Brexit freedoms
There was a great deal in the weekend press pushing back against the idea that the UK had been weak and slow on the invasion of Ukraine. Their argument being that only the freedom afforded by Brexit made it possible for the UK to act so decisively.
As far as I can see this is rubbish, nothing that the UK has done would have been impossible or even difficult when a member of the EU.
It might, if it was still a member, have had to move more quickly on sanctions but it could have opted out of them too. It would have had to ignore the pressure from other members but it could also have even vetoed or weakened what sanctions that were proposed.
It could also, just have shamelessly, have ignored the asylum crisis, pandered to its populist core and blocked desperate Ukrainians from finding sanctuary with family and friends in the UK.
True, it would have come under more moral pressure to do the right thing inside the EU. But it could have done exactly the same as it has outside.
It has however demonstrated the true nature of Brexit and why no other country has seriously considered going the same way.
In fact, it has also help demonstrate to several other countries why they want to join the EU ASAP.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.