“We used to operate at the council blocking or softening the worst ideas and encouraging the best ones”
One thing that should have been said more before the referendum was just how weak and pathetic the Brexiteers sounded, they always spoke as if Britain had no influence, as if we were just walked over by the Europeans, Remainers should have pointed out what a loser attitude this was and spoke with patriotic pride about how the UK led in Europe and dominated its decision making forums, letting ppl know that Leave was a project that believed in British weakness while Remain was proud of British strength
It’s doubly bonkers when you consider how hugely influential the UK was in the formation of the single market, and the very specific and the broader bespoke deal the UK managed to create over time. The Brexiters just threw their toys out of the pram, finally, when we didn’t get everything we wanted, on account that Cameron made demands that would have potentially damaged the single market. (Even more astonishingly, despite the shrieking coverage at the time, and despite Cameron lacking the tact, guile and diplomatic smarts of John Major, he still returned with something of a good result. But Brexiters are zero-summers and were filming at a 1-all draw rather than a 15-nil thrashing.)
Also, the notion that one of the three biggest countries in the EU was somehow powerless is for the birds. Always was. But then our system isn’t set up to understand things like consensus, cooperation and compromise. It’s all about us vs them. That needs to change. It probably won’t.
That is partly because the tories changed which grouping in Europe they were in, from a dominant one to a marginal one. They actually did lose a lot of influence thereby, whilst labour didn’t.
"You need to pay attention to all the most boring bits because that’s where they keep the good stuff." This the best top tip for all reporters and correspondents everywhere.
Seems that, with this metrology bill, the government is applying the same strategy as the Vogons employed during planning consultations for their hyperspace bypass.
So good to see another article digging beyond the surface and explaining stuff that would otherwise go unnoticed. Substack and a few other organisations give us reassurance that the big issues, the issues hiding behind superficial clickbait journalism, the inconvenient or unpalatable truths, are brought to our attention if we know where to look. Thanks to you Iain (and others) for helping me to understand what is going on in our unsettled world
Thank goodness, this was such a relief to read! I was employed to help Accession countries join the EU (2009-2023). To join you need just one thing, forget the politics and noise. If you match the acquis you can join. That's it. The EU is the acquis, the acquis is the EU. NOTHING else matters. In effect this Bill aligns us to the acquis. You are right, the BIll of central importance to our national future. If it passes we will have rejoined, in all but name. Once we have the acquis we can do the politics.
Thank you for this excellent article. Sheds some light on the nuances of Brexit for someone living on the other side of the pond. As a Canadian, we can relate to living life being neighbors to a much larger entity.
My particular virus had no intention of letting me get back to my friends - it was like an abusive stalker & insisted on a drug deal. Be careful out there
The real problem is that British law does not have a properly codified constitution (i.e., it doesn't HAVE a constitution) and there are no proper checks and balances. The other problems are the unelected HoL and FPTP electoral system. Destroy them all and start again.
Yes, as Woz says, at least the HoL or, at any rate, its fiercer, more dedicated members, is still functioning and fighting. Please don't destroy it until you're certain that a replacement with real teeth and the willingness to do the work is waiting in the wings!
“We used to operate at the council blocking or softening the worst ideas and encouraging the best ones”
One thing that should have been said more before the referendum was just how weak and pathetic the Brexiteers sounded, they always spoke as if Britain had no influence, as if we were just walked over by the Europeans, Remainers should have pointed out what a loser attitude this was and spoke with patriotic pride about how the UK led in Europe and dominated its decision making forums, letting ppl know that Leave was a project that believed in British weakness while Remain was proud of British strength
It’s doubly bonkers when you consider how hugely influential the UK was in the formation of the single market, and the very specific and the broader bespoke deal the UK managed to create over time. The Brexiters just threw their toys out of the pram, finally, when we didn’t get everything we wanted, on account that Cameron made demands that would have potentially damaged the single market. (Even more astonishingly, despite the shrieking coverage at the time, and despite Cameron lacking the tact, guile and diplomatic smarts of John Major, he still returned with something of a good result. But Brexiters are zero-summers and were filming at a 1-all draw rather than a 15-nil thrashing.)
Also, the notion that one of the three biggest countries in the EU was somehow powerless is for the birds. Always was. But then our system isn’t set up to understand things like consensus, cooperation and compromise. It’s all about us vs them. That needs to change. It probably won’t.
We did try using those very words but the leavers had the bit between their teeth and plenty of money, source unknown. They just stopped listening!
That is partly because the tories changed which grouping in Europe they were in, from a dominant one to a marginal one. They actually did lose a lot of influence thereby, whilst labour didn’t.
"You need to pay attention to all the most boring bits because that’s where they keep the good stuff." This the best top tip for all reporters and correspondents everywhere.
Meanwhile get well soon.
Seems that, with this metrology bill, the government is applying the same strategy as the Vogons employed during planning consultations for their hyperspace bypass.
Round of applause.
So good to see another article digging beyond the surface and explaining stuff that would otherwise go unnoticed. Substack and a few other organisations give us reassurance that the big issues, the issues hiding behind superficial clickbait journalism, the inconvenient or unpalatable truths, are brought to our attention if we know where to look. Thanks to you Iain (and others) for helping me to understand what is going on in our unsettled world
Thank goodness, this was such a relief to read! I was employed to help Accession countries join the EU (2009-2023). To join you need just one thing, forget the politics and noise. If you match the acquis you can join. That's it. The EU is the acquis, the acquis is the EU. NOTHING else matters. In effect this Bill aligns us to the acquis. You are right, the BIll of central importance to our national future. If it passes we will have rejoined, in all but name. Once we have the acquis we can do the politics.
Go gently and stay in bed at least 10% longer than planned. Brilliant piece!
"It's called the product safety and metrology bill. It has a very boring title because they don't want you to pay attention to it."
*mumbles* I think metrology's pretty interesting actually...
For anyone who's interested and hasn't already read it, James Vincent's 'Beyond Measure' is an excellent historical overview of the topic.
After all that I recommend cocoa & chicken soup. For endorphins & anti viral action. Can’t wait to hear you again on ‘Late Night Live’ again! X
Thanks for this small ray of hope in such a dismal month of news
Thank you for this. And I wish you the speediest of full recoveries 🌹
Thank you, Ian. I'm going to read it again tomorrow.
Hope you're feeling better.
Thank you for this. Get well soon!
Thank you for this excellent article. Sheds some light on the nuances of Brexit for someone living on the other side of the pond. As a Canadian, we can relate to living life being neighbors to a much larger entity.
My particular virus had no intention of letting me get back to my friends - it was like an abusive stalker & insisted on a drug deal. Be careful out there
Feel better soon, Ian.
We’ve just binge-watched this, The Capture, on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80210917?source=35
If you haven’t seen it I would highly recommend it and if you have, maybe it’s time for a re-watch?
The real problem is that British law does not have a properly codified constitution (i.e., it doesn't HAVE a constitution) and there are no proper checks and balances. The other problems are the unelected HoL and FPTP electoral system. Destroy them all and start again.
The HoL is the best bit of our system, oddly.
Yes, as Woz says, at least the HoL or, at any rate, its fiercer, more dedicated members, is still functioning and fighting. Please don't destroy it until you're certain that a replacement with real teeth and the willingness to do the work is waiting in the wings!