Next Tuesday I have been invited to give a lecture in the Speaker’s House at Westminster on the opportunities Brexit affords the UK. I have plenty of ideas of what can be better, and believe the UK can both be freer and more prosperous once we are out of the EU. That was why I campaigned and voted for just such an outcome. I will share more of the details with you on this site next week.
My vision will include discussing how to spend all the money we save from our contributions, which will boost both our growth rate and our balance of payments. It will look at opportunities to remove taxes we do not agree with but have to impose as part of our membership. It will examine the scope for a fishing and farming policy which is better for our farmers and fishermen, and will cut our dependence on imports. It will consider what a new migration and borders policy ought to look like, and set out how we can pursue a free trade agenda that will be good for jobs in the UK. There is a longer list than this, but these are some of the highlights.
I would be interested to hear from readers what they think we can do after Brexit that will improve our lives and government, given the freedoms we will gain to vary our laws and spend our own money. We have had months and months of being told by a small group of contributors here – and another small group of contributors to the national media – what they think the downsides will be. Most of these will prove as incorrect as the forecast of a recession immediately after the referendum vote.
February 16, 2018
We need a new fisheries policy which prioritises UK boats and does not involve dumping tons of dead fish overboard. We need a new farming policy which does not involve already rich landowners ,,,,,,,,, getting handouts simply for using their land. We could also comprehensively review and adjust VAT rates to reduce the rate on essential items and raise it on luxury items.
February 16, 2018
Long-term reform, yes; but ‘already rich landowners’? This sounds a bit Marxist, or resentful of those in the southeast who sell a piece of land for development.
I have worked with farmers all my life, and people do not realize how difficult it is to ‘grow food’. Depending on what part of the country you are in, farm sizes vary enormously, and many are tenants. There’s a tremendous expertise passed on from generation to generation – don’t think its all like ‘Country File’ which is so contrived. We tamper with the fabric of the rural economy and way of life at our peril, so adjustments to the subsidy regime should be done carefully over time, and wisely.
February 16, 2018
Presently, EU rules apply to our domestic market, & affects even those many businesses not involved in exporting. We in the UK could scrap VAT procedures, & utilise a system that suits our domestic needs better. VAT could than be a matter only for the EU. Exporters would still meet the specifications of their buying markets, yet every supplier wanting to sell has to do that.
February 16, 2018
Agree totally with scrapping the tortuous, labyrinthine VAT. A local sales tax should replace it with all proceeds kept by the regions to the consternation, of course, to the Treasury and Establishment. Council Tax and Business Rates could be abolished too.
February 16, 2018
Well said Adam.
February 16, 2018
It is of the utmost importance that the UK is business friendly. The expansion and productivity of the private sector is the very bed rock of our future prosperity.
We must create an environment that encourages capital investment. That means a competitive tax environment, ease of business and a culture that is pro wealth creation. All else flows from wealth creation and our ability respond to constant changes in the wider world. Rigidity and a status-quo mindset is sclerotic
Without an ever-expanding capital base there is limited funding scope for the vested interest that is the public sector. This area of the economy, though important, must take second place. The productive pays the bills, the unproductive should reform.
Therefore, we need to reform the public sector across the board. I see no reason why the average private sector worker should be forced to finance privileged employment packages, early retirements and deliberate waste. Reforming this area would create significant savings and ease the burden on the nation
Immigration. If we need a worker with skills, afford them entry irrespective of their country of origin, skin colour, gender or sexuality. Freedom of entry should be stopped. People coming to the UK to claim benefits, exploit NHS services gratis etc should be strictly forbidden.
The most important emphasis should be on preventing Labour ever achieving power. If these people ever get their hands on the levers of power the UK will suffer greatly. The current Labour party is now in the hands of people who absolutely despise the UK, its people, its constitution and its history. To prevent this bunch of racketeers getting into power the government of any persuasion must abolish the opt-in system, starve Labour of funding, implement boundary changes, reform local government abused since 1997 by local Labour politics. Do whatever is necessary within the law
Finally, emphasise that EU member nations (the nations we trade with today and will in the future) will be direct beneficiaries of a successful UK economy. If the UK is economically successful that in itself creates trading activity for our trading partners.
Free trade works while the Eurozone is a politically managed trade process.
It’s time for the UK to become a great trading nation once again
February 16, 2018
Good news, looking forward to reading the detail. The money must not just go into the black hole that is the NHS without setting up a royal commission and seeing its findings nor into other vanity projects.
Care for the elderly is a disgrace and you have renagued on previous promises as you have on inheritance tax. In both areas more support would enable wealth to be handed down for both political and economic benefit.
One off subsidies for green energy, solar panels, ground pumps, storage batteries etc. Invest heavily in the creation of industrial parks in the northern areas still blighted by the loss of traditional industries together with the housing to go with it plus high speed freight (railway) links to get the goods to the south east ports and subsidise both business and the cost of housing to get them to relocate taking pressure of the South East etc.
Finally defend against a possible post Brexit slump by reducing income tax or vat to put more spending power into the economy.
February 16, 2018
And stop this insistence for us all to have ‘smart’ meters installed. They cost c. ÂŁ300 and don’t tell me that it won’t be the customer and/or the tax payer who has to pay. They don’t always work and, for all I know, they are another way of gathering data about us that will be sold to advertisers etc.
February 16, 2018
I would recommend the following:
1) cutting down corporation tax to make the UK a global investment destination. More businesses investing here means more jobs, more jobs means more taxes paid (by both corporations and individuals) and better avenues for people to specialise and upskill.
2) Vastly reduce VAT or, better yet, eliminate it. Why do we need a tax on production? It is a hangover from the post-war, high taxation model. For certain foods, a sales tax may be an alternative, but I would question even this. If youâre free to spend your money as you wish, then why does the govt. need a cut?
3) Invest in better and more rigorous school education and make education compulsory until 18 years of age/A-levels. After that, you should go to uni in a STEM or business field, or take up apprenticeships or T-levels. Better yet, start your own business!
4) Get rid of the Human Rights Act and make sure terrorists and serious law breakers can be deported.
5) sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with the USA, Australia, NZ, Canada etc etc. Letâs start with FTAs which include services also, but donât make the mistake to tying in visas for trade.
6) go on a massive deregulation spree. Let the James Dysons of the UK build and sell their high-powered vacuum cleaners and not have to worry about underhand lobbying by continental competitors.
7) Start a two-for-one rule in govt. whereby every new regulation brought in has to be accompanied by two going out.
8) Pass a parliamebtary sovereignty act which states that parliament and not the courts are supreme in the UK. The courts should be there to highlight anomalies or inconsistencies in the law, but not to become judicial activists or to interpret things which parliament never intended.
9) subsidise small farmers and fisherman to enable them to get on their feet and stand up strong, but then gradually reduce the subsidies to withstand international competition (assuming we’re in compliance with WTO rules).
10) introduce a new skilled immigrant only visa regime and only have temporary visas for lower skilled jobs after the UK labour market has been completely exhausted. It should be colour- and nationality- blind, but whoever comes here should integrate and commit to not just upholding the British way of life but must also not in any way undermine it.
Letâs do this!
February 16, 2018
We will have control again and save on our contribution to EU finances.
We can have a points based immigration policy.
We can gradually increase our fishing fleet and conserve stocks until British fishermen are once again out on our seas.
I would avoid trying to give very specific sums as they are difficult to predict and pedantic types will take every opportunity to divert discussion to analysis of the figures.
On a side issue, I note Guido Fawkes site states that Mrs. May has âfifty times set out her Brexit red linesâ. The response from readers was a very forthright lack of faith that she will actually deliver on those promises. The consensus was that actions speak louder than words and Mrs. May is a weak prime minister.
February 16, 2018
When possible I try to ensure that a course of action solves or alleviates three problems. Every man and his dog will descend on Boris’s 350 million. I’m not convinced that the NHS per se is the best recipient of largesse.
My three chosen problems are Low Pay, Sex Inequality (in pay), Lack of Nurses, and particularly Social Care. This country works in a convoluted mix of Capitalism tempered by Communism. Capitalism is the ‘nasty’ bit that ensures we have food on the table, Communism is the ‘kind fuzzy bit that spends everyone else’s money on good causes’.
If the ‘largesse’ was aimed directly at appreciably increasing the wages of the ‘Care Services’ it would assist in retention and recruitment (with a spin off of easing bed blocking) ; push employers to increase women’s pay generally ; and provided that we had control of migration, spur the lower end of the jobs market by invoking the positive effects of capitalism’s competition. Yes, an increase in bottom end wages would feed through into real inflation after wage inflation, but this would be countered by an increase in interest rates which would start to rectify our hard-pressed Savings Market.
P.S. I think May is doing a blinding job in a way a man couldn’t without seeming to be unacceptably weak. She has validated the referendum result, whilst giving everyone, on both sides of the Channel, time to mentally adjust to Brexit. She is acting as a very effective and much needed lightning rod while the Remainers slowly learn that their worst fears are figments of the Press’s fixations.
P.P.S. I’d like to hear a lot more about the Teesside Freeport because the precariat need and deserve some love. (Cue for income tax to be segregated by levied percentage rather than current bands).
February 16, 2018
and she has a lamentable record on delivery.
She was supposed to have gotten immigration under control but it never happened.
It’s worrying.
I think Andrea Leadsom would have been a better leader but the remainers in the establishment wouldn’t have been happy, hence the hit job on her by that Times journalist.
February 16, 2018
There are so many opportunities to exploit that do not rely necessarily upon being without the Evil Empire but that may be grasped with the change of attitude that arises from no longer relying upon and awaiting EU action. Instead of a Minister for Loneliness (doubtless important) priority should have been given to a Minister for identifying and preparing for post-Brexit opportunities.
An example, noted hitherto, is British scientific research (not yet dead, despite Remoaner claims) could be boosted by a relaxed visa system for foreign researchers, importantly including non-researcher spouses/partners.
Beyond tangible benefits, a change of attitude should for example assist those young people who now suffer from a myopia of seeing the rest of the world only as the EU for they may broaden their own horizons and learn from and seek opportunities in the rest of the world, particularly in China, the USA, India and Russia that are likely to be influential in shaping the future.
The maxim of the post-Brexit government should be âlet a thousand flowers bloomâ but it needs to get organized now to facilitate that.
February 16, 2018
I would like ÂŁ350 million extra every week for the NHS. That is what was promised.
February 16, 2018
Ha ha ha ha ha. Good one.
No chance.
Brexit is already costing ÂŁ200m a week.
February 16, 2018
Andy, you are a bitter remainer. Try to look up at the stars rather than down into the gutter, as does our host and many people like him, much wiser than you. And why is it that you remainers are so positively GLEEFUL at the very idea of your country suffering? You always seem excited at the very thought of the UK failing. Most odd.
February 17, 2018
Andy
Don’t cry over the past,
it’s gone.
Don’t stress about the future,
it hasn’t arrived.
Live in the present and make it beautiful. Theres a good boy
February 16, 2018
I never heard that promise – was that on the ballot paper?
We need to root out all the Jimmy Saviles before we start throwing money at it.
Investigate all the Dr Shipman clones and ‘do-gooders’ who are really only interested in the patients – yes, right.
February 16, 2018
This was never promised – read the bus poster again – not dyslexic are you?
February 16, 2018
It didn’t promise that.
It said we pay 350 million a week to the EU
Let’s fund our NHS instead….ie for example
February 16, 2018
That is simple – David Davis told us we would have the “exact same benefits” of trade with the EU as we have now. I want you to tell me how that will be arranged, given that the EU has made it clear it will not allow a non-member all the benefits of membership. Davis and Fox also told us we would have lots of trade deals in the bag by now. In fact we have not even begun talks about trade deals with one single country. Tell me why
February 16, 2018
Kelly
I can tell you exactly why, but really I’m sure you know, as no one can be that uninformed . We haven’t any trade deals in place because we are STILL in the EU and aren’t allowed to make any.
Yes we will have the same benefits of trade as we have now. I trade with the EU and the terms of my trading will not change in any significant way
Glad I could help
February 16, 2018
Thatâs because the Commissars in the EU have dictated that we canât negotiate new trade deals until we have left the EU. And unlike Germany, France and other EU Nations the U.K. predominantly complies with EU rules and regulations.
February 16, 2018
I am puzzled why anyone would ask you to talk about the benefits of Brexit when you told the readers of the FT to invest in the EU, not the UK. Explain
February 17, 2018
Your statement is a falsehood. John commented that the BoE and the Treasury were putting the brake on UK growth with their fiscal tightening policies (a view shared by very many); that his notional FT ETF Fund was particularly benefiting from its accent on US technology and Asian growth; and that he saw ‘no need at the moment to change a winning formula.’ So he was – uncontroversially – recommending keeping the existing holdings as they were.
There isn’t any mention of the EU in the entire article. Not a word. Never mind. Just make it all up: the Independent did, so did the Guardian.
Or you could try reading the original FT article, which is freely available online.
February 16, 2018
Good morning.
With respect, I do not think that you can no more make that comment then they do the opposite, as neither party can know the future.
There are many things I would like us to do. Get rid of a lot of laws and regulation that is unnecessary. Remove tariffs on manufactured and agricultural goods, eg tinned tuna, beef, lamb, chicken, vegetables, and flowers, allowing other to compete with the EU in our market, thereby driving down prices.
The end to the Balkanisation of England. This is an EU scheme which the UK government does not have to pursue as we will no longer be under this :
https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/european-committee-regions_en
But the biggest advantage we have is that we will at last be able to sit at the very top international regulatory bodies of the world, able to shape the global future without 27 others pulling, sometimes, in the opposite direction.
We will also get a better calibre of MP. Too many that are simply out of their depth will no longer be able to blame the EU. This is something the Foreign Secretary alluded to in his speech. That means those with real talent and ability will rise to the top.
The end to endless fines. Even fines for being successful !
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11184605/Explainer-Why-must-Britain-pay-1.7bn-to-the-European-Union-and-can-we-stop-it-happening.html
In March next year we will, hopefully, be leaving the Mad Tea Party that the EU has become. Poland and the majority of other EU countries are going to have their budgets cut and the rest will have to pay more. After that, I be very interested in seeing how much any of them really believe in Europe.
February 20, 2018
Very good ideas and may I add cancelling HS2 too, as that was imposed on us by the a 1996 EU directive as part of their Trans-European Transport Network.
Re the ÂŁ1.7 billion some of that amount (which went largely to France and Germany, once paid) was charged when estimates of ‘black’ economies such as drugs and prostitution were included in our contribution calculations and then backdated and included since.
As these trades are illegal in this country (I am not sure if all prostitution is, but the black economy sort is by the nature of the title) perhaps once we Brexit a bill could be presented to the EU claiming those amounts back under our Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
February 16, 2018
Pursuing foreign and defence policies that do not tie us to Evil Empire mischief is another benefit but alas it seems that is being eschewed.
February 16, 2018
I suggest that the main issues you should cover are how we can continue to have good political relations, cooperation in all sorts of areas, easy travel for business, tourism and study, and free trade with the EU, whilst adding the benefits of independence. Remainers constantly tell us there is a trade off, as we see daily on this site. You cannot have free trade with the EU they say, or even easy travel, unless you sign up to itâs political and economic union. Another point that needs to be addressed is the vague, but unspecified assertion that the U.K. will – âlose influenceâ around the world – and has already done so – by leaving the EU. The latest personage to assert this is Sir John sawyers, former head of MI6.
These seem to be the two main lines of complaint about Brexit, which need to be comprehensively addressed to try to get to some sort of national consensus about the best way forward post Brexit.
February 16, 2018
The Five Eyes plus Israel will provide most of our useful intelligence not the EU. Security services of certain member states leak like a sieve.
February 16, 2018
Apart from all of the important points you mention, I would like to see us to scrap the current Human Rights Act, and introduce something much better and more practical in its place.
For too long we have had too many undesirable people use this Act to their advantage, with the help of some quite weird Judicial involvement and judgement, to help them circumvent the original idea of the Act for personal advantage of the individual against the masses.
Time for a simple Act, with simple meaning, which leaves clever lawyers no room to manoeuvre, and mess with its intention.
Judges should be fully briefed on its real and proper interpretation and intent.
Thus restoring some credibility back into our Justice system.
February 16, 2018
The Human Rights Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights in to UK law.
The right to life, the right not to be tortured, the right to vote.
The ECHR was established by British lawyers using British principles in the aftermath of the Second World War.
What a sorry picture it paints of 2018 Conservatives that they have travelled so far to the right that they have turned their backs on the values of Churchill.
February 16, 2018
It offers great opportunities, and essentially we become masters of our own destiny, self employed rather than a corporate cog. What we make of it is down to leadership in a political sense and then individual endeavour. Providing government has the wit to create the right framework everything else should fall into place. The essence should be the creation of national and individual wealth with a humanitarian edge that ensures that the disadvantaged do not fall through the net.
February 17, 2018
How?
February 16, 2018
4th story down.
February 16, 2018
John, it is a long list but I will just add one and that is that we can develop trade with Africa and other economies that have struggled with eu protectionism.
For example, we will need fruit and vegetables that are not grown in the UK and I am sure we can do better than a few exotics from Kenya and New Potatoes from Egypt.
Trade not aid!
February 16, 2018
Hear hear.
February 17, 2018
Kenneth
Agreed.
February 16, 2018
We need to incentivise business to train the workers they need from the ranks of the unemployed and school leavers. Some form of in school occupational training from local business would help prepare them.
We can slash the disability employment gap by making small adjustments which make disabled employees at least as productive as others.
GDP growth will reduce as it is currently being driven by population growth. Finding a more relevant measure will benefit us going forward.
Reduced demand offers opportunities for home ownership but this will also reduce the bonus opportunity for businesses like Persimmon. We need to keep house building in line with demand so all have a reasonable choice of home purchase or rental.
Agriculture and fisheries policies should be competitive, offering third world the chance to keep prices low while allowing UK producers the chance to make a living.
Accountability for UK legislators, now this will be an important job once more the right of recall is surely necessary.
More money for a reformed NHS where gender reassignment surgery is banned as is IVF and non urgent cosmetic surgery.
Deportations, benefit reform, more funding in schools per pupil as numbers reduce……. The possibilities
February 16, 2018
Given the huge trading deficit with the EU, we should prioritise our own industries over non-UK in procurement for defence, rail and utility contracts. It’s time we reduced our reliance on everyone else but ourselves running the show as no other major EU economy lets our contractors in as we do theirs.
Your first suggestion of what we can do with all the money we save is premature and open to critique and derision until we’re sure how much if anything we save in any final deal.
We should of course move swiftly to tie down trading agreements with our Commonwealth partners who are likely to want to move quickest once we gain the freedom to sign deals. You need to give more concrete examples of how the cost of food and clothing could come down after Brexit.
You need a means of neutralising the TUC’s mantra that Brexit will mean a worsening of workers’ rights. Given (I believe) that we offer superior employment terms around maternity, paternity, annual leave and childcare than the EU requires us to it would be useful to remind the Left of this publicly.
Removal of VAT on energy and sanitary products have been much-lauded suggestions but there may be other areas where those on lower incomes may benefit from lowering VAT and those on higher incomes may have to pay more for luxury cars, jewellery, cosmetics, luggage, etc.
February 16, 2018
Affirmation of the place of Common Law in our legal system.
Better scrutiny of and clearer accountability for new regulations and laws, elimination of the EU Commission role.
February 16, 2018
Whilst your optimism is admirable it is now completely clear that there are no upsides of Brexit. Literally, none.
We are poorer. We are more divided. We will end up with more bureaucracy – not less. We will have fewer rights.
Our environment will suffer. Food will rot in the field. More patients will die in corridors.
Our international influence has plummeted. As Japanâs ambassador has made clear, foreign companies will go.
We have been unlucky – at least an immediate crash would have halted this irrational madness. Instead Britain now has decades of comparative decline ahead.
It will fall on the young to undo this self-inflicted disaster which pensioners have imposed on us.
February 16, 2018
Andy
Lol
You win funniest post of the day.
You dont seem to have replied to any of my posts to you showing the FACTS of the huge increase in investment and jobs…. wonder why?
You expect to have credibility but you seriously believe that 2 old blokes from Belgium and a (man who likes a drink ed)from Luxembourg can manage our country better than we can….
February 16, 2018
Brexit will drive you mad & make you miserable, I see this as a major upside.
February 16, 2018
Your augmented reality glasses are more augmented than reality.
February 16, 2018
Andy
Must be a sad life being so pessimistic, then again I suppose if you are wrong you benefit, so I guess you cannot lose either way !!
Why not put yourself up for election if you are certain your views are correct .
February 16, 2018
We are not poorer.
Pensioners did not impose Brexit on you.
We had a vote
The result was clear.
Only 36% of young people eligible to vote actually did so.
February 16, 2018
Well said Andy.
The only good thing about Brexit is readingl the Brexiteer comments and realising how angry they all are.
Makes my day, everyday
February 16, 2018
The anger I see is alwaysv from you and andy.
February 16, 2018
Those of us who are NOT ”pensioners” resent your continued insults of those who voted for the good of their children and grandchildren, in voting for the good of their country.
Again, I say – you remainers are so horribly GLEEFUL at the idea of our country suffering, and excited in a very undignified way as you wish that your fellow countrymen might fail in their endeavours.
That you are so shallow, ill-informed and narrow-minded yet apparently can’t recognise it, is truly astonishing.
February 17, 2018
Andy. I’m a reasonable guy I guess, but I have to ask how you can be so negative and disparaging about leaving the EU when we’ve only just completed Phase 1 of the negotiation process? Meanwhile, there seems little point in battling the Referendum all over again……we’re leaving.
February 16, 2018
1) Not occupied territorial waters => UK fishing policy
2) Opportunity for cheaper food imports from RoW (healthier population)
3) Quick, but robust, points immigration system qualification/language/solvent/job/region based.
4) Opportunity for less qualified to obtain 1 year farming work permit or 2-3 year work permit if remittances are being paid to home developing country.
5) Consideration of gradual move toward global free trade.
6) Allow international students who take a masters or PhD in shortage areas to work to residence.
The refocus:
7) Lead the world in being socially, not just economically liberal. (Argue against countries’ apostasy and blasphemy laws)
8) Reconcentrate UK politics on fairer representation so people identify with politics, new tax structure, net capital formation c.f. L growth, different model for NHS, defence posture, the responsibilities of residence/citizenship, education, social nuisance, law and order … basically back to the nuts and bolts.
February 16, 2018
One benefit could be to have to think and decide what we want to achieve. We have been in danger of becoming infantilised as we have to incorporate directives into our national laws because they are there. (And let no one say that we have a say in making those laws. That problem is part of the EU’s democratic deficit).
February 16, 2018
Perhaps you explain where the farmers are going to get the labour from to pick the flowers, cut the vegetables, when British workers will not do the work.
Perhaps you could explain where the NHS is going to get people to work in all areas of that organisation when British workers do not wish to do the work.
Perhaps you could explain where manufacturers will get the workers to work in the food production factories when
British workers do not wish to do the work.
Perhaps you could explain where the hospitality industry is going to get the workforce from when British workers do not wish to do the work.
Perhaps you could explain why you are not demanding that the UK border is brought back to the UK ie. Dover, instead of Calais. I’m sure you Wealthy, Elite , Establishment Brexiteers wanted to ‘control our borders’, but of course I may be wrong.
We have had months and months of drivel on this site written by a large amount of gullible contributors,( no doubt mainly OAPs dreaming of the fallen Empire), who follow and believe everything that the Wealthy, Elite, Establishment Brexiteers say.
Reply What silly questions. Some of these new jobs will be done by UK residents, some by machines, and we will be able to invite people in to help if we need to. Glad to see you are so optimistic about our growth prospects and need for additional labour. Brexit is obviously going to do us proud.
February 16, 2018
I love remainer logic.
One minute it is recession and high unemployment due to Brexit.
Then it is terrible shortages of labour in every industry from farming to the NHS due to Brexit.
Hilarious
February 20, 2018
Prior to the referendum I remember we were promised house prices going down and house prices rising!
February 16, 2018
As you know very well, British workers don’t want those type of jobs.
Why did you advice UK citizens not to invest in the UK.
Hypocrisy !!
February 17, 2018
I read the article which the BBC amongst others claimed JR advised investors not to invest in the UK. It said no such thing. It made a point contrasting the monetary policy of the bank of England with that of the ECB.
February 17, 2018
Richard 1
Afraid social media was rife with this so called story, it was even forwarded and repeated on line by many locally who have a political agenda.
Just shows the value and common-sense of visiting Johns site yourself for information.
February 17, 2018
Blue & Cold
According to the Agricultural census 2010, there were 186 660 farms in the United Kingdom; Over the 2000-2010 timeframe, 11 540 holdings ceased their activities and 97000 workers ceased working in Agriculture. Tell me again how good the EU is for farming.
February 16, 2018
Blue and Gold. How do you think countries like NZ, OZ, USA and Canada get by with strict immigration rules? They invite in who they need and not who wants to come and free load. Why invite in people that we don’t need and haven’t got jobs for? If other countries can manage this then why not us?
February 16, 2018
We always think of the big things that should change after Brexit but in our everyday lives it is often the small things that drive us to distraction. I want to see a return to COMMON SENSE as the underlying attitude of government, bureaucracy and management instead of mindless box-ticking because “It’s the rule”.
For example a bank I have been with for 25 years writing to my home address, demanding that I prove my identity, my address and phone number. Then, when I do not immediately spring to attention, a follow up phone call to the number which they require proof of. No reply means suspension of my account !
Madness and wasteful stupidity because the FSA or some other pest demands it.
This may not be an EU-created problem but I do remember what the country was like before we joined the EEC. You could actually reason with authority in those days. Now you can’t reason with a decision maker because there aren’t any – or they never answer the phone anyway.
February 16, 2018
Abandon the climate alarmism/anti-scientific lunacy and get some cheap reliable energy without the mad subsidies.
Go for easy hire and fire.
Get the NHS to treat (for free) only people who have paid in – charge everyone else. Encourage people to self ensure. Kill the NHS litigation culture by law. People take private cover if they want or accept they cannot sue the NHS. Have a far better accident reporting avoidance system with some of the money saved. Fire all those in the NHS dealing with such claims.
Give education vouchers that can be topped up and encourage far more private schools.
Kill the litigation lunacy (and fraud) that goes on almost everywhere. Let all these lawyers get a productive job instead.
Go for easy hire and fire employment laws and massive deregulation almost everywhere.
Stop some unions holding people to ransom.
Abolish the common import tariff
Abolish VAT and go for a sensible simple sales tax
Encourage the gig economy and do not endlessly attack it.
Halve the size of the state and pay them rather less than the far more productive/private sector.
Relax planning & build new runways at Gatwick and Heathrow (with a quick HS shuttle link) to form a London Hub Airport.
Fire Hammond and May and replace with real “low tax at heart” conservatives. People who understand economics.
Scrap HS2 and Hinkley C & start fracking.
Have far fewer court levels with a UK ultimate court and no overriding EU court.
Allow in only people who can self support fully their families, are not criminals or will earn at least ÂŁ60K + and are actually needed.
February 16, 2018
Actually we need to charge everyone (who can afford to pay) something for the NHS the people who have not paid in should of course pay in full and insure. The NHS can never work as currently financed and structured it is currently a sick joke killing thousands.
Also stop giving soft student loans to EU nationals rather few of which will ever get repaid.
February 16, 2018
rather few of whom will ever get repaid!
February 18, 2018
Lifelogic: “Also stop giving soft student loans to EU nationals rather few of which will ever get repaid.”
The league of top thirty five World class Universities has one University in Switzerland ranked at 10 and one University located in Germany (LMU Munich – which slips in joint 34th ) at 34.
The United Kingdom has six universities in the top Twenty five.
For a good education it seems that just at the moment we have a very big slice of the best Universities in the World. So it’s Unclear to me why, after Brexit, we’ll be allowing European Union students to be educated at British tax payers expense.
February 16, 2018
I fully support this list L/L. No subsidies for farmers who are raking in thousands a year for having turbines on their land.
Definitely get fracking and stop paying benefits for those with children living abroad. Stop health tourism and cut the foreign aid budget.
Make the feckless get out and pick up rubbish off the streets. The UK looks like a big rubbish tip when driving around particularly in the winter when the grass verges are bare.
February 16, 2018
The first thing is to remove VAT on domestic fuel and sanitary products.
In fact we should get rid of VAT and go back to a point of sale purchase tax. Simplification is the name of the game.
February 16, 2018
Get rid of VAT on petrol and diesel. That would be very popular.
February 18, 2018
Ian Wragg: ” and sanitary products ”
If you can make the case why, removing VAT on sanitary products will boost GDP in the UK, I’d consider support of the measure.
But as a sop to the Feminist movement, I’d be implacably against such a concession.
Women get plenty of tax breaks, child benefit for example, which more than compensates for the few pennies tax on ‘sanitary products’.
February 16, 2018
#
Well, for a start, we could improve our basic infrastructure – Most towns seem to be slummy, and need some money spent on them – pavements are a nightmare to walk on, uneven damaged, rough, patched up…. and the roads are the same.
Improving the way our towns look would go a long way to helping moral.
.
Real investment in roads is badly needed – which might allow government to stop penalising motorists….and fgs, let’s have provision for proper parking that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
February 16, 2018
Silvio Berlusconi is back. Same old Italy. Same old EU.
After Brexit, politicians should try and make the UK values even better than traditional Sicilian family values.
Tony Blair has said in the past he is “a personal friend” of Berlusconi. There you go.
February 16, 2018
Berlusconi was able to stop the invasion of Italy from North Africa. When he was overthrown by the EU because the Eurocrats suspected he would take Italy out of the Euro, illegal immigration got out of control.
February 16, 2018
#
There are no drawbacks from BREXIT ot us getting out of the EU.
February 16, 2018
Rediscover our sense of what we can do in the world, and do it.
February 16, 2018
Would you invite Mrs may along to hear you speak? I believe she needs some help.
February 16, 2018
“We shall have control of our laws” but this is of no value if they are not enforced.
Some of the money saved should go on a wholesale review of courts, appropriate sentences, prisons, probation services and last but not least police and the detection and prevention of crime. And it should be our laws passed by Parliament that are enforced – not bureaucratic EU regulations, nor sharia law etc ed.
February 16, 2018
Cut the number of MPs sat in a horseshoe configuration at Parliamentary Committees asking repetitive questions. I guess it is an EU directive to waste so much resources as no British MPs would vote it into operation, obviously.
February 17, 2018
Wot, give up a chance of a well-paid fact-finding mission to investigate the dairy industry in Cambodia, or women’s refuges in Polynesia?
February 16, 2018
Our seas, our fish, our rules. We need fishery protection vessels to ensure this is the case. We can issue a limited number of licenses to foreign boats, at a cost and strictly according to quota, which will give the stocks a chance to recover, since our own fishermen will take time to expand our own fishing fleet. And there must not be any re registering of foreign boats to UK ports to get around the new regulations.
February 16, 2018
June
Simple solution, any fish caught in our waters must be landed in a UK Port.
February 16, 2018
The benefits of Brexit?
Simply being a free and independent nation like the other 150 plus nations in the world.
Not reduced to eventually being a region of the United States of Europe.
February 16, 2018
+1
February 16, 2018
Get rid of the northern or even southern “Powerhouse” daftness. The UK could make quite a large state say in the USA and require, possibly, a Mayor, or Governor. But given we are not a state of America nor soon a state of the EU we don’t need jumped up little Lederhosen persons…. in power regionally.
February 16, 2018
+1
February 17, 2018
Brockworstanthat: “Get rid of the northern or even southern âPowerhouseâ daftness. ”
We could get rid of the antiquated HS2 proposal. Instead introduce a subterranean hyper-loop link between Manchester, Birmingham and London.
Half an hour passenger journey between the major UK Metropolitan centres.
February 16, 2018
Two issues that Labour is likely to benefit from:
NHS: Just been in and out with the NHS for the last month. Almost turned me Labour-minded. This organisation needs money and skilled management asap. Mr Johnson had this one right.
Housing: Most people lucky to be on the property ladder cannot imagine life under Mr Corbyn. Make housing achievable for more, cut red tape and silly transaction costs, and avoid a repeat of life in the seventies.
The EU understands that 15 billion Euros are missing post Brexit. If the public could actually see some of that money coming forward on the domestic scene, voila!
February 16, 2018
I agree. One of the first things to scrap the ECJ over the UK and then scrap the current Human Rights act as it is abused and used by the wrong people. A lawyersâ delight.
We must be in control of our own laws straight away or we will continually be dragged back to the ECJ for all sorts as we try to go forward with anything outside the EU.
February 16, 2018
A return to post industrial revolution mechanization in farming. So mechanized harvesting machines, progressively restrict cheap Eastern European labour to make it financial viable to invest in harvesting machines for market garden farming industry.
Increase that further by tax concessions for those that invest in mechanized harvesting machines.
Tax concessions for fish processing plants to bring back those factories to this country from the continent.
Decide which towns are fishing port centers and increase facilities such as dry docks and apprentiships
Introduce the days at sea quota system to reduce the needless mass killing of sea creatures
Ban electric pulse fishing
Bring down tariffs for Africa on citrus fruits, tea and coffee and remove the EU high tariffs on processed goods from Africa. Lets export processed coffee to Germany and Amsterdam
Introduce for every ÂŁ2 extra trade we do with Africa we reduce the Aid budget by ÂŁ1.
Make it a requirement that food imported from the Continent has to comply with:
– Our maximum transport distance of life animals for slaughter
– labelled or ban Poultry meat which is derived from the fois gras industry
– Labelled or a ban on meat derived from bull fighting
– Ban or label seafood if it has derived from the EUâs mass needless slaughter of seafood. A campaign to educate the public of the difference between days at sea and the EU quota system.
Big incentive to win over Trump and Musk to get Tesla factories here.Back log is too long. We can to be the gateway supply into Europe.
Cap the tax free Personal Allowance at ÂŁ11,500 and maybe reduce. Its double the average pay of many Eastern European countries and is tax free. Along with circa ÂŁ8 minimum wage is what is reducing our productivity and a disincentive to technology and mechanisation.
February 16, 2018
I agree with nearly all your long list apart from electric pulse fishing. I agree that the Netherlands have been able to get away with it on the grounds that they are ‘researching’ it, but this research seems to be more on the lines of the Japanese ‘research’ into whaling. I would allow a proper research effort undertaken by qualified researchers. I have heard that almost anything is better than bottom trawling.
February 16, 2018
Rediscover our priorities at a local level.
The Berlaymont building is a symbol of the opposite.
An topical example from Suffolk. In our village we are building 250 homes with plans for 500-750 more coming up. Based on population our contribution to Javid’s 300,000 target is about 20-25 per year.
There are no plans for attracting employment. Our “Leaders Group” plans to provide ÂŁ500k to ÂŁ1 million of business rate retentions to pay for a multi-national planning company to some up with a specious business plan for a bypass. No evidence of encouragement for entrepreneurs to develop new businesses.
The house builders import Dutch bricks for their “cookie cutter” designs. Our village is a destination for tourists. They come to wool churches and half-timber houses. Why don’t we use business rate retentions to fund a competition to come up with modern Suffolk designs for factory built components and kits.
Initial target market: affordable homes.
Next step: offices and laboratories to bring jobs back to communities (start to reverse the ever-increasing tide of commuters).
Something we can all be proud of.
February 16, 2018
I would like to see the Government having an industrial policy which acts as a catalyst for the development of new technologies, and the application of them in manufacturing and industry . There are many examples in the past where a collaboration between state and industry developed new industries . BP came about because , the Royal Navy in switching from coal to oil, needed a guaranteed supply of it. With the over sight of the Foreign Office and in conjunction with entrepreneurs and Burma Oil Anglo Iranian came about, and from there BP. The Boeing 747 was a result of the US Air force needing a very large strategic transport aircraft.
We have been told many times that robotics will remove a third of all the jobs, So if the Government has identified robots as a dead cert, what are they doing to ensure part of that industry is going to be based here? I have mentioned before that we cannot continue to bring in low skilled , low wage labour to pick crops. There are developments taking place to build crop picking robots, some here, the Government should be bringing together universities, and manufactures and farmers to develop them. Outside the EU such strategic interventions should be more possible. Of course we would have to deal with the Treasury here, who would rather see all our intellectual property flogged off for a few beans and buy expensive nuclear power stations from France and China.
February 16, 2018
is your lecture open to the public?
Reply No, the Speaker’s office has issued invitations and tickets
February 16, 2018
Reply to reply. I hope May and Hammond have got one.
February 16, 2018
We may need some fishery protection vessels: work for shipyards such as Appledore. And possibly some more Border Force vessels, with men to staff them.
February 16, 2018
The EU will lose its control over us.
The EU will no longer be able to :
Force us to implement rules, regulations and laws which are not to our benefit and which are regularly flouted or ignored in other EU countries and which contribute to a ÂŁ100bn/year trade deficit with the EU.
Force us to subsidise EU farmers and then pay more for our food through high import tariffs.
Force us to accept EU test results which enabled the German car makers to sell their diesel engined cars fitted with emissions cheating devices to enhance sales.
Force us to accept unlimited immigration from other EU countries, which will continue as the EU expands further into the Western Balkans and as it continues with its proposed immigration from the ME and Africa.
Force us to accept tiny fishing quotas in our own waters.
Force us to pay for ârestructuringâ in other countries which includes paying to subsidise the movement of factories out of the UK.
Force us to pay for projects in the UK we do not need or want.
Force us to join an EU military and, eventually, the Euro, as the EU becomes a superstate with more powers over taxation.
Etc.
February 16, 2018
Brilliant ! Could not agree more đ
February 16, 2018
Many scientists in academia are concerned about the loss of EU funding (where we are net gainers) and possible reduced opportunities for collaboration with spcientists across Europe. It would be good to see this issue addressed together with an indication of how we could begin to set our own research priorities. We could, for example, choose to move some of the vast spending on astronomy and particle physics research to areas of basic research with more obvious advantages to Britain and mankind in the long run.
February 18, 2018
Strongly agree re basic research.
February 16, 2018
You are correct in saying there is a longer list. However the list how ever long is by and large open to the charge of being speculative and can be said should be treated with the same reservations as the speculative list of reasons for staying in the EU that remainers compile. There is a substantial difference though as remainers reasons are based on subjective romantic notions and unreliable assumptions conceived on the grounds of ideological theory.
Leave reasons on the other hand are not speculative ut are based on well established principles such as the freedom of choice which membership of the EU denies. In play are verifiable comparative deduction such as regaining our seas from the control of the EU which allows us a fish stock that we do not have to share with others so reap all the benefits. Calculating savings from not having to pay membership contributions is an exact science. There is much more but space here precludes listing them. In fact remainers cannot dispute the reasons leavers give for leaving as most are verifiable and accurate so they fall back on he excuse of it being a price worth paying for all the benefits of membership. What benefits they do not actually specify or at least those they do are are of dubious value or as experience tells us of no value at all and some in fact harmful.
February 16, 2018
Thank you Mr Redwood. I am 27 years old and am living out my life’s dream – to live and work in Italy. I have been told by my employer that after Brexit my contract will not be renewed, because the job I do (in the security business) can only be done by some one with a legal to right to live in Italy as an EU citizen. So do please tell me about the benefits of Brexit
Reply If you wish to live and work in Italy permanently then why not apply for Italian citizenship? It is by no means clear they could legally stop you after Brexit anyway and it would not be a friendly thing for Italy to do to you. We are seeking a deal which protects UK citizens living in the EU and offering similar protection to EU citizens currently living in the UK
February 16, 2018
Dear Anna
Its not that difficult you know. None EU nationals work in Italy all the time, blimey they even have a system for it. Its called a residents permit. I think your employer is telling porkies, maybe they just dont want to renew your contract?
Anyway here’s the link for finding out how to remain working in Italy
http://www.expatarrivals.com/italy/work-permits-for-italy
February 16, 2018
Anna – the ”benefits of Brexit” are not just for you, though your children will one day benefit from them. Perhaps you could try to remember that, and look at the wider picture for your own country. (Good luck though.)
February 16, 2018
Anna, if you currently have a UK passport, you are an EU citizen. The latter can get an Italian passport with four years residency instead of ten. The smart kids have started the Brexit brain drain.
February 16, 2018
My deepest sympathies Anna. I have friends in a similar position. We all know Brexit is not about trade or sovereignty or even bureaucracy. It is about British pensioners not liking foreigners. And they do not even have the guts to admit it.
February 16, 2018
I love Europe
It’s just the EU I don’t like.
The Govt has said repeatedly that all EU citizens who are here living and working will never be asked to leave.
And that under a controlled immigration policy many more will be able to come here work pay taxes and make a positive contribution to our country.
Presumably you are in favour of all this?
February 16, 2018
Once again, Andy – insulting older people. And those of us who are of mixed race resent very much the base and abusive attitude of people like you who think they know better than the older and wiser and more experienced – who are NOT xenophobes. Perhaps you could wipe the froth from your lips and start again.
February 17, 2018
Older – yes. Wiser – no.
I have yet to meet a Leaver who doesnât eventually turn the topic to
immigration.
âWeâre full.â
âIâm not racist but…â.
âMy best friend is black.â
âWhere will they all live…â
âA city the size of ….â
Blah, blah, blah. Itâs all just bigotry which youâre trying – and failing – to hide.
February 18, 2018
What odd friends you have Andy.
February 18, 2018
We do need a new city every year for the several hundred thousand new arrivals per year.
Or a thousand tower blocks every year if you prefer.
This is not bigotry.
It is a statement of fact.
And yet you moan regularly on here about unaffordable house prices.
Because we are not supposed to talk about it there has been no positive policies to manage the population increase since 2000.
But I expect the logic is lost on you Andy.
February 17, 2018
The UK has mutually agreed with the EU that all UK/EU citizens who are already resident in one another’s territories will have unlimited rights of residence into the future. We cannot do much about a company in Italy allegedly reneging on that deal already, and while we’re still EU members.
February 16, 2018
This is a clear illustration of why Mrs May may have been well advised not to give unilateral rights to EU citizens here. On the other hand Italy was probably one of the countries which was prepared to come to an agreement with her on this straight after the vote, an agreement which was blocked by France, Germany, and the Commission. This vindictive behaviour cannot be laid at the door of Brexit.
February 18, 2018
Anna – I’m sorry to hear of your situation. A job in security of security is exactly the kind of role that it often restricted to EU/EEA, or sometimes even individual member state, nationals (e.g. work in defence institutions like Porton Down in the UK). Check it really is the case and follow Mr Redwood’s harshly-worded advice – investigate Italian citizenship. Good luck.
February 16, 2018
#
Before we all get swallowed up by the rubbish in our streets… we need to invest some BREXIT money in handling the problem – More bins on the street, and More people employed to empty the bins.
Fundamentally we need a culture change to stop so many slobs from just throwing their rubbish anywhere, but even more important, we need an innovative new scientific method to boil up all non-organic waste, so that basic components can be extracted for re-use. Now, that would be investment money well spent!
February 16, 2018
One of the benefits of Brexit may be that our politicians will no longer find it so easy to inflict this kind of rubbish on us:
https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/141005
“EU ties Brexit transition talks to divorce agreement”
Note that I say “our politicians”, those cringing British politicians who not only allow the EU to walk all over them but actively invite it to do so.
But I can’t be sure about that because the systemic reform which is needed must extend beyond politicians at least to the media, to journalists who are for example prepared to accept without demur the ludicrous concept of a “transition” during which nothing will change. It is difficult to see how it is possible to run a democracy when the voters are so badly misinformed by the professional reporters and commentators.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/transition
“The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.”
Not “a period during which nothing will change”, for God’s sake.
I repeat, that is not what Theresa May said in her Lancaster House speech:
http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2018/02/10/a-simple-answer-to-the-eus-proposals-on-transition/#comments
“JR, Iâm getting very tired of all this childish nonsense which is constantly coming from our own government just as much as from the EU … “
February 17, 2018
Denis, the word “transition” means whatever the EU says it means, it own the dictionary.
There is no point in trying to play this game like a vigilantly government bond trader. Mrs May knows versus the EU; as do bond traders know versus the BoE; that in the end game, they are price takers NOT price makers.
As you said previously, the only asset the UK has to bargain with is its large trade deficit, that you would take elsewhere. That will take years. The Brexiter expression “they need us more than we need them”, has been abandoned. Like wise “German car makers will demand a free trade agreement” (Baron Jones of Birmingham), is not heard any more.
Brexiteer MPs are now, sort of, running the government and they are sh****ng themselves because they haven’t got a clue what to do, to make Brexit work, we were not supposed to vote for Brexit. Hence they choose the “hard Brexit” scenario because it does not need any MP brain power to instigate.
If I were you Denis, I would start making a list of all the people and systems you could blame for Brexit going bad, so you can preserve your unending state of victimhood.
February 18, 2018
I’m not expecting Brexit to go bad, not even in the worst case scenarios which could possibly result from the stupidity, vindictiveness, untrustworthiness and hypocrisy of your friends in the EU.
February 18, 2018
That’s a good start for your list.
February 16, 2018
You could start by name me one product, yes just one product, we’ll be able to sell more of to one country, yes just one country, post Brexit, and perhaps provide some concrete evidence for your assertion, or is that too much to ask for? Without even thinking, I can name you four sectors that face catastrophic consequences due to the actions of anti-EU fanatics like yourself: financial services, aeronautical engineering, car manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. My evidence: You don’t need to believe me, just listen to what the leaders of these important sectors are saying. Or do you not listen to them because you distrust ‘experts’?
Reply Can you explain why when we entered the EEC we were making 1.92 m cars a year, and a decade later this had slumped to 888,000 a year?
I can think of many products we will be selling in higher quantities to a whole range of countries. JCBs to Asia for example
February 16, 2018
Because we were making rubbish cars (do you remember British Leyland). We’re now making 1.7 million. How do you explain that?
As for JCB, they already sell to Asia. How exactly are they going to start selling more?
February 16, 2018
Toffee boy
Just been at a meeting at the Bank of England
Extract from their latest report
UK exporters have started to enter new markets such as Australia and India, according to data gathered by the Bank of Englandâs network of economic monitors between August and November 2017
Growth in goods exports strengthened further to a ârobust paceâ, according to the report which also noted that existing exporters âhad become more willing to step into new marketsâ.
UK exporters were meeting growing demand not only in Europe, but also in the United States and Far East, and rather than being driven by a narrow set of services, activity was increasing in a range of areas.
âExport demand strength was relatively widespread across sectors such as construction materials, automotive and chemicals,â the report said.
So there you go, oh and of course service exports are growing too .
One area that the UK manufacturing industry continues to outperform much of the global market – bio-technology and medical devices. Exports have grown exponentially
To answer your question about one product we will be able to sell more of.
The Nissan Leaf produced on the brand new production line opened in Sunderland in December 2017
Heres another one
British Beef, China has just lifted it ban on British Beef
British exports to China have increased by 64%
I’ve got a few dozen more if you need them TB
February 16, 2018
Your mind is made up.
You feel that all trade will decline after Brexit.
Project Fear told us the shock of a leave vote would cause immediate recession unemployment and falling trade.
The opposite happened.
Now you tell us trade will decide some time after we actually leave.
Pushing your doomsday off into some day in the future.
It’s about freedom and independence but only trade matters to remain supporters.
February 16, 2018
Leaving the EU is not about trade, although our kind host does go on a bit, but about governance.
February 17, 2018
I remember British Rover, it was making very competitive models and taking German market share, especially in fleet markets for UK company cars, they got bought out and the cars are no longer made other than the mini.
February 17, 2018
Well Sir James Dyson seems to be doing very well indeed exporting his products.
The other day the BP Chairman, an American, was very optimistic about our changes of doing free trade deals with the world.
February 16, 2018
“cut our dependence on imports” …. “and set out how we can pursue a free trade agenda”
You will have to make up your mind one way or the other, John.
February 16, 2018
Firstly , the opportunity for John to make this speech is very welcome . I have witnessed his presentations at All Souls College many times and can vouch for the skill he has in putting things across to an audience .
Foremost is the need to control immigration . Our population growth has produced an enormous strain on all our resources to the point we can no longer cope . Being able to re-allocate the sums we send to Brussels each year will help ; the sooner our freedom exists to be able to do this the better .
Re-establishing links to the wider world is a priority . This will not only benefit us but also many countries who are penalised by EU tariffs ( the media disclosure yesterday on the effect of German processing coffee is an example ). With our communication skills and the technological base we have , it will be much easier to reach out to the world than it used to be in the past . Foremost is the opportunity of a speedy deal with the USA .
Singapore also represents a location model to the City . The leadership we have in dealing with financial affairs and markets is second to none ; by utilising the base we have already with the new freedom to negotiate deals should keep us at the front . Financial organisations will be aware of this opportunity and will want to keep their presence here alive and just as effective as it has been in the past .
A low tax system on businesses and individuals is , of course , a must . This approach demands a Chancellor who has the wisdom to produce this in his budgets . We know that it does not exist in Hammond’s make up so he has to go .
Conservatives have to lead all these changes and show to the country that their will is respected . The right and left of the Party have to come together united in a way that will keep Labour – and all that it represents , in a minority impossibility .
I wish John “good luck” next week .
February 16, 2018
Post Brexit the UK government should focus on delivering peace in Ireland. Right now it the British government appears to be focusing on creating conflict in Ireland.
Personally, I would like to see modern freedoms extended to the women of northern ireland. The Conservative party has been happy to collude with local parties for the last 50 years to deny women control of their bodies. This bed sharing with religious extremists has to stop. It is a great affront to british values that young earth creationists can have any impact on social policy.
February 16, 2018
Sorry, but your comment is way out of order . There is peace in NI that has been fought over for the last 20 years. For you to say the brit gov is focusing on conflict is indeed a terrible terrible thing to say!! I doubt very much that you are even Irish but perhaps just political. With regard to your second part, it’s not even worth a response.
February 16, 2018
There have always been two sides to the debate on abortion (as now on homosexual marriage.) Using a phrase like “modern freedoms” doesn’t reflect an argument which is more akin to the debate on capital punishment. There is no need to abuse the people on the other side to you, and there are plenty of people who are sympathetic to both sides of the argument.
February 16, 2018
UK politicians will not be able to hide behind the excuse that “The EU” is preventing them from supporting British industry.
February 16, 2018
But the EU does not stop them from supporting UK Banks đ
Not sticking up for the EU, but just saying.
February 17, 2018
Mark B: “But the EU does not stop them from supporting UK Banks”
Scottish Banks. RBS, BoS. Not to mention Irish banks too via the RBS subsidiaries.
February 16, 2018
Tax exists to raise money for Govt expenditure, & secondarily, to moderate behaviour, preventing unwanted outcomes. A Govt taxing earnings opposes goodness. It’s as if the folk who make extra effort via work should be penalised for their achievements. A Martian assessing Earthlings from space, may assume the EU (& we within it) are all daft.
Penalising good work performance creates negativity, & stifles incentive. Tax should be applied to discourage & pay for the bad things that people cause; not the good.
‘Bad’ things, & aspects of excessive consumption, enable many higher-value sources of tax. Yet Govt needs a sum of money, not a myriad of sources to raise it.
If people were not charged tax on their income, they could pay much higher rates for their energy consumption, discouraging needless waste. Since the value of energy is vested in every product that is produced, one wonders what might be the effect of Govt’s main source of income being from Energy tax, instead of the same sum being collected in fragments from many thousands of disparate sources. As the consumer is the ultimate bill-payer for what is produced, their decision on what they consider is worth buying, forces disciplinary control all the way forward from product origin.
Although in some ways a single source of Govt income might be better, there any many ‘bad’ actions tax could be applied to, to discourage badness, instead of taxing productive work. Among those are crime, pollution, obstruction, damage, anti-social behaviour, public nuisance, & many more. ‘Luxury goods’ bordering on needlessness may also be a candidate.
Decades of rampant EU process have led to millions of regulative obstructions. Each one might average the combined circumstances & best fit for 28 nations, yet might not suit any nation’s citizens in the way they would prefer.
Freeing the shackles from what a bloated overseas club dictates, enables us to think & act out of their box, to pursue whatever path may be best for our own citizens, as well as being better neighbours.
February 16, 2018
I don’t know John..i think you’re maybe painting too much of rosy interpretation of this brexit thing..I think there will be plenty of hi cups on the way so we’re possibly going to need the money to smooth the way on these other things. Things as yet unforseen
February 16, 2018
I agree.
February 16, 2018
“given the freedoms we will gain to vary our laws and spend our own money.”
Post Brexit, I would like to see England being freed from the shackles of the UK Government to make it’s own decisions in the same way that Scotland, Wales & NI do. Making our own laws with our own money would be a good start. I would like to see your Government stop shovelling more and more of English tax payers’ money to the devolved nations (who already get much more per head than England), whilst cutting services in England to the bone.
When this so called Tory Government repatriates many of the powers coming back from the EU to the devolved nations and as usual ignores England, I would also like to see England getting some of the powers they already have. Not only would I like to see an end to UK MPs with Scots & Welsh seats voting on matters which only affect England, I would like to see a dedicated bunch of politicians elected in England who stand up and speak
out for England against these injustices – unlike now.
As someone who purports to speak for England John – how about putting that in your speech?
February 16, 2018
I agree. But a little voice inside tells me that it will be business as usual. The British do not like the English.
February 16, 2018
Hear, hear Jools. The Scots are always moaning about lack of funds and how Westminster keep them poor. If they didn’t get everything for free then maybe they could spend more money on important things instead of expecting England to fund it all. For example, free prescriptions for all. What’s that all about? if they were making a modest charge for prescriptions for those that can afford it then they could spend more money on services in the NHS. But, no just whinge on and complain that things are bad especially when a Tory government is in. Make me sick. Its a similar situation with free dentistry, free eye tests, free uni and free parking. There are plenty that could afford to pay and therefore raise more money for services.
February 16, 2018
Following Brexit, I look to the young generation to bring the hoped-for changes and improvements…
Freed as they are from the historic emotional baggage of their parents and grandparents, I’m certain they’ll have us back in the EU in fairly short order. Nothing the old folk – who’ll be either outnumbered or dead – will be able to do about it. You cannot fight the demographics.
Rejoining will almost certainly involve the UK adopting the Euro, leading to the great irony that the Brexit referendum’s ultimate legacy will be to bind the UK tightly and permanently into the EU, reflecting the younger generation’s close affinity to and kinship with our European neighbours and friends, and made permanent.
The swivel-eyed will be spinning so fast in their graves that cemeteries across the land will be reporting the strange phenomena of smoke seeping from the ground.
So, something to look forward to then!
February 16, 2018
Perfect summary!
February 16, 2018
âFollowing Brexit, I look to the young generation to bring the hoped-for changes and improvementsâŠâ
You will be disappointed.
Firstly it is simply not true that all âthe young generationâ do not wish to leave the EU, just a majority.
Secondly, all young people get both older and wiser.
The argument that todayâs young people will always remain EU supporters is false as can be shown by the fact that whilst a majority of people will vote Labour in their youth, many change to vote for the Conservatives as they get older and wiser.
When todayâs âyoung generationâ realise the EU is forming an ever expanding superstate where they are unable to elect or remove its leaders and unable to influence laws, immigration policy, taxation, and foreign affairs and where they or their children may be conscripted into an EU army then I think they will change their minds about re-joining the EU
February 18, 2018
from my experience, there is vast ignorance amongst the young, whether highly educated or not. North of the border, a charming 30-year old, highly educated, developing an innovative product selling worldwide, was surprised I voted leave, and asked why. Apart from the key sovereignty issue, I explained the economics. She had NO idea we in the UK, and in Scotland, paid so much into the EU, net. No idea. She thought we received money. This was about 9 months ago. I think she might now be a leaver.
February 16, 2018
You sound like the convict who, upon release, quickly commits another crime, in order to be placed back in the security of his ‘home’. Institutionalised, I believe it is called. You give us no positives for your preference for the EU, only personal attacks against those who prefer freedom rather than subjugation. The older generation know of times before the great betrayal of the UK and that we can thrive outside of the EU.
February 17, 2018
We actually have stronger ties with The Commonwealth countries than we do with Europe. But there again they don’t seem to teach history at school these days.
February 16, 2018
We could have some more literature awards with the emphasis on free speech and expression…with judges’ minds not dressed up in ill-fitting designer clothes,thoughts on how best to recycle all their small-room waste for an aid to growing vegetables organically. Dreams. The UK is not yet ready for a Dickens
February 16, 2018
JR: “I have plenty of ideas of what can be better .. ”
You can scrap HS2, based as it is on two hundred year old technology. And have a chat with Elon Musk with a view to building a subterranean hyperloop link between British cities.
Modern technology, at the same time upgrading the UK’s infrastructure.
Win win.
February 16, 2018
Most importantly we will be free from Brussels.
They think they can brow beat the British people into submission to accept whatever kind of relationship they wish to impose. They need to learn once more that the British people do not submit.
February 16, 2018
The benefits of Brexit are very obvious to those of us who take a keen interest. The intriguing thing for me however, is the coming betrayal and the complexion of the inevitable Tory fudge. Their hearts aren’t in it and going on their past record, will try every devious trick in the book to water Brexit down to the point where it becomes meaningless.
We need a new broom. Someone at the helm we can trust who will restore faith and trust in the workings of government. I can only think of one man who can redress the balance. He could also be the only person left on God’s earth who can save the duplicitous Tories from oblivion. Please step forward Jacob Rees-Mogg, your country needs you!
Tad Davison
Cambridge
February 16, 2018
On Northern Ireland: We will put up no border. If the EU/Irish Republic wish to do so, thatâs up to them.
On tariffs: Learn a lesson from the repeal of Corn Laws, and do away with them entirely. That is the best outcome for consumers, particularly the poorest in society. Note, the trade balance has nothing to do with terms of trade and everything to do with credit expansion and savings rates.
On lobbying: make it clear that lobbyists are seeking preference at the cost of everyone else. Business and City lobbyists should be disregarded accordingly.
On economic policy: we must get away from an interventionist approach and allow ordinary people to progress their lives and living standards with minimal regulation. Combination of all these will make Britain great again. It will also, in time, force the EU to reform, for the benefit of all European citizens.
February 16, 2018
Off-topic,
Unless I am misunderstanding the UK government’s intentions it looks as if my relations with Nationwide Building Society will continue to be governed by EU laws even after we have left the EU.
And moreover EU laws upon which we will no longer have a vote – we long ago gave up the veto on most EU proposals, despite the clear promise made by the Labour government during the 1975 referendum, but while we are in the EU we do still have about 8% of the votes under Qualified Majority Voting – and even though I am not planning to make use of their financial services for any kind of business outside the UK.
https://www.ft.com/content/52515664-1278-11e8-940e-08320fc2a277
“UK aims to keep financial rules close to EU after Brexit”
“Under the British plan, the UK would commit to keeping its financial regulations in line with EU rules … ”
Once again we see the ingrained eurocentricity of the UK government allowing a small tail of the UK economy connected with EU trade being allowed to wag the rest.
Why? What is so special about those engaged in exporting their products to the rest of the EU that all of us must also obey every EU law for their sake, including it should be said all those who are exporting to the rest of the world outside the EU?
February 16, 2018
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-brexit-hard-irish-border-leo-varadkar-government-help-belfast-meeting-a8210866.html
“Micheal Martin, the Fianna Fail leader, has raised fears that the border deal reached in December is not as âbulletproofâ as it was described at the time.
It stated that, in the absence of an overarching EU-UK trade deal providing a solution, the entire UK would maintain âfull alignmentâ with EU regulations.”
And that would be for the sake of avoiding checks on goods exports across the Irish border worth just 0.1% of UK GDP.
February 16, 2018
Hopefully less immigration will mean more affordable housing.
February 16, 2018
My priorities:
Promoting trade
Property affordability
Traffic congestion
Combating terrorism and strengthening NATO
February 16, 2018
Ultimately, we would have won our freedom back without having had to go to war. Unfortunately there are wars going on all the time around the world where people are either fighting to retain or regain their freedom.
February 16, 2018
How do you spend “freedom”?
February 16, 2018
We need a sound uk industrial strategy focussed on balancing the economy more evenly around the uk and reducing our dependency on the services sector.
I would aldo like to see given the hostility of the eu is to be more self sufficient in food and energy production, i.e. grow and produce the food we can and become less reliant on the eu grid interconnectors
We also need to look at protecting some industries from the takeover asset stripping and moving production abroad we have seen happen in recent years.
February 16, 2018
You will need a time machine. Will cost more than 20 bn..
February 16, 2018
The main benefit is that we regain control of our own affairs and become a democratic state again. Difficult to quantify this in terms of pounds but nations fight wars for this independence.
February 16, 2018
The UK’s intellectual property law, especially copyright, has been distorted by EU Directives, on account of the fact that (i) the continental legal tradition has been imported incoherently and piecemeal into our law; and (ii) the directives are the product of non-expert political horse-trading between member states.
The UK’s 1988 Copyright Act was an excellent piece of work, which expressed the UK’s entrepreneurial approach to copyright. The owner of copyright in a film or a sound recording was the producer – the person who has to pay for making it and to sell it. Duration was 50 years from making or release, whichever was later. Now we have an absurd dog’s dinner under which the owners of a film are the producer and director, but the term is 70 years from the death of various people including the soundtrack music composer – the result of two different directives. We also have the Droit de suite, which must be bad for our outstanding art auction industry. The Act is a mess of amendments.
Similar points could be made about the destruction of the Trade Descriptions Act regime (generalized across many Commonwealth countries), which protected the public with a strict, but clear set of rules. Now we have the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which at points seem hardly written in English.
The binding character of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (with the Human Rights Act 1998 and ECHR) caused an explosion of judicial law-making in the 2000s, which was taken from Parliament’s hands. This was good neither for the integrity of the common law nor for the judges themselves.
This clash of legal traditions, the fact that the EU legislates through vague, political instruments, and the consequent vast use of statutory instruments for the purpose of implementation have been very bad for our law. The sooner we get back to legislating in Parliament in our own tradition, the better.
February 17, 2018
As GB and Ireland are the only two Common Law member states in the EU, Brexit will leave fortty odd years of EU statutes and ECJ judgements absorbed into our Common Law. I don’t know how parliament tells the Judges to forget that lot?
February 16, 2018
How weird!
A post pointing out that we’ll be well shot of European politicians, one of whom has been trying to sour European relations with Russia, for god knows what reason. Gets deleted.
Yet it’s supported by a URL from a reputable news agency Reuters.
Curiouser and curiouser.
February 16, 2018
A couple of weeks ago I pointed out a blatant historical inaccuracy(of fact,not interpretation)in Army chief Sir Nick Carter’s strident views on the “Russian threat”- where he ascribed what was Germany’s role in the run-up to WWI to Russia.I provided a short quote from an eminent historian to back up the point.None of that made the cut.
There are too many co-ordinated voices that appear to be preparing us for a conflict with Russia of late.Perhaps as with 1914 they are seeking to take action before Russia becomes too powerful.
Curiousier and curiouser indeed.
February 17, 2018
Mitchel: “There are too many co-ordinated voices that appear to be preparing us for a conflict with Russia of late.”
Yes.
Gen Sir Nicholas Carter might bite his tongue for everyone’s benefit.
Chief of the general staff; “Pointing to conventional threats, General Sir Nick Carter will stress that Vladimir Putinâs Russia has built an aggressive military force which this âcountry would struggle to matchâ
As an aside, Russian GDP is about half that of the UK. If they choose ( or are forced ) to spend more of their GDP on defence than the British (because they are surrounded by belligerent potential adversaries, who’s to blame them?
British Political class has chosen to spend more GDP on the Welfare State than Russia.
We do not have to be Russia’s enemy, they are more of a Western country than Pakistan, but we’re opposed to Russia but allies with Pakistan.
India can deal with Pakistan, we don’t need to.
Russia could be a great market for an Independent Britain, both Russia and Britain could benefit from more jaw jaw and less war war.
February 16, 2018
I know. You just have to roll with the punches mate.
February 17, 2018
Mark: “You just have to roll with the punches mate.”
What goes around, comes around đ
February 16, 2018
I would like to see the opportunity taken to change the philosophy and practice behind the slogan ‘Open for Business’ and to find a new one. When used in relation to trade it is fine when it is meant to mean that, but the main problem as I see it is its extended meaning amounting to ‘Everything is For Sale’; our land, the soil on which grow our food and the minerals which rest below, the properties in which we live and do business, and the businesses of manufacture and service which are meant to add to our wealth – all are for sale.
For sale to anyone, overseas profiteers and asset strippers, investors, and competitors no matter what their motives and intent. Our recent governments, in partnership with The City whose motive is mostly just profit, have prostituted our nation. Show us your cash and you can have what you wish. We have no pride.
And for trade itself, just how much is done by foreign owned businesses – just where does the profit and surplus cash go but out of the country, which would otherwise have stayed here to fully benefit us.
This is a sovereignty issue too. We should take a leaf out of the American book.
February 16, 2018
Suggest you apply for Italian citizenship or dual nationality. Donât look for obstacles, find solutions. No need to give up at the first hurdle you encounter…..the way things are going Italy may be out of tge EU too in the not too distant future! Apply now and that will solve your personal problem.
February 16, 2018
Your extended meaning of “Open for Business” gave me pause. It describes present-day Canada precisely.
February 16, 2018
hear hear, to many of our productive institutions have been sold off to foreign investors.
February 16, 2018
I think Brexit will give Britain a lift, a whole new lease of life and additional confidence – even eventually many of our MPs will realise that they don’t need Nanny EU to watch over them. It will be the start of a great new global phase of the British story. I run a business which exports ÂŁ3.0 million a year of used books to 130 countries around the world. We have no issues selling outside the EU but untold issues selling inside the EU particularly with VAT. I want to sell directly on Amazon India (by far the fasted English language Educational books market but to do so I need an Indian Bank Account and to get one of those you need to live in India and then repatriating the Rupees to GBP is not easy – to say the least. I want a UK Government working to break down these barriers to trade for these great global markets, because clearly the EU was never going to do anything. Finally – for those of us who believe that competition is a good thing, then that means that Brexit will be good for the EU as well.
February 16, 2018
J, It’s pretty worthless me stating the bleeding obvious! You would be better targeting hard line remainers and opposition voters…
February 16, 2018
You can always rejoin the EU 10 years down the line once a large share of the people who voted for Leave are not on this earth anymore.
February 16, 2018
In ten years time the young remainiacs may have grown up. They may even have a care for the state of the country after their death.
February 17, 2018
Only a minority of young people bothered to vote in the referendum.
That is not going to change.
And as young people grow older the change their political views.
Some may be left leaning and EU supporters today but when they get older…..
February 17, 2018
This is a bizarre remark,
It’s quite true that there’s close generational distinction between voting Leave and voting Remain,
But people don’t stay in the same generation all their lives.
A large chunk of the people who voted Leave this time (including me) are the same individuals who voted Remain in 1975. Amongst this group the swing from Remain in 1975 to Leave now was phenomenal.
We eventually grow up, and when we have some experience of the world we think differently. Furthermore as the age profile of the electorate gets older, the Brexit deniers will fall as proportion of the electorate.
February 16, 2018
Mr Redwood,
A pity you deleted my well-intended suggestions but maybe they were too long or technical. Again and more briefly: An extreme form of brevet will lead to say GBP 20 bn fiscal savings/extra receipts. That is without compensating farmers etc. In theory that would be available for the government to spend (everything else being equal). If (big if) this would be a net saving equal to the projected budget deficit for 2018 or 5% of projected spending. Assuming 2019 will be similar in real terms, the options would be to lower taxation, compensate losers or save the windfall. Lowering taxation would be most useful for producers, because an increase in consumption would only boost the trade deficit and maybe that would not be wise. Of course, the bulk of adjustment costs for any form of brevet would be with the private sector. So it is possible that both corporate- and personal income tax would take a hit, reducing the brevet dividend. I assume that the UK would not want to compensate farmers and discontinue projects funded or subsidized by the EU, although that may be politically imprudent.
Spending this money on the NHS (rather than reducing the State’s role in heart care) is probably something no economist would recommend.
February 16, 2018
Apologies but of course “brevet” should be “brevet” No idea how that happened.
February 16, 2018
Once more, “brevet” should be “brexit”
February 16, 2018
I believe all those who voted Leave. All Leave MPâs and all media outlets sympathetic to Leaving the EU should as a matter of priority not refer to Leaving the EU as Brexit but call it U.K. Independence.
The electorate then have a clear understanding of what Leaving the EU means. An individual either supports an Independent U.K. or supports being a member of a region in the United States of Europe.
UKI has a nicer ring about it and is far more appealing than Brexit.
February 16, 2018
We will be able to debate these things here at least and in our parliament.
February 16, 2018
Reduce red tape across the board and simplify the tax code. I’m not only talking about EU red tape. There’s plenty to cut on our own side too.
Also, decision-making needs to be streamlined. Everything takes ages here when many other comparable countries achieve the same or better faster. Too much procrastination.
February 16, 2018
1. Turn the NHS into a strictly contributory tiered health insurance system, but avoiding the pitfalls that have made the otherwise decent German model now so expensive.
2. Lower corporation tax to 1% below RoI’s current rates.
3. Have a two-year waiting period before in-work benefits can be earned. Better still, lower income tax and abolish in-work benefits entirely.
4. Encourage and reward small farmers.
5. Force the banks to lend to well-run SMEs and mortgage borrowers.
February 16, 2018
Can I propose three areas you may consider for improvement once we are free of the EU?
1 – Fracking. Will freedom from the EU allow us to fully exploit our natural resources?
2 – Industrial Emissions. Do we put ourselves at a disadvantage by applying more rigorous standards than our international competitors?
3 – Care of Vulnerable Children. There is a need to extend the provision of this vital service. Would it be possible to divert part of the ÂŁ350 million for use in recruiting additional Social Workers and Foster Carers? We have a generation of children who have been – and continue to be, damaged by alcohol and drug abusing feckless parents. The current system is overloaded and children are suffering.
(I declare my interest as an Foster Carer of 10 years standing.)
February 16, 2018
Can you bring Alcan back?
February 17, 2018
and Lonrho?
February 17, 2018
Ruined by high energy prices and cheap imported product.
Both EU areas of policy control which failed us.
February 17, 2018
Edward2: “Both EU areas of policy control which failed us.”
High energy prices are a domestic British policy. Anything the EU has done in this regard, pales into insignificance compared to the British government attempt to stifle the British economy.
February 18, 2018
The need to reduce CO2 is a prime EUbpolicy
Huge fines for not meeting targets
That drives domestic policy decisions. .climate change act…solar and windmill subsidies wood pellet Drax etc
February 19, 2018
Edward2: “The need to reduce CO2 is a prime EUbpolicy”
OK, fair point.
But I was thinking of the massive drag the British government attaches to any economic activity within the Sterling zone with its energy excise duty and vat on fuel.
February 17, 2018
The government keep kicking it down the road.
February 19, 2018
Rio Tinto paid a full price for the Canadian company alcan a decade ago.
Post-referendum the Guptas bought Lochaber from Rio Tinto.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/12/18/metals-tycoon-sanjeev-gupta-rescue-uks-last-aluminium-smelter/
Perhaps the Guptas cannily foresaw the recent expansion in UK manufacturing?
Similarly notable how much safer Port Talbot Steel production now seems to be.
February 16, 2018
John
In my opinion we should nurture our successful companies and industries, and be slower to sell them when the first buyer comes along.
My own area of expertise is Orthopaedics. This field is currently growing exponentially in the developing world. The U.K. is truly world class in this field: both in the associated manufacturing and in the provision of clinical care.
Current yearly expenditure just in hip and knee replacement alone is approaching ÂŁ20Bn, and is forecast to reach ÂŁ100Bn within ten years. We should be in there like a rat up a drainpipe!
If we focus government effort on areas like orthopaedics that combine high-tech with service , we can nurture successful industries (and then keep them)
February 16, 2018
I look forward to a government freed from 40% of its time being taken up with dealing with directives from Brussels spending the time instead on governing us for our own benefit and not that of the Proetection Racket. I look forward to a time when we have the courage to come out of the ECHR so we can deport undesirables and not be lumbered with them living on the Welfare State. I look forward to a time when very large families cannot just land themselves on the Welfare State, thus depriving single people here of help. I look forward to a time when people can no longer come here to beg and commit crime; when trafficking of people is not facilitated by open borders. I look forward to a time when our own young people will be educated and trained for work instead of taking skilled and unskilled people from other countries. I look forward to a time when our country does not belong to everyone else in the world to use and abuse at will.
The people who argue for open borders do not themselves have houses with no front doors or locks. They are not themselves taking in the surplus population. this perpetual irritation should stop.
I look forward to getting our fishing grounds back and teaching people again of the value of eating fresh fish.
I look forward to a more environmentally aware country, more like Norway, though with our enormous multi national population compared to their tiny one, that is a tall order. At least we won’t have to absorb millions of extra diesel-fuelled vehicles just because the EU says so. We will be able to tighten up on animal cruelty in farming. Jeremy Corbyn’s fan club needs to understand we can’t have this without Brexit.
I look forward to doing without a whole host of health and safety regualtions which have actually made us less safe because they haven’t been properly scrutinised.
February 16, 2018
Mr Redwood. You can start with Intellectual Property, specifically Patents. Presently less than 10% of UK patents are wholly UK owned. The only basis for an economy should be its ability to invent, protect, produce and sell world wide. Our nation is the most inventive in the world, we should be rich, inventing should have been to us what oil is to the Saudis. We have missed out on ÂŁTrillions. A Japanese study from the mid ’80’s found that in the preceeding 100 years just over 50% of the world’s most significant and profitable inventions came from a British mind. AND yet we only profited from less than 2%!!!! The political class which you are part of hasn’t got a clue, from the weakness of Wilson to the selfish greed of Thatcher to the present sell outs you are part of, not a clue what you’re doing. 30 years ago I began working on an invention, it eventually won two awards (01 and 03) and I was one of six inventors to be invited onto the Tomorrows World Roadshow. 70% of its intended market were waiting to buy the product it would become. I needed ÂŁ10K to get started but couldn’t raise it in the greedy selfish country we are. But congratulations though because in the last 21 years I have received over ÂŁ150K in various benefits, silly little country. Prioritise invention and Innovation, fund their development and protection, take a share and brexit will be a success. Carry on as we are with relying on a square mile of London full of spivs and bankers and brexit will fail.
February 17, 2018
Lead by example, not hamstrung by the requirement of Qualified Majority to bring about change we feel strongly about.
Embracing direct democracy and not ceding crucial powers to a foreign body ever more remote from the electorate.
Rebalancing our domestic self sufficiency for food, water and energy. Ending CFP and CAP on 29th March 2019 as applicable to the EU27 in UK waters are not negotiable.
Investing in our youth and skills base whilst ending the travesty of luring youth from smaller EU nations to leave them struggling to survive.
Ending the leakage of wealth both direct (EU funding streams) and indirect (wages earned being sent abroad) that diminish our economic cycle.
Investing in smarter border technology at all current external points of contact and developing more activity capacity away from Dover/Calais. A long overdue increase in overall capacity and reduction of reliance on one main artery.
February 17, 2018
We need to focus on exports as most UK companies either don’t do enough or never try.
Back in 2002 my site was getting to over a million unique visitors each year and only some 4% of my traffic came from the UK. My site is all about the history of Scotland and the Scots at home and abroad.
A multi-millionaire in Florida asked me if I could provide a business profile of a Scots company in each issue of my weekly newsletter. When I got back home I identified some 200 Scots companies that were either already exporting or in my view could export and wrote a letter to each of them asking if they could provide me with a story about their company for my newsletter.
Not one agreed to do so.
I had lunch with the West Virginia Governor’s wife and she asked if it would be possible to get their school children to work over the Internet with Scots children as she thought that would encourage them to get online, and benefit them but she also thought it could also help business and tourism.
After some 70 phone calls I gave up.
There are some 300 Highland games and Celtic festivals in North America each year but it is very rare to see a representative of Scottish tourism or business attending these events. Attendance runs from around 15,000 to over 150,000 over one or two days.
Missed opportunity.
Can’t say anything about the rest of the UK but certainly where Scotland is concerned it’s pathetic.
February 17, 2018
No..no..sorry..i can’t think of any upsides to this brexit thing..as Tusk once said..there will be no cakes on the table for anyone only salt and vinegar…yesterday Mrs May tried a different tack talking up the importance of UK security for the EU countries for after brexit time in the hope, i suppose, of broadening the discussion into bespoke arrangements, but she looked terribly uncomfortable beside Mrs Merkal on the podium when Mrs Merkal said only that she was ‘curious’ as to where Britain wants to go..right now, if we want a deal into the future with the EU, and that is still not altogether clear either, the only deal available to us right now is a Canada plus deal and that will have nothing to do with security arrangements and will take years to negotiate..so blurring the lines with the EU side is plainly not going to work when looking for bespoke..bespoke is not thete..right now I cannot see any upside
February 17, 2018
Cut Corporation Tax to well below the current effective EU minimum, of 12.5%.
Reduce it to (say), 10%, set ACT at the same rate as Basic Rate Income Tax, and break the link between the latter and Corporation Tax itself.
It would almost end Corporation Tax avoidance overnight, attract global businesses to pay their tax here instead of elsewhere, and would almost certainly raise more Revenue.
The effect on the EU and especially the Republic of Ireland would be unfortunate. But that’s their problem.
February 18, 2018
The benefits of Brexit: very briefly: first, sovereignty. Then, openness. A big benefit for government will be speed of decision-making, agility …
How many years, again and again, did it take to reform the CAP?
I hope, too, that the country will have a fire, energy to drive itself forward. I am not sure that that will be fostered by (a) the persistent remoaning and political correctness and (b) an emasculating ‘transition’ period.
February 20, 2018
Mr. Redwood I am a few days behind in reading your diary and so have only just seen this entry.
I became aware of this article some time ago “The other ÂŁ240 million a week ‘contribution’ due to the EU” it is only a 4 minute read and states we could save more than ÂŁ12.5 billion on interest on gilt stocks which has to paid thanks to EU rules and could presumably stop as soon as we Brexit, if not sooner as it seems only to be necessary linked to us maybe one day joining the Euro:
https://medium.com/modern-money-matters/the-other-240m-per-week-contribution-due-to-the-eu-c54e4eb0a763
If accurate it would obviously be of great benefit to the UK to stop paying it, hopefully you know about such things or have access to someone who does. I think first saw the article posted on here but can no longer be absolutely sure now. Good luck in persuading some of those Remainers to see sense, later today!