‘BREXIT BRIEF’ – ISSUE 121, 5 June 2020

No progress in EU talks and US chicken is back on the menu

The fourth round of “virtual” negotiations to agree the shape of the post-Brexit EU-UK relationship ended today with Michael Barnier accusing the Johnson Government of “backtracking on its commitments” in the joint Political Declaration agreed ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU. Speaking at a press conference, the EU’s Chief Negotiator said: "This Declaration is not difficult to read,” before switching from French to English to add: “It is available in all languages — even English." Mr Barnier also made clear that “no significant progress” had been made in the talks, including in relation to fishing rights, competition rules, police cooperation and how any deal would be enforced.

His comments came ahead of a “high level” EU-UK summit due later this month to “review progress” – despite none having been made. The UK has until the end of June to ask for an extension of the transition period which allows it to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union. But Boris Johnson continues to insist that no such extension will be sought. This has long been a matter of grave concern for British businesses and, with 40% of the UK economy effectively closed down and 8 million workers in furlough because of coronavirus, this reckless approach could not come at a worse time for the country.

In the midst of all of this, yesterday the Prime Minister’s spokesman indicated to a select group of journalists that imports of poor quality US food – such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef - may be allowed into the UK from next year, breaking yet another Johnson promise. But thankfully some Tories are finally waking up to the reality of his premiership. Simon Hoare, one of 22 Conservative MPs who voted against the Government last month in defence of UK food standards in future trade deals, told The Independent: “If this appalling news is true, it’s depressing as it rides a coach and horses through assurances given by Ministers to the Commons and what the Tory Party manifesto said in December.” He added: “Ministers are in for a scrap on this one. Public opinion is clear on this issue: they see animal welfare as important.” Let us hope that Mr Hoare is one Conservative who chooses to keep his word. 

Passport to chaos

Boris Johnson threw his chaotic Government’s immigration policy into even further confusion this week when he announced that he was ready to offer a right to live and work in the UK to all 3 million Hong Kong citizens eligible for a British National Overseas passport. In article for The Times, he wrote: “Today about 350,000 people hold British Nationals (Overseas) passports and another 2.5 million people would be eligible to apply for them.” He added: “This would amount to one of the biggest changes to our visa system in history.” Indeed it would, Prime Minister. But it begs the question of why he is not prepared to make the same offer to the many overseas workers who have kept our country functioning throughout the coronavirus pandemic.   

Passports are the responsibility of Johnson’s hand-picked Home Secretary Priti Patel, generally regarded as the least impressive holder of that great office of state in modern times. In a rare public appearance, she turned up in the House of Commons this week to announce the Government’s plan to force travellers to quarantine themselves for 14 days after arriving in the UK.  Her performance was so poor that not a single Tory MP who spoke in the short debate chose to support her. The chief executive of British Airways later decided not to take part in a video meeting she was due to chair, describing it as “a waste of time.” It is not known if Ms Patel – who faces legal action after the top Home Office civil servant resigned and accused her of bullying - flashed one of her trademark smirks after realising she had been snubbed. 

Meanwhile in America…

It has been a dreadful week in the Unites States following the deeply distressing death of George Floyd. The first of several official memorial events was held yesterday in Minneapolis where he lost his life. Others will follow over the weekend, with Mr Floyd’s funeral service taking place in Houston on Tuesday. Emotions will therefore continue to run high across America where the absence of responsible leadership from the White House has never been more apparent. Past Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter have all spoken out this week, appealing for calm and calling on US citizens to come together for the common good. But their carefully chosen words merely encouraged the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to ramp up his poisonous rhetoric. 

Last night Donald Trump tweeted out the text of a letter, written by his lawyer and addressed to Trump’s former Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, which described peaceful protesters in Washington DC as “terrorists.” The correspondence was intended to undermine Mattis who, 24 hours earlier, had strongly criticised the President for using troops to forcibly clear a path for him to stage a bizarre photo opportunity outside a damaged church. Trump’s press secretary tried to compare the picture of him holding a Bible upside down to images of Sir Winston Churchill visiting bombed out parts of London during the Second World War. We will know in five months’ time whether America chooses to heal itself under a new President, or if it votes for a second term of pandemonium led by the Disrupter-in-Chief. Given the present levels of social unease, even five days from now seems like a long time into the future. 

On a personal note, I am taking a brief break but watch this space - and stay safe. 

Jason

Dr Jason Aldiss BEM BVSc MRCVS

You can follow me on Twitter @JasonAldiss