Brexit and logistics

Oh it was before then - sorry my fault for not saying when but from memory about 6-9 months before. Land borders out of Ukraine have been horrendous for donkeys years. I was just highlighting the loss of a "VIP channel" there aka the "EU channel".

The Economist makes the following comment on  this report:-

"The biggest obstacle lies in persuading the eu to agree to any such ideas. At the meeting of the eu-uk forum, Maros Sefcovic of the European Commission suggested that trade barriers were likely to get worse not better, and saw little hope for big changes during a five-year review of the tca that is due in 2025-26. The commission thinks the review should be about implementing the 2021 deal, not expanding it. The eu likes the existing arrangement, as it helps goods exports but does little for services, Britain’s strength. It is also wary of a non-member cherry-picking the benefits of its single market without signing up to associated obligations.



There are two political lessons to draw from Brexit disillusion. One: it is no longer possible for the Tories to persuade voters who backed them in 2019 not to switch to Labour for fear of losing the advantages of Brexit—for these are so difficult to discern. The other: whoever wins the next election, the trend will be towards closer relations with the eu, not moving further away. The process may take longer than anti-Brexiteers hope, and it will always be a mistake to take eu assent to future changes for granted. Yet Brussels and national capitals will surely feel under pressure to be nicer to Britain, especially if Labour wins. The eventual destination is still uncertain; but the direction of travel now looks settled."

The Economist 'As Britons grow more unhappy with Brexit, what happens next?' - 27/6/23

chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-seventh-summer-of-brexit-pragmatism.html

My uncle lived in Brussels and worked for the EU for most of his life. He "helped" my brother get a job there who since moved to the euro parliament and now also retired recently (early).

Some years ago, my uncle told me that the EU had to give their staff pay and conditions at least as good as the top ranking civil service of any member state. But this applied individually to each area of human resources. Otherwise, the theory was, it would disadvantage and not attract staff from countries with a more generous scheme.

Therefore, this ended up with a hybrid scheme picking the very best and most generous conditions in each area (pay, holiday and so on). Thus when compared to government civil services across all member states, the EU staff had the highest pay, the longest holidays, the most generous travel policy (uncle very quickly racked up several airlines gold cards), access to the best independent schools etc.

This was one of the reasons I voted as I did.

Just back from Spain, did had to laugh upon arriving. My partner is Irish so she went through he EU queue and I went through the non-EU with my UK passport, I got through no problem and got my stamp then had to wait five minutes for her to get through her side.

so much for brexit slowing done getting in to a country 

Been to a few countries now and most don't even have a separate queue for EU/non-EU travellers

If the only effect of Brexit was to separate passport checks into two queues, then it's been a complete success.

one queue for eurostar at both ends, have to say both Belgian and British Officials much more polite than the French