Thread by @DavidHenigUK

Bad news now, but there's a bigger theme missed - which is how much UK exports to the EU are now at the mercy of regulatory changes over which we'll have no direct influence, but should be trying to lobby.

https://twitter.com/adampayne26/status/1352610332821368836

I don't think we have understood yet as a country the change that has happened. This isn't predominantly teething troubles, but an entirely new trading relationship. And that talking tough about this may make us feel better but will achieve precisely nothing.

You can tell the government hasn't understood the changing relationship with the EU, since they have opted to prioritise pointless diplomatic gesture politics over the need to influence the very large market next door accounting for around 50% of our trade.

But similarly the media or consumers complaining about parcels being delayed at customs, or the producers complaining about delayed exports. That's the new normal. The only way to change it now through politics. Or changing the way we do business, as will happen.

I like to recall my conversations with former US negotiators complaining about the difficulties of dealing with EU trade and customs. Or those with Indian friends about the year the EU banned alphonso mangoes. That is now our reality as well.

The Brexiteers cheering every lorry getting through to Calais or the remainers wishing to rejoin the EU tomorrow are equally of no use whatsoever to UK business and consumers trading with the EU who need a government and other institutions working for them.

Simple questions need to be asked - who in government is in charge of the EU trading relationship, how are they collating all of the issues, which can be resolved internally, what are the priorities for raising with the EU?

These should be a priority in a serious country.

The negotiation went badly, we didn't get most of what we wanted, covid is prevalent, and government difficult. But they really need to stop playing and provide the assistance business needs, now and for the future. And the opposition should be demanding that. Not good enough.

And #ff shoutout to those working so hard across the UK to make the new trade relations work, I don't know who you all are but definitely @AllieRenison and @AnnaJerzewska, @William_Bain at BRC, @MichaelAodhan in Northern Ireland and doubtless many more 👏

Another thread from someone at the sharp end of Brexit. The same messages. How this is no big issue in Parliament should be profoundly uncomfortable for a lot more folk than it is...

https://twitter.com/GeorgeMRiddell/status/1352678019127717890?s=20

Repeat, this should be a bigger deal than it appears to be. This is not a drill, this is what happens when you put up trade barriers.

https://twitter.com/1CheshireCheese/status/1352534850142687232?s=20