BRFR Cake Stop 'breaking news' miscellany

[First Aspect]

Compared to intellectual powerhouses like ourselves...

Somebody has/had a forum signature along the lines of ' The best argument against democracy is a 5 minute conversation with the average voter'. They may have a point.

I also have half a brain. As luck would have it, I also have the other half.

 

[Stevo 666]

I also have half a brain. As luck would have it, I also have the other half.

Another example of a competitive advantage, which could come in useful on this forum by the look of it.

 

[Pinno718]

Here we go again, lets play '20 questions' with Pinno 🙄

As mentioned above, no amount of debating will change it, so it's an exercise in futility. You can print your 'I told you so' t-shirt if you want, but in reality most people with half a brain knew there would be an impact, as the EU would always make it so to discourage any other countries who might have thinking about breaking away.

The question is really subjective one, I.e. how much do you value freedom from a big beaurocracy.

I'm sorry but all I am asking you to do is qualify your statement. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Stevo 666]

So you have got all the facts at your fingertips?

What was the value of the trade between the UK and Europe before and after Brexit?
What is the increase in trade (if any) with the US post brexit?
What is the projected trade increase with the current tariffs?

The British automotive industry was already struggling and Jaguar Landrover have paused exports to the US (just for example):

https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-05/jaguar-land-rover-pauses-us-car-exports-over-trumps-tariffs

I cant see how your questions are relevant to my statement above, but here are a couple decent sources for the first two points. The third one is asking for forecasts which as we know is anyone's guess.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/551045/united-kingdom-uk-exports-of-goods-and-services-to-eu/

https://assets.publishing.service.g...trade-and-investment-factsheet-2025-04-07.pdf

You'll have to look at the graph on page 7 in the second link.

Now tell me what you disagree with and let's see your evidence. Do you have all the facts at your fingertips?

 

[BoldonLad]

Most people do only have half a brain. I think that's the issue.

In my experience it is not about intelligence (what ever that may be), but, a total lack of interest in Politics by a significant proportion of the population. Personally, I have the same situation wrt to football.

 

[Pinno718]

I cant see how your questions are relevant to my statement above, but here are a couple decent sources for the first two points. The third one is asking for forecasts which as we know is anyone's guess.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/551045/united-kingdom-uk-exports-of-goods-and-services-to-eu/

https://assets.publishing.service.g...trade-and-investment-factsheet-2025-04-07.pdf

You'll have to look at the graph on page 7 in the second link.

Now tell me what you disagree with and let's see your evidence. Do you have all the facts at your fingertips?

Don't be a tw@t - I just asked you to qualify your statement. That's all. I will go over those links later.

 

[Pinno718]

Anyhoo - you've just shot yourself in the foot:

Total UK Exports to the US (including services) in 2023: £179bn
Total UK Exports to the EU ditto: £356bn 42% of all UK exports.

 

[Pinno718]

I guess years and years of this special relationships has really served us well. We may as well increase or ties as it's been so lucrative and the EU with all it's red tape and regs can just do one.

 

[Pinno718]

That 42% figure is only a 1% decrease since pre Brexit 2019.

 

[Pblakeney]

I guess years and years of this special relationships has really served us well. We may as well increase or ties as it's been so lucrative and the EU with all it's red tape and regs can just do one.

That special relationship is the same as a dog has with it’s owner.

 

[Stevo 666]

Don't be a tw@t - I just asked you to qualify your statement. That's all. I will go over those links later.

So what point are you making?

 

[Stevo 666]

Anyhoo - you've just shot yourself in the foot:

Total UK Exports to the US (including services) in 2023: £179bn
Total UK Exports to the EU ditto: £356bn 42% of all UK exports.

I wasn't making the point. I was making the point about how exports to each have increased in recent years. Keep up at the back...

Anyhow, the EU is 27 different countries and the US is one country. Hope that helps put it into perspective for you.

 

[Pinno718]

Sounds like an unreconciled remainer trying to deflect from the immediate advantage we now have over the EU on trade with the US.

Brexit was done ages ago and it's not like there is a choice to go back as no major political party will do that. But as I've said before, sometimes there is a price to pay for freedom. Hey ho.

I do not know what relevance 27 countries has as the EU is a trading block. It may as well be 1 country.
What is this 'freedom' to which you talk of? This freedom has yielded a whopping 1% reduction in trade with the EU. The US, no matter what the relationship is, cannot fill the gap in the labour market, whereas the EU can.
What is this immediate advantage? I tell you what is immediate: the uncertainty in the markets and impending global recession(s) which may obliterate any gains made by the current US-UK tariff.

You are hell bent on trying to prove the point that this current deal is good for us (because you are a Euro septic*). Europe's overwhelming response to the Trump administration and the tariffs is such that the time is totally ripe for the UK to start re-negotiating customs and perhaps even, accepting migrant workers under the proposed under 35's idea.
Facing both security and financial uncertainty, Britain could re-align itself with Europe instead of the volatile Trump administration who are doing us no favours whatsoever in either facet.

Jaguar Landrover have paused exports to the US already. For example.

*Not an error.

 

[Stevo 666]

I guess years and years of this special relationships has really served us well. We may as well increase or ties as it's been so lucrative and the EU with all it's red tape and regs can just do one.

Like I said above, it's pointless argument - were not going to rejoin regardless of how much you stamp your feet or quote selective stats to support your 'Little European' viewpoint. Remember, the EU is less than 15% of the global economy amd gradually declining.

 

[briantrumpet]

Like I said above, it's pointless argument - were not going to rejoin regardless of how much you stamp your feet or quote selective stats to support your 'Little European' viewpoint. Remember, the EU is less than 15% of the global economy amd gradually declining.

Declining rather less rapidly than the US at present, I suspect.