Battling reality

Brexit, or at least from the Brexiteers point of view, has been about battling reality.

Not that they would admit that, but for example, friction less trade between the UK and Europe is only possible by the SM and CU. Dropping out of either creates friction. Friction causes delays. Delays create costs. And costs will possible mean what is being transported is then not done in a profitable way.

Denying that leaving both will not create friction, is clearly denying reality.

Saying that the implementation of alternative arrangements can overcome the failure of alternative arrangements which resulted in the backstop coming into force.

Stating that the border between France and Switzerland is friction-less because in a car you can drive past the miles, sorry, kilometers of queuing trucks is denying reality.

Stating that it is not beyond the wit of man to create a frictionless border, and yet there are no examples of it anywhere in the world is also denying reality.

And so the shitshow goes on.

For the last two weeks Number 10 has been putting out the line that no deal is inevitable and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it, not even Parliament. This is not true, however, there is evidence this is being accepted by people.

This is to no deal to become the new normal, to make it seem that this is just part of Brexit, and after this we will never have to speak of Brexit again.

This is also a lie. In no deal, we will be talking about little else until the UK rejoins the EU in a generation or two. As trade will have to be sorted out, passports, driving licences, pet passports, visas and all the other things that will have no agreement will have to be sorted. The only way never to speak of Brexit again is to revoke A50.

Though I am sure the Brexiteers would never shut up about it, the country and most importantly, Parliament, could get on with the other more important things in the world to deal with.

Too much to hope though, of course.

The UK is not ready for no deal. It is less ready now than it was in March, and Ministers saying positive things will not change reality.

Brexiteers would argue, of course. But we just need to wait until November 1st to find out.

By then it will be too late to turn back, of course, but then Brexit and reality will have become one and the same.