Absolutely stunning thread. Of a government that thought it knew better, about manufacturing and regulations in particular, then found out it didn't. The read-across to post-Brexit UK, in particular in thinking we can regulate e.g. aircraft safety better, is striking.
Having spent quite a few years trying to get to grips with regulations and trade, and the complexity of modern manufacturing and products, it doesn't surprise me that governments try to short-cut the process. Or that they fail. The complexity is staggering.
Manufacturing in the UK in the future only succeeds by governments, industry, research etc understanding the complexities and making clever decisions. Not by pretending the complexities away / thinking we know better etc.
And hence why the UK's decision to leave every single Europe-wide regulatory body because we need freedom to know better is short-sighted, damaging, out of touch, and inspired less by the needs of the UK and more by the horrors of the EU.
Up to a point agree with this - most (all?) governments have been making mistakes during this crisis. Not surprisingly. Question is whether they are showing signs of learning from them. As yet I'd suggest those signs are less encouraging.
