And in the morning
I am old enough to remember the stories about nuns in Catholic girls schools trying to terrify their pupils in sex education classes with numerous examples of innocent young ladies led astray; that always seemed to end “…..and in the morning he couldn’t even remember her name.”
Fast forward to the British fishing industry this morning, waking up to discover that the Government has failed to negotiate a deal with Norway, mighty Norway, to maintain access to its cod for UK boats. I don’t know all the details but apparently Norwegian boats will still be able to sell the cod they catch tariff free in the UK, it sounds like a lose/lose for British negotiators.
In a sense this does not matter, the fishing industry in the UK is so small that if it disappeared overnight the ONS would be hard pushed to notice the difference to the size of the British economy. But this was the industry which above all others was held up to be both the worst victim of Brussels and the one sure winner of any Brexit vote.
Remainers who pointed out the relative size and importance of the industry compared with finance or drugs or chemicals were shouted down, those who pointed out that the CFP was not to blame for its relative decline were ignored at best and like the farmers, the boat owners were promised everything; more money, exclusive fishing rights in UK waters and exactly the same access to EU markets as they had before. None of it happened and apparently no one cares.
Where are the outraged ministers, the apologies, the Prime Ministerial visits offering compensation, aid and investment? Is Nigel Farage speeding to Hull, to beg the forgiveness of the wronged crews? I doubt it
The poster boys of Brexit were used and now no one remembers their name.
https://jonty.substack.com/