Covid-19 and Brexit

Michel Barnier has contracted Covid-19 and I wish him and everyone else who has been or will be affected good health. Michel Barnier is too much of a gentleman to blame Brexit, he is both rational and logical. To blame Brexit for his problems would be irrational just as it is irrational to blame the EU for Britain's problems.

Britain is now in a real pickle not only does it have to contend with a health and economic disaster, it also has to contend with cutting itself off from its most important trading partners after December 31st 2020. Brexit is dragging Britain further into the mire.

There is something wrong with the markets when both the FT100 index and the Pound plunge. The Bank of England has dropped interest rates to their lowest rates ever. Normally, a currency falls when interest rates go down but this time the Pound went up but how long for? The social and economic future looks grim.

Where are the unicorns and fields of milk and honey that Brexit politicians promised voters? They are all gone. Levelling up is now a dream to be left for a long time. Covid-19 will make everyone suffer but the poor will suffer most, and Brexit will make their plight worse. I would exchange Brexit anytime to be relieved of Covid-19.

Droves of doctors and nurses have returned to their home countries because of the Brexit attitude that made them feel unwelcome. We need all the health workers we can get in our hour of need. The covid virus doesn't care if you were a leave or remain voter but you could die or live with serious health consequences if there is no doctor or nurse to treat you.

Farmers need workers from the EU to pick fruits and vegetables;  they won't becoming, and this could lead to food shortages. 40% of our food comes from the EU, the lorries won't becoming, and eventually there will be extra food shortages if the crisis carries on much longer.

We have a shortage of care workers from the EU because they, too, have been made to feel unwelcome and  have gone home. Who is going to look after your grandmother or grandfather when there are severe staff shortages owing to both the covid-19 crisis and Brexit?

When this is all over, both the UK and the EU will be in desperate trouble. Britain will get over the health crisis. However, Brexit  will exacerbate the continuing economic problems, and it could finish us off. Can we really afford to have long queues at Dover and Calais to prevent food and industrial products coming in?

Can we afford to have a health service and social care system denied of health workers by the stupid bureaucracy of immigration controls. The poor will suffer most.

When this health crisis is over; Britain and the EU will have to stay very close to ensure a full recovery. Britain needs the Single Market and Customs Union and the EU needs us to stay in these organisations. Petty squabbling and nationalism won't help anyone. Mister voter and Mister Politician it is time to get real and to put the evil genie of Brexit back in its lamp.