Read on Twitter
Having established that the fishing industry has been largely shafted by this deal, let's take a step back and think about the agreement in the round....
Despite the spin, it does not come anywhere near what was being signalled to voters in 2016. But we've known that for quite a while.
'Project Fear' - which was always predicated on a "cut-off" from the EU/EEA - will apply in various ways. Some visible, some less so.
'Project Fear' - which was always predicated on a "cut-off" from the EU/EEA - will apply in various ways. Some visible, some less so.
The Government has however got a deal and as many of us knew: Any deal was always better than No Deal.
Many also guessed that fish would be tossed overboard in the quest to get such a deal. And so it has proved.
NI has also been "left behind" by Brexiters. And Gibraltar.
Many also guessed that fish would be tossed overboard in the quest to get such a deal. And so it has proved.
NI has also been "left behind" by Brexiters. And Gibraltar.
But the mere fact of getting a deal means there is some hope for the future. The deal can be built upon.... but probably not while Vote Leave is in Govt and the ERG holds sway. There's probably going to be a politically bumpy period.
None the less one should feel a certain relief from the Govt landing a deal. Not because it compares well with EU or EEA membership - it doesn't, but they're both long gone.
The relief arises because the alternative within today's post-EU/EEA reality was even worse.
The relief arises because the alternative within today's post-EU/EEA reality was even worse.
In the grand sweep of history, where does this leave Britain? It means that Britain's post-1945 tragedy continues - of being victorious yet also lost, in terms of where she 'fits' in the world. Indeed one might say *increasingly* lost.
I'm not sure what the solution is.
I'm not sure what the solution is.
