Only consolation in any of this is that the Rwanda policy is doomed to failure. Like Brexit the government will now make complete fools of themselves as they try to make it happen and if it wasn't set to cause so much misery and disgrace I'd be tempted to put the popcorn on.

Just finished this new book by Michael Peel. It's a superb, well-written & insightful account of post-Brexit Britain, and the 'outsider-insider' perspective makes it especially acute, giving it the character of a 'critical friend's diagnosis'. Thread below gives more info:

Expert analysis of the 'ping-pong':

Of the many flaws in this, the most egregious is the claim that the NI Protocol was a 'temporary fix'. And if 'too many Conservatives seem to see Brexit more as an embarrassing secret', well, there's an obvious reason for that.

A better title would have been 'Why Brexit's fingerprints are all over the next threat to British holidaymaker'

This degree of media attention on parliamentary ping-pong for a Bill is unusual. So important to stress that it is a standard, normal part of the legislative scrutiny process. What is unusual (historically, tho not in recent years) is the Govt's intransigent attitude to amdts.

The Express are up to their usual dirty tricks.

The EU rule (90 days out of 180) hasn't changed. It just applies to UK citizens as well now, because of Brexit.

Had we not left, it would have remained irrelevant to us.

Also clear that most those calling for Rowley to resign are annoyed because he refused to obey Braverman’s draconian call to ban peaceful protest. These are not people concerned about racism, but provocateurs with narrow sectarian interests

ICYMI, three recent pieces on Brexit by me:

1) Gibraltar and Brexit: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/gibral…

2) The dangers of alarmist & ill-informed myths about Freeports etc: bylinetimes.com/2024/04/04/fre…

3) Brexitism and why it matters, in latest print edition Byline Times:

Gibraltar, and reviewing the Brexit bill of goods. Latest post on my Brexit&Beyond Blog. With reports of an imminent deal, a look at the Gibraltar issue & how it contains lessons which continue to play out across the entirety of the ongoing Brexit process: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/gibral…

A relief for Ukraine but the delay is unforgiveable.

Many Ukrainian lives destroyed and Russian gains that will cost even more Ukrainian lives to reverse because Mike Johnson thought a nation defending against an imperial invasion was fair game to exploit for political capital.

Gibraltar, and reviewing the Brexit 'bill of goods'. New post on my Brexit & Beyond Blog. With reports of an imminent deal, a look at the Gibraltar issue & how it contains lessons which continue to play out across the entirety of the ongoing Brexit process chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/gibral…

Gibraltar, and reviewing the Brexit 'bill of goods'. New post on my Brexit & Beyond Blog. With reports of an imminent deal, a look at the Gibraltar issue & how it contains lessons which continue to play out across the entirety of the ongoing Brexit process chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/gibral…

Gosh, I've only ever met (in the sense of talking to) 4 England cricketers, and 2 of them died this week, Derek Underwood and, now, Raman Subba Row: theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr… (The other two, in case anyone is interested, were David Sheppard & Laurie Fishlock, both long since dead).

Another acute and informative analysis. Jonathan Freedland continues to be the wisest and most humane guide in this crisis.

Brexit plans in complete disarray as EU import checks delayed, say businesses (and me)
I'd say complete fucking shambles but I don't swear (much) theguardian.com/politics/2024/…

🚨🚨 Definently worth reading this excellent Byline Times edition - if only just to enjoy Chris Grey's thoughtful and penetrating essay on #brexitism . 👇👇

And, anyway, how often can Brexit be betrayed? Brexiters have been saying this at every single point since 2016 (whilst simultaneously insisting Brexit has been a huge success). If it ever had any meaning, it has long since gone.