We don't recognise these figures
or How to spin bad news
As a cynical old hack nothing raises my hackles more than the non-denial “We don’t recognise these figures….”. Because you can, without even crossing your fingers behind your back, say exactly that if the figure mentioned is 68.9% and you know the true amount is 70.1%. It sounds great but is utterly meaningless.
Its latest use, over whether trade to the EU has been slashed since Brexit is a reminder that the power of the Government to spin, delay, hide and smudge is almost limitless, so it is obvious how Brexit will play out. First there are the denials, nothing to see here. Then its, teething problems, nothing to see here it is already over. Then it will be throwing money and resources at the problem, nothing to see here we are fixing it. Then it will be, this has been going on for months, nothing to see here it isn’t new and anyway it is the EU’s fault.
If after all that the Government with its huge majority can’t resist calls for a public enquiry it couldn’t possibly start until Covid is over and will then take years. There will be endless delays as every man and his dog gets a say on what is written about them. Ministers and officials will have covered their backs with memos or fail to “recognise” conversations, doubt whether they were briefed in exactly that way and will have moved on to new jobs or even careers.
The report when it is ready will be delayed for months and then spun to death before it is made public. The media will need days to read it all but will have to report on it in minutes and by then the Government will claim to have implemented all its recommendations years ago.
Those expecting heads to roll are going to be sorely disappointed.
I know I shouldn't chuckle at your cynicism Jonty but we can all wry smile a bit.
The amount of change being implemented by leaving the EU is large, the banana skins are careful placed by the French and so the figures aren't a surprise.
We had throughout 2016 "Were all doomed, doomed I say doomed" so these figure bear out the level of strategic change taking place. The Free ports will take on an increasing importance and the focus change to competing on the World Stage too. The pandemic at the same time is unhelpful so no one can truly see the full extent of the EU trade collapse (long term yet). I think it will come back a bit we will see. Why hide it and pretend it wasn't going to happen? It was only a question of magnitude and when. If we have extra stocks of virus jab using it strategically to help customer countries to recover their economies is in our own self interest.