Just spoke to @mrjamesob on @LBC about Brexit readiness and Gove's letter.
Asked a simple question: why aren't we ready for something that we knew was coming 4 years ago?
Let me briefly explain
/1
In 2016, the day after the referendum, we knew we're getting a new border.
We didn't know what that border is going to look like - what kind of relationship the UK and EU will have. That was subject to negotiations (and still is). But we knew we're getting a border.
/2
And with borders comes friction, additional paperwork and processes.
And that coupled with the volume of trade with the EU was always going to lead to a need for some sort of a traffic management system. Especialy in locations like Kent (volume+speed+lack of space)
/3
This was the one element that was not dependent on the outcome of negotiations.
This was the one element we could have prepared for.
/4
For clarity, all of the "models" discussed over the last for years: the EEA, Switzerland, Canada, Turkey, Ukraine, Australia - literally all of them have a border with the EU.
A border that needs managing.
/5
This was really not sometihng we needed to wait with.
And now we're at a point where the biggest risk is the lack of sufficient guidance and information.
Most of it we're likely to get in Oct, but not all of it.
/6
With the IT systems, authorisations etc we're likely to have everything we need by late Nov or early Dec which is really not giving ourselves much time.
/7
If we get through the first few weeks it will be because of a massive effort on the private sector's side - businesses, hauliers, logistics providers and ports.
/8
A situation, in my opinion, the private sector should not have been put in in the first place.
They should have had all the required info months ago. And shouldn't be asked to "sort themselves out"
/9
We are where we are and in reality, it's time to focus and just try to get this sorted as best as we can.
But I just can't understand how did it come to this.
/10
And no, getting a deal won't solve any of that - the best we can hope for with a deal is some sort of an implementation period. That's it.
Everything else needs to be dealt with regardless.
/ends
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Hello. I don't do this anymore but since the BTOM Brexit border checks are finally here I thought I'd post something.
1⃣ The rules changed in Jan 2021. This is when these checks should have been introduced
/1
2⃣ They were postponed five times as this country tried to avoid the consequences of its own decisions. The increased costs and burden are a direct result of the choices made between 2016 and 2020.
/2
3⃣ I deeply sympathise with businesses facing these new requirements. They have been living on borrowed time since 2021.
4⃣ We weren’t ready the last five times, we’re not ready now. We will never be fully ready.
/3
A couple of thoughts on the Windsor Framework and the new solution for the GB/NI/ROI border.
/1
1. Details still need to be worked out
As expected, still a lot of work to be done. Whether it's non-steel TRQs, the new Trusted Trader scheme or a reimbursement system for goods that went via red lane but stayed in NI.
/1
And as a result, the deal will take some time to implement. The EU documents set out the expected timeline - we're not out of the woods yet.
1⃣ According to a 2020 study two-thirds of the e-commerce products imported into the EU fails to meet EU safety laws.
2⃣ Part of the equation is that e-commerce has changed the way border checks need to be done. As trade is more “fragmented”, border checks are trickier.
/2
Sub-point here - the arrival of Alibaba (et co.) was met with a political decision to accommodate/facilitate.
While supporting e-commerce makes sense on many levels, compromising domestic controls may not. There is a fine balance between these two.
/3
First stop today - Motis. Mostly an inbound Inland Border Facility with additional services such as some export processes and live animal checks. Great driver facilities too
Port of Dover. Traffic buildup due to P&O ferries not operating.
Big thank you to @Port_of_Dover for hosting us earlier today and showing us around.
Anyone can now purchase a bulletproof vest or a helmet and export it provided that they can demonstrate it's going to an end-user in Ukraine.
This also covers transit of such equipment
/2
There has been A LOT of questions on that lately - how do I purchase a bulletproof vest in Poland and export it to Ukraine. Under normal circumstances, it's not that easy. Such movements are controlled.
/3