Why the UK cannot see that Brexit is utterly, utterly stupid

[Soph0571]

If you talk to almost anyone overseas, except those at the right-wing extreme (like Trump) or part of a tiny minority of the left, their reaction to Brexit is similar that of the former prime minister of Finland. What the UK is doing is utterly, utterly stupid. An act of self harm with no point, no upside. Sometimes outside opinion is based on incomplete or biased information and should be discounted, but on Brexit it is spot on. So why are so many people in the UK unable to see what outsiders can see quite clearly?
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Meanwhile, warnings from important UK businesses become an excuse to talk about WWII, yet again. What people from outside the UK can see that too many inside cannot is how the case for Leaving has become little more than xenophobia and nationalism. What people overseas can also see but we seem unable to is that there is a world of difference between a vote to Leave the EU in an unspecified way and a real, practical plan. Which means that the first referendum, particularly as it was narrowly won, needs to be followed by a second referendum over an actual, realistic way of leaving. In other words, a “people’s vote”. When Jonathan Freedland says “the notion that a 52 per cent vote for a hypothetical, pain-free Brexit translates into an unbreakable mandate for an actually existing Brexit is shaky at best”, he is wrong: the notion is simply incorrect.

[link:https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/economy/2019/01/why-uk-cannot-see-brexit-utterly-utterly-stupid|

We went down a rabid right wing rabbit hole June 2016 and we have yet to see light at the end of that tunnel - we are screwed I think.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. It's a mess

I'm looking at alternative trade routes.

Our motherboards and 6 other parts/components fall under the Trump 301 tariff scheme.

We pay tariff in NL.

Are we going to pay tariff as part of landed costs when the boat from NL to UK docks in England? Another when it arrives in Ireland from Cardiff?

Trade route was changed on Thursday last week.

Our customers ' points of presence in the EU can't take the potential pricing.

We didn't understand the plan so signed a contract to cut the UK out of the equation. Mini distribution center closes tomorrow in London.

[Soph0571]

2. And I am sure you are only the tip of the iceberg!

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Oh hell yeah!

I did see where as of today there MIGHT be a delay of implementation until 2021 AND a 'favored trader' status that manufacturers could pursue.

However, I'm not hopeful about either one of these.

If we have to sacrifice members of the team - sacrifice the 15 in the UK and save the 900 factory workers making $20 + an hour in NJ.

[marble falls]

3. Brexit is the UK's Trump moment - "We went down a rabid right wing rabbit hole June 2016 and we ...

have yet to see light at the end of that tunnel - we are screwed I think." My though precisely on the morning of the first Wednesday of November 2016.

Funny how all the Trump stickers has disappeared here in Central Texas.

[T_i_B]

5. It's very difficult for people to admit that they have made a terrible mistake in voting to leave

The fact that the whole debate has become so tribal and polarized has not helped matters either.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Only half of the UK can't see that. But that's enough to create a bloody nightmare.