The fact that the Sunday Telegraph yesterday and the Express this morning both have almost identical headlines is enough to arouse my suspicions. Both say that the UK is ready to declare “war” by banning EU mineral waters because of an EU “blockade of UK shellfish”.
Identical headlines with identical words and quotes suggest an identical briefing, this one presumably from No. 10. But it is not the similarity of the headlines or the words that should worry us but the words themselves, blockade, war, escalation, tit for tat etc etc.
This is not the way to start a free trade agreement, it is the way to end one. Unfortunately the same government that negotiated a deal that did not ensure access for British shellfish to the EU is the same one rattling the sabre. That means all those hints the Lord Frost would be taking a stern approach to the EU, demanding concessions and all the rest were only too accurate. A much wiser move would be to give full ambassadorial recognition to the EU representative in London, admit the UK has missed out some important sectors in negotiations and politely ask to talk about it.
Even the Labour party is scared of asking reasonable questions and proposing more sensible cooperation because it knows full well it will be accused of betrayal and treason. For the government it is easier and safer to keep on wading across than to turn back or even pause, and that is going to continue for a very long time.
https://jonty.substack.com/
Let's be honest if the French don't send Perrier, Evian, Vivre or any other of their waters it isn't the end of the World. If the Scots stop sending mineral water in support of the French it might be a bit more of a discomfort as we ramp up production of the Pennine, and Chiltern waters but we can always fall back on Peckham Spring if all else fails.
As the last 4 years have shown if we show any "remainer" style weakness the EU will drive a coach and horses through it, especially the French who see us as a competitor rather than a neighbour.
Giving EU ambassador recognition is a waste of time and duplicitous because Barnier is still in post hence getting Lord Frost back and giving him a cabinet role.