The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is launching a report today (HERE) where they propose putting the EU negotiations "on the back burner" while we start trade talks with the rest of the world and in particular begin to negotiate entry to the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership. This is as incredible as it sounds. We are making a total pig's ear of the EU negotiations, unable to decide even what we want from our largest trading partner. The IEA's answer is apparently to drop those so we can start making a pig's ear of trade negotiations with the USA and the TPTP. This is all Shanker Singham's work, formerly of Legatum and now with the IEA at 55 Tufton Street, home of a number of shadowy think tanks.
In the same issue of The Telegraph we are now told (HERE) a majority of cabinet members are supporting a Canada style FTA - this is the option ruled out on live TV yesterday morning by the DEXEU Secretary. Dominic Raab said a Canada style FTA (HERE) was 'off the table'. We have ruled so many options out, painted so many red lines and made other contradictory commitments that we are now in the insane position where nothing on the table is acceptable - except no deal.
Incidentally, before the men in white coats arrive and spoil it all, some senior Brexiteers think the security services are bugging them (HERE). You couldn't make it up.
Meanwhile, the PM is sticking with the Chequers plan like a comfort blanket although as far as I can see everybody everywhere has rejected it at least once, sometimes several times. She is also waiting for the EU to make proposals. There is an irony here isn't there. The body that is routinely accused of "telling us what to do" is being formally asked to tell us what to do. I assume if Brussels comes up with a workable plan Theresa May will be advised to "take back control" and reject it?
Incidentally, before the men in white coats arrive and spoil it all, some senior Brexiteers think the security services are bugging them (HERE). You couldn't make it up.
Meanwhile, the PM is sticking with the Chequers plan like a comfort blanket although as far as I can see everybody everywhere has rejected it at least once, sometimes several times. She is also waiting for the EU to make proposals. There is an irony here isn't there. The body that is routinely accused of "telling us what to do" is being formally asked to tell us what to do. I assume if Brussels comes up with a workable plan Theresa May will be advised to "take back control" and reject it?
Think about this. Two years after the referendum, where everybody knew what they were voting for, and eighteen months after Article 50 was triggered, the PM, the cabinet and the Secretary of State for exiting the EU can't seem to agree what our negotiating objective is. I seem to remember in the beginning the government refused to reveal its plan because it would "weaken our hand". Now we get conflicting plans on a daily basis. Perhaps this is the idea, to hide our real objective in plain sight by surrounding it with every possible objective.
By comparison a pig's ear actually seems a well thought out strategy.
By comparison a pig's ear actually seems a well thought out strategy.
