GreenPartyMollyIt really would be a good idea to ask the EU side what they think about a ‘Swiss style trade deal’, @nickeardley
Everybody at the EU side deeply regrets the bureaucratic arrangement with Switzerland and the time-consuming bespoke deals
Please let’s not carry on with a conversation in a vacuum that has nothing to do with reality and real available options
That was what got us into this mess in the first place
Peter Sturdgess@Molly @nickeardley Yes Molly, let's start the conversation with the EU about our relationship. True, the EU will be reluctant to give the UK a full Swiss deal but the very act of the UK government engaging in discussions about the relationship admits that a) the existing deal is crap and hurting us. b) gives a platform on which we can seriously discuss the nature of our future relationship
c) gives hope to our beleagured industries.
c) gives hope to our beleagured industries.
Anne-Impressionist
Walter van Holst@PeterSturdgess @Molly @nickeardley Sorry, a Swiss-style deal simply isn’t available. Not even for Switzerland anymore since it is being wound down because the EU is letting the bespoke agreements expire and Switzerland refuses the alternative which is more EEA-like.
@whvholst @Molly @nickeardley It should not stop us talking about our relationship with the EU and if a handful of rigid Brexiters think we are talking about a Swiss deal what is the harm? After all, they are used to being deluded.
@PeterSturdgess @Molly @nickeardley The harm is that it keeps the Remainers in la-la-land. It is bad enough that the Brexiteers are there, but their numbers are being whittled down by demographics and exposure to reality. Remain should set a positive and realistic agenda. Basically there is a Norway/Iceland-like arrangement that is possible. Or becoming a candidate for full membership again. And that will come with few, if any, opt-outs and/or rebates, and less influence than the UK had before.
@whvholst @Molly @nickeardley The harm is in accepting the status quo and this disastrous Brexit deal which is harming our industries and our society. If a Swiss deal is the carrot we dangle in front of Brexiters to get them talking, it is a good thing. By starting talking they are admitting the failure of Brexit and we can all move on. What is achievable in our relationship with the EU can only be achieved if we talk to them about it.
@PeterSturdgess @Molly @nickeardley You can talk among yourselves as much as you like, as British. Do get it through your skulls that any deal requires consent from the EU and that won't be forthcoming for a Swiss-style deal. Moreover, if I were a Brexiteer, I wouldn't consider it a carrot to begin with. Because it will not resolve much, Switzerland is not a member of the Customs Union, remember? It is somewhat in the Single Market, but not without a lot of paperwork and red tape.
@whvholst @Molly @nickeardley Walter, I suspect we are in violent agreement. The UK must start talks with the EU about our relationship. Swiss style deals are clearly off the table as far as the EU are concerned, I only suggest the Swiss model as a tool for getting Brexiters to agree to agree to talks.
@PeterSturdgess @Molly @nickeardley For the EU to be willing to talk it is crucial for the UK to come to an understanding of what it wants *and* a government that’s sufficiently stable and trustworthy that it’s worth talking with.