour. Me, I'll get the popcorn ready.
    1
  1559. Bozo acts like an entitled school bully that thinks he can twist other nations' arms and give him their lunch money. It is telling about British mentality that you support this arsehole. At this point, you will just have to go through the imminent economic disaster to learn a lesson you should have learnt at school: bullies destroy societies and must be checked. As it is, there are far too many Brits stand around the ring, yelling the bully on.
    1
  1560. The strength of the Tories was always their unity. However, by adopting Brexit, they have chosen the spirit of Division. Like Evil in Pandorra's Box, once out, it can't be put back in the box. This spirit is now eating up the Tory party itself.
    1
  1561. Excellent analysis! And it won't be limited to weapons either. The same reasons to step away from US weapons applies to other US services as well. Like, android, Office365, Windows, OSX, and the American cloud services (Amazon, Microsoft). At the moment, the US government has no authority to violate those services, but I have no doubt the Trump regime will e.g. force these companies to open up their servers to the NSA / CIA, or install CIA backdoors right within the Windows platform. In the past, we allowed US companies to have (virtual) monopolies in this industry. But that was ONLY because the USA was a trusted partner. Now that has changed, these monopolies are no longer acceptable to the EU. It will step away from any US service that is based on trust. I expect the EU to adopt a strategy forbidding their governments to use these American services, and develop replacements where they don't already exist. This will devastate the US IT industry.
    1
  1562.  @JustMe-bx8gu  Indeed. However, this seems to be a temporary setback. There is also a benefit to Brexit: it will shut the little anti-EU right-wing fascist groups in other EU nations up.
    1
  1563. Good point about not wanting to govern. Sadly, the Tories only want power, not responsibility. And they use that power only to enrich themselves and their mates.
    1
  1564. There is a reason why we call Brexit-voters "Brexitards". The only thing that unifies Brexitards is that they are angry with the EU. They are angry for different reasons, and none of those reasons makes objective sense. In fact, most are based purely in lies and misconceptions about the EU. There is no consensus about what to do about that anger, and scrutiny of the plans that they do have will show them not solving the problem. If you want to avoid disastrous choices in your life, never go AWAY from a situation. Always go TOWARD a better situation, and it must be clear what that situation is and why it is better. Brexit is an excellent example of what happens when you go away from a situation without a clear picture of where you want to go to.
    1
  1565. The problem is that the Taliban still has considerable popular support. If this is what people want, there isn't much we can do. Perhaps this will diminish the popularity of Muslim extremism, and increase the willingness of moderate Muslims to fight it.
    1
  1566. Suspending anti-cartel laws: that will drive up prices no end. Yet another way for Tory donors to make a killing.
    1
  1567. Of itself, a small government is fine. It means people need to pay lower taxes. HOWEVER, the Tories never seem to be able to actually lower taxes while they do make the government do less. This proves that that "small government - low taxes" mantra is a lie. Tories are only doing it so they can sluice more money into their own pockets, through corrupt government deals. This whole Neo-liberalism thing is one huge scam.
    1
  1568. Freedom of speech is the freedom to criticize and/or ridicule the government without being sent to jail (or other punishment). That is what that right it is for. Nothing more.
    1
  1569.  @CMI2017  As Bozo keeps reminding us, Brexit was done on 1-1-2020.
    1
  1570. Do you remember your 1000th subscriber? Might have been me! It has been a wild ride. Many happy returns!
    1
  1571. The right-wing media are playing with fire. Have been, for a long time. So now they dither about supporting / calling for a VERY damaging, VERY one-side trade war. Very wise of them. But at some point they will get burned. As in when the Public they have misled and betrayed exercise their memories.
    1
  1572. I really don't understand what Trump thinks he is doing. He is dooming the USA, and not achieving anything in return. For instance, there are MANY Europeans and Canadians who boycott US-made stuff, and will continue to do so while Trump is in power. Putin is the ONLY one who is getting anything out of it. Which is absurd, because Putin has almost no cards to play. It is Trump who holds all the cards. But he insists on playing those cards in the stupidest way possible, negating every benefit he had.
    1
  1573. You should put a collective stop in Farage's mouth. He has nothing to say.
    1
  1574. The only reason why the UK has such terrible politicians is because they have terrible journalists. This wanker would be crucified in any country with a functioning press.
    1
  1575. ​ @mariogmajner6549  Corbyn had a decent majority in September 2019, that he could have saved the nation with had he been able to work together with the rest of the opposition. Perhaps let Lib Dem supply the PM, to get the Tory dissidents on-board. But he thought he could become PM himself. Much evil would have been avoided, had the dummy had less of an ego. As they say, the winner takes it all, the looser takes the fall. But in this case, all of the UK is suffering for it, and the end is not in sight.
    1
  1576.  @mariogmajner6549  You'd better do some research.
    1
  1577.  @rocketsurgeon2135  True, so instead of writing a letter to an anonymous person within the Tory party, on of the dissenters should propose such a motion. It is absurd that MP's would write such a letter but vote against a Motion of NC.
    1
  1578. Damn. Will UK politics return to normalcy? Will the Tory party get rid of its rabid fascists? There will be many, many more tests. Renewed membership of the ECHR, and reducing the power of the government over the law and parliament will be import ones. The UK is still a long, long way from complying with the Copenhagen Criteria.
    1
  1579. The UK 'government' is absolutely pathetic. All they have is bluff and posturing. Please, let the charade continue, at some point the UK people might grow up and see what is going on. Lions led by donkeys indeed. But the lions elected the donkeys knowing full well what they were. It will be amusing to see where we end up. It looks like 10 years from now, the conservative government will still by trying to get Brexit done. Bumbling fools.
    1
  1580. The lies are quickly becoming untenable. A drop in export of 68%, not even counting the destruction of the export of services, will bankrupt Britain. Brace for an Argentina-style meltdown of UK economy.
    1
  1581. Hits in the pocket only mildly concern them. They need to be hit in the stomach.
    1
  1582. ​ @pget8462  So are those she rails against. People have a right to ask for asylum when they get inside the border (land) or the 12-miles zone (sea).
    1
  1583.  @pget8462  Also, her actions up to now were focused on (eastern) EU nationals, who she illegally detained and sent out of the country.
    1
  1584. ​ @jyvben1520  As the laws of the market dictate, a new equilibrium will be found where there are enough drivers to satisfy demand. This happens by a combination of wage increase and demand decrease. The point is that after reaching that equilibrium, wages will stagnate, but demand will continue to drop as more and more companies discover they have priced themselves out of the market, or that their buyers have gone bust. Then there will no longer be a shortage of drivers, but an abundance clamoring for what shipments remains. Then the fun will quickly be over.
    1
  1585. Still far to few people have learned that vital lesson: NEVER TRUST A TORY! Tories have been working against the public interest for as long as I can remember, which is before Thatcher came and destroyed the fabric of the nation. It has taken 4 decades, but we are finally seeing the full fruits of what she has done. In e.g. the brown matter floating in the rivers and being deposited on the beaches.
    1
  1586. If P&O gets away with this, it is a definite Brexit benefit. This would not have been possible inside the EU. And for those fools who conjecture that P&O must be nearly bankrupt, last year they pushed 250M₤ in dividends, i.e. 310,000 ₤ for each person now being laid off. They could have paid their wages for more than 3 years from the money they gave away in a single year.
    1
  1587. Competent leaders will form a team with people that are more competent than themselves....
    1
  1588. Not a thing he can do. Brits are unwilling to get off their settees to protest. As demonstrated by the meager turnout at the National Rejoin March. There should have been hundreds of thousands marching there, not tens of thousands. So we see once more, that a people generally get the government they deserve. Compare this with Ukrainians, who did turn out in their hundreds of thousands to get rid of a corrupt PM, even though the police shot hundreds of them dead. That is a nation that deserves proper democracy and freedom. And they will get it too.
    1
  1589. At this point, given how Bozo ridicules Parliament, it is no use for Starmer to make remarks or ask questions in the House. He should do it none the less, but that will not win the war against ignorance and misinformation. The British people need some lessons from the University of Hard Knocks. Including the silent majority that allowed this all to happen. The outcome needs to be the total destruction of the Tory party and their propaganda channels. Before that happens, the lessons have not been learnt. The People need to understand how the Tory party and their media have betrayed them. Both are beyond redemption.
    1
  1590.  @terencefirth616  You know now why they call it "Whataboutism".
    1
  1591. Next step is claiming that the police not prosecuting the matter, is proof that no crime was committed by said extremely corrupt government. Also, a random fine will be given to an incorruptible opposition leader who will then be forced to resign by a month-long storm in the MSM. An independent court will, when they get round to it two years later, find that there had been no legal basis for said fine, and the MSM will report that in a single, 2-line article somewhere on page 13. You get the government you deserve.
    1
  1592. Their stunning defeat in Afghanistan meant the end for the USSR. Their hopeless defeat in Ukraine will be the end for Putin -- if he lives that long, which I don't think he will.
    1
  1593. The Tories follow in the proud English tradition of taking from the poor to give to the rich.
    1
  1594. In the end, the ERG will be side lined. Their ideas are not viable. But does bozo have the courage to sideline then now or will he let them wreck the UK even more?
    1
  1595. The Tories are moving to a rule-by-decree, as in the good old days of "Divine Right" dictators. Scary. Very scary. Hitler did this, completely side-lining parliament, before taking the country on its road to hell. Hitler had a law passed that gave him "emergency" powers to rule by decree. The Tories are just sidelining Parliament by making it redundant. The result can be the same.
    1
  1596. Sadly, Putin and his kleptomaniacs have hedged to protect their assets. With the investment of a few million quid, they have the best protection money can buy: a handle on the private parts of the UK Prime Minister.
    1
  1597. Good for pointing out the coming exodus from London. This is due for mid-2025, and will absolutely knacker the UK economy. It is unacceptable to the EU to have its financed performed by an hostile regime not based in the Euro with a relatively small economy, that would happily mix-in dodgy cash-flows, so this is not something that e.g. a new government could prevent. The risk is just too great. So get ready say goodbye to 70% of your exports. But we knew what they voted for, the idiots said. And if you think this is the EU being mean, we did warn you. When we put several British territories on the financial black list, a year before Brexit was finalised, that was a shot across the bow. But 2025 will be the full broadside. So, you can have your precious Sovereignty (not that you had less sovereignty before Brexit), and starve -- because you will not have the capital to buy the food you need.
    1
  1598. I always see the G7 as the group of 7 nations that once were Great... I don't think the composition will change quickly, unless the UK breaks apart.
    1
  1599. I always believe that to govern, you need a compass, a set of convictions that translate into plans and policies. And when selecting a leader, that is what to look for. Somehow, the Tories have managed to get people to vote for them while actively avoiding showing their plans, or keeping them as vague as possible. Like that infamous "Brexit means Brexit" quip. The UK needs to learn how to select leaders.
    1
  1600. Great ending of your monologue. If only more people asked themselves that question: Where were the Tories when the British Citizens needed help? (Answer: the were partying and helping themselves to the Public Purse)
    1
  1601. Well done, Phil. Nail these cowardly liars.
    1
  1602. "His priorities are a universal constant so steady physicists aught to have calculated it by now" I'll have a go: -- starting program -- processing data -- calculating -- outcome: sqrt(-1). You know, I.
    1
  1603. Oslo on the Thames...
    1
  1604. Finally, the penny drops. But that is not all of it. They also want a very small group to take possession of all land, houses and other assets, on a level way beyond the Victorian age. They want SMB's to fail, private home ownership to end, farmers to sell their land, they want Citizens to become indentured to the city they live in, etc, etc, etc. In the victorian age, you had upward mobility and improving conditions for most. Not in Tory Britain.
    1
  1605. "How many manifesto promises did not have a plan behind them?" I think you can reverse that question: "Is there any manifesto promise this government had a plan for implementing?" And considering their track record with other manifesto promises, the answer would be a resounding NO. The current Tory ideal of "Small Government" is actually a " Do Nothing Government" -- except grabbing as much as possible from the gravy train. And to remind the Gammons claiming there was a plan for Brexit, it is not for naught that Tusk wondered about "the special place in Hell for those who started Brexit without even a sketch of a plan on how to do it safely".
    1
  1606. "or I shall taunt you a second time"
    1
  1607. I don't agree you need a special minister for this. As the situation overlaps departments, this is a typical example of something that must be managed directly by the PM. Our PM would call it a "chefsache" -- something to be handled by the chief. Or as Truman said: "The buck stops here".
    1
  1608. UK holding private talks with Spain: I think that unlikely, considering how Bozo treated Ireland. That was the same situation. Bozo ended up with throwing N.I. under the bus, he will do likewise with Gibraltar.
    1
  1609. Cancelling the N.I.Protocol is just a faster way to reunite RoI and N.I, with probably more bloodshed.
    1
  1610.  @philipbroggio9315  Don't forget the 45% that voted Tory in the 2019 GE.
    1
  1611. ​ @patrickmelling8404  The EU will probably accept the UK back into the fold pretty quickly, once they ask nicely. But MINUS the exceptional status it had before Brexit. The will need to accept Sjengen and the Euro like a good little trooper. And it will need to become a proper democracy first, with a proper Constitution and direct representation.
    1
  1612. The humiliation of the Tory party is only the first step towards the healing of the UK. The next step needs to be the bankrupting of the right-wing propaganda channels masquerading as "news" papers.
    1
  1613. Bozo has, once again, insulted the EU by not taking these negotiations seriously. The is not the way to negotiate, to start with insulting the other party. These insults translate directly into a worse deal. The EU will continue to go through the motions of the negotiation process. It has all the time in the world. Pretty soon Bozo will have some added incentives, when London starts burning.
    1
  1614. Nah, it'll be fine... @critical_drinker
    1
  1615. I love your logic, @Piccallilli Pit. So sad not many people can see arguments through to their logical conclusion.
    1
  1616. I dare the UK to drop the NIP. Imagine their surprise when the EU explains to them that the NIP is an integral part of the WA. There would be food riots in London within a week or two. <edit> 2 weeks from when the EU starts to play hard ball, that is.
    1
  1617. Knowing the spiteful little turd, Hoyle can kiss his peerage goodbye.
    1
  1618.  @Arltratlo  Let them give a few nice bonuses to the Tory party, and they'll get subsidies.
    1
  1619. The Tories will consider anyone who is not actually shooting at them, their friends. Except, of course, the EU. The EU is the big enemy, even if it is the hand that feeds them. Quite literally, actually.
    1
  1620. It is difficult and time-consuming to replace the existing legislation with equivalent stuff. But it is very easy to just scrap it, which is exactly what the Tories are planning considering their time-scale. So, instead of legal protection against e.g. fire-and-rehire, you will simply have no protection against unfair dismissal. People forget that the purpose of most regulation & legislation is to protect the People from either the government or the High and Mighty. Simply scrapping it is those High and Mighty "taking back control" -- like they had before the Magna Carta. The Tory plan is to legally change the UK into a Kleptocracy where there are no bounds to what the powerful can do.
    1
  1621. I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a justification for anarchism. Anarchism tends to devolve quickly in to "Might Makes Right" or, if you will, "Dieu Est Mon Droit", getting us back at square one. Anarchy is an unstable form of government where a new Leader will quickly arise and turn the anarchy into a dictatorship. People have a very deep tendency to want to organise themselves.
    1
  1622. Well done, Biden! The Frost rhetoric has been endangering the peace in N.I. as demonstrated by those busses burned down. It had to stop.
    1
  1623. Congratulations with achieving this milestone! A Different Bias is one of my favorite YT channels, a beacon of light in a dark political landscape.
    1
  1624. Also, Germany got a great boost of relatively cheap labour with the reunification.
    1
  1625. That is a bit of an exaggeration of Phil. The fact is that in the real world, what is "fair" is defined by its monetary worth, not by sentiment.
    1
  1626. There should be a regular item where lies by Johnson are compared to what actually happened.
    1
  1627. A speaker who does not ensure that a question is actually answered, is worthless.
    1
  1628. We will see dinghies full of desperate people trying to cross the channel -- going south.
    1
  1629. Tory party leadership is completely to blame for letting this get so out of hand. But the longer they wait with dealing with the Bozo problem, the worse it will get. Soft healers leave stinking wounds. The more the stink, the tougher the measure to deal with it. Leave it too long and the patient will die. (Personally, I think the patient is already beyond recovery. The sooner the party is taken out of its misery, the better)
    1
  1630. Of course, this is widely reported in the rag tabloids.
    1
  1631. Laying people close to you off when dirt was spilled, is sure to achieve one thing: More Dirt will be spilled! It is almost as daft as not paying your lawyers who defended you in court.
    1
  1632.  @lorrainelane6583  In fact, you did vote for them. You voted for MEP's, and the MEP's, together with the elected national leaders of the EU constituents, rule the EU.
    1
  1633. ​ @tombartram7384  A single party is never a good representation of the desires of the Voter.
    1
  1634. The UK media has been broken for decades, at least 30 years. And they are directly responsible for such disasters as Brexit. Even more so than the Tory politicians. Because they have been systematically brainwashing the UK with anti-EU and anti-Labour ideas that are 100% pure lies. There is no hope for the UK until they are dealt with. Ban the Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Sun, etc, etc, etc. Ban them outright. Obviously, Labour needs to create the legal framework for it. But unless these pits of depravity are shut down, there is no hope for a better future. They will simply continue poisoning the minds of the UK, using the lying tactics Phil points out. And others, like quoting an opinion from a single person from the general public, as "People say". There was a reason the Völkischer Beobachter was banned in 1923. But the Bavarian authorities made the capital mistake of allowing it to be re-published in 1925. For that exact same reason, these modern pro-fascist outlets need to be banned.
    1
  1635. It is time to call Bozo's bluff.
    1
  1636. Don't worry, the UK will be allowed to rejoin. But first it must experience te consequences of foolishness and learn their lessons, in a deep way. We will know they are ready when 1). the right-wing media is bankrupt; 2). democratic reforms are enacted that will get rid of the un-elected Lords&Bishops and the first-past-the-post system; 3). a proper tax scheme that hits the ultra-wealthy hard, and 4). the Tory party is disbanded.
    1
  1637. @alex docra You are welcome to a Norway deal if you want: all the regulations, none of the influence.
    1
  1638.  @Russ_Keith  Good point! These Brexiteers love to gaslight people.
    1
  1639. @alex docra "racist hate" that is a bit much, mate, knowing that Brexit was pure racism.
    1
  1640. I thought the Tories could no longer disappoint me. But this brain fart of Moggy so a). very dumb, and b). a complete betrayal of the voters, it is ridiculous. This would have been rejected in a script for Yes Minister for being too absurd, but might have featured in a Monty Python skit.
    1
  1641. ​ @minimax9452  Russia got a very bloody nose in that one ;-)
    1
  1642.  @peterebel7899  I think they will keep NATO if only for brand recognition.
    1
  1643. China abstaining from the UN resolution condemning Russia, instead of voting against it, was a BIG surprise for me. It shows how even this bastion of dictatorship thinks Putin's move was ill-considered.
    1
  1644. The Tories put forward a corrupt man, for a corrupt purpose. Now that corruption will destroy the Tory party.
    1
  1645. Tories salting or scorching the earth for Labour is pure evil. People who do such things to their own country shouldn't be elected but imprisoned. Even in literal war it is considered a war crime.
    1
  1646. Has someone told Moggy that the "imperial system" is formally defined in Metric values? That the inch is formally defined as 2.54cm exactly -- which requires all lathes that do threads in both Metric and Imperial to have a gear of exactly 127 teeth, which is not nice because that is a prime number and thus difficult to cut without CNC...
    1
  1647. Groping people is assault, punishable by Law, isn't it? If the victims press charges, Pincher may well land himself a seat in prison. So it would shocking if this did not lead to his resignation & a by-election.
    1
  1648. I don't understand why people would trust a Tory to care for their nation. I wouldn't trust them to care for my dog. They are completely corrupt.
    1
  1649. ​ @sammyjohn9353  FACT: a few years into every Labour government, the economy started to improve for everybody. More money, more profit, more wealth, higher living standards. Your lies and your aggressive reactions to comments make clear that you are a Russian-payed troll. A Traitor, in other words.
    1
  1650. @Lars Hansen "my prediction" Let's hope so! For the sake of its citizens.
    1
  1651. The Brexit debate is in need of more realism.
    1
  1652. Compare the scale of the media uproar about this fraud with that about Sturgeon's husband, and you see on whose side the media stands. And it is not your side. Not that Sturgeon's husband's behaviour would not be a problem -- if proven true, but the police is on it and if there was indeed wrongdoing, we will be told in due time. But Sunak's fraud means almost a thousand pounds stolen from every single Briton, and the police is doing very little about it. Only public pressure can change that.
    1
  1653. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I do hope the journalist gets fired for doing such a stellar job.
    1
  1654. "Freedom of Speech" is massively mis-used by the fascists. It doesn't mean what they claim it means. Freedom of speech is NOT: * A license to Lie without consequences. * The duty for third parties to give you a platform. * A certificate that your opinion is just as valuable as that of an expert. * A freedom from being publicly corrected by others. * A license to break laws that forbid certain speech, like perjury, slander, insurrection or witness intimidation. It ONLY means that if you want to say something, the government should not prevent it. There are hosts of laws that penalize certain types of speech, those laws are prosecuted after the fact. Freedom of speech forbids the prevention of illegal speech. Sensible countries add limits to the freedom of speech, in that they can prevent speech a). that will likely endanger public safety, including that of a specific group of people, and b). of people previously convicted of speech crimes. Hate speech falls in this category.
    1
  1655. If that happens, Starmer still needs to honour the authorities. He'll become a victim of Tory corruption and a martyr. Labour politicians need to stop thinking about what is good for them or their little clique, and more about what is good for the country *. Stop being like Corbyn, who sacrificed the nation to Tory greed because he wanted to be PM himself. (*: The Tories should too, but they are a lost cause.)
    1
  1656. These pompous narcissists have no shame. They take zero responsibility for the misery they have caused. If I pulled the stunts they do, I would have been fired from my job long ago. But these balls of excrement expect to just carry on like nothing ever happened. Utterly disgusting.
    1
  1657. The EU has already proposed several times to extend the transition period to be able to deal with Covid first and Brexit later. Presumably, this proposal still stands. Boris is crazy if he does not take advantage of it. At the moment, there is no way he can win.
    1
  1658. The ONLY people to benefit from the Trump presidency are the 0.1%, the billionaire class. All other people will experience negative consequences for voting that <censored> back in power.
    1
  1659. You need more of those. Did you know that protests can bring down dictatorships? Ukraine is a shining example, but also e.g. France. Personally, I don't think the UK has much of a future unless this regime is brought down.
    1
  1660.  @Ghengiskhansmum  So protest at the MSM headquarters. That usually gets their attention. You Brits have so much to learn about protesting, you should have a look across the channel.
    1
  1661. Excellent advice.
    1
  1662. Half of me is expecting Bozo's resignation this Monday morning, the other half would really enjoy watching Bozo preside over the Tory annihilation in the coming local elections...
    1
  1663. Well said. Seems like the Tory party is full of cowards, who'd rather want both party and country destroyed than confront the fascists. Starmer, however, did confront the extremists in his party. He'll make an excellent PM. Until he is destroyed by the fascist media.
    1
  1664. Brexit may have the side effect that the French teach UK citizens to protest. By God, I had expected something akin to "les gilets jaunes" by now, the government is stiffing you so much!
    1
  1665. The sad thing is that the debts accrued now, will be a millstone around the necks of the future generation, those who in vast majority voted against Brexit. Thanks for wrecking my future, dad.
    1
  1666. The problem with all these things is that they do not immediately affect voters, so they don't care, and thus the Tories don't care. When all goes to pot a few years on, no-one will remember that the seeds were sown now, and by whom.
    1
  1667. I am constantly amazed at the level of incompetence of the Tories, and the lack of protests by the British public. Have a look at Georgia: those are protests. That is how you treat a government that is demolishing your country.
    1
  1668. I am amazed there is no general strike going on in the UK. When are you going to stand up against these Tories breaking the country? Don't think Labour will sort it. If you don't stand up for your rights, can't be bothered to go out and protest and hold the government to account, why should they do something about it? Especially when they know many will still read the Daily Fail etc and be persuaded by some faux outrage to vote Tory again soon. The UK is morally bankrupt. It will continue to decline until FINALLY you have had enough.
    1
  1669.  @bumblingborisbuffoon6259  Well, Boris, you do serve us a lot of good entertainment. That should be worth something...
    1
  1670. You're in excellent form, Phil!
    1
  1671. That is a beautiful graph of Britannia dropping off the cliff edge.
    1
  1672. "I read the article" More people should do it. When I lived in Britain, I got disgusted with some print media because they invariably had very strong headlines that were nuanced or even flatly contradicted in the article. The UK should have some serious journalistic rules & guidelines, and the public educated about who breaks them and why that is bad.
    1
  1673. Journalists can be dishonest only if 1). their employers approve, and 2). their subscribers approve.
    1
  1674. A death cult, it turns out....
    1
  1675.  @notroll1279  Fair enough. If Corbyn had played things right, there would not have been an election in 2019, but parliament would have elected a new "business" PM and cabinet -- but Corbyn hoped to be PM himself. That was not acceptable to the other parties, so here we are.
    1
  1676. You know why the government is so scared of Ukrainian refugees? Their Russian overlords are scared an Ukrainian will pay them a visit in London.
    1
  1677. They certainly have reason for complaints and protests: they were systematically lied to by the Brexiteers and media! They may be ashamed of themselves for believing the lie, but that does not make them responsible for it! I would step up to #10, and let Bozo have his promises and eat them!
    1
  1678. Considering how the UK government is actively destroying the futures of its citizens, the Scots should break free at their earliest convenience.
    1
  1679. The audio on this video is EXCELLENT! Well done.
    1
  1680. The problem with the UK is its disconnect with international media. The narrative inside the UK is 100% opposite to the narrative outside it. This used to only be possible in totalitarian states, but somehow Murdoch and the Tories have succeeded in making 1984, Brave New World and Animal Farm come to pass in "democratic" Britain.
    1
  1681. The Tories specialize in taking money from the ordinary folk and giving it to the rich. This will cause the UK to collapse in flames.
    1
  1682. AND he is saying that if the UK doesn't see improvements in 10 years time, it will be their own fault.
    1
  1683. You get the picture. Only massive political reform will save the UK, and I don't think it can be done in a single Parliament. For one, the (Tory) Lords will fight it tooth and nail, because they will be next for the chop. Personally, I think the UK will need to split up first, and the economy of England needs to melt down to such an extent that people will be ready for drastic change. Then, it will happen. A new constitution will be written that permanently roots out all forms of corruption and makes the UK a proper democracy. Because it will be a requirement for re-entry to the EU.
    1
  1684. ​ @lennylaa1686  "It was massively rejected" That is fine and dandy, but PR will be a hard requirement for re-entry to the EU. For that reason alone it will be adopted within a decade or two or three, as the alternatives are even less palpable.
    1
  1685.  @rocketsurgeon2135  Personally, I think UK politics are completely bankrupt. I am afraid the Tories will win, and keep winning, until the nation collapses. Then, I believe they will turn to the EU for help, and the EU will grant that -- but with a few conditions, including PR. That will force the issue, and give back a semblance of democracy to the UK.
    1
  1686. That is because the word "stupid" is only used to insult. It is not a word that can be used meaningfully to describe a group of people. Uninformed, misguided or deceived are more useful descriptions of GQPers and Brexitards.
    1
  1687. Well done calling out the hypocrisy of the right-wing rags, those thinly-veiled propaganda outlets need to be held accountable for their lies.
    1
  1688. This article most likely was to measure the response from the public. I.e. a test balloon.
    1
  1689.  @johnjephcote7636  I guess as long as the UK is still part of the G7, which won't be long.
    1
  1690. Keep up the good work, Phil. You are leaving a trail of goodies that historians will love. Hopefully, in 2024 people will dig them up before the vote...
    1
  1691. After the Tory successes last Monday night, Parliament has become a useless appendage to the UK's strong leader. 2019 was the last free election in the UK.
    1
  1692. This madness will continue until the people get fed up with the right wing trash press.
    1
  1693. PR ensures that the parties who form the government represent the middle ground. And they also prevent a radical splinter group taking over, like has happened with the Tories. If that had happened in a coalition government, the more moderate party(ies) would have let the government fall. Also with a coalition government, it is much more likely that after a fallen government, there are general elections instead of a leadership contest. Because the chances of the old government (with a new leader) getting the confidence of parliament are slim.
    1
  1694. The Tories have abandoned business. So they should not be surprised that Labour take over the void they created.
    1
  1695. The biggest scandal here is how much of the media ignores it. We will see the day that people flock to Phil (and others) to hear the news.
    1
  1696. Anyone else disgusted with how Londograd is developing? Brits had better pray that the Tories loose the next election. That it will still be more-or-less fair.
    1
  1697. Kale does fine in winter. Better plant it now.
    1
  1698. That lie was not quite so innocent. It was a threat to other MP's: "I will be the next PM, and I will remember who supported me and who didn't". He was trying to pressure more MP's into voting for him. Bozo acts the buffoon, but underneath he is a spiteful and mean little operator, getting hints from Putin on how to do it. He is dangerous.
    1
  1699. The Tories are at this time interested in only one thing: siphoning all the money out of the country they can. They are not interested in governing at all.
    1
  1700. Sure they can. If they can convince 50-odd Tory back-benchers to vote with them against Bozo. It would be 40 but for SF who never vote on anything.
    1
  1701. Idiots, or have evil motives. At this point we can no longer maintain that the destruction of the UK is just the result of gross incompetence.
    1
  1702. Gove 'd better practice bending over. What a clown. The politics Gove attempts is ONLY directed at the UK audience. The EU will have a hard time not to roll on the floor laughing for all his posturing.
    1
  1703. ​ @gloin10  A humbled ENG will be welcome to join the EU. Because in spite of the moronic behaviour of the current government, it is part of Europe, and co-operation will be better for everybody. But first the Gammons have to reap the fruits of jingoism.
    1
  1704. I have never seen a party anywhere in the world betray its voters as badly as the Tories have. I feel sorry for these local politicians, but the party has no more right to exist. It will need to split into a "decent" part and the dregs of humanity. The dregs will get the name, that has been tainted beyond redemption. The decent part must think of something else. "New Conservatives"?
    1
  1705. In 10 years time, the Tweet may feature in the "Never Trust a Tory" campaign that will utterly destroy the Conservative Party.
    1
  1706. I am not sure if Trump would value a Euro award as highly as a Nobel prize...
    1
  1707. Until their own pocket book is hit hard by Brexit. Then the whole house of cards will collapse. Anyhow, Brexit is a very interesting experiment in how long a dictatorial government can abuse its citizens.
    1
  1708. In order to deal with the Lorry crisis, the UK needs to switch from lorry transport to container transport. Containers can be kept in a yard for a week, no problem, unlike a lorry. Also they can be inspected easily, e.g. by X-raying the whole thing. There are a few small, under-used container terminals near London (Thamesport across from the Sheerness auto terminal & near Stanford-le-Hope). Add a dozen of half-decent cranes to them and have a few ships shuttle containers between Rotterdam and there, that would save an incredible amount of hassle and be MUCH cheaper than using lorries. If I were the Tories, I'd invest in a world-class container terminal somewhere near the EU, ASAP. Like just outside Portsmouth. Southampton has a nice little container terminal, but there is plenty of space for a bigger one. And I would help companies switch from lorry transport to containers.
    1
  1709. ​ @col.hertford9855  That shows that Brexit was the result of a carefully planned propaganda campaign. Such campaigns are designed to fill the subject with emotions, because emotions override the rational parts of the brain. That is why we should ban all news and political media that uses words that trigger emotions. But until that time, we should learn to trigger emotions with regards to the Tories: Fascist, corrupt, greedy and heartless filth that they are.
    1
  1710. ​ @okonomimono9869  Or even "reams of things" that actively scare voters away. Like a focus on political correctness and equal rights. That is pretty scary when you are being undercut in the workplace by foreigners. Let alone climate change that they says is going to cost you a huge, unspecified amount.
    1
  1711. You should have added the Star Trek beam me up sound during the fade out ;-) But I agree, there must be zero tolerance for hate speech and inciting violence, even mockingly. Only comedians should be exempt -- though not when they one-sidely demonize on specific group.
    1
  1712. Well done highlighting Labour's maneuvering forcing the demise of Truss.
    1
  1713. Well done, Phil! Another excellent video in spite of the rush.
    1
  1714. These pissing contests usually end with a brief phone call between Bozo and a Brussels official ("Long, High-level Negotiations") where Bozo gets spelled out what a mess he is in. Bozo then loudly claims "Huge Concessions" by the EU, and behind the scenes Whitehall continues implementing the protocol. The UK government is all bluff and bluster.
    1
  1715.  @jakecolburn8946  > eU's knees shivering In your dreams, mate. But I do agree Bozo will get a deal, after some extensions: he's not that stupid that he will go through with his economic suicide plan. But perhaps I give him too much credit...
    1
  1716. I thought we tried that two years ago...
    1
  1717. I think it is a bit unfair to hammer Bozo on Test & Trace at this stage: when a virus is rampant as it is, the amount of manpower needed for tracing infections is not practical. Testing is essential to allow people to decide when to quarantine or not.
    1
  1718. Another unintended consequences will be that the Brexiteers will soon discover how they have been cuckolded by Putin and the traitors in the Tory party. It is much easier to admit the error of Brexit when you can prove you have been betrayed. The masks have come off, for those willing to see. This can potentially speed the many steps required for rejoining up, so perhaps they might even rejoin in a year or 5. IF the treason by the Tories is acknowledged and dealt with quickly. But given how the UK tools are now posturing with support for Ukraine without actually doing anything, there still is a long way to go.
    1
  1719. So, this 50-year experiment taught us that it is a BAD idea to give monopolies over essential services to companies. I could have told Thatcher in 1980. Not that she would have listened, me being 12 years old at the time.
    1
  1720. Personally I do not understand how there could be a future for the Tory party. They have betrayed the confidence of the British public. Full stop. And they are all implicated in this. The only thing that should be in their future is prosecution for the corrupt deals they did to defraud the British public and causing tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths through gross neglect of duty & ignoring scientific advice.
    1
  1721. These Tories think they can hide the Brexit dividends for another year, eh? It will only result in the truth hitting home just before election time...
    1
  1722. The UK will have to ask itself one very serious question: How the Hell was such a small group of people able to hijack the country and force through the most self-damaging decision ever made by a democratic country since the Germans gave Hitler temporary powers to overrule Parliament and restore order? While the vast majority of Parliament did not want that to happen? And again my thoughts dwell on Corbyn, who betrayed the MP's that Johnson had thrown out of the party, and let the Tories replace these people of integrity with the hacks that currently stain the benches.
    1
  1723.  @geraldwagner8739  Well, if they want war, the EU can not stop them. At some point it will have to call their bluff. You can not appease this type of evil. The only ones who can stop this, are the Brits themselves.
    1
  1724. ​ @petergaskinuk-1785  "a couple of generations" Change will come sooner than that. Brexit will cause the UK economy to implode in a decade or so, and after that they will be ready to acknowledge their mistakes and fix things. I hope.
    1
  1725.  @trident6547  I remember that. The argument was that with a Norway deal, they would need to comply with all the rules and have none of the influence, and that would not be worth it. The idiots did not realise that if they left like they did, they'd still have to comply with all the rules and have none of the influence, PLUS a shit-load of red tape. Brexit has been a moronic move that will be the end of the UK. And rightly so.
    1
  1726. This is the most blatant bit of corruption I have ever heard of. With the additional benefit of making the NHS pay (much) more than it should have, further knackering it.
    1
  1727. At some point in the not-too-distant future, Bozo may try to get the UK embroiled in an actual war, to take people's minds off his failings. All crumbling fascists do that. Currently the most likely candidate would be to escort ships through the black sea, there is talk of that already. Apart from that I would have said it would be a new civil war in NI. God free us from these criminals.
    1
  1728. Re-joining the EU is inevitable. But the path towards it, is going to take some time. The first step is the annihilation of the Tory party, as their lies become obvious even to the unwashed. Second step is for the right-wing propaganda channels to bear the consequences for spreading these lies. After that, a sensible discussion on the way forward can begin, which will come to the inevitable conclusion. How long before steps 1 and 2 are completed? I have no idea, perhaps a decade.
    1
  1729. Other countries already performed this experiment, like the Netherlands. They recently had to enforce new measures after a 5-fold increase in cases over 1 week. Knowing this, Bozo will be criminally negligent if he fully opens the country on the 19th.
    1
  1730. When it is more politically advantageous to destroy the national economy, you know you are in deep sh!t. Time for a new Brexit: everybody in Great Britain, leave while you can.
    1
  1731. Tories want the status and trappings of governance, but not the responsibility. In their eyes, the liberal principle of "small government" means government should do as little as it can get away with. How they continue to manage to con the nation is beyond me.
    1
  1732. The Tory vision of "small government" is "no government", sacrificing citizens to the interests of large corporations.
    1
  1733. The problem with Labour is that they won't make outrageous promises that they will never be able to keep. One would hope that the British voters know this difference between Labour and the Tories.
    1
  1734. So that is why EU reactions to the spaff and bluster of the UK government is so composed. They know they are only having a bit of theater to entertain the Gammons. Sad thing is, there are millions in the UK who believe what is going on is true, and are genuinly angry with the EU. Not to mention people in the EU. This will become a problem when it gets time to re-align... "Those who sow the wind, will reap the whirlwind / Wie wind zaait zal storm oogsten."
    1
  1735.  @mikedutch6113  Please realise that the economic bond between England and Scotland is even stronger than the one between the UK and the EU. But with a well-defined and organised plan to gradually implement the transition over something like 5 years, that should not be too much of a problem. You know, the type of plan that Brexit should have had.
    1
  1736. The Tories still believe in Trickle-down economics. The only thing that trickles down from Tory businessmen is their spittle as they shout commands to their underlings.
    1
  1737. Probably not. More likely, chief editors and executives are personal friends of the government, and they ensure the BBC follows the government line by threatening to sack dissenters. If the government were blackmailing the BBC, it would quickly discover that the BBC has quite a bit of power over the minds of the people...
    1
  1738.  @annettehadley9718  It doesn't. In my opinion, the whole Newsroom needs to be fired for failing to adhere to basic principles of journalism. And the chiefs & executives should be imprisoned for corruption. The journalists of integrity have probably already walked away. I would have, but then I am not a journalist. The one thing that surprises me is that there has not already been a book written about it. That is one thing that would contradict my theory: the lack of whistleblowers...
    1
  1739.  @Leberteich  Well said, that is what I meant to say: that there are no MP's in government office, and Parliament is absolutely free to scrutinize the government in any way it sees fit. No more "whip" system, for example.
    1
  1740.  @vereferreus5262  And so, the UK toddles step by step towards an absolutist, fascist regime. We worried about the US being close to one, but in fact Bozo has much more power than Trump ever had. As long as he has the support of his part, he can do anything.
    1
  1741. You could replace the current (UK) government with a bunch of chimpanzees. They would do less damage to the country.
    1
  1742. That is because the French citoyens showed government who's boss several times. One time, the King sent an officer to stop the nonsense. The citoyens returned the officer in two pieces. The Brits on the other hand have always been obedient little subjects.
    1
  1743. These clowns continue to amaze me. At some point, you'd expect the government would act to alleviate the problems instead of making things worse.
    1
  1744.  @DavidWilliams-DSW558  Don't blame it on the dock workers. It just makes more sense for Rotterdam to be the leading gateway, after the collapse of the British Empire. They probably went on strike because of a deterioration in worker conditions due to falling demand, i.e. a symptom, not a cause of the demise of London.
    1
  1745. For the Mighty Money Lords, it doesn't make a difference whether they operate from London or Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin etc. They'll just make their money abroad, pay a bit more in taxes, and live in their mansions -- contributing hardly anything to the UK economy. Their worker bees will just have to move, and sod the people dependent on them in the UK. If they are lucky, they can make a bit of money doing up their gardens or washing their cars.
    1
  1746. Hold your horses, that is only a provisional approval valid until feb 28th 2021, so that a), there is no mini hard Brexit until the treaty is ratified and b). the EU parliament and other bodies that need to approve it, have the time to first properly scrutinize the deal. This is quite a sensible step. Bozo could have given the same respect to the UK parliament, but he did not. That is the true indication that the deal stinks for the UK and Bozo knows it.
    1
  1747. ​ @jonathanwetherell3609  The UK will be welcome, but only AFTER re-aligning with EU regulations FIRST. That means tossing those great trade-deals you are making and becoming a real democracy.
    1
  1748. I will start taking the UK seriously again when the Daily Express goes bankrupt because nobody wants it anymore. I'd expect the EU will make that a condition for rejoining as well.
    1
  1749. You see the result of a 30-year systematic hate campaign. For the previous 30 years or so, the media AND politicians have blamed the EU for any and all problems inside the UK, and claimed EU achievements as the result of local policies. I lived in the UK 25 years ago, and refused to read the local papers because of all the garbage in them concerning the EU. This has affected the minds of every single Briton, even those who didn't vote Leave. Almost all have, to some extent, an image of the EU as corrupt, costly and adversarial. That is a product of this long campaign. The UK had by far the best deal of all EU members, and the most influence. Nothing happened in the EU without UK approval. You will never have such a good deal ever again.
    1
  1750. With the FPtP system, there really is only room for two parties, as in the USA. Splitting the leftish vote guarantees a Tory win. If the unions don't want to share power, they should eliminate other leftish parties.
    1
  1751.  @garygriffin6411  Idunno but anything is better than splitting up a party like they are doing now.
    1
  1752. "Less taxes means more money in my pocket" That is such a deception. A decent government will use those taxes sensibly, which will make life better for EVERYBODY, except for the filty-rich people. More taxes means a better economy, but also: cheaper & better transportation, cheaper & better education, healthcare, etc, etc, etc. Even people who think they do not need the government, still depend on facilities provided by the government for nearly everything. If only for the road to your house, the water you drink, etc, etc. An analysis by Money & Marco (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuZ5WO8xoks&t=802s) illustrated this by comparing income and costs for different people groups in the USA and the Netherlands.
    1
  1753. There is some doubt on whether Bozo is just a simpleton being played by some puppet master, or whether he does have some plan, albeit a selfish one. Personally I lean to the former opinion, due to the level of unpreparedness he displayed during the Brexit negotiations last summer. But here Phil has pointed out another excellent point supporting the first opinion. If Bozo actually is in control of things, surely he would have been rearing to get out of the starting blocks... I would pity the poor sod, if not for the serious consequences of his betrayal...
    1
  1754. ​ @BENTWOONEZERO  So to spite foreigners, you have torpedoed your own economy. Well done. I am sure your dramatic gesture will greatly impress them. Brexit will teach you how much you need those expats.
    1
  1755. As an economy can be expected to grow about 3% annually when the economy is healthy, a long-term cut of 4% due to Brexit will mean that the UK will be in a perpetual economic depression due to Brexit. It doesn't sound much, 4%, but remember that Brexit is not a one-off expense: the long-term effects are recurring. It does add up.
    1
  1756. They knew what they voted for. Brexit is Brexit.
    1
  1757. Britain is demonstrating to all of us the value of having a competent government. Thank you!
    1
  1758. Brexit will be discussed and used as teaching material for many decades to come, to demonstrate the dangers of misinformation and sloppy journalism.
    1
  1759. I expect that the reason why the EU is so patient towards the UK, is that they realise that a hard or confrontational approach will do long-term damage. They look towards the time when the Tories have been annihilated, and they can negotiate with their successors. Also, the EU leaders would be perfectly happy for Brexit to never be consummated but get stuck in perpeptual extensions to <fill in name> periods. BRINO, BRexit In Name Only.
    1
  1760. Any economist shilling for Brexit should be cast out of his profession and tried for treason.
    1
  1761.  @awo4618  Not even when they directly caused the great famine of 2022?
    1
  1762. You wonder how long the British people are going to stand for all this. Their politicians are obviously not there to serve them (as they should), so when are they going to protest in earnest? Or will they wait until undernourishment and hypothermia drain their power to act?
    1
  1763. Excellent news! So, the last two decades where there was a worldwide shift to the right were an aberration. Such a shame so much harm was done during that time.
    1
  1764. The EU knows time is working in its advantage. The lies of Bozo are starting to wear thin.
    1
  1765. "A government that wants the job" Don't blame the government for being lazy. My kids would do nothing but play games all day, if they could get away with it. Blame those who should present them with the consequences for being lazy.
    1
  1766. All this corruption started with the newspapers. They are not victims but the culprits.
    1
  1767. Absolutely. It usually takes more intelligence to solve a problem than to cause it.
    1
  1768. "The press would murder them" The UK can not become a normal country as long as there is a significant part of the population getting their daily brainwash from the Mail, Telegraph, Sun, BBC, etc, etc, etc. Labour would do well to introduce laws that forbid the common tabloid tactics like having a bold title that is flatly contradicted in the main article, wild speculations, having people who are definitely not experts contradict experts, and quoting unspecified pressure groups as "Many people say...".
    1
  1769. To be fair, the British involvement in the Ukraine war makes for good photo ops that both the UK government and Zelensky take full advantage off.
    1
  1770. Brexit is what you get for trusting politicians that were fired for lying -- twice 🤣🤣🤣
    1
  1771. I think the biggest mistake the UK made in the Brexit negotiations was to continuously put unrealistic deadlines on them. They have away any cards they had with that.
    1
  1772. Filthy Tories keep blaming the EU for their own errors and failures. Absolutely shameful.
    1
  1773.  @holgerhaas3105  The moment you put a deadline on the withdrawal, the leaving country gives away any cards it might have had.
    1
  1774.  @piccalillipit9211  For me the give-away that Bozo was not to be trusted with any power was the flippant way in which he swore to complete Brexit in half a year when his predecessor had worked extremely hard for two and failed to find a sensible compromise. I am not British, so that was the first time Bozo came into view for me. And in the most damning light indeed. Unlike most Tory voters, it seems, I understood that May had uncovered a truly hard problem. Politicians who proclaim easy solutions for hard problems are never to be trusted, as they 1). willingly deceive the voters and 2). must have ulterior motives / plans.
    1
  1775. That people will actually vote for this person is an indictment of the British people.
    1
  1776. Some comments on the video: * Between 2016 and 2020, the EU economies have grown such that the Brexit deficit has already been filled * I would expect companies in the EU to loose a smaller percentage of their sales compared to UK companies as a result of Brexit, so the deficit is easier to manage without laying people off for most companies. This would make it unlikely that Brexit will lead to significant job loss in the EU. Rather, it has somewhat lessened the demand for new workers. The situation in the UK, I would imagine, is a bit different...
    1
  1777. The Turkeys keep voting for their Christmas... But as usual the corrupt ones are over-doing it and thus digging their own grave. Out of the ashes of England, a modern nation will be reborn in which most people will know and understand how the Tories have destroyed their nation.
    1
  1778. Not in the US...
    1
  1779. And this, dear children, is what corruption looks like. I wonder if Parliament has rules against calling the PM corrupt, instead of a liar.
    1
  1780. It is happening. It takes time for reality to sink in and contracts to be redrawn.
    1
  1781. Just read a nice piece of literature describing where these airheads get the idea they can blame anyone for what they are responsible for: "[a school] where young [gentlemen] for enormous pay might be screwed out of health and into vanity".
    1
  1782.  @ecaeas4439  The BBC has been overwhelmingly pro-Tory and pro-Brexit. The Tories wouldn't dare to pull the stunts they have been pulling in a country with a functioning, independent, press, especially an independent BBC. I have often seen BBC "journalists" lap up the words of a lying Tory like passive slugs. They were either completely out of their depth, or following instructions not to question their statements. There is a reason Tories rarely give interviews for e.g. Chan4, because Chan4 does have real journalists who don't stand for lies and waffle. The UK public can not trust news from the BBC.
    1
  1783. 1:29 I disagree that it is normal for Brexit to have deadlines. Full-on trade agreements can not be realised under the pressure of a deadline. It is extremely difficult to get one without a deadline, setting (arbitrary) deadlines out of political expediency is a recipe for failure. As Bozo has just found out: deadlines magnify the pressure on the weaker party to give in. Deadlines are only applicable once the agreement has been finalised: then deadlines are needed to plan the steps towards complying with the agreement. The biggest, irredeemable, blunder of the UK government was to invoke article 50 without agreement on the future, and to put a hard deadline on Brexit. May tried to circumvent that by having the open-ended backstop, but the UK government foolishly decided to do away with that. Now there is no other path forward except to either enter into yet another open-ended "transition" phase, or to blow the Union apart. I am sure Bozo will opt for the "additional transition phase", but I am also sure he is mad enough to put another deadline into it, leading to a repeat of what we saw last year. In the mean time no real progress is being made on the real, full-on trade deal that would be the final solution. Also EU frustration with UK ineptness is growing. The Tory party is filled with idiots.
    1
  1784. "Never ascribe to malice what is adequately explained by incompetence". Brexit and the current crop of Tories are teaching the world a lesson in how not to select competent governments.
    1
  1785. When a PM refuses to be interviewed by certain journalists, it is time for his/her colleagues to close ranks. In the end, it are the politicians who need air time, not the journalists who need politicians. But it politicians are able to still get interviewed after refusing "difficult" interviews, the press has lost the battle for independence and has become a government mouthpiece. For an example, just watch the press conference former Trump-ambassador Pete Hoekstra gave. After refusing to answer one journalist, the other journalists just one by one repeated the same question. Journalists need to be held accountable for spreading Tories lies, perhaps even more than the Tories for uttering them.
    1
  1786. To avoid political debates based on assigning different numbers in analyses, the Dutch Parliament has a created, in 1945, a special, NON-POLITICAL organisation (Het Centraal Planbureau, CPB) that analyses all proposals, budgets and plans. According to its constitutional law, the government is not allowed to make "suggestions" or give directions to the CPB. Instead it is ordered to use the best available scientific methods to make its predictions. Sounds like something the UK desperately needs. In fact, the UK opposition could ask the CPB to do an analysis of Brexit. I am sure they would be happy to oblige.
    1
  1787. I keep forgetting how incompetent your leaders are. All talk and bluster, no substance.
    1
  1788. I am not sure how willing the EU is to negotiate with a shadow cabinet, as generally that is something that would upset the real cabinet... A bit like silently negotiating with the USA on submarines while in a contract for submarines with France. But I am sure Labour can get them to state whether the offer the EU made last year is still open.
    1
  1789. You put it very nicely. The Brexitards voted to make themselves slaves of the Tory party. Sadly, Bozo is busy entrenching himself, so it remains to be seen if they will ever get a chance to free themselves again -- apart from following the Dutch, French, US and Ukrainian examples, to name a few (in historical order). When will the Brits ever grow a pair?
    1
  1790.  @theuglykwan  Hopefully, the coming dark night will teach UK / English politicians many things their brethren in most other EU countries already know. The sooner they learn, the better it will be for the country. The first thing they need to learn is to put the nation's needs before their own ambition (which will also be the hardest, I fear).
    1
  1791. OK. So an outside vendor based in, lets say, China thinks buggerall and does not pay the VAT. Now what happens? Are the going to charge the customer? He is not supposed to pay anything, so does the HMRC have any legal footing to confiscate or hold on to the product? If so, they would punish a party that is not responsible for the wrong, which goes against all principles of good government!
    1
  1792. It is called the "University of Hard Knocks", and the whole UK has enrolled. Classes include "Separating Propaganda from News", "Taking Responsibility", "Never Trust a Tory", "How To Recognise an Untrustworthy Politician", "Hate, Fear and Suspicion Will Ruin You", and "How Not To Run a Country".
    1
  1793.  @patrickmelling8404  The UK will be back in the EU before that.
    1
  1794.  @patrickmelling8404  "acknowledge facts" They will when they loose everything and their stomach starts to growl. I hope.
    1
  1795.  @oldgreybeard2507  For now... The current UK government is operating at the level of "Keeping up Appearances". But it can't last. In the end, they will have knackered the UK economy, Tory party and any respect the World still had.
    1
  1796. The point that it was better to Leave in spite of Brexit being a complete mess, is true. The anti-EU sentiments in the UK made it necessary. And before you can rejoin, the causes of those sentiments will need to be removed, root and all. Brexit is just the ticket for that. But it is a shame that it is also harsh towards those who did not need to learn the lesson.
    1
  1797. There is something decidedly Pythonesc about Brexit. 10:08 "Oh, come and see the delay inherent in the system!"
    1
  1798. Looks like Bozo and his cabinet of Clowns have flunked their exams...
    1
  1799. Brexit: the upper class taking back control from the lower classes. This, sadly, is a much more enduring source of hardship than an economic downturn.
    1
  1800. That will be a small minority. Most will change their tune once the hunger starts. Pretty soon, most of the UK will be pining for those sweet days when they were part of the EU.
    1
  1801. "Exposing the faults of Capitalism" Those faults have already been exposed, eloquently, by the likes of Dickens and Hugo. And solutions have already been found: good education for all, a decent minimum wage, good housing schemes, and the NHS. Instead of subjecting the nation to the most impactful economic experiment after the forced industrialisation of Ukraine by Stalin, they should have picked up a copy of Les Miserables, David Copperfield or Oliver Twist. I thought Eton education included reading literature?
    1
  1802.  @dianamincher6479  The pilot has pinched all the life jackets, so don't bother.
    1
  1803.  @Ricksdiner  It is shocking that you see Brexit in war terms. This is not a war. You want to leave, and no-one is hindering you. The EU is not and has never been your enemy. The EU has always been just, civil and in fact very friendly towards the UK. Your anger towards the EU is only the result of lies. If you disagree, please give me one, just a single one, example where the EU has been unjust to the UK, or has otherwise wronged it.
    1
  1804. ​ @Ricksdiner  "all about strategic goals and interests" Sorry to burst your bubble, but Brexit is all about tax evasion & self-enrichment by the super-wealthy, and political power-grabbing. Bozo is a populist. He and his allies have directed the anger caused by years of austerity against the EU. They have presented themselves as the sole saviours from the evil EU to garner power. But they forgot to mention that this anger was originally caused by their own austerity measures, not by the EU! That the EU is somehow the cause of the hardship of so many in the UK is a complete fabrication. You, dear heart, have been deceived.
    1
  1805.  @Ricksdiner  "The U.K. needs a deal however sovereignty is paramount to us" That is self-contradictory. One essential aspect of a trade deal is that you give up some of your sovereignty in order to get something else. That is the case with every form of contract, from a marriage to a house sale to a business contract etc. A wise man know what part of his sovereignty to sacrifice. You don't quit your job just because you have to buy petrol to get there. You can try to remain fully sovereign as a man, but you will find you become very lonely and hungry very quickly. As part of the EU you had more power ("sovereignty") than you will have outside of it. In the EU, every member has veto rights on every bit of legislation that is passed. The UK was one of three leading nations in the EU who determined its course. You have lost that. Now you either take or leave what is offered to you by the EU. The UK government has habitually blamed the EU for things they themselves did to cause people pain, and took the credit for every bit the EU did to help the UK citizens. I repeat, you, dear heart, have been deceived.
    1
  1806. Sound like a good formula for a YouTube channel!
    1
  1807. This "Brexit Benefit" is not a benefit of Brexit at all. There was nothing that stopped the government from increasing the minimum wage and improving worker conditions while in the EU. In fact, Labour has been wanting to do that for a long time now.
    1
  1808. ​ @landsgevaer  The can't re-negotiate in lieu of complying with the existing deal.
    1
  1809.  @shiroamakusa8075  The simple fact that if you want to sell something in China, you need to surrender the IP on that product, is an outrageous breach of all trade rules in existence. Also the enormous amounts of government subsidies in certain areas fly in the face of all WTO rules.
    1
  1810. Well done, Phil. Keep hammering the message home that Brexit was conceived by Putin and executed by the Tories only to weaken the EU and the UK, so Putin could win back his previous vassal states. That makes the Tories, TRAITORS. Pure and simple. They can never again be trusted with any high office, and instead should be persecuted like the British Union of Fascists was at the onset of WW2.
    1
  1811.  @TonklinFallen  70-odd Euro's, plus the cost of a photo. Not cheap, used to be much cheaper.
    1
  1812. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The farcical clown show that was Bozo's reign is being forgotten.
    1
  1813. At least it will give the poor Brexitards the consolation of knowing it is all the EU's fault.
    1
  1814. I don't think it will get worse. Before long, it will be a crime to report on leaks that put the government in a bad light. Phil may at some point need to seek asylum...
    1
  1815. Apart from being politically astute, being against an extension of the transition period is also true to character for Starmer. He is against Brexit, so choosing between an extension or not an extension is choosing between two evils. This certainly does not prevent him his "Told you So' moment, as he can just as easily point to the complete lunacy of Brexit and Tory mis-handling of the whole thing.
    1
  1816. Partner 1: There you have it. We signed the deed. We are now officially divorced. Partner 1 again: Honey, mind if I use our car?
    1
  1817.  @davidrobertson9271  The French have the best health-care system. Completely free and at a fraction of the cost per capita in the USA.
    1
  1818. Brexit will put that to the test. The UK failed to have a revolution in the 18th century, I am not sure if they can avoid one this time.
    1
  1819. Don't worry about jinxing the penalties. Dutch commentators made the point "The first time these boys will touch the ball will be while taking the most important penalty in their lives", when they saw the exchanges in the 120th minute. They expected doom as well. As the man said, the trainer is the only one to blame. More experienced players should have done their duty.
    1
  1820. I do not understand why the ERG is principally against the EU. Does anyone know their arguments or reasoning? Why are they still interested in making Brexit even harder? I thought it was just greed and/or political opportunism / populism, but it seems there is more beneath the surface. And what is this association with the KKK about? Those are evil people, driven by racism and a longing for a past that never was, hate feeding on wrongs that never were.
    1
  1821. Brexit, the nightmare that gets worse by waking up.
    1
  1822. I like the new white balance!
    1
  1823. Brexit is what you get by listening to "news" from a party that is actively trying to hurt you. As long as freedom exists, it will be taught as a powerful example of how to deceive and manipulate a population.
    1
  1824.  @jakecolburn8946  Short answer: down. Long answer: back into the EU.
    1
  1825. There are other nations that have FPtP: the USA and Poland, that I know of. Both either have or narrowly avoided fascist anti-democratic governments.
    1
  1826.  @SirAntoniousBlock  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw5N8iVDHI
    1
  1827. "Truss the same problems as Johnson" What, you mean to say that the whole Tory party is affected with a mentality of self-enrichment at the cost of the tax payers? Shocking. Positively Shocking.
    1
  1828. About audio: it regularly clips (i.e. the gain is too high for the recorder to handle it).
    1
  1829. Why is Mrs Patel not fired on the spot for ignoring these meetings? That is what would happen in any other democracy (except perhaps the USA, but that is not exactly a shining example...). She should try that kind of behaviour in the Netherlands, she wouldn't last a day. When parliament requests the presence of a minister at a meeting, they come--or face a Motion of Disapproval, which is the immediate end of their political career. Government serves at the pleasure of the elected Parliament. Is this not so in the UK?
    1
  1830. 0:40 - Like that caption!
    1
  1831. Of course this is Brexit related: the US is treating the UK differently than the EU. And of course the UK government will try to spin it so it has nothing to do with Brexit. This government will continue to hoodwink and cuckold the UK until they finally see through the deception.
    1
  1832. Congratulations with defeating the Danes, by the way. I am happy you won, as it means one group of EU supporters less to infect.
    1
  1833. What, the EU protect their single market? How dare they oppose a sovereign nation!
    1
  1834. ​ @ab-ym3bf  "The electorate is as much to blame" Exactly. They will shortly get a lesson, totally free, from the University of Hard Knocks, that will teach them why integrity in MPs and the government is important. And those who voted for the opposition will get a lesson why it is important to use your right to protest while you still have it. I'd say it is high time the UK see concerted protests like the Gillets Jaunes.
    1
  1835. ​ @ab-ym3bf  "Beyond help, those people" I am afraid you are right. You'd think the people would notice the lies, contradictions and U-turns, the way the narrative changes over time and the gaslighting. All are indications a source is not trustworthy, but they are completely oblivious to it. Perhaps some were conscious of it. But they failed to take the step to stop reading the garbage, and it has slowly eaten away their mind. They have been spouting this garbage for at least 30 years, perhaps longer. The bankruptcy of the Mail, Telegraph, Sun etc will be an indication people have finally become aware.
    1
  1836. @David Young Where are the protests? Learn from the Gilets Jaunes.
    1
  1837. ​@David Young What amazes me most about this carfuffle in the UK is that there are not more, or more insistent, protests. Whole branches of the economy have been made in-viable at a stroke, and what do those affected do? Moan a bit in the media. Now, that will have the government shaking in its boots! It may well be that you, personally, have good reasons not to be out on the streets, but I will say that most European nations would not have taken these massive betrayals by the Tories and the media lying down, except for some of the younger democracies. Usually, a country gets the government they deserve, and the UK fully deserves what is happening to it, by their failure to keep the media and the government, honest.
    1
  1838. Many of the effects you describe are a direct result of FPTP voting. With PR voting, the group of potential voters is much larger, making a government much more sensitive to massive protests like Kill the Bill. Also, the government will not be interested in voters for a single party, but the overall support for the current coalition.
    1
  1839. And I am sure the Tories will respond to these issues with even more victim blaming. They are disgusting.
    1
  1840. ​ @justonecornetto80  You obviously do not understand how the EU works. Its member nations have full veto rights on such decisions. Some might even exercise their sovereignty and have referenda on the UK rejoining. Because in spite of all the Brexitard drivel to the opposite, each and every EU member is also a Sovereign nation. Like the UK was, before it gave up all its influence on the most influential block in the World. Now it is just a submissive rule-taker without any say. The Britons have suffered greatly from this, in fact Britain is on a fast track towards bankruptcy. Just as Putin wanted.
    1
  1841. Tories, like any good fascist organisation, need strife in order to hide what they are really about: stealing as much as possible out of the national coffers. To do this they create enemies, and point to themselves as the only ones capable of fighting them. Never mind that they usually started the fight, and that the enemy is not an enemy at all. They are doing this with the EU, the immigrants, and now the core workers serving society, painting their desperate struggle for survival as greed. It is sickening, but it does work -- IF the media is complicit. That is why Phil is doing such a great service to the public, providing a counterbalance to the fascist media. And about the battle with the nurses specifically: the Tories actually want the NHS to fail, so they can privatize it. They rejoice whenever nurses are forced out of the profession, as that is one more person that their mates can replace for a large profit.
    1
  1842. If many Tory voters just refrain from supporting these idiots with their suicide pact, that is fine with me.
    1
  1843. ​ @weissblau  Not voluntarily, I know. But from 1801 until 1922 it was officially part of the UK, i.e. joined to the three other countries into a single kingdom.
    1
  1844. Thanks for your update! I am very happy with your plans. Indeed, the UK needs political reform. Far too many people vote against their own interests because they don't see an alternative.
    1
  1845. Fartage has a long history of putting himself in front of cameras. Apart from that, he has done nothing. No doubt he will rarely be in Westminster -- except to partake of the subsidized meals.
    1
  1846. ​ @annemoncrieff3875  Indeed they didn't. But I still don't see daily protests of e.g. Scottish fishermen dumping rotting produce in front of #10.
    1
  1847. I would suggest this image as background for Farage: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-john-cleese-monty-pythons-flying-circus-1969-31144632.html
    1
  1848. The Tories are trying to rewrite history and gaslight the UK people. If only the UK had real journalists. They would have a feeding frenzy right now.
    1
  1849. So now we can finally say with confidence: Tory politicians are (responsible for) disgusting piles of sh!t. BTW: claiming that it is legal to do something so nothing can be done about it -- as an MP is in the same category of deception as claiming that Biden is part of a satanic child-abusing cult -- as President Trump. If what that person says is true, guess who is responsible to do something about it?
    1
  1850. So, after bankrupting their hauliers by failing to compensate them for the more expensive drivers, these (large) firms will have to buy their own fleet of vehicles and hire their own drivers. Sounds like a smart move -- not.
    1
  1851.  @Steve_Coates  Not if the bankruptcy is handled by a half-decent executor! Those trucks represent a lot of money, and the executor will sell them to the highest bidder.
    1
  1852. The Tories, for all their shenanigans, fail to understand that all the arguments they use to solidify power for the PM, can and will also be used to argue for Scottish Independence. The Tories will see the Union dissolved, and it will be their fault.
    1
  1853. ​ @Petal4822  Oh, but this IS our own business. Brexit has also hurt the EU. And many of the people on this channel have some personal connection to the UK. I, for instance, have many British friends living there and here in NL. I would love to visit the UK again, but in the current xenophobic climate I don't dare to, even apart from the shortages. The history of the UK and the rest of Europe has always been intertwined for as long as people have been living in the UK. It is silly of you to deny that. You are all the offspring of European migrants (and some non-European), be it from right after the last ice age, the Roman times, the Anglo-Saxon invasions, the Viking and Norman invasion, or more recently. Even your language is a hodge-podge of Norman, Saxon and French, and less than 1000 years old. Somehow you still think you can live as if you rule the waves. But that ended 80 years ago. It is time to stop deluding yourselves. Your country can not survive separated from the rest of Europe.
    1
  1854.  @hitmanjunkie2945  🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
    1
  1855. Bozo could make a video of him lighting his farts and it would drive any serious issues from the front pages. Anyway, this little episode put Bozo at a collision course with Parliament considering the Speaker's comment last week, so I don't know if this increased his chances with the backbenchers...
    1
  1856. If UK citizens let their vote depend on Torygraph headlines, all is lost. Those with half a brain should emigrate at their earliest convenience. My country (NL) has a shortage of physics teachers (wink wink, nod nod).
    1
  1857. The UK government consists of children playing at management. Their negotiation style most resembles a 3-year old passing cookies in a supermarket. Sad.
    1
  1858.  @marinusvos  There still is a block and an axe at the White Tower. Must keep those ravens happy!
    1
  1859. ​@David McCallum You are a prime example that Brexit adversely affects the function of the brain. What point are you making? We are talking here about what exports the UK has. Not about imports. The UK needs exports in order to prevent going bankrupt from the things it needs to import. It is called the trade balance. I know the UK used to offset its net import of goods with a net export of services, but those exports are even more knackered than those of foodstufs. And, without these specific exports a LOT of people are going to loose their jobs, not just the businesses directly involved, but also their suppliers. This all makes Brexit a catastrophic fuck-up, on a level that will be taught in future history classes. And it will inevitable lead to the UK re-joining the EU. If you want to direct the discussion away to something else, please try to use logic.
    1
  1860. @David McCallum "A 67bn trade deficit with the EU proves we don't need them" So, by that reasoning, because I buy at the supermarket and don't sell anything, I don't need them??? Are you insane?
    1
  1861. ​@David McCallum Complaining about the price of membership of the EU? You think the EU is expensive? As the price of added bureaucracy alone is far in excess of what the UK ever paid to the EU, I'd say Brexit is the stupidest move ever, from an economic standpoint. You don't switch supermarket to save a few pennies when you need to spend dozens of pounds on getting there. Well, perhaps you do. I wouldn't.
    1
  1862. @David McCallum Why blame the EU for things that are and were under the purview of the UK government? Remember, whilst in the EU, the UK had more rights and power than any other EU member. That is over now. And I don't believe for a second that the EU somehow subsidised a factory to move out of the EU. That would be plain silly. Don't believe everything you read, my friend, especially in UK right-wing media. They tend to lie a lot.
    1
  1863. The UK has been brainwashed by decades of anti-EU propaganda, all of it lies. But don't worry, Brexit will soon set them straight. The government will not be able to keep up appearances.
    1
  1864. Watching Brexit unfold is like watching a toddler playing with a ticking time bomb.
    1
  1865. The "Colonials", as the English like to call them, are more Dutch, German and Irish than they are British, but never mind.
    1
  1866.  @raymondgill9796  He also supported Hitler, so while he had some good ideas, he was severely lacking in others.
    1
  1867. ​ @codacreator6162  Well put. A sustainable economy needs a mechanism to balance the needs of the workers and those of the employers. That can only be achieved through dialog & negotiations. Therefore people need to organise: you can't have a meaningful dialog or negotiation between 100 managers and 10000 workers. By fighting unions, US employers have signed their own death warrant.
    1
  1868. At this point one has to wonder about the sanity of people who will still vote Tory. Except if they belong to the rich 1%, they are the ONLY ones who benefit from Tory governments. The Tory party is out of ideas, out of competence, out of leadership, out of their league.
    1
  1869. ​ @shiroamakusa8075  Actually, it all happened in a very short time-span: just 11 years, 5 of which Napoleon had been the de-facto ruler of France. The first republic only lasted for 6 years.
    1
  1870. Bozo made made two promises that he has actually kept: "Let bodies pile high", and "F*ck business". Especially SMB's, obviously Tory donors will be helped out.
    1
  1871. "I don’t know what the Brexiteer press are bleating about" Having Le Pen in power would have given the Brexiteer media a definite enemy to blame the failure of Brexit on. Currently the restraint with which the EU treats the UK means they have no cause for complaints. They will still complain, but Le Pen would give them real cause. Brexiteers are not at all interested in damaging the country. They are only interested in being able to blame someone else for it.
    1
  1872.  @justmythought7658  "where would they stand now" They would be in power now. I have always wondered about Labour's dithering. If there was anything that kept the Tories from completely gutting social democracy, it were the rules & regulations from the EU. In the long run, it will work out fine for Labour (as the Conservative party will not survive Brexit), but at what cost!
    1
  1873. ​ @apkk5594  Corbyn was in a position to permanently cancel Brexit, if only he had formed a coalition with the rest of the opposition in summer 2019. He should have swallowed his pride and let anyone else become PM. But instead he wanted to become PM himself and allowed the 2019 GE. So, he pissed away his own political future, the future of the UK, and perhaps even the future of Labour, as their continual weak stance on Brexit will be remembered by the people. Brexit is THE biggest issue in UK politics for the foreseeable future, so not taking a stance on it is absolutely ridiculous.
    1
  1874. Well done for spotting this early, but I am afraid the lesson needs to become a bit more obvious still before the little Englanders will learn their lessons. The University of Hard Knocks will shortly resume in earnest.
    1
  1875. It does not matter how good or bad the deal is, Brexiteers will always believe in their triumph over the evil empire.
    1
  1876. The very few who understand Brexit are sure to profit from it. The others just don't have a clue how this all is going to affect them personally, Bozo included.
    1
  1877. Not at all. The Brexiteers got EXACTLY what they wanted. Not the Brexitards, mind you. Those who voted for Brexit were shafted. But those who organised Brexit made a killing. NEVER TRUST A TORY!
    1
  1878. As before, the success of the Brexidiots is only due to the weakness of the opposition. Remember, Corbyn had Bozo by the crown jewels, but then let go out of personal ambition. If that idiot had not given away control, Brexit would not have happened.
    1
  1879. If the UK wants a new government, they might want to do some protesting.
    1
  1880.  @almondmagnum8604  Wasn't a former president recently convicted for corruption? A willingness for corruption is an incentive for some!
    1
  1881. One way to fix this situation is to adopt a law (in future, when a sensible government has been elected) that forces all members of Government to speak truth. Perhaps there can be some room for evading answering the question, but outright lies should lead to outright punishment. By taking the decision whether something was a lie or not out of the hands of Parliament, we avoid the situation where Parliament is powerless against a mendacious government that still has majority support.
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  1882. That will be a long process. The EU will first want to see you comply fully with the WA, and constitutional reform that make you a democracy instead of a demockracy. Otherwise it will not trust you with a stick. Because a large part of the EU has been deeply insulted by the treachery and going-ons of the Tory clowns.
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  1883. I don't understand why Sh!tter isn't banned in Europe by now. Musk has made it a blatant anti-democracy propaganda channel.
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  1884. "The EU were wrong to do it" Phil, somehow you think that keeping Bozo in check is the job of the EU. It is not. Bozo is the legal representative of the UK, and the EU has no option but to honor him. As they say, respect the Office, not the man. To do anything else would be to treat the UK like a hostile nation, which is NOT what the EU wants. It would escalate things very rapidly, hurt the Brits but strengthen Bozo's position. No, Bozo is the UK's problem, and the UK's responsibility to deal with. In the meantime the EU will try to keep as good relations with the UK as possible.
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  1885. What can I say. Hang in there and stay safe, everybody.
    1
  1886. This is outright illegal: trade with advance knowledge. These people must go to jail, including the ones who tipped them off. Obviously, this will not be prosecuted during this government, BUT IT WILL BE DURING THE NEXT!
    1
  1887. UK Democracy has failed. I hope you understand why the EU will not have you back until you have fixed this. Some steps to take: * Proportional Representation. * MP's can not sit in government, you can't be MP and Minister at the same time. * Outlaw the "whip" system. Threatening or blackmailing an MP, even by another MP, is an automatic prison sentence. * Replace the House of Lords with something democratic. * Write all this down in a proper Constitution. * MP's & government are not allowed any controlling shares in businesses or side jobs, nor any direct relatives. * MP's & government are not allowed to trade (shares, bonds, futures, currencies, etc) while in office, nor are direct relatives. * Prosecute politicians who committed corruption. * Prosecute journalists who misrepresented facts when they should have known better.
    1
  1888. Great comparison. Dictators don't change.
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  1889. Looks like the Conservatives are counting on something to shield them from the voter's anger, as they keep kicking the can. What are the odds the next GE will still be a fair one?
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  1890. I do not think the Tories are the UK's worst enemies. The division of the center left, is. UK politicians are all bumbling, self-centered idiots. But those on the right know to publicly support their leader, even as they stand in line to do him/her in.
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  1891. The University of Hard Knocks continues classes. Current class: "Being Nice to the People Who Bring Your Food".
    1
  1892.  @torehaaland6921  No worries, the UoHK keeps repeating classes until they pass.
    1
  1893. Turns out the Tories have been lying all the time since Thatcher. That is news to me. (but well done pointing it out so clearly, Phil! Thanks!)
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  1894. Perhaps there should have been more clapping Thursday evening for the dust men....
    1
  1895. UK politics is a comedy show where posture is everything. If ever a remake is made of "Yes, Minister", they only need to splice clips from the news together.
    1
  1896. The Tories might do well to go to the London zoo and get a chimp to replace bozo. The next incumbent of #10 will have to answer for the full brexit fallout.
    1
  1897. Sadly, this is why EU membership will not be in the book for some time to come. The UK (or England, after 2023) needs to become a stable country again, and it will be very hard -- especially with the rabid gutter press and the swivel-eyed Tory loons barking up Labour's tree all the time, blaming them for the fall-out of the past 12 years of Tory rule.
    1
  1898. Britain is in a death spiral. That is what you get for trusting compulsive liars. Keep up the good work, Phil!
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  1899. Given that the MSM stonewalls Labour and only features them in order to attack, it is absurd that Labour does not do more on social media. Here is an excellent opportunity to build their own platform. Especially if they focus a bit on outrage against Tory shenanigans. Social media LOVE outrage. Which is why your platform is relatively small, you focus much more on facts & understanding. You are basically teaching political science to us. Labour should go all-out on some proper Propaganda, confronting all the heinous things Tories do and have done. I bet they would have a million subscribers in a year.
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  1900. Bozo playing the blame game instead of solving the situation is a very bad sign. I am very glad I live in the EU, that takes food security seriously.
    1
  1901. He already is, so who cares.
    1
  1902. Having lorries roll on and off ferries requires infrastructure that takes a few years to construct. And you need the physical ferries to roll on and off from. So, in theory, you are right there are alternative ports that could be used. But to have been able to actually use them by 1-1-2021, some foresight was required.
    1
  1903. ​ @benwilson6145  "I'm sure the Tories gave a ferry contract" They did. That company went bankrupt a few days ago, I kid you not! "that only require a piece of flat Quay" It is not just the ships. It is ships and access roads and customs officials and IT systems and plate recognition systems and inspection systems, just to name a few of the many cogs that need to be in place. It isn't that these things can not be sorted, it is that there is not enough time left. Bozo with his moronic brinkmanship has used all the time that was meant to transition in to the new situation, to define what that new situation is going to be. So now there is not enough time to do the actual transition, even if there were to be a deal. The Idiot. Not that the EU is not aware of his bluff and bluster. Before you can make an actual threat of No Deal, you need to be physically prepared to handle a No Deal. This is most likely the Swan Song of Bozo, and when he is gone the new PM will beg for an extension to the transition period, in my opinion. The UK is just not ready. It is essential that the UK make up its mind about what the post-Brexit situation is going to be, and then take at least a year to prepare for it, before ending the current "transition period". All these short deadlines that May started and Bozo continued are just plain dumb. They think they can browbeat the EU into concessions with them, but the bluff is just too obvious to have the EU worried. Just like threatening suicide will not cause a worthy woman to want to marry you. The EU will regret your suicide, but we will not stop you.
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  1904. Capitalism has a funny way of creating crises.
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  1905. Freeports is a bad idea. They do not generate new work, they only take work away from other places, generating less money for the country than they would otherwise. It also accelerates the race to the bottom: a thoroughly negative sum game for the UK. If you want to compete, compete on quality & value. That is a positive-sum game.
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  1906. ​ @cornellmccallabennett988  Not just the agrifood, but all SMB's are affected by this. Because the EU market is so much bigger than the UK, and much more varied, it is much easier to find alternative sources for UK products. For most UK products, there would already have been competitors in the EU before Brexit. Brexit has given those competitors a HUGE advantage. Can you think of any UK product for which the EU does not have alternative sources, except agrifood? And that has remained in the UK preparing for Brexit, unlike e.g. Dyson? To be honest, I know of the Raspberry Pi which is still mostly manufactured in the UK last I checked, and it seems it has gone up a bit in price. I am interested to see if that will remain to be the case.
    1
  1907. ​ @cornellmccallabennett988  In order to import food, you first need to export. Just like your household, you can not buy food unless you have first earned the money. Loans will not help. Having loans means you first need to pay off the loan before you can even think of buying new stuff. Loans should ONLY be used to invest, never to buy consumables. That is why we keep banging on about exports. You can always import. Spending money is easy. People will always be glad to take your money. But first you need to have that money. And BTW: I am not talking about "investing" in stocks with borrowed money. That is another extremely stupid thing that gets people in serious financial difficulty. NEVER buy stock with money you can not miss, as a downturn in the market may mean that it takes a decade before you can convert your stocks back to money without loss. For example, the AEX only recently crossed the level it was at more than 20 years ago.
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  1908. I would argue the decision by Hitler to invade Russia is (at the moment) more self-destructive than Brexit.
    1
  1909. Absolutely right. And the point of impact will not be this bickering about A16. It will be the removal of the heart of London's financial services industry to inside the EU by mid-2014 (when € transaction clearing will no longer be allowed outside EU soil). That will hurt the UK very, very much.
    1
  1910. What gets me is the lack of responsibility with these bell-ends. The words of our Lord apply: "The [Tories] sit in the [Queen's] seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." Woe's to them. We are watching the final days of the Tory party. If only the next GE weren't as long away.
    1
  1911. Your analysis makes a lot of sense. Things will get worse before they get better: let Bozo catch the blame for it all. You'd have to be mad to want to take over at this time. Any replacement would have to get tough with Covid measures, and will still need to balance ERG madness with the harsh realities of a crashing economy, lost international reputation, a W.A. and N.I.P. the UK can not wriggle out of, and Scots and Irishmen who are well and truly done with England. The next PM will have to preside over the destruction of the UK, or take steps to quickly re-align with the EU. Not a happy prospect, except for a narcissistic idiot (like Bozo).
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  1912. The Tory vision of government is to sit on their arses and fiddle while Rome burns. "The plebs going hungry? Must be their own fault, they should take care of it themselves".
    1
  1913. "They could easily be intending to do nothing about it" That is an excellent summary of Tory government principles.
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  1914. I wonder when the Brits will let go of their deference for their leader now they are so obviously working to hurt their citizens. Will they do it before they are literally starving or after?
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  1915. Nothing says "disfunctional political system" like what we have seen in the UK these past 6 years: 2 elections, 4 different PM's, none of whom started as the result of a new election, I don't know how many Chancellors, and the current ones are missing in action or crash the economy every time they open their mouth. I am appalled that Labour is still not advocating PR.
    1
  1916. Hi Phil, Though it must be depressing to yet again point out government's mishandling and misreporting of Brexit, it is important work. More and more people will catch on to what the Tories are doing to the Kingdom. Keep up the good work!
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  1917. Keep up the good work, but be sure to rest occasionally! All the best from the Netherlands.
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  1918. The point at which the anti-NIP rhetoric gets tired has long been passed. Little Trust should tell us when she has actually done it, not before. I don't know how the EU would react, though. At some point, I think we will impose much stricter checks on UK goods, but the risk this poses now to the internal market is relatively small as the UK hasn't diverged yet that much. The French may be of a different opinion, and they are entitled to it, but I don't think the situation with the NIP is very high on the EU agenda. I think the measures to move the financial services from London to the EU will be a much higher priority.
    1
  1919. British wine? Britain has a history in producing cider and beer, but I am not sure British wine is a substitute for French, German, Austrian, Spanish, Greek or Italian wine... Bloody hell, Wine is one of the most enduring and ancient imports to the UK! Started in the Bronze age, when it was traded for tin!
    1
  1920.  @garrywynne1218  It is evil to negotiate in bad faith, it is evil to break the Law, it is evil to sacrifice the peace in NI for personal benefits, it is evil to bankrupt a nation even further in order to hide your illicit funds. Want me to continue?
    1
  1921. RE your proposal to only let genuine experts do debates: please let debates not be done by scientists, but by people who actually use their knowledge to make decisions, such as Engineers (the variety with university degrees like MSc) or economists who actually do trade. Scientists will waffle on about uncertainties without regard for their likelihood. Engineers & traders are used to making definite decisions in spite of uncertainties, and know how to manage uncertainties. As an engineer, I get so frustrated when a politician is debating a scientists, and the scientist doesn't dare to flatly contradict the politician because there is a tiny possibility he is right. Scientists don't have to live with the consequences of bad calls. Engineers and traders do.
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  1922. This is shameful beyond words. Rescuing those in need of assistance at sea is one of the obligation of all seamen able to give assistance, not just the RNLI volunteers.
    1
  1923. Prices of Whisky have gone up, though...
    1
  1924. Someone should explain the sunk cost fallacy to these Tories. They are not just wreaking their own career, not just the party, but the whole nation.
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  1925. The USA is not yet aware of how asinine their voting methods are. The other day I spotted Michael McFaul, whom I greatly admire, bemoaning on Twitter that the USA doesn't have a proper Green Party. I replied that that would be a terrible idea that would guarantee that the Republicans would win every election from then on. Presidential elections must be decided 1), by counting ALL the votes equally (proportional), and 2). if no one candidate gets the absolute majority, there is a second round between the two highest-scoring contenders. Like the French have it.
    1
  1926. By just reporting the long-term effect (-4%), the budgetary committee is helping the government. With Brexit, the transitioning effects will take much longer to settle down than with "normal' disruption. What are the short-term and medium-term effects, and HOW LONG WILL THESE LAST? For all we know, the short-term effects will last 5 years resulting in a cut of GDP of 60%, and the medium-terms effects lasting 20 years resulting in a further cut of 40%.
    1
  1927. I am sure Bozo would like 1T£ of export to suddenly appear. But if they failed to find that market while in the EU, they won't find it out of it -- except if it used to be illegal, like arms exports to dubious regimes or trade in protected species.
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  1928. Now the big question: how will a few foreign drivers solve the crisis? Because these drivers will be sucked up be the companies that are already sucking up all available drivers: those with their own fleet of vehicles and enough margin to pay better wages.
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  1929. I do hope people learn that vital lesson: NEVER TRUST A TORY. They work ONLY for their own benefit, not yours.
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  1930. Well spotted. The EU had nothing to do with the fact that fishing stocks ran out. We just had a system for dividing the pain that more-or-less worked. Brexit is not going to change that, unless the UK plans to go rogue and deplete stocks until the fish are gone irreparably.
    1
  1931. Apart from that what she is doing is pure evil, the fact that her own parents were immigrant from Africa takes this to another level of evil. Her Spitting Image puppet was well chosen. She has no soul nor conscience.
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  1932. ​ @lochnessmunster1189  Good question. I also don't like the more federalist tendencies of some EU leaders. But the worst thing you could have done was to leave the EU, because the UK was always a strong counter-balance against those who wanted a United States of Europe. Now you have permanently lost that influence, you dick-heads.
    1
  1933. If the government does not take responsibility, and the shortages get bad, The People will take matter into their own hands. So, go on Bozo, and you will get a lesson in the right priorities for a government.
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  1934. I rarely drink Champagne. I prefer Crémant, Prosecco, Cava or Sekt. But I guess these are even harder to come by in the UK...
    1
  1935.  @peterebel7899  So you want to go the path of hyper inflation? Good luck with that.
    1
  1936.  @robertgalloway3771  Exactly!
    1
  1937. Somehow I don't think your speech, or anything Bozo says, will cause people to rise up in support of Brexit-voting farmers... They won, they should be happy! Let them have their cake and eat it!
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  1938.  @routeman680  Please explain what characteristics of the EU are actually authoritarian or fascist. Facts only, please. I am sure you will have a long list. Of about 0 elements.
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  1939. Tories being hypocritical and misleading parliament. Who would have thought? In my country, misleading parliament is usually the immediate end of your political career...
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  1940. The Brexit damage will never be repaired. The trust you have lost with your former customers has been lost for ever. All signs indicate both N.I. and Scotland will break off the UK. Due to the current divergence from EU rules & regulations will require a significant re-adjustment period. The current undermining of UK democracy by Tories will require constitutional reform, which in itself will take 5 to 10 years to finalise. The preferential situation in the EU will never return: you will become a regular member who needs to embrace Sjengen and the Euro.
    1
  1941. ​ @Petal4822  That referendum was held under the warning, from the Tories, that Scotland could only be guaranteed membership of the EU by remaining in the UK. Thus Brexit has invalidated the referendum. Time for a new one.
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  1942. There will never be any benefit of being outside the EU. In 50 years time, when Reese-Bogg said benefits would start to come, the UK will be no more, and the smoking ruins of England and Wales will have rejoined the single market as associates. You know, all the rules, none of the power. North-Ireland and Scotland will have rejoined before that as full members.
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  1943. I see that the Bozo Circus has good entertainment planned for our enjoyment! That is certainly a brexit benefit!
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  1944. While bad, don't blame the Gammons. They have been made to think like that by decades of mind-melting garbage from the Tory-sycophant rags.
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  1945. I can't imagine why the Daily Express would quote Monty Python. That was what the 'French' knights taunted king Arthur with. "Now go away, or I will taunt you a second time". Very appropriate, shows how they haven't learnt a thing since AD 932, or whenever this anti-french sentiment arose. Was it due to 1061 (invasion by normandy)? 1337-1453 (hundred-years war)? 1745 (jacobite rebellion)? 1814 (napoleonic wars)? Did that cause you to leave the EU? Anyway, I image the Pythons will not be amused by this: they are strong Remoaners.
    1
  1946. Frosty is acting the true brexiteer. I don't know who will follow Bozo, but it may be the ERG's final attempt to completely destroy the UK.
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  1947. Great one, Phil! Your best takedown of a government idea yet.
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  1948. WARNING: a user using the name "A Different Bias" is posting phone numbers advertising financial services. DONT BE FOOLED! It points to channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChmmXAYPPEIGlSkaU7ACIaQ, which seems to be unconnected to Phil. 2 subscribers, no uploads, posting the same comment dozens of times. Most likely a scam.
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  1949. You can't blame capitalist pigs for being, -- well --, pigs. What is more important is the lack of outcry, especially from the unions. Unions are a vital ingredient in modern societies as a counter-balance to the capitalist pigs. Where are they now? They should be busy already taking this pig to the cleaners in the courts.
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  1950.  @barryjive1791  "I’m sure that won’t stop Leavers trying to claim it couldn’t have been foreseen." ... And then putting all the blame with the EU.
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  1951. I have always thought that the 4% Brexit cost was absurdly low. Because Brexit causes a reduction of growth, i.e. the UK GDP is now growing slower than it would have without Brexit. That means that the Brexit cost is growing every year. The Brexit cost has been 5% GDP now, but it will be larger next year. And the year after. And so on until the UK rejoins the EU.
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  1952. Neither are the Conservatives, or we would already have seen people stepping down.
    1
  1953. And Brexit class continues in the University of Hard Knocks.
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  1954. Is the sound level of this video a hint to how well Labour is making itself heard?
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  1955. I love the idea of Johnson creating a legion of disgruntled #10 workers who know when to release incriminating evidence...
    1
  1956. Truss is about to base a government on making mutually exclusive promises to specific groups of people. She will betray people. The only question is: who will she betray. And that will be answered by who will give her the best golden handshake.
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  1957. Another reminder how categorically evil the Whip system is. The UK desperately needs Proportional Representation, if only to ensure MPs can not be blackmailed by threatening financing for their districts.
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  1958. While current events place Brexit in a new light, it also makes it very clear that there can be no future for the UK as long as the Tory party remains. The Tories (and other Brexiteers) have purposefully betrayed both the EU and the UK. There can be no hope at all for renewed EU membership until the Tory party is disbanded and its ringleaders imprisoned. They need to get the BUF (British Union of Fascists) treatment first.
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  1959. THIS is why the whole Brexit process stinks: Brexit is running away from something without any idea where to run to . This is a key principle in making good choices in life: NEVER leave a bad situation, instead always move to a better situation. The difference is too subtle for many people, which is why stupid choices are constantly being made. For this simple reason alone, Brexit as proposed by Bozo, Farage, May, all these idiots, is completely doomed, and the British people should never have allowed it. If this simple rule goes for your personal life, it should definitely be followed for a major nationwide course-setting decision like Brexit. As Bozo shows utter disregard for this basic life principle, I would not let him advice me in my personal choices, let alone guide the nation.
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  1960.  @paulhodgers  To be honest, fake news has for decades been causing people in the UK to vote against their best interests. Usually those who cry "fake news" are projecting their own actions.
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  1961. A 4% drop in the economy doesn't sound so bad. Until you consider that the fat cats have been making more money, out of Brexit and Covid through this corrupt Tory government. The impact for Johhny English will be far higher than those 4%.
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  1962. That international agreements are not about being "fair" but about power is an exaggeration. Both sides of the table know that to get a deal, it must be a win for both sides. However, what is a "win" is defined by its monetary value, not its sentimental or political value. The monetary value to the UK of fishing is a rounding error compared with access to the single market, and the EU knows it. That the turnaround will be a major embarrassment for Bozo is an added benefit.
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  1963. So how often are you out on the street protesting?
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  1964.  @nicodesmidt4034  "Things have to get a whole lot worse" They will. Brexit has set the UK on a path towards Bankruptcy that can not be averted even by a different government.
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  1965. "Best ever deal!"
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  1966.  @Willywin  Bozo believes in the-mock-crazy alright. Just like he believes in telling the truth.
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  1967. No Taxation Without Representation. Where did I hear that before? The English will have bad memories of that one.
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  1968. That Tory actually means to say: "I want you to stop complaining, be nice little boys until you forget I made this promise".
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  1969. +1 For the mention to the Blackadder timetravel skit. (Back and Forth) British humour is absolutely world-class.
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  1970. While the insult is obviously not as big as that to the brave citizens of Ukraine, I, personally, take being compared to Putin's regime as quite a significant insult. Knowing that many Englanders still support this clown, you can expect that the EU will be less than enthusiastic when you want back into the EU. Get rid of this idiot already, he is actually hurting the future of the UK! Scrap that, get rid of the Tories all together! They cheered when the idiot waffled these insults.
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  1971. Planning and general thinking things through is not something the UK government is capable of.
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  1972. Labour sure has its work cut out for it, to make the UK a full-fledged democracy again. The Tories have done a LOT of sabotage. Like politicizing the committees that organise the election booths. From what I gather, these are Tory appointees now. Expect a considerable amount of voter fraud these elections. People, make SURE you go out and vote, and have the correct ID on you when you do.
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  1973. I am so looking forward to the prosecution of Trump. This is just one of a long, long list of crimes he has committed while in office. It will keep the courts busy for the next decade. I hope he lives that long, because the country needs to know that the behaviour we saw of Trump is not acceptable.
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  1974. Tories are slowly waking up to the fact that Brexit is no longer anything they say it is. Brexit is what was agreed in the dec 2020 agreement. There is no more wriggle room, you are now officially and legally committed to this turd.
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  1975. Of course I know where Réunion is. It is an island between Madagascar and Mauritius. Where else would it be? Ignorance should not be the norm, and people should not apologize for knowing things.
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  1976. The ONLY reason the UK government is such a sh!tshow is because its citizens are lazy and don't have a clue how to protest. That is why the Tories take the mickey. Because they know they can.
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  1977. Doing Nothing At All: The new ideal of a small government. But still they manage to siphon off billions to their rich mates...
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  1978. It is possible to evade paying taxes by having three homes in three different tax zones. This has been known amongst e.g. expats for a long time. But to really investigate it, we need to check the entry and departure details in her passport, and count the number of days she is in the UK -- which no-one will actually do. To solve this tax hole, there needs to be an international agreement that everyone will pay a minimum amount of taxes somewhere. Everybody should then register in which country where they own a house they will pay taxes.
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  1979. The quip about IT systems is all the more damning because this was one of the few things the UK government had full control over, and 5 years to prepare. I know you shouldn't ascribe to malice that which can be explained through incompetence, but it certainly looks like the Tory government is purposefully destroying the economy of the UK. They couldn't have made Brexit a bigger disaster if they had tried.
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  1980. I had great fun fishing with my son yesterday. He caught his first one 5 seconds after putting in ;-)
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  1981. <sarcasm> The big problem here is that there are too many bloody people playing importer. Brexit will fix it so that people can actually do real work, and leave the weighty task of trading to those qualified to do so. Like it used to be. </sarcasm>
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  1982. Sorry, mate. They are sovereign, and are fulfilling the mandate the British voters gave them. They haven't broken any laws, certainly not against humanity. It is up to the British people to deal with them on election day.
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  1983.  @lours6993  Have you seen the latest polls? Tories would still win a general election.
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  1984.  @lours6993  Wish I could give you 2 thumbs-up!
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  1985. The laconic ease with which this Tory government imperils the food supply of its citizens is truly shocking. There should be a way to prosecute the evil doers.
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  1986.  @mariogmajner6549  Sadly, some people do not get sarcasm.
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  1987. The main problem with the UK is its terrible media. They should be regulated ASAP.
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  1988.  @jonathanwetherell3609  Which is also why Bercow got so much Flak, even though he was just doing his job. Utterly shameful that he was denied a Lordship, and even worse that they replaced him with that tortoise.
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  1989.  @jonathanwetherell3609  I hope history will be kinder to Bercow than Bozo and his ilk...
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  1990. "Will HMRC have the resources to cope?" No, of course not. They will target some and leave others (who are friendly with the government). Just another step in the corruption of the UK government.
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  1991. Personally, I would allow those to vote who would become Scottish citizens when independence happens. But I don't know it the rules for that are already (sufficiently) clear.
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  1992. Putin has many fingers in the UK political scene, direct contact with Bozo is just one of them. There are many ways Putin can pressure Bozo, including his links to the ERG and the rabid media. Lebedev is just a more formal route to get to him. At this point we know the whole Tory party is deeply corrupt.
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  1993. Historically, that would led to mass starvation...
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  1994. Criticizing the Speaker is useless as long as the PM has the majority of the House backing him. The Speaker's job is to facilitate the Will of the House, not the will of the opposition.
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  1995. I am sure he has a new cunning plan to save Christmas!
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  1996. What? Don't want to go back to crofting?
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  1997. On the whole, the WA, as a deal, stands. Changing it will require an enormous amount of boot-licking from the UK government. Not something they are used to, but it will be fun to see them try. The sad thing is that it will probably be Labour who needs to do this, with the right-wing propaganda channels vilifying him for it. That is why I don't have much hope for the UK. It is far too tolerant of evil, manipulative, populist propaganda. That must change before the country can heal.
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  1998.  @saaversteen  So, a straight line from Hull to Bristol then? That doesn't leave much...
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  1999. ​ @samhartford8677  So, the government didn't prepare for a hard Brexit because they didn't want to let on that Brexit was going to be hard. And in jan 2020 when it became clear that Brexit was hard, it was too late to do anything. I understand it, but it just makes the betrayal worse. The bloody idiots pushed through their evil little plan in the way that did the most damage to the country. Putin couldn't have done it better if he had been PM.
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  2000.  @jimbop4499  Haven't heard that one yet...
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  2001. Belter! In my country, the PM would probably have gotten a motion of No Confidence for his humiliation of Parliament yesterday, ignoring the Speaker. Certainly a motion of Disapproval.
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  2002. It is interesting to realise that the NI protocol is actually what the voters were promised for the whole of Britain in the run-up to the 2016 referendum. Makes the scale of the betrayal by the Brexiteers very visible, doesn't it.
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  2003. British behaviour being compared to that of a toddler. How fitting.
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  2004. The current course by the University of Hard Knocks is: NEVER TRUST A TORY! It seems you Brits are a bit slow in taking this lesson in. So we will just re-run the course until you do.
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  2005. Ha, the trolls are out again, still hoping their mighty leader will snatch a mighty victory from the jaws of defeat. Meanwhile, the bells are tolling for Johnson. He either gets laughed out of Brussels, or out of the UK Parliament. There is zero chance a deal will be struck this month. The question that remains is: will the UK (media, parliament, people) accept national suicide or not.
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  2006. These media are 100% responsible for Brexit, and need to be held responsible. They have fed the Sheeple lies about the EU for 30 years and pressured the government for the referendum. The EU would be stupid to allow England back while there has not been a reckoning.
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  2007. As a friend of mine once said, "poverty is not a problem of finances but of the spirit". The ONLY way to solve that is GOOD EDUCATION for all, i.e. for free or for a very small sum. And not just until you are 16. Subsidized education should be available to everybody, no matter how old. Apart from dealing with poverty, this will cause tremendous economic growth, as the potential of all these people gets unlocked.
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  2008. I am sorry for those NI dairy farmers, but I can't help them. Many people will suffer greatly because of what the Tories are doing.
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  2009.  @markwilliams4110  🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 The only trade deals you get to negotiate greatly benefit the other party and not the UK. As demonstrated in e.g. your Australia deal that knackers a whole industry for no benefit at all. The EU has the best negotiators in the world, you think you can do better than them? Your deal with Japan is MUCH worse for the UK than the deal you had through the EU was. Brexit did not improve your IQ.
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  2010. Hopefully this episode of British history will change the way the British vote. But then, I just watched a documentary on how Frank Whittle, the inventor of the Jet engine, was treated by the British government in the thirties and forties. It seems wide-spread corruption has been part and parcel of British government for a long time, with the Public either ignorant or powerless to act against it.
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  2011. "Pressing the bell notification icon" takes on a whole new meaning... I might have pressed it once or twice during your discussion of Mr Swayne.
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  2012. Good, good. The next step will be scapegoating the current government. Not that that will do much good, though.
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  2013. ​ @ellied.violet7372  It is not the government that is elected, it is Parliament that is elected. Parliament then appoints the government. Ever noticed how you vote for a specific MP, and not for the PM-to-be? It is Parliament that is Sovereign, NOT the government. Parliament sits for a maximum of 5 years after which a General Election is called automatically. But in the UK (unlike many other democracies), a fallen government does not automatically mean a new election is called. Parliament has 14 days to find a new leader that has the confidence of majority of the House. If none is found within that period, general elections are called. So, as I said, the opposition could have found a new leader that had the trust of the house, instead of having the 2019 GE. As Bozo had cast a lot of MPs out of the Tory party, that should have been possible.
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  2014. There is an advantage to the UK having lower standards than the EU. It means that companies in both the EU and the UK will have a place to dump stuff that fails to meet the EU requirements. EU companies will benefit from this more than UK companies, as there are more of them. But the EU will need to ensure this stuff doesn't make a U-turn in the UK to be re-exported to the EU. That means stringent checks on stuff being exported to the EU -- which will hurt UK businesses more than EU businesses. So with this brilliant move, Brexit will benefit EU companies and hurt UK citizens who will be left with the low-standard stuff. Well done, Boris Johnson & Richy Sunak.
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  2015. @The Count Certainly a job that needs doing! In the past, you could import Poles and Romanians to do that sort of thing, now some poor Brit needs to do the job.
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  2016. ​ @maxsimilion8193  I thought I made perfect use of the term. Due to Brexit, only Brits have free access to English estates -- apart from people like @TheCount who have Bozo's phone number and can arrange access for anyone.
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  2017. Knighthoods are usually given for services rendered to the Crown. So, let's take this buffoon's knighthood away, shall we?
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  2018. I'd think a permanent raise of 50 or 100% is more realistic.
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  2019. The infuriating thing is that this has all been done "legally". Billions of public money pissed away with nothing to show for it.
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  2020. Excellent piece, Phil. I understand the distress of those who want Brexit undone, but pressuring Labour is be counter-productive. FIRST you will need a government that cares about people, i.e. a Labour government. Then, and only then, the quickest route to undo the Brexit damage can be investigated. That will probably mean to first re-harmonize with EU product regulations, revoke the Australia trade deal, undo the CPTPP application, then become part of the Single Market & Customs Union. By that time, a new election will be fast approaching. The next step, full EU membership, will take a LOOOOONG time. Raising expectations that Brexit can be undone quickly will only play into Tory hands. Brexit can not be undone quickly. I understand that the People are starting to realize that they should have put more pressure on the government between 2016 and 2020. And they must still put more pressure on the government to make humane choices. But pressuring Labour to make empty promises is madness.
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  2021.  @diedampfbrasse98  As the Queen has only a ceremonial role, she is not an obstacle to democracy. In the UK, Parliament is sovereign, the Queen has zero authority over Parliament. She does as she is told. Fully agree with your comment on the House of Lords. UK democracy can still work if MPs just did their job with integrity. No democracy is robust against MPs choosing Party over Country. The same is happening in the USA, arguably a much more democratic system, but also corrupted by Representatives & Senators choosing personal interests over the interests of The People, and voters that are too lazy to kick corrupt politicians out.
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  2022. Before the UK can rejoin, they will need to give the Tories the same treatment as the BUF, the British Union of Fascists, in 1940. The Tories have betrayed the EU and the UK. Anyone who thinks we will let an UK back as member while there is any chance that these traitors can get back in power, needs to undeceive themselves. Russia itself can join the EU before the UK can if the Tory party is not disbanded and some of its leaders are imprisoned.
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  2023. They have yet to realise the position they are in.
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  2024. The Trump reign has raised a number of constitutional issues that need to be addressed in the courts. The self-pardon question must be answered by the supreme court, but I would expect that it will not fly, because the constitution declared there are three CO-EQUAL branches of government, and being able to self-pardon would place the executive branch above the judicial branch. It would mean the president would be above the law, and the Supreme Court has already ruled earlier this year that he isn't. Regardless of wording, laws must not contradict themselves, so the Court would have to decide which principle is weightier: the co-equality of the three branches of government, or the right of the president to pardon federal crimes. Also, any and all pardons that Trump issues for his minions will be challenged on the basis that in all the crimes of his minions, Trump is a co-conspirator, which would lead to the same issue of the president being above the law or not.
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  2025. "there is no majority for rejoin" The university of hard knocks is more than happy to provide more classes.
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  2026. Excellent analysis. Government and politicians have no business interfering with the Justice system. Separation of Powers 1.0.1. If the prosecutor or claimant involved does not agree with the ruling, he/she should appeal it.
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  2027. Brexit has been a massive exercise of mass-deception. The UK needs to deal with the sources of the deception in order to heal. The BBC is one of these. A lot of people need to face the consequences of their actions.
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  2028. Some non-Tory English people are huffing and puffing at this statement. But I want to remind you of your shared responsibility for the current government. IF the Tories don't speak for all the English, then why are you not protesting much more and much louder against what the government is doing?
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  2029. Interesting analysis! I thought the "anti-growth coalition" was just an other populist device to create an enemy where there is none, but failed to see how it would take away attention from the previous enemy: the undemocratic anti-Brexit league. By changing the enemy, there will be a shift in divisions in the country. Also, an anti-Brexit enemy was much easier to create than an anti-growth one, because if there is any party that is anti-growth, it is the Conservative party. Because growth is almost by definition something progressive. And conservatives are not know for being progressive.
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  2030.  @nickbarton3191  "salaries will equalise" That is the whole point behind allowing the eastern nations to join the EU. They tried this as well with China, but forgot that the system only works if the rich party is strong enough to absorb the poor party... Also, China doesn't play fair in that its official exchange rate does not reflect the trade balance, and that it appropriates all IP.
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  2031. Not forever. It is inevitable that the UK will re-join the EU at some point.
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  2032. ​ @ohgosh5892  I don't think the Tories will ever allow Scotland to break away. Nothern Ireland will most likely be re-united with Ireland, probably after being an independent nation inside the EU for a time. Having NI as part of the UK is too much hassle, both for NI itself and for the UK. Unifying with Ireland outright is too big a step for the unionists, so going independent may be a temporary solution.
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  2033.  @ohgosh5892  True, but the military and economical importance of Scotland for the UK is a bit larger than that of the colonies across the pond... On the other hand, the Tories are not acting that way at all. It looks like they want Scotland to break away. Personally, I am all for Scotland rejoining the EU, having lived there a number of years and have fond memories...
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  2034. ​ @Willywin  The whole vote Leave campaign was based on lies. The EU has never done any of the things the Brexiteers or the media accuse them of. For the past 30 years, the UK government and media has blamed everything that went wrong on the EU, and taken credit for everything that went right -- even when that was the result of EU policy. It is time to wake up and see how you have been deceived.
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  2035. ​ @Willywin  So, because you didn't like paying petrol you sold the car you needed to get to work. Smart! That is a real stroke of genius! If the EU was such a drain on your economy, I am sure there will be a major, immediate, benefit to Brexit. If I can't see it, it must be because I am not believing enough. Never mind that the economy of EU states is already outperforming the UK by a large margin. We have already recouped the Brexit losses. You have already dropped one place in the "Largest Economy of the World" rankings, and I am sure you will drop several more before the next GE.
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  2036.  @claireburgess8108  LOL. You won. Live with it.
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  2037. ​ @ohgosh5892  "There is nothing Westminster can do" Hopefully! They did fight some nasty wars over Scotland in the past... However, please don't make the same mistake Brexiteers made and underestimate the damage the break with England can cause. The breakup needs to be well prepared and orderly executed. And you should have a well-thought out and comprehensive deal with England before the actual breakup, regulating trade, services, military assets, energy etc. None of this brinkmanship BS that Johnson so enjoys. Sadly, that requires some cooperation from England...
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  2038. Get well soon, Phil!
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  2039. Don't bring a gun to a wordfight.
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  2040. At some point, we can no longer attribute what the Tories are doing to incompetence. Knowing the influence from Putin, actual malice can be a factor.
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  2041. Love of money is the root of all evil. Expose the bastards!
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  2042. About the focus: with this lot of Tories, I'd call that a "target rich environment". Remember that Sunak was the one actually living in the flat where the parties were held.
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  2043. The global refugee crisis has much more priority at the moment. I am sure that has nothing to do with climate change...
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  2044. Another example of the utter uselesness of UK government. It is simple: you can only drive a car in the EU if you government has an arrangement where their drivers licence is considered equivalent with an EU licence. This is something that the UK government could have seen coming well in advance, and solved to mutual satisfaction. But they couldn't be bothered doing their job.
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  2045. At this time, labour shouldn't do anything. They do not have the power to redress the situation, anything they say will be shouted over. In fact, the Tories may well move in the opposite direction just to spite them. No, it is time for Bozo to have his cake and eat it. Let him continue digging the grave for the UK. Out of the ashes, a new nation will arise.
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  2046. Let's hope the different Brexit visions will tear up the party.
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  2047.  @bigal.65  "No, he’s [Nigel Farage] wrong about that … I think that we all have to accept that lots of things were said in the referendum that should not have been said on both sides. And it wasn’t the consistent message of those that were leaving that we would leave the customs union.” Sir Keir Starmer, 18 October 2018, about the claim that Farage said the referendum was about leaving the SM / CU, before the referendum was held. I guess you, and Farage, like gaslighting people. Famously, even May did not want to elaborate what Brexit actually entailed. "Brexit means Brexit" was all that she could say about it, even after the referendum.
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  2048. Politicians, least of all the Home Secretary, should never comment on ongoing court cases. When they do, it very quickly become a perversion of justice, because such statements will intimidate the people involved. I hope the Prosecutor has the balls to press charges against Braverman. Maximum punishment for Perversion of the Course of Justice: life in prison. This is not a small crime.
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  2049. Saving Christmas by importing more from the EU, bankrupting local turkey farms. And they still maintain Brexit was a good idea. 🤣🤣🤣
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  2050. The likely outcome of Brexit will be exactly that. Talking about turkeys voting for Christmas ;-)
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  2051. ​ @mattsyson3980  "The other half voted against this nonsense" Still, you are in part complicit to this all because of your long silence. In most European countries, there would have been a revolt by now. You allowed the Brexitards to shout you down. Sure, engaging in a shouting match is not pretty nor classy. But as your literal lives are at stake, I'd get on with it.
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  2052. ​ @therealrobertbirchall  "we were lied to" Not even that. I am sure the Tories would have vetoed an application by Scotland, had the Brexit referendum swung the other way. Voting to remain in 2014 was a sensible decision. However, Brexit changed everything.
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  2053.  @mattsyson3980  My apologies, that was of course the best thing to do.
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  2054. The EU is being lenient because it knows Brexit itself will destroy the UK. Especially the new financial regulations coming into action mid 2024. Sadly, the next government will see the impact of that, but that will decimate the UK economy. The EU wants to be there to help the UK (or rather, England) when they are ready to accept help.
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  2055. The people of the world need to understand how these channels brainwash them.
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  2056. There was a fourth falacy in the Brexiteer argument that the German car industry would save them. The UK has no viable car industry of its own, so there is no replacement available for foreign cars. Stepping outside the EU would make all imports more expensive, also the import of non-EU cars, as they are mainly imported to the UK through the EU where the main distribution centers are. So when a Brit has gathered enough of his post-Brexit pounds to order a car, the chances are slightly lower that it will be German and slightly higher it will be Japanese or Taiwanese, but not a lot.
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  2057. Considering how the Tories dealt with very serious pollution of the nation's water resources in order for their mates in the water business to grift more money, I am not too confident they will be considerate when having their bonfire of "EU red tape". They'll be more like toddlers who got their hands on a lighter without mom and dad noticing. Ooooh, nice flames! And I am certain there will be Champaign popping in some corporate head quarters. Not all, mind you. Not in those having to export stuff. I am amazed there are still more than a handful people voting for these goons. Shows how thick or selfish some Brits are.
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  2058. Try Twitter. Details in the description.
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  2059. Kicking the can down the road is always an excellent strategy -- if you want problems to get bigger and bigger.
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  2060. Great video, if somewhat pessimistic... But I disagree that a large portion of Leave voters did so out of ignorance. I think most did because for decades they have been feeling the effects of globalisation and wanted to take a stand against it. Formerly middle-class people who bore the brunt of the 2007 crisis, economic shifts and environmental changes... Sadly, the ones driving for Leave are even worse globalists...
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  2061. You could use those trawlers to transport goods!
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  2062. Tories are purposefully impoverishing the nation. Greed may have something to do with it, but mostly I think it is outright malice. They just hate people.
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  2063. "Johnson's position looks untenable" Not at all. There are no forces that can oust Johnson except a back bench rebellion. As long as Bozo can bully them into obedience, he is safe. The Murdoch-media may well discover that in supporting Bozo, they created a monster they can not control. In the end, the PM has real power, and the media has not. Like that dummy secretary talking about Chan4 like she owned it already. Next step in the fascist playbook are some laws that will muzzle the media.
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  2064. ​ @ricardosmythe2548  UK customers have no options for purchasing many types of goods, so the EU firms having fronts in the UK can charge the added costs to the customers. UK firms setting up fronts in the EU can not, except for some specialty items that are only produced in the UK. This will mean the trade balance between EU and UK will get even more uneven, which will cause a MAJOR hit to the UK economy. And then there is the issue of services.... Brexitards <eye roll>. Enjoy your fish.
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  2065. Look at the positive side: the Tories are proving once and for all that neo-liberals have no idea how to manage a national economy.
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  2066. That's what you get for voting for a person who promises Unicorns For Everyone. Politicians who knowingly promise things that are completely unrealistic should be jailed for deceiving the people.
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  2067.  thomas paine  No you did not. Just 45% of those who voted. The majority still had the use of their brains.
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  2068. With labour shortages on the rise everywhere, and the vampire unlawfully detraining people, the enthousiasme for coming to the UK for either work, education or holidays is being greatly reduced.
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  2069.  @patchevansbrokencountry2583  "I didn't know that" I guess the Tories didn't either...
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  2070. While in the end it was only about the ultra-rich wanting an UK-sized tax haven, with a lot of cheap labour to serve them.
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  2071. Excellent point on not putting people off when pushing a good policy. The left has been doing that far too much, also in my country (Netherlands).
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  2072. Barrier-less free trade will not work while there are large differences in human rights, living standard and care for the environment. While those differences are there, barrier-less trade is a race to the bottom.
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  2073. Who wants to bet that the re-negotiated Brexit deal will be EXACTLY the same as the May deal of 2018?
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  2074. Sadly, Biden nor his AG give me the impression of being very pro-active with regards to an ongoing insurrection. In any real democracy, Trump and all his co-conspirators would be languishing in prison for at least 2 years by now.
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  2075.  @patarciepaul  That was tried a century or so ago. Dickens, Hugo and others had a few things to say about how that turned out. Spoiler: not very well.
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  2076. As long as Bozo is not crucified by the main UK media for his lies, the UK will continue its death spiral. Democracy can not function while those in power are allowed to pull the wool over people like they currently are.
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  2077. It does. It also means that getting back into the single market is no longer an option. Bozo likes burning bridges.
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  2078.  @corneliusantonius3108  For a time. Fascistic regimes usually don't last very long.
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  2079.  @therealrobertbirchall  Yeah. "We are unsure if this person will be a suitable leader, so we vote for the one we know isn't". In the end, UK voters only have themselves to blame.
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  2080. ​ @NLTops  Well put. Yes, real democracy comes with a lot of debating before decisions are made. But I'd rather have that then relying on some potentate. UK democratic culture is just as toxic as that in the USA, perhaps even more so. A direct result of their undemocratic election system.
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  2081.  @therealrobertbirchall  Let us hope the UK one implodes a lot quicker. But implode it will.
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  2082. Keep up the good work! It all adds up, waking people up to Tory treason and corruption one by one.
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  2083. All I can say is that if Bozo thinks he can safely let the N.I. issues escalate to get more support from his base, he should remember a certain city in the south of England. I do not condone violence, but there has been enough blood spilled over N.I., for it to be used as a tool in Bozo's fight for political survival.
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  2084. On the one hand, it is a shame the UK still needs to suffer two more years under this incompetent idiot. On the other, there are still far too many people who will mindlessly give away their future and that of their kids by voting for the Corrupt Tory Party. Either this regime will be the end of the Tory party, or it will be the end of democracy in England. And the next war we will see on European soil will then be the war to prevent Scottish independence. Personally, I'd get out while you can.
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  2085. Given how far the UK has slipped, who can be amazed about this. However, well done for highlighting it. Hopefully enough people will get the message.
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  2086. Still, there are tough times ahead. Brexit can not be undone quickly. Though Labour will ensure the pain is spread more evenly across the population, with the rich paying their fair share. The UK is still a rich nation.
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  2087. Invariably these fobs support the Tories, so no pity here. He won, now he needs to get over it.
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  2088. The big disadvantage of proportional representation is that the PM can not longer browbeat his MP's into following the party line. You can not whip MP's from a coalition partner....
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  2089. Absolutely true. Personally, if they go down this road any further, I fully expect the original report and the communications commanding sections to be changed, to be leaked. Not that it will do much good. The hypocrites have already decided to keep Bozo in power. He didn't break the ministerial code, now did he.
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  2090. Brexit and the Pandemic are becoming the perfect storm for the UK. Perhaps it is being punished for voting Tory?
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  2091. Brexit shills still trying to keep up the house of cards, by pointing the anger in their victims at another party. Throwing more oil on the fire that will eventually consume the UK.
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  2092. Your prediction is very plausible. Sadly, it is.
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  2093. These are sad days, when stupid evil has won so many people over. Consider it an education.
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  2094. Wanting to be Chancellor while under investigation by the HMRC? That sure sounds dodgy. I hope that the next government will seriously prosecute former government corruption. They should.
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  2095. Spot on, Phil. All right-wing dictatorships that struggle because their policies hurt their citizens, will create strife. They thrive on strife. The only thing we can do is to point out the real culprit in all of this: Tory corruption, that is continuously pissing away billions upon billions, and than blames the poor bugger who wants to feed his kids. Who will speak for the common man, instead of lie to him?
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  2096. When will Unionists learn this quintessential fact: NEVER TRUST A TORY?
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  2097. Kudos for the Monty Python reference! Nice one.
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  2098. Belter, Phil! Labour has its work cut out for them.
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  2099. That Tories have in the past gotten away with salting the earth and putting ticking time bombs into the economy to trip up Labour makes me hate them all the more. Like these school collapses. The only thing that bothers the Tories about them is that they collapsed too early, while they were still in power. I am certain they thought they could get away with kicking the can down the road for Labour to deal with. Tories are nothing but filth. Filth, laziness and corruption.
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  2100. At times like this, governments should invite scrutiny, to prevent them from making blunders. Same principle as "enough eyeballs make every bug shallow". Somehow, the UK government is very sure of not being buried under the fall-out if things go wrong, or of mistakes not being the end of their career. How can that be? How can they be so arrogant? Aren't there serious consequences for them, personally, if they cock this up? And I mean all involved: MP's and government ministers, and indeed the conservative party. Is it possible that they won't be penalized for mis-management when not even performing the most basic acts to prevent government misconduct?
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  2101. I am sure that in the handling of the Russia sanctions and the Ukrainian refugees Bozo is committing scandal after scandal.
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  2102. Hurray, yet another thing the UK government can blame the EU for.
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  2103. The best way to mess up you life is to leave from a situation just because you want to leave, without any plan of where to go towards. Brexit is demonstrating the principle on a grand scale.
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  2104. One group of situations where this principle does not apply is when in an abusive situation, either work, marriage, friendship or anything else: the moment you realise you are being abused, get out, and don't worry about any consequences!
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  2105. No-one will tell you that by getting rid of EU laws, they are also getting rid of previous English laws that did almost the same as the "EU law" that superseded it. Before joining the EU, the UK had a powerful framework of laws that protected pensioners, workers, the environment, and the common good. Much of that has been superseded by EU law, harmonizing UK laws with the rest of the continent. So, what they now call "EU laws and regulations" contains a HUGE set of preexisting UK law. That is now all on the chopping block. These Tories are hell-bent on taking away your rights.
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  2106. Slash - and - burn economics focused on quick fixes for political problems are rapidly destroying the UK. I see no way they can avoid the fate Argentina suffered in the late 20th century.
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  2107. Brexit is about giving the government more control over its citizens. A big step towards a totalitarian state. "Ausweis, bitte!"
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  2108. Bozo is uttering dreadful threats. Except that his gun is squarely pointed at his own head. The EU knows that Bozo will back down. And any fool willing to replace him.
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  2109. While it is great that the Brexit benefits for EU citizens are hitting home, having to take the NON-EU queue is of course something minor. It just means people need to get to the airport earlier than they were used to.
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  2110. So the Tories are splitting the right-wing vote? Excellent news!
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  2111. The only Brexit Cull I look forward to, is the day of reckoning that is coming for the Conservatives.
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  2112. Whole demographics who don't vote Tory excluded? Who'd have thunk... NEVER TRUST A TORY.
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  2113. About facemasks and medical staff: FFP2 / N95 face masks some pros use offer more protection for themselves than the stuff we get. Compare a bullet-proof vest and a leather vest.
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  2114. And I thought that Johhny English was make-believe.
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  2115. Who would have thought that the UK government would mishandle Brexit so completely. All these idiots are good for is cutting ribbons and blowing hot air into pubs or conventions. But then, you voted for them, 45% of Britons!
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  2116. No, that will only take a couple of years. The 40-50 years are for the economy to slowly recover after its inevitable destruction. As it is much easier for a business to go bankrupt than to build one, an economy can shrink really fast, but grows very slowly.
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  2117. "Visit an alternate universe" That is a nice way to say "extrapolate".
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  2118. ​ @ADifferentBias  🤣🤣🤣
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  2119. Doesn't the UK have anti "obstruction of justice" laws? And what does Parliament do about this? I know that where I live, it is a cardinal sin for a politician to interfere with ongoing investigations. To obstruct an investigation into misconduct by the PM would lead to an immediate Vote of No Confidence. The simple rumour of such interference would lead to a severe reprimand by Parliament.
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  2120. Wage to IQ ratio: brilliant.
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  2121. ​ @eeesh5600  Language, boy! And this investment is NOT a Brexit "benefit". This investment could well have been made while in the EU. Brexit has still cost Sunderland many thousands of jobs. While you are boasting that the industry is not completely wiped out (yet), Brexit has hurt Sunderland very hard. And, this "investing" is costing the UK tax-payer a hundred million pounds that is just given to Nissan by the government.
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  2122. All this anger against Johnson is great and all, but what about what is really important? Lets hope that by the time the honeymoon with Johnson's replacement is over, the real dividends of Brexit can get the attention they deserve.
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  2123. I have always thought the Tories would leave the elections for the latest possible moment. They want to remain on that gravy train as long as possible. They might have had a fast GE, when they had achieved all their legislative goals set to wreak the country, but before their effect became obvious. But that was during Covid and then the Bozo controversies, so that window passed. Now people are suffering the consequences, and they will just sit it out as long as possible. Perhaps use the time to endear themselves to their rich mates for some golden parachutes.
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