Thread by @pmdfoster

So. The UK's negotiating mandate is out, setting terms for future UK-EU partnership....livelihoods depend on all this, so here's the crazy part - the government admits it will do the economic assessments *after* the fact - see Para 12 1/Thread

Crazy, because you'd think that the government might have "invited contributions" before emarking on this journey.

I now understand from source, there will be NO IMPACT ASSESSMENTS... /2

Which perhaps isn't that surprising, since we know from the October 2018 assessments that were forced out of the @theresa_may government, they are all negative.

This is NOT about relitigation of #Brexit. It is about taking an 'evidence-based' approach, about listening. /3

@theresa_may Of late, I have spent a lot of time talking to business groups - across all the sectors - and the groups, all with different issues, share one thing in common. A quiet, seething, livid rage. They fizz with frustration. It is quite remarkable to behold. /4

@theresa_may I still don't really understand why the Conservative, the alleged party of business, is so content to become the party of "f*ck business", to borrow a phrase - and why they don't fear the reputational risk more, or the impact on their new 'red wall' votebank. /5

@theresa_may Today, I've been watching the official statesments of business and lobby groups drop into my inbox. These are the official, chlorine-washed versions of what they feel able to say....so here are a few. The 'red' highlights are obviously my own. /6

@theresa_may Let's start with shipping, at random. It just came first. We need to protect value of trade with close partners, we are not convinced UK govt negotiatiors *recognises this reality".

Do I need to decode that statement? WILL YOU PEOPLE LISTEN TO US? /7

@theresa_may Let's stick with transtport, see what Aviation groups ADS says?

We need "pragmatic arrangements" ...we are "disappointed" the govt is not seeking more ambitious approach to aviation safety, says policy director @cullasys *Disappointed*. /8

@theresa_may @cullasys What about @AllieRenison of @The_IoD , the bosses group? More disappointment. They were "hoping for a more balanced approach on alignment and divergence" - oh the glory the understatement. Only a quarter of IOD members reckon there is time to sign and implement a deal. /9

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD What about the British Retail Consortium @the_brc - whose member have shelves to stack? Customers to serve? UK govt must to "much further" in its ambitions to avoid "disruption at the border". They warn of proposals "lack clarity" on the most basic stuff - like VAT. /10

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD @the_brc What about @cbicarolyn of the CBI? She warns about "red tape" and urges govt to let biz "provide the insight that is essential for the UK to prosper outside the EU.”

English translation? Please, please listen to us...pretty please. /11

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD @the_brc @cbicarolyn Not strictly a trade group, and obviously more partisan, but here's what Scottish Govt has to say - UK govt strategy sets "extraordinarily low bar" and cd cost economy £9bn-12.7bn by 2030, compared with EU membership /12

news.gov.scot/news/uk-mandat…

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD @the_brc @cbicarolyn This will no doubt be condemned as more carping, more endless relitigation of #brexit...but that is not what this is about.

Brexit is happening, course it is, but it is remarkable to listen to the roll-call of despair from those who employ folks, pay mortages etc. /13

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD @the_brc @cbicarolyn Because the hardest hit will not be the banks and big businesses, it will be the 250,000 SMEs doing customs forms for the first time; the small biz owners with cashflows hit by the inability to defer VAT payments...and in time, the politics of that will be interesting. /14

@theresa_may @cullasys @AllieRenison @The_IoD @the_brc @cbicarolyn It's easy to demonise big business, harder to do that to the little guys.

But as we embark on this great adventure next week, the UK govt will hold a consultation on these impacts "later this sprin".

Does anyone seriously think they'll listen? ENDS