EU & Brexit Bunker

[Pblakeney]

I think Burnham is 'putting FoM out there' as 'something to discuss' to see what public/press reaction is. That would be the biggie that would unlock a lot of goodwill with the EU, if accepted. I suspect Burnham would tie that to 'small things' that would be noticed as tangible travel improvements such as free mobile roaming and using EU gates (if practicable).

I'm getting the impression that Burnham is quite canny on finding things that have been lurking in people's minds as annoyances which they've kind of put up with, and by picking them off one by one, he's changing people's 'grievance priorities'. Give them something positive, and they are less likely to be open to the manufactured outrage of people like Farage, who thrive on grievance.

...all while taking the microscope off the budget. All very canny.

 

[Dorset Boy]

It is a pleasure to not have to suffer pre-budget leak after pre-budget leak...

 

[briantrumpet]

Here's why I think Burnham is correct in thinking that the public's view on free movement isn't fixed to what we've ended up with. Only 35% of *Leave voters* in 2016 expected the rules on free movement would simply end, and 61% of them thought it would carry on or have some limits (unspecified, obviously).

His pitch of having an "honest conversation" about it might be pushing at an open door: it's not presupposing an outcome, but suggests a better way might be possible. And there's an appetite for hope for something better, amongst all the negativity, even if the hoped for things currently feel remote.

 

[briantrumpet]

Just eleven years ago...

 

[Pross]

Just eleven years ago...

View attachment 17994

But you don't seem to see selfie sticks anymore so is that a Brexit benefit?

 

[Psamathe]

I suspect Burnham would tie that to 'small things' that would be noticed as tangible travel improvements such as free mobile roaming

My mobile contract includes free EU (and some other countries) roaming, has done from before Brexit. Only "constraint" is that I'm limited to 50GB/month data use in the EU but that "month" is their billing period and not pro-rata based on when you roam (eg arrive on last day of their billing period and I get 50GB that day, starting a new 50GB next day). Doesn't cost me anything.

 

[briantrumpet]

My mobile contract includes free EU (and some other countries) roaming, has done from before Brexit. Only "constraint" is that I'm limited to 50GB/month data use in the EU but that "month" is their billing period and not pro-rata based on when you roam (eg arrive on last day of their billing period and I get 50GB that day, starting a new 50GB next day). Doesn't cost me anything.

Some do, some don't, but most of the ones who do limit it quite severely (e.g Giffgaff, limited to 5Gb). But there's no legal compunction.

 

[PurplePenguin]

I took a laptop to be fixed because the charge port had broken. It was beyond economic repair as it needed a new motherboard. Whilst there I reminisced with the repair man about the old days when some laptops had decent power connections.

Anyway, as you were, just joining in the random EU rule discussion.

 

[Psamathe]

Re: EU Data Roaming

Some do, some don't, but most of the ones who do limit it quite severely (e.g Giffgaff, limited to 5Gb). But there's no legal compunction.

I wonder if it's a more complex issue to happen. EU would have to force EU based mobile operators to stop charging UK SIM subscribers (easier for UK to force UK operators as UK is the instigator). Without Freedom of Movement benefits to Europeans would be limited but it would mean EU legislative process and for what/small benefit.

Personally great were it to happen but it would seem like a distraction of limited benefit compared to the bigger potential chnages.

 

[briantrumpet]

Re: EU Data Roaming

I wonder if it's a more complex issue to happen. EU would have to force EU based mobile operators to stop charging UK SIM subscribers (easier for UK to force UK operators as UK is the instigator). Without Freedom of Movement benefits to Europeans would be limited but it would mean EU legislative process and for what/small benefit.

Personally great were it to happen but it would seem like a distraction of limited benefit compared to the bigger potential chnages.

Yeah, dunno how easy it would be, but it's the kind of 'small' thing (if it were easy for Burnham to do) that people would notice as making a material difference.