Brexit doublethink

One of the best Brexit commentaors has been, and will remain, Chris Grey, and his latest post:

https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-brexit-three-card-monte.html

Sys more in his blog, far, far better, than I ever could.

In short, he argues, with perfect logic, that the Government and Brexiteers have gone from warnings about supply and good shortages in a post-Brexit world being "project fear", to now when the warnings have come true that, apparently, it was all part of the plan after all.

Brexit double speak.

But this is a pattern of claiming two opposing views were correct, like that the EU was weak, but also a bully. Chris suggests a few more:

"· The UK is a big economy, so is bound to get a good Brexit trade deal AND the EU is useless at making trade deals with big economies

· The EU needs us more than we need them AND the EU is bound to punish us for leaving

· Because the EU will give us a great deal, that proves it’s right to leave AND because the EU didn’t give us a great deal that proves it’s right to leave

· The UK-EU negotiations will be quick and easy AND the EU is slow and lumbering

· Germany always tells the EU what to do AND the EU can never decide what to do because it has to get the agreement of all its members

· We will threaten the EU with ‘no deal’ to get what we want AND a ‘no-deal Brexit’ would have no adverse consequences

· We don’t need a trade agreement with the EU, WTO terms are fine AND we must make trade deals with other countries rather than trade on WTO terms

· The EU is a bully AND the EU is weak and on the point of collapse

· Brexit will make us more global AND Brexit will protect local traditions and businesses

· Brexit will lead to a glorious future AND Brexit will reclaim the past

· Brexit will change everything AND most things will go on as usual"

The electorate are increasinly linking the shortages in the shops, in supply chains and in fuel as being, at least in part, due to Brexit. Last week's BBC Question Time, the audience made up largely of Brexit-voting members of the public, lined up to express regret at their vote. And these were hardcore Brexteers.

So, the shift in narrative is to make out that all this pain was part of the plan. Which is some move considering the promises made six years ago that this would change nothing, but it it did, change would be even better.

People will not fall for this, when they can see the effects with their own eyes, it seems not even this Brexit-loving Big Brother can pull that trick off.

And now, on top of this, unconnected to Brexit, but showing how a Government made decisions without thinking of the consequences. The Government declined to sign up to a supply agreement with Gazprom on gas supplies, instead opting to buy it in the open market. Great when there is a glut and prices are low, but when there is a shortage, prices pike, and gas suppliers in the UK have a price cap which they have to stay within. A dozen suppliers have gone out of business, as their model collapsed with the price spike, their customers have to go with other suppliers, on higher tariffs.

Worse than that, for industry, there is no price cap to protect tme, and prces have increased 400%, and the Government seems to want to do nothing to help, with the threat that many industries will be forced to close as energy prices make their business unviable.

Another crisis of the Government's own making, and one which brings out statements assuring the public there will be no power cuts, but no plan on how power cuts or brown outs could be avoided.

Meanwhile, Johnson has gone another holiday.

Of course.

nd who paid for this, we wonder. As the mystery who paid for his last one is still unsolved.

Have a great week.