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1. Do you remember the Ennio Morricone composed theme tune to the Good the Bad and the Ugly? I ask because it began to rattle through my head as I read today’s Sunday Times.
2. I am the simplest of men, an old hermit whose best days are lost in the mists of time. It is not for me to indicate with my staff the specific qualities of a particular piece. But. But. For your Sunday morning pleasure I thought it might be helpful to highlight a few.
3. In no particular order, I first draw your attention to this most remarkable piece. Perhaps consider it an amuse bouche before we move into meatier fare. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/endless-lockdowns-are-undermining-the-way-we-live-zgdx5gpfm
4. As the Great Poet wrote,
‘So many sages, so few sages, so many stages.’
After literally seconds of analysis, I have determined I am far too ignorant to debate the pros and cons of the Great Barrington Declaration, unlike everyone else.
‘So many sages, so few sages, so many stages.’
After literally seconds of analysis, I have determined I am far too ignorant to debate the pros and cons of the Great Barrington Declaration, unlike everyone else.
5. But, like everyone else, I have an opinion. And unlike everyone else, my opinion is better than everyone else. It is better due to my virtually unique experience of living on top of a column for many centuries.
6. The logistics of confinement are not straightforward. I required a complex infrastructure of disciples to winch up to me regular supplies of lentils cooked in a little bone broth and flagons of claret.
7. Equally, has anyone asked the ‘vulnerable’ if they’re up for an indeterminate period of confinement while the virus zips through the rest of society? I thought not.
8. Finally, on this magnificent piece, I draw your attention to the opening paragraph which I am absolutely sure was not uncannily intended to precisely echo the views of many Brexit unenthusiasts as we teeter on the edge of no deal.
9. Next on the metaphorical chopping board, comes this piece in the Business section which, without giving anything. away with respect to my Sergio Leone framing, is really VERY GOOD indeed. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/banks-are-on-guard-for-a-no-deal-brexit-thats-not-necessarily-good-for-the-city-0h7btkg7w
10. In a previous realm of existence, I spent many years ploughing my benign furrow across the global financial system. Or, the Great Abacus, as I used to think about it. So I know a thing or two about bead counting. But anyway.
11. To anyone who who knew anything about anything it was as apparent in June 24th as the sun rising over the mountains and bathing my column in a sickly orange light that Brexit was not going to be good for London based investment banking.
12. And so it has proved. Though not perhaps as bad as first thought. But then neither have the banking equivalent of German carmakers appeared. Funny that. The piece is a very good and balanced review of the current status. However...
13. In my role as Twitter Prophet I make this prediction. No good (financial at least) will come from impairing the competitive advantage of the City of London & while there are pro Brexit arguments fans of reality based thinking must also accept the negative consequences.
14. Finally, FINALLY, I have saved the best until last. But first let me make coffee...
< A short intermission commences >
< A short intermission commences >
15. UPDATE - WATER IS BOILING
16. Replenished, I can pick up again this lonely thread. Now where was I? Everything is so difficult to remember. Something about a whistle. A newspaper. Or was it a long thread about Felix the Dog’s digestive system (the stories I can tell)?
17. Ah yes, saving the best for last!
This most interesting piece about a piece written by that musketeer of politics Michael Gove. This piece about a piece which conveys the government’s implacable zeal for no deal. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/michael-gove-now-accepts-the-case-for-a-no-deal-brexit-2sx7ml92w
This most interesting piece about a piece written by that musketeer of politics Michael Gove. This piece about a piece which conveys the government’s implacable zeal for no deal. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/michael-gove-now-accepts-the-case-for-a-no-deal-brexit-2sx7ml92w
18. I am trembling in my sandals. And I am sure that le tout Europe, German carmakers, A Merkel, E Macron and his permanently raised eyebrows, prosecco farmers, and children worried about the future, are sitting up in bed, exclaiming, ‘Les Brits are vraiment sérieux this time.’
19. Because this isn’t just anyone. IT IS MICHAEL GOVE. That legendary straight talking soothsaying doyen of British politics, one of the founding horsemen of the Brexit apocalypse, and, apparently, not until this very moment converted to Le Full Brexit.
20. Excuse me for one moment.
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21. Let me introduce everyone to the First Rule of Hard Brexit Club. You don’t tell everyone you’re in the club. Least of all do you write a piece in the Sunday Times about it. It just looks ridiculous.
22. Rather than the impression of cosmic hardness and indomitable will, one feels a terrible melancholy, the ineffable weariness of years of reading similar pieces, a political and journalistic February without end, and...
23. AND, the terrible spectre of similar pieces yet to be written appearing at the end of your bed on a Sunday morning, ghosts of a bleak future one and all, the ghost of plucky Britain, of sticking to your guns, and finally of a deal, a reverse, dressed in victory’s clothing.
24. Because, my friends, in my exceedingly humble opinion, we are witnessing the not untimely demise of the Frosty Strategy or hard man negotiation which has also brought us such glorious moments of statecraft as the Internal Markets Bill.
25. So be of good cheer, fans of reality based existence, this piece is a very good indication that a deal is coming.
And with that, hear endeth this newspaper review.
/the end
And with that, hear endeth this newspaper review.
/the end
