hypochondriac

So if that's the case, why are Germany and Hungary so behind with the vaccination rates and why is the EU commission so clearly in such a state of desparate panic?

Hi Fan the Flames. Your definition of screeching is unusual to say the least. What's your thoughts on this action taken by the EU commission? It's interesting that some who supported remain like whelk can clearly see that brexit has had a clear and demonstrable benefit and that this has been an absolute disaster for the commission. Its quote telling those who can't admit what is staring them in the face.

Wow this EU commission must be feeling really nervous about their chances at the next election. I bet the electorate can't wait to vote them out of office for doing such an awful job... Oh.

No that's not the issue. We agreed our contract with the companies in May which was three months before the EU commission agreed theirs. There were other European companies ready to agree at a similar time to us but the European Commission stepped in, extended the period of negotiations by months without adding much of substance and told all European companies not to do their own deals for vaccines. As a consequence, we were able to iron out kinks in our supply chain and manufacturing at an earlier point than the EU and therefore we have more vaccine available now. Had we been part of the EU procurement we would have allowed the commission to negotiate on our behalf and slowed down the entire process which would have resulted in us being in a similar situation to France or Germany now.

Surely there's an important distinction here between what the UK would be legally allowed to do if brexit did not exist and what they would have done in reality? Surely no one is seriously suggesting they would have gone it alone if the rest of the EU were instructed to act together?

Agreed. Either that or just set up vaccination centres in the North and invite the Irish to walk over the border and claim them. Would be a genius move but sadly I don't think they will. Regardless of whether anyone is pro brexit or not, I think everyone can agree that the EU under the leadership of VDL is an absolute shambles. They messed this vaccine procurement up ridiculously and have managed to turn the majority of the chattering class against then with this decision as well as undermine the careful narrative they've tried to construct for the past four years over NI. As many suspected, they only ever cared about Ireland when it suited them for negotiations and will quite happily throw them under the bus if they think it's beneficial.

Poorly is an understatement. It's a unique achievement to get so much agreement from so many. Let's not also pretend that the reaction would be on a different scale were the shoe on the other foot.

Could you imagine the screeching we would be hearing if Britain had tried to pull what the EU is doing in NI?

Since he was busted as being a children's toy company employee and his real life name leaked, he ran off.

Dune I think.

I also checked out the way back machine for the lols. You can't see much but some of the captions brought back some memories.

LOL it's been like that forever. Do you not remember the takeover saga threads?

And Dave Benson Philips.

Christ. I suppose the only positive is that his mug shot shows he's lost a fair bit of weight.

My point was if Biden followed the lead of Obama, Bush, Clinton etc and America returned to its warmongering past that would not be a good thing. No agenda other than wanting America out of Iraq and the Middle East in general.

They should be out. My father in law is an Iraqi and is hopping mad about them still being there.

Let's hope he's as war averse as the last guy. Considering he was the vice president for the last war mongerer I think people would be right to be nervous

LOL. What for? I was on the sunshine coach with him to the Derby playoff game. He was a fat mentalist even then. Some great names there. I'll add saintlee, javi, saf and ascoli.

Is it a good thing that I have no idea who josh Widdecombe is?

But generally we don't want American troops in foreign lands warmongering do we? You're correct, Trump for all his fault had a record on foreign wars that was superior to any other modern day president. My worry is that this will now go backwards.

Badboysaint, the Don and redandwhitepanda.

Hi soggy. I assume I'm allowed to reply to you without Tim jumping on my posts for bullying you. What do you think about reports of Biden considering putting a load more troops into Iraq? A good thing?

Anyone surprised by this?

I think the clear shortcomings of trump doesn't make Biden a decent president. He's bringing back critical race theory for a start and has already modified the white house website to allow people to write in their personal pronouns.

Indeed. Bit of a non point to state that your child is at school because you're a key worker.