Recent years have seen a gripping battle between voters and ruling elites. This has reflected disillusion with the relatively poor economic results of all advanced countries since the banking crash. It has also reflected a feeling of many that the elites are acting to restrain free thought, by insisting on fashionable nostra about race, religion, identity to the point where many do not think they can express their views or feelings for fear of abuse or even prosecution.
This site allows dissenting voices, but has discouraged a minority who wish to push the boundaries and make inaccurate generalisations about named individuals or whole groups or races of people. It is never an easy balance to strike. I want to offer somewhere where people can discuss legitimate worries about the conventional wisdom or the cultural dirigisme. I do not wish to provide a home for group abuse or vendettas against individuals.
Recently Kemi Badenoch made an important speech explaining how you can uphold hatred of racism without having to adopt Marxist views or support BLM. The whole Conservative party has made clear its wish to condemn violence against statues or people with views you do not like. We do not want to see elements of our past torn down because past centuries had views on race, colonialism, the role of women and many other issues with which we now disagree. Liz Truss has made a good speech saying that uniting to fight poverty and to open up opportunity is a better way forward than enforcing an ever more politically correct language on us.
I wish to live in a tolerant society where what you think, what you can contribute and how you wish to develop yourself matters, not where you came from or how you are categorised by social scientists and governments. You can ask too many details about a person’s sex, age, background, and ethnicity, and go on to make false assumptions about them based on what you find. The only background that should matter is our shared UK heritage as citizens born or welcomed here. The main challenge for policy makers is not to atone for past errors of history but to provide the best possible opportunities for all of us from every background for our futures.
The Christian message at Christmas is love your neighbour as yourself, and show goodwill towards all. This can spread well beyond the confines of Church congregations to the wider community, to people of all religions and of none.
December 25, 2020
The interesting thing is that this deal will go through. Boris Johnson has probably the votes, people are fed up with Brexit, and he can always rely on Labour if needed.
Yet this deal is very far from the no-deal you wanted with the UK caving in on LPF provisions, no regression clauses and a drastically reduced ask on fish.
But since you cannot fight it, you will have to join it.
December 25, 2020
JR, second paragraph second sentence totally incorrect. This is not the whole aprtymat all. The police have allowed, under Patel and Johnson, extreme left wing protests, criminal damage and break his chines virus laws. In stark contrast police brutallymshut down peaceful deomonstrations against Chinese virus laws. Too many occasions not to draw any other reasonable conclusion.
Today Johnson has done his best to act inhumanely to, use his words, to cancel families coming together to celebrate their faith over Christmas. He ismagainst the nuclear family and against faith. His actions are far more believable than his words.
I am unclear,why Johnson is excited he sold out the nation yesterday. His opening remarks on,yns rvemto,discredit him. ECJ does apply across swathes of areas like EU citizens living here. Name a country where immigrants have redress to their country of origin? N.Ireland is subject to EU acquis Gove confirmed this. Again, was therefore anything truthful in his opening remarks?
Have a good read and vote down his subservient association treaty. It is not a free trade agreement. It is a junior partnership agreement as a supplicant without an end date.
December 25, 2020
It seems a good deal to me. It’s miles from the economic colony arrangement we almost got with Mrs May. If course the likes of you will make such comments – you have to as otherwise you’d have to say “Yes sorry I was wrong it is possible for the UK and the EU to have a normal FTA” and even on Christmas Day I understand that’s too difficult!
I look forward to Sir John’s analysis
December 26, 2020
UK is a fishing colony of the EU, it will be forced to comply with ECHR, climate change, environment etc and a host of level playing field rules.
N.Ireland is annexed/partitioned from the country. EU will have a base and access to U.K. Computers to endure compliance, EU acquis does apply!
Non tariff claims already dismantled by experts.
What part is a good Deal? We were promised a free trade deal not a partnership straight jacket treaty where we will do as we are told or be punished!
December 25, 2020
So long, and thanks for all the fish (apologies to Hitchhiker’s Guide).
U.K. fleets will take 25% of the current EU catch in British waters, worth 146 million pounds ($198 million), phased in over five years. Britainās opening negotiating position called for an 80% increase, so this represents a significant compromise. There is a transition period of five-and-a-half years during which reciprocal access rights to each otherās waters remain unchanged.
Taking back control !?!?
December 25, 2020
Why are you bothered Acorn? You never wanted control. You were quite happy being told what to do. Not left school yet?
December 25, 2020
In reality, Boris’ use of fishing was close to genius. We currently have a very small fishing fleet, so if we took back all the fish we could not catch them.
So instead, what we took back was control and jurisdiction and let the EU continue to fish for a sliding scale five and a half year period at our invitation, not their control.
Boris’ much trumpeted “concession” turns out to be a lot like selling air in a can, and I am amazed that so many people have fallen for his jape,
December 26, 2020
Jon
At the end of the Five and Half year period, does the UK reserve the right to take 100% of the fishing stock and then sell a percentage back to EU fishing boats just as other countries do or, do they still get to fish for free and profit from our own natural resource ?
If the latter, then I think it is the EU that has won.
December 26, 2020
After 51/2 years U.K. Gets back 66% but does not have same rights as Norway. This was always the trumpeted aim. It failed miserably.
December 25, 2020
So first you said that a no deal would be a disaster, then you said there was no chance of a deal now you say we have a deal but it isn’t perfect for you.
Let me guess you want to remain in the EU.
December 25, 2020
No. I want the UK parked in a neat regulatory orbit around the EU which this deal exactly achieve with the UK’s commitment to non-regression, LPF provisions and the EU retaliation arsenal at its disposal.
That this deal is going through the EU Ambassadors without a hitch should tell you something.
Hell… even the french fishermen or farmer are not rioting.
Singapore-on-Thames it will not be.
Our dear host has more sense than courage. He will rightly conclude that he cannot block this deal with Labour ready to vote for it and come himself in favour of it.
December 25, 2020
Oh, now it’s an “orbit”. Anything rather than admit that this deal is under International Law, not EU Law.
Einstein famously mocked “spooky action at a distance”. What drives this deal is mutual self interest, not some imaginary force of EU gravity.
December 25, 2020
Well said Jon
Tab and his fellow remain extremists are unsure what their real position is.
So they are just randomly lashing out in a negative manner.
December 26, 2020
The interest of the EU is not to let the UK deregulate and undermine it. This is what it achieved with this deal.
December 26, 2020
Then you should be happy.
But still you are not.
December 25, 2020
I would like our government to compile a similar info graphic to the one the EU created stating what has been regained and what has been replaced.
December 25, 2020
The Conservative Party’s wish list sounds nice but is it really realistic in the real world?
The wish list sounds like soft fluffy progressive politics which is too frightened or too lazy to deal with realities, and if one analyzed what you’re saying is demonstrably inaccurate in crucial respects.
Polly
December 25, 2020
Absolutely.
Governments have spent much time and effort purposely setting identity group against identity group.
AND they have sat back and allowed MSM to stir the pot ceaselessly.
All government interference has made everything so much worse.
Social engineering does not further Christian tolerance…quite the opposite.
And in any case, many Churches ( from experience) are not what they were!
December 25, 2020
Polly
I honestly don’t see any point in the conservatives having a wish list, they’ll be extinct at the next election.
December 25, 2020
Live and let live. Too many busy body campaigners have forgotten or chosen to ignore this watchword as they demand to tell others what they must or must not do.
December 25, 2020
Yes the current fascination is to impose one’s world view on others instead of letting it permeate by osmosis.
If the progressives are right we will realise it, they don’t need to shout at us while we pay the taxes that support them.
December 25, 2020
oldtimer
….a bit like our host.
December 25, 2020
A great message. Unfortunately the important topic of racism has been hijacked for other reasons and key issues ignored for political expediency. For instance the left say that only they represent the BME community and if you are BME you cannot be a Tory hence the abuse thrown at Priti Patel etc not being the ārightā sort of BME.
Liz Truss hammered for wanting to look at data, so a fact based approach, savaged because it should be only about āfeelingsā.
Having worked with different communities I heard many inter community racist comments conveniently ignored because it is all an attack on being white, in itself racist.
Unfortunately that and defaulting to the unfounded accusations of racism, I was once told a banks computer was racist because it turned down a loan, has led to a feeling of resentment and a refusal to acknowledge where actually things do need to change, so counter productive.
As ever politicians sitting on their hands and the fence, trying to not offend anyone have let this get out if control.
When even Trevor Phillips is criticised by his own community for offering a balanced view, it is clear their agenda is more than racism.
December 25, 2020
+1
December 25, 2020
“As ever politicians sitting on…… the fence”
A bit like our host.
December 25, 2020
Wilful and unsanctioned damage to statues is not violence.
It is criminal damage.
Those accused of damaging one in Bristol are being subject to the due process of law in this respect, and that is only proper.
Not that many people subscribe to the false opposition that you cannot be an anti-racist if you are opposed to marxism anyway.
Ordinary, reasonable people are not being victimised in any way by some sort of liberal “elite” – that is yet another conspiracy theory.
Happy Christmas.
December 25, 2020
Kneeling is not sport, that is how ordinary, reasonable people are being victimised, by degrading the activities many gain so much fulfilment from. That is being done by the new elite, forcing their views into our faces and creating a significant degree of antipathy for the cause they purport to be trying to “change” peoples opinion about.
December 25, 2020
But from a great many of your own posts, Martin, your ultra-dismissive tone demonstrates that what is your definition of ‘reasonable people’ may differ from those of other people.
December 25, 2020
your definition of āreasonable peopleā may differ from those of other people.
A bit like our host.
December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas Martin! š
December 25, 2020
MiC
Well said and correct, except for your last para.
Someone definitely IS raking the muck, globally and not just in this country.
As I have said to JR in another post, people can and invariably do sort themselves out when not interfered with. It might look nasty while they’re doing it, but the red lines and fair play always emerge respected.
But I agree the wrecking of property is criminal damage. We might find it offensive to our culture and identity, but it is not violence as such.
December 25, 2020
Imagine trying to stop that criminal damage and the violence that would then ensue.
Violence is also a mindset and is often driven by tribalism
December 25, 2020
And so the cycle of your wilful ignorance begins again, Martin. Ordinary people are being persecuted – losing their jobs, being taken to court, fined, seeing their own culture belittled and destroyed, visited by police, frightened to say what they think – by your woke elite. Yet you deny it, just as you denied the corruption, hostility, and incompetence of the EU.
December 25, 2020
Well said Nick.
They are socialists.
They deny everything.
Like 100 million killed in the 20th century due to their dreadful political theory.
December 25, 2020
+1
December 25, 2020
Yes, employers have far too much arbitrary power over their employees, and that is as a result of Tory employment “law”, not of the law of the land on free speech.
But you get for what you vote, and that is, for people being sacked for no professionally relevant reason.
You need stronger trade unions to protect people.
December 25, 2020
You sound more like Dave Spart every day Martin.
December 26, 2020
You are a clown. Trade unions don’t protect people, they protect the union’s power and income.
I have seen first hand in tribunals how unions allow fundamental employment law and rights be eroded by lawyers without opposing them
December 26, 2020
“violence /ĖvŹÉŖÉl(É)ns/ – noun – behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.”
It was most certainly an act of violence and intended to send a message to those of differing opinions, a clear act of victimisation.
December 25, 2020
One battle at a time. Once the deal is over the line (it could still be vetoed by an EU stakeholder) and we are into the New Year, we need to tackle the Government’s ruinous covid policy and replace it with a coherent strategy. Allow businesses where virus spread is insignificant to trade rather than borrowing money to keep them closed and deny their amenity to the public. Understand that we will not ‘eradicate’ the virus and the most likely outcome is that it follows its course and evolves into a less harmful strain. Know that prolonged social distancing will impair herd immunity against other diseases.
December 25, 2020
Well spoken, a true Conservative government would be cracking down on BLM and ER which the vast majority of the people have no truck with.
The left are a hateful bunch and the fact they are spitting feathers means there’s some good in the agreement.
Merry Christmas.
December 25, 2020
Ian Wragg
“The left are a hateful bunch”
You’re not allowed to accuse the left of being hateful, how come your comment passed moderation ?
December 25, 2020
Well Said.
Happy Christmas
December 25, 2020
Good morning – Again š
It’s Christmas, so I’ll let this one pass š
All I will say is :- One should always practice what one preaches.
Have a good one.
December 25, 2020
Mark B
“All I will say is :- One should always practice what one preaches.”
=========
Yes I intimated such to John Redwood, but it seems he doesn’t like it told like it is. It’s ok to come on here spreading hatred of pensioners and those of us of our cultural group.
Waste of keyboard effort with these fairy arsed woke-ists. Best just to not say anything, then kick ’em out at the next election and leave them wondering why they lost.
December 25, 2020
+1
Not much more to add there.
December 25, 2020
Many of us wish to live in such a society but successive governments have made absolutely certain that we do not.
Elevate some above others to promote tolerance and love?
Shut the Churches to promote Christian teachings?
An overarching non discriminatory law is one of the things we need.
December 25, 2020
Would love to unite to fight poverty. Except Marcus Rashfird had to shame you Tories into lifting a finger
December 25, 2020
Marcus Rushford would be better campaigning to teach families how to cook.
Teach a man to fish…….
December 25, 2020
in order to cook you need ingredients, possibly electricity or gas.
Provide the food first, then tackle the problem of teaching parents, if there are any, to accept responsibility for the children they brought into the world, care for them, clothe them feed them!
At least Rashford knows the problem, while you perhaps choose to cross the road?
December 25, 2020
As usual, a good article but let’s remember that prejudice and bias can work both ways, especially where there is a strong divergence with the existing culture of the host country.
December 25, 2020
Depends what you mean by ‘ruling elites’. Government(s) chosen by the majority of the voters may be necessary in any civilised society. They rule, make rules over which the voters have no further say, other than to abide by those rules or to ignore them. Those who see themselves as belong to some kind of elite are misguided.
Language is language, politically correct or not. Language doesn’t come about by accident; it is taught and learnt. As so often is the need to divide, to conquer, to see oneself as being better than someone else, whether by circumstance of birth or opportunity.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Merry Christmas to one and all.
December 25, 2020
Oh dear, what can the matter be? Yet again I’m stuck in moderation.
December 25, 2020
We are a week away from stripping our children of the freedom to live and work in 27 countries without any restriction, so let me say humbug to you, Mr John Redwood
December 25, 2020
I wonder if your children speak the languages of the 27 countries – or even of any of them?
December 25, 2020
Freedomhater, Those 27 countries have regained the right to refuse you entry. It is entirely selfish of you to demand these 27 countries bow to your wishes.
December 26, 2020
I lived and worked all over Europe before Freedom of Movement was even a concept. I even worked in Moscow in the Seventies. Conan Doyle’s Victorian London was full of German, French and Italian chefs and waiters. Eric Blair (George Orwell) wrote a memoir based on his time working and begging in Paris/ Greece was always full of British writers. Somerset Maugham wrote about his life as a young writer in Spain.
All you need is a skill and hard work and someone will always hire you.
December 25, 2020
Sir John.
Agreed. If I may observe: we have been and are too tolerant of the intolerant. That should change. The ‘woke’ revisionists should be challenged with calm reason and, if they remain incorrigible, barred from holding posts from which they promulgate those views.
Best wishes.
December 25, 2020
Very good message for Christmas Day. Thanks for your unfailing wisdom and insight. The Christian message includes love and goodwill. The special message of Christmas is, God comes among us to dwell in our hearts and our midst as Emmanuel. ‘Unto us a child is born’.
December 25, 2020
I note the first choir to perform in Notre Dame, Paris after the disastrous fire sang āJingle Bellsā
Not very Christian.
Almost a European spin on the American practice of replacing āHappy Christmasā with āHappy Holidaysā.
December 25, 2020
“Recent years have seen a gripping battle between voters and ruling elites.”
Johnson, all his cabinet, and all his MPs (including Redwood), are members of the ruling elite, no matter how much they might want to pretend otherwise. Far too many of them went to Oxford, and far too many of them went to Eton and similar schools. Yet somehow they managed to be elected and pushed through the Brexit policies that have caused short- and medium-term damage to the UK. (Cherry picking economic stats, which is Redwood’s usual go-to trick, counts for nothing, except to indicate a paucity of thought.)
I guess the ruling elite won the “gripping battle”, and the voters are now going to have to pay the price.
December 25, 2020
Wab, The voters voted to Leave.
December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas, everyone.
This is an important message that the Left in all its forms should listen to and take note of.
It won’t, of course, because as Nig1 has said, above, they have an agenda that is much more than the mere defeat of racism. The complete and utter hypocrisy so clearly evident on the Left of the Labour party and so obviously exposed by the anti-semitism debacle is, but the most obvious example. Corbyn and his cronies have not gone away, nor have the hundreds of thousands of people they signed up to join the party. Few if any of them support Starmer.
How he will deal with a party that is at such odds with its leadership while that leadership at last has a slim, but positive chance of winning over voters, will be interesting to observe. In a few years, Starmer will be hated as much as Tony Blair !
December 25, 2020
The Christian message at Christmas is love your neighbour as yourself, and show goodwill towards all. This can spread well beyond the confines of Church congregations to the wider community, to people of all religions and of none.
It’s a pity Sir John that countries do not practice some of this, On the web site Not a Lot of People Know That , There is an entry regarding the downside of raw earth mining and the total disregard to the population that is affected. Maybe as we sit there today surrounded by all the high tec presents we may have received to just take one nanosecond to think about the supply chain and the people involved, The interesting part is the link which i have tried to unscramble is from our dear friends at the BBC. Incredible that this sort of stuff is never reported on the news bulletins and by their special correspondents.
https:www.bbc.com.future article 20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth
Hope you have a brilliant time with your family
December 25, 2020
And maybe even to this website? No, maybe that is asking too much.
Happy Christmas, Sir John. I hope you have a well earned rest
December 25, 2020
Since you bring up the subject of racism and our history, I would point out that the Africans were as complicit in slavery as were white ship and plantation owners. Nothing is as black or as white as some making an argument would have us believe.
As far as modern day UK is concerned one can argue for all forms of political change which eventually the mill of democracy takes up or abandons. At times the means of argument stretch the tolerance of the majority of the population.
I look upon it simply, you are either here because you see the UK as a positive place to be, or you wish us harm. Those currently wishing us harm have the mantle of an identity, and some with a personal history to support their hate. That our politics and law and practisers of that law allow these apostles of hate an excess of freedom is I hope now in the process of correction. They should be removed from the UK permanently. Those who decide that the UK is not the place for them are absolutely free to depart. Otherwise everyone else is welcome to continue to make the positive contribution that most of them have.
December 28, 2020
Why does a dog lick his doo dahs? Because he can. There is only one reason that the Africans were taken as Slaves. That is because the industrial revolution happened to take place in Europe. If it had happened in Africa they would have spread their dominance around the world with slavery and colonisation. This is speculation I know, but it has always been so. The powerful take advantage of the less so. Of course we are in more civilised times and equality should be a basic right.
On another hot topic, letās start with the royal family, the unelected lords and the titles of superiority, lord, duke etc. No place in a modern society.
December 25, 2020
Either Badenoch or Truss must lead this party before Johnson’s agenda destroys our identity and weakens our sense of self by slyly embracing CRT and encouraging its uptake.
Labour changed direction in 1979 when MT kicked their backside. Labour dispensed with social class warfare and embraced a more sinister form of identity politics warfare.
When I see Julie Burchill and Laurence Fox hung out to dry by the Tories who refuse to confront the vanguard of the Marxist racists then I begin to see how far into the rabbit hole we have descended. Then we had Scruton consumed by this rabid form of Marxist denunciation
The question must be asked. Why is this form of politics now so powerful that it can destroy lives? I believe the British State and both parties have embraced it or certainly slyly endorse it.
Only the Conservative Woman is exposing this sinister form of politics and organisations like BLM who are as extreme as any group I know and yet their racist symbolism is still being taken up
December 25, 2020
I would have more confidence in Liz Truss if she had proposed to rid us of Labour’s ‘Equality’ legislation, that makes us enequal in law as certain groups have protected status.
Happy Christmas to everyone!
December 25, 2020
I’d support that.
December 25, 2020
+1
December 25, 2020
+1 it will end badly.
December 25, 2020
JR
Quite a courageous topic I should say, and I shall accept your invitation to respond.
Now:
“to condemn violence against statues or people with views you do not like. We do not want to see elements of our past torn down because past centuries had views on race”
===========
You can see what is wrong with that statement, at least I hope so.
I have to be frank about this; We, as in the traditional British / English public, find that the attacks on OUR history and culture are racially motivated against us. In today’s world it isn’t possible to be anti – racist without being racist. It is what we call hypocrisy.
People with gripes about our past seem to forget this country was the first to abolish slavery, and many of our reformers led a global campaign to abolish the trade.
I find BLM to be a racist organisation in itself, and will not change my mind on this. What is wrong with ‘ALL’ Lives Matter ? Are they inferring my life doesn’t matter because I am not black ?
It works both ways.
You make a point about Balance. Well, consider this – we are under constant attack from just about every element who thinks our identity, culture and freedoms should be taken away from us. There ‘was’ a balance between cultures and races in this country, and that developed because people were left alone to get on with it. Nobody interfered and people sorted themselves out.
I know, because I was there at the time and have worked with people from nearly every country in the world, from Poles to South Africans. They would often call each other all sorts of names, but after work they’d be in the pub together with mutual respect.
It is obvious nowadays people are being stirred up and manipulated with the sad consequence of loss of life.
My point being if balance is to be restored, those responsible for the agitation need to be identified and taken out of circulation for the good of all. Then let people get on with their lives and they will sort themselves out. Interference and, frankly, – the ‘shit stirring’ is not needed.
That said, it is quite reasonable for cultures to have their own representative voice. Except of course in England.
How is it that Scotland can have a Nationalist voice, but if England tries this it gets
outlawed ? Does that sound fair and balanced to you ?
We speak for our values and country and we’re nazis. Yet the leader of the Scottish assembly can openly vilify the English and often make threats to our country.
In summary – we as a people don’t take kindly to threats. Ours is one of the most generous and compassionate on the planet, we have spilled the blood of our finest to liberate other countries from tyranny, and we don’t take kindly to ungratefulness either. We are also famously known
All peoples regardless of their culture have the right to retaliate when under threat.
Allow us our freedom of speech and expression, the right to retaliate……..and we’ll sort ourselves out.
December 25, 2020
Erata, really need a new keyboard _
We are also famously known ……..for our sense of fair play.
December 25, 2020
JR
What on earth is the point of holding the main body of a post in moderation, while allowing a minor correction to pass ?
I appreciate that you might be otherwise occupied on this festive day, but the logic is bizarre.
Unless, that is, you consider telling it like it is as being unbalanced – I should point out that people are noticing that you allow extremist content against the elderly and the English. That is offensive to us, since most families have given their blood for the right to free speech, and the right to respect our pensioners.
I think you need to make your mind up who’s side you are on. The days when a politician could sit on the fence throwing scraps to alligators on one side and to lions on the other are over.
I’m sure you are aware of Churchill’s description of an appeaser’s naivety.
If you would like Churchill’s ‘Island Race’ to go away, that’s fine. We can simply take our views elsewhere……but remember there’s enough of us to render your party extinct, and make no mistake we will. So don’t necessarily assume our votes. Right now we have a hunger for electoral revenge and are fighting for everything we are entitled to. We will not lose.
I don’t expect you to pass this one, but take it as a word in your shell – like, that while you are asking us to be balanced in what we post, you are certainly not balanced in how you moderate.
Finally I believe society would benefit greatly if all MP’s and Ministers had to attend compulsory training courses run by professional Psychologists, to become educated as to the causes of radicalisation.
December 25, 2020
Given some of this post’s content, and that it’s Christmas, and therefore a time of ghosts past, present & things to come, perhaps this question isn’t wholly out of keeping with the season.
Do you think that Powell was intellectually in error in the warning that he gave in his 1968 Rivers of Blood speech Mr. Redwood, not in its expression but in it’s central premise, i.e. that the American “Melting Pot” revolutionary societal model (which the Tory Party has been facilitating for the last 60 years with its foreign immigration policies) has an inherent predisposition ultimately to serious societal conflict upon ethnic lines?
Straight answer to a straight question would be appreciated.
December 25, 2020
Brilliant!
This war between left and right has to stop after Brexit.
This war between tax cuts and government spending helps nobody. It is ideological drivel from both sides of the political spectrum that has lasted for at least 150 years. Certainly more about power more than economics. The arguements we have today are based on a monetary system we no longer use. We use the Ā£ not the Euro. Most of the disagreements between taxing and spending are based on the Euro model which we don’t use.
The left and right came together to win the Brexit vote. They showed what can be done when they come together.
Will there be times when we need tax cuts – without a doubt
Will there be times when we need increased govt spending -Of course
Will there be a time when we need both – Certainly.
This ideological drivel that one of both are the devil has to stop. Which are based on gold standard, fixed exchange rate nonsense.
They both fight unemployment and reduce inequality it is how you actually use both that really matters. Neither are the devil if used properly.
December 26, 2020
But government spending keeps rising as does the tax take.
Where has this war between government spending and tax cuts been fought and who won?
December 25, 2020
Tabulazero, This “deal” means Northern Ireland is annexed, we continue to have to obey EU rules, and we pay the EU in fish and money for the privilege. Zero tariffs is an advantage for the EU. No other country would accept these humiliating surrender terms.
And I won’t accept them either. The campaign to Leave continues. I also predict that the UK and EU will interpret the “agreement” in quite different ways. It won’t last. Only WTO will allow the UK and EU to go their separate ways safely.
December 25, 2020
Have you actually had a chance to read all 2,000 pages of it over the last 12 hours? Please post up the relevant references so we can see how you draw your conclusion. Thanks
December 25, 2020
Richard1, I listened to Boris’s own exposition – both what he said, and what he didn’t, to come to the conclusions I made. I will amend what I think if the c500 pages (not 2000) are materially different from what Boris said.
December 25, 2020
It looks more like about c500 pages of declarations and c800 pages of annexes. In the meantime a two-page overview is available from ec.europa.eu āEU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: A new relationship with big changes: Overview of consequences and benefitsā. 24/12/2020
December 25, 2020
Alas. This is reality Brexit. You left.
The trade deal is rubbish. It was always going to be.
Plus there is zero mandate for it.
But I agree with you that it wonāt last.
Britons simply will not put up with your Brexit vassalage.
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2020
You haven’t read it. It seems to do all the things you’ve said for years wouldn’t be possible. Like tariff and quota free trade with no payments. Like signing 3rd party FTAs. Like legal and regulatory autonomy. like independent arbitration as in all other FTAs and not subjugation to the ECJ.
Let’s see what the public thinks when the terms have been digested. I think you should prepare for a very frustrating few years when the majority realises Brexit is no big deal, it’s possible to have a sensible and friendly trading relationship with the EU without being a member. It’s possible to have non-discriminatory immigration, possible not to have to pay Ā£375m pw (that’s the new number) to the EU etc etc.
Of course we will have to see what the Conservative govt makes of the freedoms of Brexit. Perhaps they will waste them. But the disaster you’ve been shouting about all these years just isn’t going to happen. Bad luck but happy Christmas.
December 25, 2020
Actually I think it might even be Ā£400m pw. And that’s not counting the UK’s share of the ā¬750bn (euro) bailout which would have been what ā¬50bn, ā¬75bn?
December 25, 2020
Andy, You are too incoherent in your rage. Which other foreign state are we vassals of? And we haven’t left as you can tell from the fact that the EU still controls our fish, and much else besides.
December 25, 2020
Simple question. As of 1 January do we decide who fishes in British waters. Simple answer, under this deal, no. This is not Brexit, and we will judge any MP who supports it accordingly. Am I alone in thinking this?
December 25, 2020
If not you should be. It would have been foolish and unreasonable to say French and Spanish fishing businesses which have fished in UK waters for generations have to get out on day 1. It’s perfectly sensible to have a transition period of a few years, and it would have been right to offer it even if it hadn’t been demanded. Besides the UK fishing industry has been wrecked these last 40 years by the CFP and will take time to build up again. The fishing deal is a perfectly reasonable compromise.
December 25, 2020
As I have said before. I do not object to EU, or anyones boats, fishing in OUR waters so longs as we get 100% control as to who does and does not plus, how much and where and when. If we cannot do the aforementioned, then we have not left.
December 26, 2020
But what about the fish? While we are building up our fleet they need to recover from the depredations of the CFP which has already laid waste the Mediterranean. As it is the Continental fleets are hoovering everything up as fast as they can and will carry on like that now for 5 and a half years. Madness. By which time there will be a different government and it may all stay as it is.
December 25, 2020
Pescatarian, You are perfectly correct – Boris’s deal is not Leave. Not least because the WA still exists and Northern Ireland remains annexed, as well as the fish.
December 25, 2020
No. The French fishermen agree with you. You are not alone.
December 25, 2020
Well said, in the first place how dare they abandon Northern Ireland.
December 25, 2020
Iago-
As one Martin Selmayr once said ‘The price the UK would have to pay would be the loss of Northern Ireland.’ So it would seem to come to pass.
The EU wins again in further breaking up the once United Kingdom with NI now effectively annexed.
With the effect that the SNP will say what is good for NI would be good for Scotland which would be hard to resist.
Divide and conquer.
This is not Bexit.
December 26, 2020
NI is of no strategic value these days- in fact it is a community of less than 2 million and costing us 15 to 20 billion pa- time to get real
December 25, 2020
The separation of Northern Ireland is a disgrace and as Lord Trimble states a direct breach of the Good Friday agreement. The people have not voted to separate from UK and remain in the single market, customs Union and have no say in EU law as it evolves. They are subject to the ECJ as will all companies who trade their. What idiots allow that Trojan Horse. The fish deal will allow us to catch 66% of our own waters in increments up to 5.5 years from now. What then? Why are we giving them free fish? The documents released so far contradict themselves. The EU and UK Governments giving different accounts particularly on the trading level fields and service access for the UK into the EU. They will no longer recognise mutual qualifications. They will encourage service businesses to move to the EU etc. A punishment deal for fools. They are not our friends and we’re being had. The length of publications, timing and detail released indicates we’re being played by our Government to remove real scrutiny. Can I suggest it is passed provisionally until every letter , comma and implication is considered. The EU have done this with its pretend Parliament. What’s good for the goose is good for Martin Howe and the ERG. No more May treachery. Merry Christmas Sir John.
December 25, 2020
Timaction-
+1
Also I have not heard anything of the divorce payment and any ongoings rather they should be paying us to access our market bearing in mind the balance of trade deficit.
Happy Christmas to you and yours Sir John. Many thanks for your dedication to the cause over the years.
December 26, 2020
Don’t worry about NI in the new arrangement as ROI will be well able to speak up for them at top table
Secondly fish is only worth something if it is sold at market- fishing water by itself is worth nothing in terms of fish value- the fish have to be caught and brought to market
Lastly we are now in holding pattern being prepared for reintegration in the next generation- time to grow up
December 26, 2020
No sir! Lord Trimble is the disgrace.. he accepted the nobel peace prize on the back of the deserving John Hume and has been scheming against progessive NI advocates ever since.. together with Dodds setting himself up as the voice of moderation in Lo don.. it is long past time now that the HOL 900 plus be shut down- bunch of freeloaders
December 25, 2020
Thank you, Sir John, for providing this forum. We could do with more MPs like you who are willing to discuss their views and ideas in an open and civilised manner.
December 25, 2020
How is it that we have passed through the Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Reason to come to this? There are now at least four subjects of great importance on which, for example, a high flying banker or accountant, trained to spot anomalies and irregularities, “red flags”, will be expected to toe the line, or else: Carbon dioxide; BLM; the Wuhan virus; and the American election. No critical examination or thought is allowed, and definitely no discussion. Kemi Badenoch has bravely started to tackle this intellectual and philosophical decline, as has Liz Truss. But would it be possible for a man of European descent to have done so in office?
I think it all started when the subject of immigration after the war was made a no go area. This happened because of the Holocaust. It quickly became established that if anyone questioned immigration, they must be a national socialist, which in turn was rechristened “far right”. The rest has followed.
December 25, 2020
Sir John,
Thank you for this and all your previous comments this year. With Brexit (nearly?) done and wokeness possibly in retreat, perhaps progress to a more rational world is being made.
Only one minor comment on your piece above, in your para 1 you use the term “elite” twice. Are they really all the best of the best? As I’ve mentioned to you before, perhaps “establishment” is a better word for some of the ponderous and fixed-ideas people of apparent influence!
Best wishes to all for the New Year.
December 25, 2020
I filled in a probate application just over a week ago. The government added a 5-page diversity questionnaire but didn’t feel it right to start the application with a ‘We are sorry for your loss’. A cull of ‘diversity’ stuff is now needed. I am sick and tired of ‘identity politics’. I look for the Conservative Party to get up off its knee and show some spine.
December 25, 2020
Me too, and what absurd groupings and boxes they have too. Even more irritation is the tedious BBC ādiversityā on almost every programme. Diversity in everything other than the āBBC thinkā political opinions that is.
I am a bit dyslexic (though in my day this was never tested for or allowed for) so now I would count as disabled on these diversity forms it seems.
December 25, 2020
The wokeness is everywhere. On any application I cannot say I’m English. With a family tree going back 500 years I can prove I am. British is not a Nationality after 50 years of mass migration by the duopoly. As we’re getting out of the EU we can all take a patriotic pride in my Country. England!!
The equality laws are to stop free speech and suppress opposition to mass migration. When I see white working class children given same status as other minority groups I’ll consider taking the former Conservative Party seriously. I come from that background and have never considered myself privileged.
December 25, 2020
The thought at the top of every politician now must be āwhat can we change outside the EU to benefit British citizensā. We needs goods circulating in the British market that are not compliant with EU regulations that are lot better quality and lower cost. And we need free trade agreements with other nations that let these products in. We need British voters at the next election to know they are benefiting from Brexit and these benefits will be under threat from those parties who never accepted the referendum result. Please put you mind to 10 such benefits that can be locked in before the next election wether it be cheaper wines from Australia or cars made it to Japanese or North American market specifications.
December 25, 2020
Other ideas could be redirecting British science and space programs towards collaboration with the Americans, free movement with Canzuk countries and and a defence relationship with the US/Canada to replace NATO and remove our current obligation to defend EU countries. We should have trade agreements with Central and South America to let in their agricultural produce to reduce the price of food in British supermarkets.
December 25, 2020
Free movement with any Commonwealth country would mean free movement with them all.
Just to remind you, 97% of its people do not live in Aus, NZ and Canada.
December 25, 2020
Martin, no, it would not. Any country can grant immigration preferences to one or a collection of other countries.
Canada used to, and maybe still does, grant immigration preference to the UK but not to every Commonwealth country.
This is not exactly rocket Science.
December 25, 2020
No it wouldnāt. Free movement would be something in future bilateral treaties with specific countries and is not something in any existing Commonwealth agreement.
December 25, 2020
Itās the Dominions not the Commonwealth, donāt you know the difference?
December 26, 2020
Lynn – you are wasting your breath, Martin is still living in the final years of the failed and dismantled Iron Curtain.
Commonwealth membership grew dramatically in the second half of the 20th century as former dependencies attained sovereignty. Most of the dependent states granted independence chose Commonwealth membership.
December 25, 2020
According to the Independent we are subject to the most export rules in the world. Is that something Boris and the Tory party can be proud of? That has ruined my Christmas. What a crap year all round. What a joke. What a farce. What a waste of time. What a waste of money. What a waste of a referendum. What a waste of sovereignty. What a waste of a vote. What a waste of a Conservative party.
December 25, 2020
Well lets see the details first but I suspect the deal is dire. Anything that is ruled on by the one sided political court the ECJ or that cannot be withdrawn from (in a reasonable timescale, should the UK wish to) is totally unacceptable. Anything that forces the UK to remain or become even more uncompetitive is also unacceptable. These would do far more harm than the free trade is worth.
December 25, 2020
+1 I also have had a gutful.
December 25, 2020
Basically, you are solidly parked in the EUās regulatory orbit. You get to set your own law as you wish but ultimately it is still the EU that sets the direction of travel.
December 25, 2020
You like the word orbit.
December 27, 2020
Pompilarious, Edward2?
What is it about a speck of dust and a plank? I wonder.
December 25, 2020
Welcome to Utopia. A Merry Christmas to Sir John Redwood and his very many readers.
December 25, 2020
John, a few points….
Boris may try to convince the public this is a great deal…but most probably the details will show otherwise?
What about the Withdrawal Agreement? Currently it remains in place, why?
What about the partitioning of Northern Ireland….these good people have been thrown under the bus!
Why was Gibraltar not included in the Agreement? …also thrown under the bus?
What about equivalences for financial services… UK financial services firms will lose their financial services passports. This is a business unmitigated disaster!
No more mutual recognition of professional qualifications?
Need I go on…is this what is called Victory?
The German MSM/Businesses are very happy with the arrangement (they got what they truly wanted – treasure island continues), because they know the EU has put one over the UK Government.
Trust in the Conservatives is now at an all time low, regardless how it is spun in the press…the people know the truth? The so called Conservative party is a disgrace to the nation and never to be trusted again
However, on a more positive note. . I hope one day to welcome you as the ever popular independent Rt Hon MP for Wokingham.
December 25, 2020
It is difficult to work out what these post Brexit deals are worth in trade terms. The UK’s “total trade”, that is imports plus exports, to rest-of-the-world’s countries, is currently worth Ā£744 billion in 2019. Ā£439 bn in goods and Ā£305 bn in services.
Ms Truss, by my reckoning, has managed, so far, to post Brexit replicate Ā£141 bn of that Ā£744 billion. My continental number crunchers say it is nearer to Ā£200 bn from 59 countries, not the 55 on my list. But, none of those 59 are going to risk making a deal that would upset Big Daddy EU.
Meanwhile, the UK’s total trade with the EU is Ā£668 bn (2019). Ā£438 bn in goods and Ā£230 bn in services. This newly named “Trade and Cooperation Agreement” has a free trade agreement in goods, as merely one of its three subdivisions. Services and Financials are treated the same as the Canada – EU deal. Continentals are telling me they reckon the UK lost three goals to one in the Brexit League finals.
December 25, 2020
It’s not about trade
It’s about independence.
December 25, 2020
I agree.
Happy Christmas.
December 25, 2020
I noticed this morning that the anti-Brexit press is now in damage control mode. Reuters has a long mournful essay on how awful this all is for the UK, which will “bear the scars” for a decade, but the most obvious thing about this editorial is that it does not contain a single, actual *fact*. The whole thing is written in images and metaphors. But that is understandable, since none of the scare stories have come true. No three million job losses, no economic collapse, no mass exodus from the City, in fact a very long list of no this and no that. And so, predictably, they are left with nothing except a “you’ll be sorry”about something or other. Sorry about not taking their Olympian advice, I guess.
The other thing I noticed is that UVL felt that she had to defend the agreement, which is very different to the usual EU triumphalism. She actually had to claim that the agreement was “fair” and that the EU fishing industry had been given “predictability” and that EU values, whatever that means, would be “respected”. Given all the over-confident pro-EU stuff we’ve been fed about the UK being “forced” to accept whatever we were offered, and the EU retaining “jurisdiction” and “control”, this is a huge climb-down.
I predict that very soon the Remainers will be claiming that really they achieved this deal by putting pressure on Boris, and after that all that will be left is for Remainers to claim that really they achieved Brexit itself.
December 25, 2020
Freedom is like what we we Irish have but has to be fought for- and we we did!
December 25, 2020
The funniest comment today is that we are now subject to “rules”. O the horror! Look, an FTA *is* rules. Rules is an FTA. Two thousand pages of rules. A surplus of rules. A plethora of rules. Rules about rules. If the Independent thinks that is a bad thing, they must have been at the cooking Sherry.
By the way, does anyone have a clue what the Independent is for? I have never been able to figure it out.
Second funniest is the BBC, which is perplexed that both sides can claim a win. That convinces me that the BBC does not understand simple Economics for sixteen year olds.
Trade is a win for both ends of the transaction. Both win, so of course both claim it. More trade is good for both sides, and less trade is bad for both sides.
A good FTA is a win for both parties, because each gains what is important to it, and each concedes whatever is less important. For example, Ahem, a country with almost no fishing fleet conceding some fish for five years.
December 25, 2020
Correct Jon.
The definition of a deal is where both sides are happy.
December 26, 2020
I asked for a book by Dr Thomas Sowell and she bought me three. He’s an old black self taught scholar who ended up at Stanford and has become famous for writing about the true history of class and race divisions. I’m enjoying the chapter on black rednecks and the origin of bad behaviour in Northern borders of Britain and the emigration of the lazy, argumentative, murderous yobs to the Southern States of America. It’s hard to argue with well researched history and references. The House of Commons and Cronies would be better informed by closing all racism awareness courses run by the deluded army of overpaid quangocrats and putting Sowell’s books in the library with instructions to read.
December 26, 2020
On the question of freedom. 377 healthy people under 60 have died of COVID-19. Can we free up the rest of the population and save the economy and stop people dying of a multitude of other issues. Great Barrington Declaration. Protect the vulnerable, instead of spending billions testing the heathy put resources into shielding the elderly and vulnerable. More people under 60 will die of cancer because of missed diagnosis and treatment.
December 27, 2020
Dear John,
Looking forward to freedom –
I very much liked the sentiments you expressed for our country and our government. Let us go forward with hope, with energy, a feeling of common humanity and letās do our bit wherever we are in society or age group and push to make this country a place which has principles, resilience and respect for others views. Truly the past was another place. Whatever was bad in this times, still remains bad – but we cannot go back to the past. We must not allow our culture to be cancelled. If a thing appears wrong, we should attempt at least to speak out if we can, remembering the Danegeld.
I love your ideas and initiatives for our economy – let us hope they get picked up on, discussed, and if viable, put into action.
Best wishes for 2021.