Weekend Brexit and COVID

Its been a while since there has been an overwhelming content on these posts, but there you go.

Jonson and Van der Leven had a chat today, in order to break the impasse, but nothing doing so far. It seems fishing and the LPF is the issue. One week of talks remain before time has really run out for an agreement, but by then we might know the result of the US election. Or might not.

Tory MPs have been helping matters by saying Biden as Irish Republican leanings, which I am sure doesn't really help. But then they're not the sharpest knives.

The Democrats have always made it clear that the UK has to abide by the GFA, and if the UK doesn't, no trade deal. But a US trade deal reliant on who is in The White House doesn't seem like the best criteria for a trade deal. Surely it should be what is best for the country and the economy? But maybe I'm being stupide in not understanding the strengths of the Brexiteer arguments.

Meanwhile, UK hauliers have been introduced to the Government's Kent Access Permit (KAP) system, and the 90 minute session did not go well.

Remember, the sytems have to be ready, rolled out, debugged and with sufficient training on the hauliers side, customs official's side, and dovetail with the EU's and gve them the information needed, and at the same time be able to allow trucks heading to the port and those heading to Kent businesses having the right clearances so not to be landed with a £10,000 fine.

There is just six weeks to go, so its not like there is much of a hurry up needed.

The head of the UK's vaccine programme has been shown to have financial links to two of the companies testing vaccines, whilst being married to a Conservative MP> I'm sure this is all coincindence and not corruption.

Meanwhile, the data used to justify England's lockdown has been shown to be incorrect, and overstates the death rate by about 400%. I'm sure this is nothing to worry about.

And that it was OK for northern parts of England to have to cope with the new employment support scheme, but when rolled out to the south, it was replaced by the old furlough scheme, which is all Andy Burnham wanted all along.

So, chaotic as ever, here, really.

But it is the weekend, so cheers.

But we can't go to the pub, not even for a carry out unless you order it by phone or e mail in advance. Though in Wales, the three week lockdown ended today, so we could cross the boarder for a pint of Brains?