Czech mate
Let’s look at the UK’s trade with Germany, down so sharply since Brexit that the UK is no longer in the top ten of German markets. Replaced by the Czech Republic, just a few months of trying to work with an inane Brexit deal, red tape and delays; UK trade with Germany has been hammered.
I can guess what the Brexiteers will say; “we always said the EU was dying on its feet this shows we were right to seek new markets”. Lies of course but self delusional ones to be sure.
The fact is this shows that the fantasy about the german car makers coming to the UK’s rescue was always a farce. To Germany the UK is not that big a deal, Czech business is more important than the UK’s.
Any attempt to stay in the single market would have stopped this happening. This is not just the cost of Brexit, it is the cost of an incompetent Brexit.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.