Inspired by some ones quote on here, can't think who, that the big companies would be rewarded for supplying the NHS etc, after this is all over... I can think of one group above all others who need rewarding...
If you look around some of the news sources both in the French and UK media you can find some really good articles that don't just repeat what government ministers say, but actually look in detail at the reality of it all. French hospitals around Paris are at breaking point as the virus has moved from the north east. The hospital system is still organized on a regional basis, and some places do have capacity. So with a bit of coming together patients are being moved to the south of the country. In the UK you can see just how fragile the food delivery system is, with its complex just in time supply chains. With half of the UK food coming from abroad this chain is breaking with delays at ports while goods are checked. As no talks are taking place between the EU and UK because of the virus, there has already been an insight as to what a no deal situation would look like. History shows that after a major economic hit to the world and its trade, it can only be brought back to normality by countries working together, made easier when there are large trading blocks of nations. The G20 is an example of the largest economies coming together to find solutions when trade slows , but if that is to work it needs agreement, not individual countries such as the UK or USA attempting to plough a lone furrow. A nutcase of a USA President saying that there will only be a dozen or so people contract the virus in the country shows just how far detached from reality some politicians are.
Agreed.. We need to put aside all this political grandstanding at this time.. And we need to stay connected with our friends...
The vast majority of countries are independent nations, the EU is the odd, and increasingly failing, alternative. The UK is leading the world in calling for tariff free trading for all nations. Nations can work together extremely well for mutual benefit without some obscure bunch, such as those in Brussels, creating trade barriers to protect its own interests. There will be a tremendous fall out from this pandemic. Italy, let down by its fellow EU partners has been forced to turn to Russia for help. Germany does not have the political will or the slightest intention of financing Southern members with anything than crippling loans such as were forced on Greece.
Another prejudicial post.. Their are brilliant peoples in Brussels working hard.. You just don't like them, whatever they do
I'm sure there are decent people in Brussels, I just don't like the desire for increased interference in national affairs. I also deplore the damage the block does to third world countries by selfishly inflicting tariffs on their products.
I suggest you just stop for a bit, do some reading around from sources outside of your usual reading, then think. You don't yet seem to realise that many countries already regard the UK as the obscure bunch, and far from leading a world recovery it will be hanging on to the coat-tails of the big blocks. You choose not to consider the breakdown in supply chains that is already being shown up, or how the G20 works. Do you really think that the G20 is going to be led by a small independent country, when it is going to be a world problem. I think you should join with you mate across the pond and tell the UK that there is no virus in the country.
This is disingenuous from you.. And you know it.. Kindly do not belittle all the EU are doing at this time. They reached out to us to join in their manufacturing and supply chains for health care equipment.. And we seemingly omitted to answer.. And do you really think we will get better deals elsewhere? You voted to leave the free trade zone.. Now you want it??? Hypocrisy?. You tell me?
The above is just your usual ill-informed negative opinion. I'm looking forward to the political fallout when French fishermen block Calais to stop Spanish goods from reaching the UK. The fallacy of EU unity will crack very early on. Your Guardian article about supply chains this morning confirmed there was no problem stock reaching the UK. Any problems were in distribution sites and supermarkets caused by silly hoarders.
I, and the present government, want tariff free zones across the world which does not put the third world at a disadvantage. Germany and France turned their backs on Italy in its hour of desperate need. Italians will not forget it.
I am independent, I'm not employed by the government. It is much better to have experienced politicians in charge.
That is the funniest thing yet. Should you not have put it in with the jokes? You independent? Give it a rest!
