‘BREXIT BRIEF’ – ISSUE 109, 6 March 2020

Priti grim 

As nations around the world join together to combat the spread of coronavirus, it emerged that Boris Johnson plans to pull the UK out of the EU’s pandemic early warning system (EWRS) by the end of this year.  When pressed by reporters to explain why any Government would take such an irresponsible course of action, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “We have left the European Union.”  Despite counter advice from the UK Department of Health, Johnson does not want continued membership of EWRS to dilute the Brexiteers’ ideological dream of a “clean break” from Brussels.

The idiocy of this decision was underlined by Baroness Blackwood who resigned last month as one of Johnson’s Health Ministers. She said: "My advice while I was in there was that I thought it was absolutely appropriate that we should stay engaged with that system.  It was one of the ways in which we did get early warning of coronavirus. This is a way in which we can ensure that public health is protected and I think it would be the sensible thing, as we leave the EU but remain part of Europe, to ensure that we have good co-operation on global health and security.” But not if your name is Boris Johnson or Dominic Cummings, his all-conquering Chief of Staff.

The pair have been engaged in another tasteless battle this week as they attempt to keep fellow Vote Leave campaign member Priti Patel in post as UK Home Secretary. Last Saturday, in an unprecedented move, the most senior Home Office civil servant resigned and launched legal proceedings against the Government after he claimed he had become the “target of a vicious and orchestrated campaign” led by Patel. “The Home Secretary categorically denied any involvement in this campaign,” Sir Philip Rutnam told a hastily-arranged new conference.  “I regret I do not believe her.”  He said that one of his duties as Permanent Secretary was to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of 35,000 staff.  Sir Philip continued: “I have received allegations that her conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands - behaviour that created fear and that needed some bravery to call out.”

Over the past few days, several other civil servants have come forward to say they had been victims of Patel’s bullying across three UK Government Departments. These claims will now be the subject of a Cabinet Office inquiry. However, speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Johnson – who will have the final say on what happens once the inquiry concludes - said that his mind was already made up. “I’m sticking by her,” he told cheering Tory MPs, adding that he believed she was doing “an outstanding job.”  Yet more proof that truth, principle and honour are strangers to this lying, unprincipled and dishonourable Government.   

Money for nothing

As the first round of EU-UK trade talks ended in acrimony, a report published today by the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that the UK Government has spent at least ￡4.4 billion of additional taxpayers’ money preparing for Brexit. The NAO added that this figure represents a "minimum estimated level of spend" due to "limitations" in the data provided by Government Departments.  Meanwhile, EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier told journalists yesterday that there were “serious” differences between the two sides after four days of talks. Areas where disagreement is deepest include product standards, law enforcement, fisheries and whether there should be one all-encompassing deal or a series of agreements on individual policy areas. The negotiators will try again when the talks move to London on 16 March.   

Also this week, the UK Government published a document outlining its aims and expectations ahead of parallel trade talks with the United States. It turns out that even the “best case” benefits of any agreement are nowhere near what the Vote Leave campaign promised. (I appreciate that this will not come as a shock to you). I will outline the details in a ‘Brexit Made Simple’ on Monday.       

Meanwhile in America…

The US President has reassured relieved supporters that he is not one of the increasingly number of people Stateside who have tested positive for coronavirus. “I haven’t touched my face in weeks!” he told a meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Some initially thought this was a new effort to stop Trump smearing his make-up, until they were reminded that it was part of the official medical advice to reduce the chances of viral infection.  Trump also offered comfort to the wider planet when he said in a live telephone interview that his self-proclaimed status as a “stable genius” enabled him to correct the World Health Organisation’s data-driven assessment of the global coronavirus death rate. "I think 3.4% is really a false number," he declared. Asked what evidence this claim was based on, Trump replied: “Just my hunch."

As I suggested last week, Super Tuesday saw the end of several campaigns for the Democratic Presidential nomination, with the field now reduced to just two: Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. More on both men in the weeks to come.  Predictably, Trump was less than generous as he waved withdrawing candidates back to the pavilion.  Michael Bloomberg was the butt of particular ridicule, but we have not heard the last of the multi-billionaire ex-New York Mayor. Bloomberg has since endorsed Biden and also committed to keep his bulging wallet open to ensure the end of the Trump Presidency. The fun is just beginning.         

Enjoy your weekend!   

Jason

Dr Jason Aldiss BEM

Managing Director, Eville & Jones

 You can follow me on Twitter @JasonAldiss