Category: UK

World Cup

This afternoon we watched the final at home with France coming out the winners 4-2 against Croatia. A good final, a very good performance by Croatia who were always behind. France good for the win though fortunate with a penalty decision and a dive for a free-kick from which the first goal was scored in the first half.

The tournament contained good matches and football with plenty of goals.

England reached the semi- final so a good arm chair ride for the nation taken in good humour. They did better than expected and people were happy to follow and enjoy them again. A team rather than a set of superstars with others included. They were not good enough to win but the hope was there again for a while.

Football is yet to come home:

May tries to set a new tone

Theresa May has made a significant speech on Brexit in Florence. It seems to set out some clarity, is more conciliatory in tone but still leaves some things left answered. A desire to have a transition phase at least acknowledges reality that the exit date is fast approaching with slow progress being made in the negotiations. How much this moves the process on-who knows?

Brixiteers have reacted with criticism and NF talks of treason- no surprise there.

The reality is that the opposing demands of control and trade and relations are irrecocilable. So where will the line fall?

 

Negotiation update for Brexit

The negotiations do not appear to have a clear pathway or desired outcomes as far as the British government as concerned. It seems to be an acknowledged truth that the EU negotiating team are better organised and clearer on the requirements of the process and ‘red lines’- and in the dominant position.

The cartoon below from the Telegraph explains the latest UK version of expectations with a desired transition phase. The announcement was made by the Chancellor rather than by May after more confused position statements from different ministers in the preceding days.