As an outsider my impressiion of the EU on Brexit is that the EU intends to punish GB as much as possible. I always thought the common market was a good idea the EU not so much. It has some good features and others which many find intolerable.

I'm not sure they originally meant to go that far, but they were certainly determined to make sure that nobody could see the UK getting a positive advantage from leaving - not least, because that might encourage other member states to try the same thing.

As time has passed, British governments have changed, and changed their negotiating stance, and the pandemic has intervened to get in the way of everything. I wouldn't be surprised to find that they are (a) exhausted, and (b) exasperated. If that comes across as a desire to punish, I think that is only predictable. Europeans are human beings too: we would be complaining and seeking retaliation if the EU had initiated a process to kick us out.

Never thought I would actually hear anything like this.
Gexit on the cards?
The question now is: Will I actually see it happen?

From the Telegraph,

British silversmiths struggling to sell in EU after Brexit deal failed to recognise UK's hallmarks
Sir John Hayes says it is 'preposterous' that centuries-old hallmarks are not recognised by the European Union

British silversmiths are being frustrated over trying to sell silver and gold into the European Union after the Brexit trade deal failed to recognise the UK’s centuries-old hallmarks.

The UK has one of the most rigorous systems of quality validation in the world, requiring a Maker’s mark, year, and an Assay Office mark on every item.

However, hallmarking was overlooked in the Brexit trade deal which has meant that UK silversmiths are finding it difficult to export British silver and gold into the EU. The problems also affect jewellry.

This is despite British silversmiths still adhering to the identical international ISO and BSO standards that the EU recognised until the end of December last year.

Sir John Hayes, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Craft, called for the 1973 Hallmarking Act to be amended to protect UK producers.

He said it was “preposterous” that UK hallmarks should not be recognised by the European Union.

He said: “We need to challenge the basis for EU non-recognition of British marks – one of the highest quality British standards in the world.

“This is a centuries-old tradition. There is no concession required from the EU. It can only be an oversight or awkwardness. This is an important industry for Britain.”

The hallmark allows each piece of silver to be traceable back to a single workbench, in the same way that meat can be traced back to a particular herd on a farm.

The current legal operating standard for “Sterling” silver has not changed since 1275 and hallmarking has been required by law in this country since 1320.

UK goods can be recognised if makers pay for an additional “Convention Mark”, or “Common Control Mark” which was first set out in the 1972 Vienna Hallmarking Convention.

However, only 16 EU countries are signatories, and major UK markets including France, Spain, Belgium and Italy are not covered.

The Government said the problems did not affect any silver or gold on the market before Jan 1 this year. Any new stock entering the GB market will require a UK hallmark or Common Control Mark while any new stock exported to EU members will require a mark recognised by those countries.

A spokesperson said: “While the UK secured a number of sector-specific annexes as part of the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) offer, it was not possible to reach agreement with the EU on the UK’s proposal for a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on conformity assessment. The UK Government’s focus is on implementing the deal helping prepare businesses for upcoming opportunities."

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/05/15/british-silversmiths-struggling-sell-eu-brexit-deal-failed-recognise/

Has Brexit opened the door?
Problems with EU

Amazing what Brexit gets blame for.
This has been brewing for the past decade...at least, if not longer.

A shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers means supermarkets may have limited stock on the shelves this summer.
It comes after the huge impact of both Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic over the last 15 months.

Summer shortages ahead

Priti pays £54M of taxpayers money to the French to do their jobs.
So much for the EU's Dublin Protocol.

The Rule of Law.
just four words, but haven't they caused many a debate & division that have caused major issues, not only among those within the same country but nations v nations.
Case in point

But Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said linking issues about the rule of law to funding risked inflicting "unimaginable harm to European Union unity".

He's from a small piddling little country so the "big boys" won't listen to him.

The longest & most expensive Poker final has drawn to a close.
The EU is folding

But the focus now is on finding a European solution. And not a few EU figures, French President Emmanuel Macron included, have said they'd love the UK to be part of a plan.

Why does this have to be so difficult and overly expensive?


EU biometric border system faces more delays
wrote:

A new EU border control IT system which sparked fears of summer holiday queues at Dover has been delayed again.

The Entry/Exit System was due to be introduced in late May, having already been pushed back from last year. A new timetable will aim to have the technology in place by the end of 2023...

... the system seemed designed for an airport environment, rather than people travelling in vehicles, and the port had safety concerns around people being made to get out of their vehicles in the busy terminal...

Alternatively, enjoy a cooperatively harmonious sensible dose of KISS?

All in our only one world,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

It just doesn't seem to be working.

Vauxhall owner threatens to close factories unless UK renegotiates Brexit deal.

Ultimately 800,000 jobs are on the line.