In harm's way
Jacob Rees-Mogg’s contribution to the cost of living crisis was to go to Dover and delay for the 4th time checks on food and agricultural imports into the UK, because they would be an “act of self harm”.
Now the Food Standard Agency has added its voice to the NFU, vets and others who have warned that this means the danger of importing unsafe or dangerous food has risen as a result.
The fact is that the UK government wanted to gain “control” of the UK’s borders but then totally failed to spend enough to do so. It has delayed again and again checks that it agreed to introduce and now it is complaining that they are too rigorous and difficult and costly.
The consequence is that the UK’s borders are more porous and less safe than they were. Dangerous food and the diseases it can spread can sail straight through our ports.
Meanwhile Brexiteers are whining about the need for checks at all, claiming the UK has been importing from the EU for years without them.
Yes, we did using cooperation and common standards and rules but they wanted nothing to do with that.
The fantasy world of the Brexit loons is the world we have to live in now.
“We want border controls, oh wait they cost money so let’s not bother, let’s just risk it.“
The self delusion necessary to believe in “taking back control” and that taking back control is “an act of self harm” at the same time is amazing, worrying and dangerous.
But it runs through this government like the lettering on a stick of rock.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.