Tuesday Brexit

So, the day after Honda leaked news their factory was to close, the official announcement came that the reason wasn’t Brexit related.

That’s the official statement.

Reporters in Japan are suggesting that although it is very unusual to back out of a commitment for a company to do this, the breaking of promises dating back to when the company agreed to invest in the UK meant it was an acceptable thing to do.

Brexiteers have been trying everything since the news was leaked to suggest anything was to blame, apart from the Holy Brexit. The one main reason was the slump in diesel engine sales, but when the production data for the factory was looked at, only 6% were diesel. It would have been possible to change the factory to make the new generation of electrical cars, but the new EU-Japan trade deal and almost zero tariffs meant that they could be made at home.

Meanwhile May and her Cabinet are trying to find ways to change the text of the WA, despite the EU saying over and over its not open. The Malthouse Compromise was killed by Barnier at their meeting today, and both sides agreed it should be so. And yet it is thought that the Attorney General will take an alternative arrangement plan to Brussels tomorrow, which will have some of that still in the text.

Like May and co never learn.

And meanwhile more time slips by and Brexit becomes nearer.

The only logical solution now is at least to try to delay Brexit, or even better revoke A50. It is the only thing that makes sense, but in Brexit, sense matters little, when belief is everything, and if it isn’t working, its because you don’t believe enough.

I have no idea what is going to happen, but this week has been grim, and things will only get worse.

Gove announced that tariffs would be applied in the event of a no deal, to protect UK farming, but also at odds with the true Brexit believers. Brexit meets reality again. Farming cannot survive any Brexit, let alone no deal which will add huge costs to any exports by tariffs alone, then delay costs on top of that, and with fresh produce, delays that could lead to spoiling.

Every port of entry into the EU needs EU certified vets to scrutinise incoming goods and paperwork, so will need associated storage space. There is not enough such certified vets in the EU, and the UK needs them to, but all UK certified vets works for the EU. How will that circle be squared in the event of no deal?

No one knows, but the port of Dover said this week it is ready.

It is not. But what can anyone do when ten years preparation had to be reduced to a few months.

Two lanes in each direction are now closed on the M20 to allow for preparations for it to be turned into a lorry park, which is about as prepared as it gets in the UK to be honest.

But news just in, JRM says the Malthouse is still alive. Until it meets reality.

Jesus, this is painful.