[Politics] Should the next Government start negotiating to join the Customs Union ?

[WATFORD zero]

It seems that both Labour and Conservatives have published manifestos that independent economic bodies have agreed need significant economic growth to cover financially, growth way beyond what is currently predicted.

Very simple question, should the next Government begin negotiations to join the Customs Union to help achieve economic growth required. if you really want to discuss further there's always The Brexit Thread

 

[GingerBeerMan]

If you really want to discuss further there's always The Brexit Thread

Why didn't you just post in the thread you linked?

 

[WATFORD zero]

Why didn't you just post in the thread you linked?

Because you can't do a poll on an existing thread, even if it was one you started, which I didn't

 

[Zeberdi]

Because you can't do a poll on an existing thread, even if it was one you started, which I didn't

You can add a poll to a thread you started. Just edit the OP and the option comes up.

(There’s no “don’t know” option so I didn’t vote)

 

[Curious Orange]

Where's the European Free Trade Area option?

 

[WATFORD zero]

You can add a poll to a thread you started. Just edit the OP and the option comes up.

(There’s no “don’t know” option so I didn’t vote)

If you 'don't know' then you took the perfect option

 

[Weststander]

Absolutely.

Why have trade barriers with a huge, friendly, wealthy economy just 20 miles away?

 

[BigBod]

It's taken a long long time but goods do seem to be moving quite well between us and the rest of the world at the moment. Took a while to get there and lots of new paperwork, but now everyone knows what they are doing things for us are running quite smoothly. We export to Europe and the rest of the World on a daily basis and import from US & China. We are B2B and our customers now understand they have to pay their VAT in their own country instead of paying us. Downside is European customers now having to pay Duty which they didn't pre Brexit.

Probably some benefits in joining the Customs Union but no rush as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Guinness Boy]

No.

Just rejoin.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

My business has been severely shackled since Brexit, for now just selling in the UK as it's impossible for us to export to the EU.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

It's taken a long long time but goods do seem to be moving quite well between us and the rest of the world at the moment. Took a while to get there and lots of new paperwork, but now everyone knows what they are doing things for us are running quite smoothly. We export to Europe and the rest of the World on a daily basis and import from US & China. We are B2B and our customers now understand they have to pay their VAT in their own country instead of paying us. Downside is European customers now having to pay Duty which they didn't pre Brexit.

Probably some benefits in joining the Customs Union but no rush as far as I'm concerned.

Quite well?

One of my family is struggling currently due to unavailability of a medicine.

Even the extremely left wing Sky news recognizes this as a Brexit Bonus:

Brexit has made UK medicine shortages worse, research suggests

The UK's departure from the EU did not cause the shortages, the Nuffield Trust says, but it has made it much more difficult for the UK to cope.

news.sky.com

 

[Hotchilidog]

Yes. It's a no brainer, and I suspect this may well be the government's position going into the next election when it becomes even more blatantly obvious that is in the country's interest.

Expect heads to remain in the sand for a couple of years yet though.

 

[BrightonCottager]

I voted yes, but the EU offered us a free movement deal for 18-30yos but both the Sunak and Starmer rejected it immediately. Why would either dare to piss off the Brexity voters more?

 

[Weststander]

I voted yes, but the EU offered us a free movement deal for 18-30yos but both the Sunak and Starmer rejected it immediately. Why would either dare to piss off the Brexity voters more?

Spiteful, in rejecting that.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

It's taken a long long time but goods do seem to be moving quite well between us and the rest of the world at the moment. Took a while to get there and lots of new paperwork, but now everyone knows what they are doing things for us are running quite smoothly. We export to Europe and the rest of the World on a daily basis and import from US & China. We are B2B and our customers now understand they have to pay their VAT in their own country instead of paying us. Downside is European customers now having to pay Duty which they didn't pre Brexit.

Probably some benefits in joining the Customs Union but no rush as far as I'm concerned.

We're the same as this.

Exporting (worldwide including to Europe on a daily basis)

The Duty for European Customers is the only real change, and as you say more paperwork which seems smooth enough now.

The fall in the value of Sterling 8 years ago against both the $ and € helped us massively (it made our prices much cheaper to our customers and was a significant boost for exporters which many fail to appreciate.)

I still voted yes to re joining the CU in the poll above.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

My business has been severely shackled since Brexit, for now just selling in the UK as it's impossible for us to export to the EU.

Can I ask why?

Our exports to Europe are up since Brexit (because of the fall in the value of Sterling)

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I personally would only allow the UK back if it rejoined us as a full and participating member, or took a Swiss/Norway option….which includes freedom of movement as well.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I personally would only allow the UK back if it rejoined us as a full and participating member, or took a Swiss/Norway option….which includes freedom of movement as well.

That's the only way I can see us going back, with Switzerland/Norway being the most likely option, especially as that is what was being sold at the beginning of the Brexit campaign.

 

[Smirko]

Oh great another Brexit related thread.

 

[ClemFandango]

Careful what you wish for. The economies of France and Germany (ie the EU powerhouses of old) are screwed right now