Has anyone perceived a single Brexit benefit yet?

[french frank]

I get the US edition. I find their coverage of the US, Britain and the bits of Europe they understand a little too obviously ideological

Yes, it's regarded as 'liberal', though I do keep an eye on the right wing stuff too and lemondediplo for a more left wing perspective. We tend to settle where we find our own views reflected.

[eighthobstruction]

We tend to settle where we find our own views reflected.

....I can't hear you I'm 10 foot down in my trench....and it's very muddy....but i like it

[vinteuil]

Yes, it's regarded as 'liberal', though I do keep an eye on the right wing stuff too and lemondediplo for a more left wing perspective. We tend to settle where we find our own views reflected.

... yus. It used be held that as daily papers one should take both le Journal de Genève and l'Osservatore Romano , and find one's balance somewhere betwixt. Sadly the Journal is no more...

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[vinteuil]

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55839256

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[Bert]

Yes, it's regarded as 'liberal', though I do keep an eye on the right wing stuff too and lemondediplo for a more left wing perspective. We tend to settle where we find our own views reflected.

That's undeniably mostly the case. But for me, it's the part of my post that you've cut out that's most important. I find their Middle East etc coverage refreshingly straight forward without the usual nearly unavoidable slant. I'm sure we can all make our own minds up where we stand on say, Palestine.

[eighthobstruction]

One tangible positive is the we have seen the back of Jean Claude Junker and will generally have to hear much less from unelected EU Commission members....I will no longer have to sit and ponder (though I do so as I write)....just which bird or animal JCJ reminds me of...,.Barnier is settled - Stork/Kangaroo....

[Bryn]

One tangible positive is the we have seen the back of Jean Claude Junker and will generally have to hear much less from unelected EU Commission members....I will no longer have to sit and ponder (though I do so as I write)....just which bird or animal JCJ reminds me of...,.Barnier is settled - Stork/Kangaroo....

Unelected? Have a look at the political histories of the current commissioners. Sure, they were not directly elected by the populace but were voted for by those who were. Did you get a vote in who should be in the current UK Cabinet, Prime Minister or leadership of UK QUANGOS? As for Junkers, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Juncker

[teamsaint]

Unelected? Have a look at the political histories of the current commissioners. Sure, they were not directly elected by the populace but were voted for by those who were. Did you get a vote in who should be in the current UK Cabinet, Prime Minister or leadership of UK QUANGOS? As for Junkers, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Juncker

We are generally comfortable in this country with the fact that our ministers have faced the electorate, and received personal backing at least as an MP. When that is not the case, EG Nicky Morgan, there is more unease.

[french frank]

That's undeniably mostly the case. But for me, it's the part of my post that you've cut out that's most important.

I did indeed cut out that bit because it was the notion that any part of the NYT is 'a little too obviously ideological' that I took issue with, since clearly it is the most balanced and reasonable part - in fact I subscribe to get an American viewpoint on UK and European matters. But, as I say, it's just where I stand and where you stand. (I wouldn't seriously describe it as 'the most balanced and reasonable part' because I take the views as they are and for what they are - a US view.

Vints - I remember spending 10 days in Geneva as part of my 'French' residence, and stayed in a small hotel where they brought a free copy of the Journal de Genève with breakfast (no restaurant there).

<squeak> And this is the very hotel - I don't think it's still there.

[gradus]

Does our direct sourcing and avoidance of the EU/AstraZeneca row count as a benefit?

[french frank]

Does our direct sourcing and avoidance of the EU/AstraZeneca row count as a benefit?

Yes, of course it does. We have taken back control and will carry out our planned vaccination scheme. As Metro reports:

"In fact, the country’s supply is so vast, that the British government could eventually donate some to other countries, claimed the sources." But not now, friends in Europe.

[LHC]

I see that there are increasing demands from some in the EU for it to block export of the Pfizer vaccine to non-EU countries, and in particular the UK. I do hope that wiser heads may prevail, as that sort of vaccine protectionism could backfire rather spectacularly.

A key component of the Pfizer vaccine is manufactured in precisely two locations in the world. One is in the US and is supplying Pfizer's US operations. The only other source of this component, and the one supplying all of Pfizer's EU facilities, is in the UK. If the UK were to retaliate and halt exports of this component, production of the Pfizer vaccine would quickly come to a halt. A vaccine trade war would benefit no one, and could see the EU's vaccination programme slow down even further. The EU suing the one vaccine manufacturer that has promised to supply its vaccine at cost would also be a terrible look for them.

[Frances_iom]

but they cannot under EU rules use the Oxford vaccine for those in most need of protection - thus I presume they will in short order confiscate all the Pfizzer vaccine, including that ordered and paid for the UK - I guess Germany will rapidly roll out the necessary freezer infrastructure and sort out the mechanism of getting their older, and most in need, citizenry to the vaccination hubs - the Oxford vaccine can be used for their police etc.

[LHC]

but they cannot under EU rules use the Oxford vaccine for those in most need of protection - thus I presume they will in short order confiscate all the Pfizzer vaccine, including that ordered and paid for the UK - I guess Germany will rapidly roll out the necessary freezer infrastructure and sort out the mechanism of getting their older, and most in need, citizenry to the vaccination hubs - the Oxford vaccine can be used for their police etc.

I'm not sure that Pfizer (a US company) will be at all keen to break its contracts with the UK, especially as the EU turned down an offer of an additional 500m doses from Pfizer last year, deciding instead only to order 300m doses to match its (now redundant) order with Sanofi.

[johnb]

Brexit is great. It prevents me spending my money:

Thinking about things I've bought in the past from EU suppliers, it looks likely that it will be much more difficult if not impossible to buy:

Certain classical guitar strings (not available in the UK) from EU suppliers.
A specialist battery pack from a German supplier I have used in the past.
A calibrated microphone from a small German specialist supplier I have used in the past.
Shoes from certain European shoe makers.
CDs/DVD from some EU suppliers
Manufacturer's batteries for my Tivoli Pal (my order was declined after it was placed)
The possibility of ordering reproduction machine heads to match the originals on my 50 year old Hermanos Conde classical guitar.

(For some time I had been eyeing up a beautiful bed. Happily I can now strike it off my "will-buy-when-I'm-rich" list.)