This week, Britain is set to come up short, Italy appeals to EU court, Volkswagen just can’t seem to do what it ought, and Brussels Binders gets loads of support.
An internal government analysis leaked to the press said the UK will be economically worse off in every possible scenario after it leaves the EU next year.
BuzzFeed has been leaked the government's latest internal Brexit impact analysis. It shows the UK being worse off under every modelled scenario. Ministers were supposed to be shown it in secret but you can read it for yourself here: https://t.co/WX4Sy4R6Cq
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) January 29, 2018
Brexiteers have a choice between being eight, five or two per cent worse off over the next 15 years.
So Brexiteers – you have a choice of being 8%, 5% or 2% worse off over the next 15 years. What do you think the 'will of the people' is on this one?
Take your time. You've only had two years to campaign and lobby for this https://t.co/g32fLpGGWS
— Peter Jukes (@peterjukes) January 29, 2018
As the Liberal Democrats tweeted, tell us something we didn’t know!
The cold hard reality is that these reports reveal nothing we didn’t already know. Of course staying in the EU remains our best option, of course Brexit is going to damage the UK https://t.co/9W0DHbPGve
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) January 30, 2018
David Allen Green noted that Brexiteers’ belief in economic forecasts has changed quite a bit.
Then: Brexit will be a boon for the UK as a global trading nation.
Now: we don't believe in economic forecasts.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) January 31, 2018
Grant White said the Labour Party must consider if the ship really has sailed on EU membership.
In light of the leaked impact assessments from the government which reveal Britain will be worse off in all Brexit scenarios, @UKLabour must consider if the ship really has sailed on EU membership. Because the ship isn't doing well. @jeremycorbyn @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/Ry1FD8uaQk
— Grant White (@GrantWhiteTZ) January 30, 2018
Hugh Devlin, however, said the leaked document was scaremongering and needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Take this leaked document with a pinch of salt! This is scaremungering by remainers in Government. They will try anything to scupper Brexit even the demise of their own party & let Labour in power! https://t.co/Y1yvVkuS9I
— Hugh Devlin #FBPE (@Hughie1953) January 30, 2018
But Shebab Khan said future support of Brexit is “electoral suicide,” because “intentionally harming your economy is not a good look.”
Brexit impact assessments are saying Britain will be worse off in EVERY scenario. How can any politician continue to argue for Brexit while expecting to win elections? Will prove to be electoral suicide for those responsible. Intentionally harming your economy is not a good look.
— Shehab Khan (@ShehabKhan) January 30, 2018
Speaking of Brexit, last Thursday Donald Trump told Piers Morgan in a so-called “hard hitting” interview, that he would have taken a tougher attitude toward Brexit negotiations.
President Trump reveals in interview with Piers Morgan that he tweets in bed and he would have taken a "tougher" attitude toward Brexit negotiations https://t.co/9vSDhpVxT8 pic.twitter.com/iY9Ajc4srk
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 28, 2018
Presumably it would have been “huge” or “unbelieveable” or “the best!”
Also related to Brexit: The European Medicines Agency headquarters will have to move out of London next year. The EU Court of Justice chose Amsterdam over Milan for its new home in a coin toss after a vote by member states ended in a tie.
In the latest EMA Brexit development, Italy and Milan attack the decision to move EMA from London to Amsterdam before the CJEU. It was, in the end, a coin toss between Milan and Amsterdam. https://t.co/EFxIrux3vt
— Holger Hestermeyer (@hhesterm) January 31, 2018
That was in November. But this week Italy appealed the decision.
Italy appeals to Brussels about EMA move to Amsterdam: ANSA https://t.co/dXf5sKki9z
— DutchNews.NL (@DutchNewsNL) January 31, 2018
If choosing winners by drawing lots from a fishbowl can be considered a ‘decision,’ as Jonathan Busnelli pointed out.
If choosing winners by drawing lots from a fishbowl can be considered a 'decision'. #EMA #Milan #Amsterdam https://t.co/fkLEhdNyED
— Jonathan Busnelli (@JoBusnelli) January 31, 2018
Italy argues that the Amsterdam HQ won’t be finished in time, but Milan has a building ready for EMA now.
Those tiny little differences:
– on the left: the headquarter for #EMA in Amsterdam, not ready before the end of 2019, early 2020.
– on the right: the headquarter for #EMA in Milan. Ready today. #EMA2Milan https://t.co/AFed5TwiKC— Goffredo Puccetti (@goffredodotcom) January 30, 2018
Italian Parliament member Lia Quartapelle asked Twitter to spot the difference.
Trova le differenze:
A sinistra il sito previsto per #EMA a Amsterdam.
A destra il sito pronto per #EMA a Milano.#EMA2Milan noi ci siamo! pic.twitter.com/JR2GNPpjxv— Lia Quartapelle (@LiaQuartapelle) January 30, 2018
But EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said the move to Amsterdam is a done deal.
EU decision on EMA move to Amsterdam is done: EU Commissioner https://t.co/Q5aFOr5uy2 via @Reuters
— Scott Strumello (@sstrumello) January 31, 2018
Alessandro Margiotta called the commissioner’s response “very bureaucratic.”
Dear @V_Andriukaitis your reply to the Italian claim about EMA move to Amsterdam after #Brexit is very bureaucratic. As a MD you should agree that it was a bad decision to avoid Milan. @Antonio_Tajani @RobertoMaroni_ @sandrogozi @giorgio_gori @ASaravalle @pigiparacchi @BeppeSala
— Alessandro Margiotta (@a_margiotta) January 31, 2018
And M’s World warned Italy and its prime minister that they look like bad losers.
Italy and the City of Milan bring actions before #ECJ and #GC respectively for annulment of #EUCO decision re. EMA move to Amsterdam after #Brexit (Cases C-59/18 and T-46/18) #Italy and @PaoloGentiloni seems to be bad losers. 🙁
— M's-world (@Ms_world_2008) January 31, 2018
Elsewhere, Volkswagen’s reputation took yet another hit thanks to yet another emissions scandal.
The EU says it’s ‘shocked’ by the German automaker running tests in which 10 monkeys were locked into airtight chambers and made to breathe diesel exhausts from a VW beetle.
EU says it's 'shocked' by German automaker monkey tests in which 10 monkeys were locked into airtight chambers and made to breathe diesel exhausts from a VW beetle, while watching cartoons
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) January 30, 2018
At least they were watching cartoons.
“VW was making a concentrated lobbying effort in Brussels to try and win hearts and minds after Dieselgate. Fair to say that has gone down the tubes…” said James Crisp.
VW was making a concentrated lobbying effort in Brussels to try and win hearts and minds after Dieselgate. Fair to say that has gone down the tubes…
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) January 30, 2018
Selwyn Jones reported that only one Volkswagen lobbyist was suspended after ‘Monkeygate’.
[Ticker] Volkswagen lobbyist suspended after 'Monkeygate' https://t.co/McLD7EKd6i via @euobs #EU pic.twitter.com/HYWgRdz7lf
— Selwyn jones (@Selwynjones14) January 30, 2018
But Victoria Hurth said PR wasn’t the point! So they just “sack the person who didn’t cover it up well enough?”
What has this got to do with PR? Sack the person who didn't cover it up well enough? Shocking….VW suspends media chief amid scandal over fume tests on monkeys https://t.co/oqSBaEYhGR
— Victoria Hurth (@VictoriaHurth) January 31, 2018
Assaad Razzouk said once again, oil trumps lives.
Once again, oil trumps lives: Carmakers BMW, Daimler and VW prefer testing diesel fumes on people and monkeys rather acting on climate and moving decisively to electric carshttps://t.co/8moomBuTDF #scandal #NoMorality #NoEthics pic.twitter.com/wD3BkgFxrM
— Assaad Razzouk (@AssaadRazzouk) January 29, 2018
Craig Reucassel thought VW’s latest scandal was one of those “hold my beer” moments.
VW exec: this emissions scandal can’t get any worse.
VW tester: hold my beer. https://t.co/LyUlHuVylK— Craig Reucassel (@craigreucassel) January 30, 2018
And Berlaymonster wrote a fantasy headline: VW “shocked” at finding EU shuts journalists in an airtight chamber and fills room with noxious briefings.
VW "shocked" at findings EU shuts journalists in an airtight chamber and fills room with noxious briefings#fantasyheadlines
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) January 31, 2018
Finally, hundreds of people showed up on Wednesday night to launch the Brussels Binder, a database of female experts that aims to give women a voice on panels and policy debates.
500 people showed up to the #BrusselsBinder launch, congrats Paola & @bxlbinder team! Shout out to @SmetPascal & @TimmermansEU for their support to this great initiative pic.twitter.com/d91XPiqoSv
— Youssef Kobo (@Youssef_Kobo) February 1, 2018
Maria Mundt said it is only through leading by example that Brussels can claim to be capital of Europe.
A wholehearted thank you to the @bxlbinder team & the #men and #women who brought us one step closer to #Equality tonight – it is only with leading examples as this that #Brussels can claim to be the capital of #Europe #leadership #brusselsbinder https://t.co/oddtcMbWAL
— Maria Mundt (@MariaMundt) January 31, 2018
Hannelore Goeman said expertise abounds at the launch, airplay unfortunately much less.
Launch of #brusselsbinder Ambitie: meer vrouwelijke experts in panels. Expertise in overvloed, airplay helaas veel minder. Time for #change pic.twitter.com/Qjv6crzPau
— Hannelore Goeman (@HanneloreGoeman) January 31, 2018
And David Leavitt liked the name – yes it is reference to that time US Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney claimed he had “binders of women”.
Congrats to @bxlbinder on the launch of the Brussels Binder, a database of female experts willing to appear on policy panels in Europe. I love the nod to Mitt Romney with the name. #BXLbinder https://t.co/tgc9gfSgic
— David I. Leavitt? (@LeavittDC) February 1, 2018
That’s all for this week. Join me again next week for more of highs and lows, blunders and blows in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere and send in your suggestions using the hashtag #EUTweets.