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Cont: Brexit: Now What? Part 6. Pick up sticks...

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Donald Trump's offer of a "quick, massive bilateral trade deal" won't be possible if Theresa May's Brexit deal is backed by Parliament, the US ambassador to the UK has warned.

Woody Johnson told Radio 4's Today programme such a arrangement could lead to an "exciting future" for the UK.

But that's only if Mrs May's withdrawal agreement does not succeed, he said.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46720323
 
Captain_Swoop said:
Donald Trump's offer of a "quick, massive bilateral trade deal" won't be possible if Theresa May's Brexit deal is backed by Parliament, the US ambassador to the UK has warned.

Woody Johnson told Radio 4's Today programme such a arrangement could lead to an "exciting future" for the UK.

But that's only if Mrs May's withdrawal agreement does not succeed, he said.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46720323
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Is it normal for the ambassador from an allied country to openly try and undermine the policy of the UK government?
 
Captain_Swoop said:
Woody Johnson told Radio 4's Today programme such a arrangement could lead to an "exciting future" for the UK.
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I worry about what 'exciting' translates to in this context. I'm sure leaping off a cliff is exciting but it's not something I wish to participate in at my age.
 
America First! remember?

It seems if you want a trade deal with the USA you don't get to have one anywhere else.
 
I like the way the word 'great' is used every other sentence. But without actually ever explaining what would be so great about it and whether it will make up for the massive loss the UK would get in the no deal scenario.
 
RolandRat said:
But it stands to reason that the prices are probably going to rise due to Brexit, so wont stockpiling have already been started by these groups? Surely they must know what drugs are most in demand and what ones are probably most at risk from price fluctuations?

I guess I'm just struggling to see how these NDAs apply to this under these circumstances.
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The ferry companies, which have been contracted to help out in the event of a 'no deal' haven't been NDA-ed, so I expect the medical NDA's are to bury bad news from the public. For example, cheaper substitutes for current drugs.
 
Information Analyst said:
BBC News: No-deal Brexit ferry contract sparks concerns

"Concerns have been raised over the readiness of a British firm contracted by the government to run extra ferries in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Seaborne Freight was awarded a £13.8m contract this week to run a freight service between Ramsgate and Ostend.

The firm has never run a ferry service and a local councillor said it would be impossible to launch before Brexit.

The government said it had awarded the contract in "the full knowledge that Seaborne is a new shipping provider".

The Department for Transport said that "the extra capacity and vessels would be provided as part of its first services".

"As with all contracts, we carefully vetted the company's commercial, technical and financial position in detail before making the award," it added."

Hmmm....
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The other thing is, Ramsgate is a narrow bay, so the ships coming in and out need to be ultra narrow. I wonder how quickly Seaborne can build a few. And whether £14m will cover it.
 
Captain_Swoop said:
I was just about to post that.

The narrow berths at Ramsgate mean there are only a few suitable vessels, most of which are already in service.
Seaborne Freight declined to give details on which ships it planned to use for the service, saying the information was commercially sensitive.

Ferry services have not operated from Ramsgate Port since 2013
Dredging would start on 4 January in preparation for the freight service.

No time for formal tenders.

Tory MP Ralph Lucas was recently made a Director. Anthony Bamford brother of Tory donor and Pro-Brexiteer Lord Bamford is one of the names behind the company
This stinks.

Grayling is in charge of it so it's bound to be alright.
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Ah, ninja-ed.

Whoa! Are you insinuating that the company got the contract because of who's behind the company? A disgraceful suggestion, sir!

;)
 
KDLarsen said:
Like the French company being hired to produce post-Brexit UK passports, I'm somewhat amused they've chosen a pair of Danish and French shipping companies to provide the bulk of the ferry services.. :)
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That reminds me. The French have plans to dump the asylum-seekers camp in Calais onto the UK mainland. Oh dear.
 
Information Analyst said:
I don't know if it's featured much in reporting I've not seen, but earliest archived version of the Seaborne Freight website only dates from 15 August 2018, although it looks like the domain was first registered by a hosting company in 2011.

It's worth noting that there is a well-established company in the field named Seabourne. One would like to think that the one couldn't possible have been mistaken for the other, but these days....
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'Bourne' means a small stream; 'borne' means to bear or carry. So ISTM the latter is more correct if talking about a ship cruising the sea.
 
Vixen said:
Obama did it. Said the UK would be 'back of the queue' if it voted Brexit.
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Obama said that at the request of David Cameron who was campaigning for a remain vote. I can think of no other example of a US ambassador, or President, openly opposing the sitting UK government's policies.

Theresa May should summon him to 10 Downing St and ask him to explain himself, the cheeky sod.
 
Vixen said:
The other thing is, Ramsgate is a narrow bay, so the ships coming in and out need to be ultra narrow. I wonder how quickly Seaborne can build a few. And whether £14m will cover it.
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Just had a quick look on Apolloduck. Not many dedicated RoRo trailer ferries available.
Plenty of mixed passenger RoRo around but they aren't any good for the intended role.

A dedicated RoRo will cost around £10M to buy on the used ship market. Msny millions more to build.
They will be looking to charter but agsin, there doesn't seem to be much dedicated RoRo trailer shipping available.
 
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