And the hokey-cokey continues, one day retaining current ban on various US foods, the next implying that we won't. And I think we're now approaching the anniversary of the first hoped for publication date of a mandate for UK-US trade talks.
Perhaps instead of suggesting the EU are divided over their mandate we could look closer to home. Or even better accept there are always divisions within a country on how to approach trade talks, and the essential negotiation is with your own side. Always.
Thus in the EU Sweden and France are often going to have differences on their approach to trade policy. In the UK business groups and devolved assemblies clearly have different priorities to government. All normal. The UK is just not used to this or it doesn't fit the narrative.
And circling back to food standards and a US trade deal, bear in mind this is supposed to be a devolved competence in the UK.
That 80-seat majority does not in fact make a government all powerful as previous PMs in this position could attest.
That 80-seat majority does not in fact make a government all powerful as previous PMs in this position could attest.
