Now two sides have gone into ‘negotiating tunnel’, it’s vital that we begin looking at the whole scope of Johnson’s proposals. For the first time business is not protesting about no-deal. It’s protesting about the deal. The importance of this moment cannot be underestimated. ~JL
For around two years now the government has successfully shifted Brexit’s Overton window. Because no-deal is such a calamity, a deal - any deal - has seemed moderate and desirable in comparison. Industry wept with relief over May’s deal even though it was an economic disaster ~JL
That has now changed. Industry has wised up to the Overton window and realised it needs to challenge it. May’s deal took us out of the single market but at least offered a ‘level playing field’ on many regulations. Johnson, in contrast, wants a hard-right race to the bottom. ~JL
Johnson wants the freedom to diverge as much as he likes. This is the beloved ‘Singapore’ model. Regulations, standards and rights can all go out the window. Terrible for trade, supply chains and British industry - brilliant for exploitative bosses and vulture capitalists. ~JL
While we continue to highlight gov’s unforgivable recklessness on Ireland, let’s also keep a firm gaze on what it really wants from Brexit: economic carnage that shafts the very people Brexit promised to liberate. This is neoliberalism Thatcher could only have dreamt of. ~JL
