I have a theory that has been bubbling away in the back of my mind for years about how cheap European travel for Brits fueled a hatred of Europe amongst many middle class and working class people in England. Bear with me /1 For centuries, the rich could travel. They spoke other languages, bought European trinkets for their homes etc and were entertained by their financial & social equals so there was no reason for them to feel inferior. /2

The Govt is v excited about the Oz trade deal. Here's a little thread abt the logistics of getting Oz fruit & veg to the UK. /1 Much of Oz's fruit & veg is grown a long way from cities in places like Mildura (look it up) where the weather/soil are perfect for agriculture. Product grown in Mildura is picked, packed and loaded onto trucks to be carried to Melbourne, the major container port /2

A refugee story: I worked at a major Aussie law firm in the 90s. A Vietnamese refugee was working in the print room. A partner began talking to him. Turned out he was extremely well connected with the Vietnamese Govt. And I think he had been a lawyer too /1 Long story short, the firm saw an opportunity. It ended up being the first foreign law firm licensed to operate in Vietnam. And got the contract with the Vietnamese Govt to provide the official English language version of new foreign investment laws being enacted /2

A little story about food in Oz. Mass migration in the 50s & 60s was from Greece, Italy, & Croatia as well as the UK. Many were 'low skilled' so they bought cheap land outside the cities and started market gardens growing the food of their countries. /1 The climate and soil was perfect for citrus, veggies, fruit etc etc. Then the Vietnamese arrived in the 70s after the war and did the same thing with Asian veg. The Croatians started fishing businesses (tuna particularly). Many of these people are now incredibly rich. /2

OK. A little thread, from an ex trade lawyer, about all these trade deals the Govt loves to trumpet. The reason the EU was good for the UK is because their companies and citizens are wealthy by world standards. /1 A trade deal with a really poor country offers the UK nothing unless we slash the costs of the goods and services we produce. That only decreases the wealth of the UK. /2

I promised a short thread on increasing freight costs and its impact on the poorest in our community. So, here goes. Any followers who work in trade should wade in if I get anything wrong. /1 Most consumer goods from outside of the EU arrive in the UK via container ship. TVs, trainers, clothes, etc etc etc. Trade between private companies is covered by a set of rules known as INCOterms which cover the obligations of buyers and sellers. /2

Apricot chicken: Sweat off a chopped onion and then brown whatever cut of chicken you are using (not wings but anything else is fine - I use breasts but drumsticks are probably best). Put into an oven proof dish. Add 1 or 2 cans of apricot halves with the juice. Then add apricot nectar or some apricot jam. You want enough liquid for the sauce but don't drown the chicken. Add ground ginger to taste (this is the most important bit) and stir through the liquid. Cover and bake.

Why the UK Arts sector matters - A thread.

I lived in Budapest. No many UK people know that Budapest is used as an overflow when Pinewood etc are too busy. They shoot TV and movies including Hollywood blockbusters there. /1 For example, did you see Die Hard 5 ? 47 Ronin ? The BBC version of the Musketeers ? All filmed in Hungary.

The behind the scenes people for these productions were almost exclusively from the UK. Carpenters, hairdressers, musicians, camera operators. /2

A thread about Hungary from someone who lived there. There are some very specific reasons why older Hungarians are susceptible to the rhetoric of Orban and his racist pals. They are historical. I do not agree with them but understand why people buy into them. Hungary has a history of being invaded - the Ottomans, the Hapsburgs, the Soviet Union. It also has the Treaty of Trianon hanging over it which removed 70% of its territory and almost 60% of its population.