The idea the UK should just sign up to a 'simple' or 'off the shelf' trade agreement with the EU just won't die. There isn't such a thing. Mostly because every country seeking trade agreements seeks particular priorities for their businesses and consumers. At least to date.
I am still struggling with the notion of patriotism in which the UK doesn't worry at all about our own interests but just seeks any old trade deal that happens to by lying around even if it doesn't actually provide any benefit to our businesses, consumers, workers etc
Four years of Brexit debate and we've got as far as the government saying "we need to set our own regulations". We still don't know which ones. We also haven't yet got to the point where we accept the need to make concessions.
And now we have a crisis after which we are told nothing will be the same. I'm not sure I agree, but those who argue that case also often argue we should complete trade agreements with our major trading partners before the end of the crisis. Obviously inconsistent.
The heights of a crisis is probably not the time for a conversation about UK trade policy. But the government is not stopping talking Brexit and trade, so we can't just leave it be for a while. For example what is the impact of leaving European agencies on fighting coronavirus?
Perhaps the return of Parliament will mean some questions asked about why UK trade policy does not obviously seem to be about supporting UK business. Though after four years of not getting answer I'm not holding my breath.
