Thread by @uk_domain_names

Very sad to see Thomas Cook, a stalwart of the highstreet, go under. To those who say it had nothing to do with Brexit, you clearly weren't paying attention. There were a mix of factors, but Brexit was definitely in there. Read on for details... #ThomasCook

Thomas Cook Q3 2016 financial results: "In addition, while Brexit has had no noticeable impact on our bookings so far, it has added to a general sense of uncertainty – for our business and our customers alike."
thomascookgroup.com/investors/insi…

November 2016: Thomas Cook reported a boost from the sudden decline in the pound, because 2/3 of its revenues come from outside the UK (it reports its sales in pounds) which had made its decline in revenue less than it otherwise would have been.
ft.com/content/8d61de…

After that, news was broadly positive for the company all through 2017 and through the first half of 2018. TC experienced various problems later in 2018, including a prolonged summer heatwave that saw bookings fall. But then...

Thomas Cook Q1 2019 financial results: "Where Summer 2018 bookings started very strongly, bookings for Summer 2019 reflect some consumer uncertainty, particularly in the UK"
thomascookgroup.com/investors/insi…

Thomas Cook Q2 2019: "In the UK, the political uncertainty related to Brexit over recent months has led to softer demand for summer holidays across the industry."
thomascookgroup.com/investors/insi…

Politicians were not unaware of the goings-on in the industry.

Baroness Sugg (18 Dec 2018): "Ministers regularly meet with airlines and airport representatives, including those from Thomas Cook Group. The last such meeting took place on the 6th December"

Annelise Dodds (9 May 2019): "We have all heard about what has been happening with Thomas Cook. There is growing uncertainty, and it is creating an increasingly difficult environment for the tourism and hospitality sectors to operate in."
bit.ly/31JUc2r

Douglas Chapman (16 May 2019): "I am sure that the whole of the Government Front Bench will be aware of the bad news today from Thomas Cook, whose travel business looks unsustainable as a result of the Brexit process."
bit.ly/2VKTeDS

Stephen Barclay (16 May 2019): "Any news regarding an individual company is always concerning, in particular because our minds turn to the staff and their families who are dealing with the situation."
bit.ly/30kUcZ9

So was Brexit the cause of the collapse? No.
Did it contribute to the collapse? Yes.
Would Thomas Cook still have collapsed without Brexit? Who knows. But its recent performance was definitely impaired by the uncertainty.

Other commentary...

https://twitter.com/JolyonMaugham/status/1175994840263417857

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has been incredibly quick to shift blame (some might say unseemly quick)

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1175998979152105473

If you've been affected by the Thomas Cook collapse, the CAA have a dedicated website where they will be posting more information about repatriation flights, etc. (Site has been up and down due to massive volumes - persist!)
thomascook.caa.co.uk

Meanwhile, here's Boris Johnson explaining why he refused to bail out Thomas Cook. But he blithely ignores his and his government's role in the disaster. Had they not been pursuing Brexit at breakneck speed, trading conditions would have been v. different.
businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-…

And recently, we've had the Government's £100 million Get Ready for Brexit campaign playing out on TV and in other media. With lines to the effect of "holiday travel is changing", is it in any way surprising that people are hesitant about booking ahead?

And then there's this. Very much a "Farewell Thunderchild" moment, for those who know their Jeff Wayne War of the Worlds.😭

https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1176037884735959041