#BrexitTransition keynote from @davidallengreen: going to focus on information flows in Brexit process
General policy problem that nobody's how Brexit will turn out
Political crisis too, but no constitutional crisis (yet)
Political crisis too, but no constitutional crisis (yet)
Finally, a media and information crisis: traditional channels between politicians, media and public have not worked
Gvt hasn't provided any useful info about Brexit, so media lacks this source. Plus many key decisions happen in BRX, not London, so lobby system doesn't help either
Thus BRX journos have become more reliable guides to UK politics than UK counterparts
However, Gvt still in old mode, so focused on internal politics, which explain what's happened better than rational choice
So far, UK model has been to keep things the same as much as possible, inc in transition. No serious discussion of what the future will be
Might be rational to extend transition, or to post-date withdrawal date, but debate hasn't been rational
Problems of info failures will be magnified when there finally is debate on what future might be
EU has been open, clear and consistent about process and preferences throughout, while UK has bluffed its way through on line of 'not revealing negotiating position'
Transition is actually a continuity arrangement, 'Brexit in name only', but when divergence does happen, Q of whether current info-sharing going to have to change?
If media/commentators are to be able to explain what's happening, gvt will need to be more open about what's happening
Transition might become basis of long-term relationship w UK, so needs to be debated and considered
And we're done
