No, before you ask, this is not the joke about the Englishman, Scotsman, and Irishman in a pub, where the Englishman wanted to leave, so they all had to leave. This is a joke about an English prime minister, a French negotiator, and an Irish border. All three waited nearly two years to come up […]
UK
Hard-Line British Conservatives Must Not Hold Europe Hostage
If we accept that the will of the British electorate, as expressed in the 2016 referendum on Europe, be respected, we must accept that the UK will no longer be part of the EU, from March 29th onwards. Only a second referendum, with the option to stay, could reverse the decision of the 2016 referendum. […]
Brexit Musings (40) – Meet The Wallies From Westminster
I did something that I shouldn’t have. Knowing that there were a series of amendments to be voted on the Brexit deal, I watched a live stream from the House of Commons. It was only a few minutes, but time enough to not only be astonished by the anachronism of what goes on at Westminster […]
Bless This House – The Week Westminster Completely Lost The Plot
It has been a week at Westminster that was an embarrassment for all British citizens residing in the EU, whether they are dual-nationals or not. By chance today, I was asked by someone where I came from. I jokingly replied that I was a British/French national, but that once a withdrawal agreement was agreed, I […]
Brexit Musings (38) – Is There Anybody Who Can Deliver Brexit?
Theresa May knows – just like the rest of us – that the hard line Brexiteers within her own party, and the opposition, could not even deliver a loaf of bread to your doorstep, yet alone Brexit to the country. Oh! I do love the UK. It’s the land of my childhood, […]
Citizens’ Rights After Brexit: What Is There To Be Grateful About?
For British citizens living in the EU-27, Brussels is negating one of the fundaments of its own Union – freedom of onward movement – after Brexit. The UK appears to be turning a blind eye – at least for now. The Netherlands has become the latest EU-27 member state to […]
Brexit Musings (37) – Blue Tuesday
I ask myself this – what can possibly go wrong next Tuesday, when MP’s vote on Theresa May’s EU deal, that we don’t already know about? Here are my predictions: The prime minister loses by 400 votes. She then resigns having admitted that plan B was, in fact, the rejected deal. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn […]
Brexit Musings (36) – Theresa May’s Vultures: “I Dunno, What You Wanna Do With The Deal?”
Do you remember that wonderful scene in Walt Disney’s Jungle Book, where a group of hippy-looking vultures just don’t know what to do? Well, it seems that our merry bunch of Brexiteers don’t know what to do either. But it’s not passing the day that’s a problem, it’s passing that bloody Brexit deal. Here’s the […]
“Operation Brock” – It Will Be Alright On The Night…Won’t It, Boris?
Boris Johnson just loves writing for the Daily Telegraph, doesn’t he? Week-in-week-out, we are treated to the very best of English prose, filled with euphemisms and eloquence. His latest piece is no exception to the rule. For good old BJ, the future’s bright, the future’s Brexit and – don’t worry ’cause it’ll all be alright […]
Brexit Musings (35) – British Ferry Firm Seaborne Confuses “Brexit Deal” With “Happy Meal”
What’s the difference between a cargo full of cheap imitations labelled “Made in Taiwan” and the same cargo full of Happy Meals – from “you know who” – comprising quarter pounders and French fries? Well, if you don’t know the answer, don’t worry because you’re not the only one. The British novices in cross-Channel disasters, […]