Will there be a UK/EU Trade Deal ? - Brexit Update 1 - Transitional Phase

BBC News: Reports " "On technical issues we're 90% there," was the upbeat assessment of EU-UK trade talks by a well-informed EU diplomat on Friday. " "

Lets Get Real:

As the article notes the LAST 10% is political, it could go either way, the question is who will blink first.  The EU side see a weak PM, faced with COVID - 19 and rebels on his own side and thus assume that he will take any DEAL.   That would be a BAD assumption, the PM won the 2019 general election on the voters trusting him on Brexit, if the PM states that the EU is not playing fair and a deal is off they will take his view over the EU and the hard press Remain in the UK.  Next week could be make or break, an official meeting in Brussels takes place, who put the white flag up first, who will bend, who will not break.  Interesting.

After Furlough - Covid - 19 - Health/Economy

BBC News: Report that the Chancellor has stated the following, " "I cannot save every business, I cannot save every job."  "

Lets Get Real:

The Chancellor has been very HONEST, he can not save every business and every job, the new economic package reduces how much the Government spends on helping business, the onus is on business to pay to keep their employees.  On a basic level wage, the employee will get around 77% of his or her wages, the majority coming from the employer while the Government pays around 22%, in essence 77% of wages, the rest will go unpaid.  It seems that the TUC and the CBI support the move, as a Conservative this blog supports the new package, the furlough could not be extended, it would bankrupt the Country.  The question is how many millions will be placed on the dole?  It could be millions, it's a cost the Country will have to pay.  One can only hope that a vaccine is developed before the end of the year or just at the start of January.

 

The LAST CORBYN supporters resign from the Labour Front Bench - 2024 General Election

Daily Mail: Reports " Three senior Labour backbenchers QUIT Keir Starmer's team by voting against government bill designed to shield troops from prosecution after whips ordered them to abstain "

Lets Get Real:

As this blog and others have noticed, the new Labour Leader, Sir Keir Starmer actually wants a chance of winning the 2024 General Election, thus he ordered his MPs to abstain when confronted with a new bill from the Government that would protect our Armed Forces Personnel from unwanted Court action by those on the left or just after a quick money fix.   This could be a problem for the Labour Leader in the future, the Conservatives will claim later that Starmer has allowed his former role as Director of public prosecution to cloud his judgement, they will argue that our Troops need to be protected and that Starmer was not there when it counted.  Thus the LEFT will be annoyed with the action that Starmer has taken but it might not be enough to secure the support of former Labour voters.

What HAPPENS after the UK's Furlough Scheme comes to end - COVID - 19 Update - Health/Economy

BBC News: Reports " Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to make an announcement on Thursday about what happens after the furlough scheme expires at the end of October.  "

Lets Get Real:

It can be argued that the Conservative Government has come under extreme pressure to have another economic recovery plan due to the introduction of new restrictions due to COVID - 19, like the closure of pubs and restaurants.  Those industries such as pubs need people to go out, the introduction of a leisure curfew will mean that some pubs and restaurants will go to the WALL as they will not be able to cope for six months with the restrictions.  Lady Thatcher it can be argued would have taken a tougher line, her Government cut Government spending in the 1980s, there were riots but Lady T kept her nerve and did not bend.   It has to be stated that the Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer is starting to look like a future PM, problem is that he has to wait in till 2024, a  week is a long time in politics.

North Wales take a hit for reckless SOUTH WALES - COVID - 19 Update 3 - Health/Econom

Guardian - Live Blog: Reports in its 8.18 pm post the following, " Pubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales will have to close at 10pm, the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, announced this evening.  "

Lets Get Real:

It seems highly unfair that North Wales has to take the brunt of pubs, cafes closing down because of the reckless action of those in South Wales.  One is somewhat shocked that North Wales Assemly membes and MPs have not pointed out that it is unfair, North Wales has followed the rules and the payback, we lose our leasure activities.   If the Welsh Government wanted to be firm it should have CLOSED DOWN South Wales, but of course the Labour Party is afraid of doing that because that is the base of its support, thus everyone else has to pay the price.  NOT FAIR on NORTH Wales.

How long will the new restrictions LAST ? - Covid - 19 - Update 2 - Health/Economy

Sky News: Reports in its 2.56pm post the following on the restrictions " But here’s the kicker - he also levelled with us that this could well last for six months unless the numbers palpably change.  "

Lets Get Real:

In essence the PM is telling the voter, you have to behave or Christmas festive fun is CANCELLED, that will not go down well in the red wall seats.  One has to ask, should we have followed Sweden, no restrictions and they are not falling apart, they must think that the UK and the rest of Europe has gone nuts.   This blog did ask at the start, should we just allow it to happen, no restrictions, even the Spanish Flu died out after 1918, sometimes acts of nature or God, as just their will, and there is nothing man or Doctors can do about it.  It is a question to think about!

New COVID - 19 restrictions in England and Scotland - Update 1 - Economy/Health

BBC News: Reports " Boris Johnson has set out new restrictions for England including the closure of hospitality sectors at 22:00 BST and further rules on face masks.  "

Lets Get Real:

This is not a full lockdown as expected by some, it limits pubs etc to closing at 10pm, all that will do is make people who want a drink go out a few yours earlier or drink at home with friends.   There are limits as to how far you can restrict the British people, what happens if the new restrictions do not work and you have to use more heavy restrictions and fines.  One does wonder how the UK Government coped with the Spanish Flu of 1918, and they had a WAR to finish.  One does hope the boffins are right that such restrictions are needed, also one has to hope that the boffins get develop a vaccine, otherwise Christmas is cancelled or it will be a miserable one, Oliver Cromwell would have love that ( he cancelled Christmas while Lord Protector ).    As a poet once said and this blog is miss quoting, many miles to walk before a drink!