Please do. And share a copy with Ed Davey as he seems over keen on the idea as some sort of panacea.

Thanks for linking back to the experts about rejoining a CU. It was worth reiterating that there is no magic wand that allows Brexit to be dismantled easily. Henig's article in "Encompass" is an interesting read about "what the EU think of the UK"

David - I've been arguing your main points on a daily basis in The Guardian. It's depressing that many commenters think "we can rejoin" when the key will always be what the EU thinks. Your article on that sums up the key issues well. It's troubling when MPs seem to have similar illusions.

Having looked at the deal, as far as I can, this seems for new drugs, not existing purchase ranges. A number of medical charities are keen for access to those drugs. I also understand the VFM of treatments will be assessed by NICE. Beyond scrutiny what sort of deal is preferable given the market?

Andrew. Aren't the LDs being disingenuous as the experts like Henig and others suggest any CU that the EU might consider (unlikely at all) won't do much for trade and GDP. A quick look at David Henig's feed here says as much.

I keep being told that it "is" 4% even when this report updates the losses as if 4% is a rounding error of covid...And that the impact to investment etc, isn't a problem. Politically it's a huge issue - and one the govt needs to grasp as a key problem with few mitigations

- i.e. £1m plus £7.5m repairs funded by Prince Andrew over 75 years. The rental at 2003 prices is around £113k/year. A further question about who provided the £7.5m could be justified too

Andrew - what might any review take account of? The 2005 NAO report is online. It goes through the processes applied by Crown Estates. "Front loading" a lease is not uncommon. The PAC review seem limited to asking about the VFM of a lease for 75 years under those terms -

Mark - it's worth looking up the 2005 NAO report which sets out the lease and terms. Process seems to have been followed. But....whether that provides for VFM for Crown Estates is another matter. Especially in the granting of a 75 year lease.

And those established parties will have support to enable them to lead/be in charge. They will understand their powers, the legal position and the financial systems and the like. So Reform have appointed someone who really has none of that knowledge. It is a choice whether to use that knowledge!

It's not so much that he's new and young - it's that he's been put in charge. In a vast majority of cases in local government, new (i.e. never before) Cllrs learn the ropes over a period, whilst their more experienced colleagues are appointed to cabinet and the like.

Delaying conflict probably allowed the UK to have the resources and organisation (lots of fighters and radar, etc ) to get a "score draw" in the Battle of Britain. It could be argued - that such a delay to direct conflict may have saved the UK from invasion in 1940

Given the state of the British forces in 1938, were we in a poor position to challenge Hitler ourselves. In mid '38 we had only around 50 Hurricanes and no Spitfires, a navy telling the PM they couldn't fulfil it's requirements in the Med region, and an army mainly aimed at policing an Empire.

David, does "CU" mean a bilateral arrangement - bespoke to the UK, like Turkey has or the EU CU which seems to be a members only arrangement? An arrangement that would need all members to agree to. And rather unlikely?

Definitely a like from me, I am an oldie - but off to see my home town band next week (Hard-Fi) and just want to hear the guys play