Brexit and the walls of reality

Since I last wrote, one would be forgiven for thinking we had traveled even further into Wonderland with the difference between what the Government and the Brexitteers and the Fleet Street press are saying, and what is really happening.

First up is the fact that during the run up to the referendum that Britain would save the country sending Brussels £350m a week which we could spend on the NHS. Rings any bells? Anyway, at the time anyone who pointed out that this was wrong was either accused of peddling "project fear" or having vested interests. The reality turns out that by 2020, Britain could be dealing with losing £410m a week in lost tax revenues, and on top of that might have to pay more to the EU to have less access than we have now. But at least we would be taking back control. And on top of that, there is no guarantee that things would get better after that, it could even get worse.

So much for the sunlit uplands that we had been promised post-Brexit.

And then our Foreign Secretary was bitch slapped down after a meeting with his Italian counterpart when Boris used the you'll sell less Prosecco if tariff barriers were put up. But there would still be 27 countries in the EU we could still sell it to Boris was told.

And today it was announced Britain is going to be liable for many more payments even if Britain were to leave, but has already agreed to fund certain projects, and the EU would force Britain to pay, not unreasonably. The FT is suggesting this be as much as £60m.

Any hoped Germany will make a Brexit (hard or soft) easy have been dashed in an interview also in the FT today.

The Italian Government has described Britain's Brexit policy as chaotic. And lets be honest, Italian Governments know about chaos. And bunga bunga parties.

And finally, the Dutch Finance Minister has described Boris' position as pr-cake and pro-eating cake as being impossible.

And yet the Brexit fan club at the Express and Torygraph spin the positive stories. It comes as a surprise to find I now read the Financial Times as this is now the only place that is reporting what are known as facts.