I’m feeling really sad today thinking about what we’ve lost over the last 5 years. But this is mixed with proud knowledge I, and many around me, did all we could to avert this disaster unfolding. This is a short thread to give a shout out to some of them 1/

First up is @GreenPartyMolly - I’ve already rung her today to say this and more. But she was both astute and persuasive in her tireless work before and after the referendum. I remain proud to have worked for her and supported her.
Second up is @ewgjones - one of the few who threw himself into election mode before the referendum and saw the pragmatic need for a persuasive targeted GreenerIn campaign. Without him @SW_GreenerIN probably wouldn’t have happened (or certainly looked very different)
Third up is my former colleague @aw_bell who pivoted quicker than anyone I knew through the grief of 2016 to try & make the best of the awful situation post referendum. He metaphorically shook me awake when I kinda wanted to hide under a duvet (and I think he did this for many)
Fourth up is Joe Williams - friend who helped set up @Bristol4Europe (who really led the national response post referendum). He was a calculated head in a room who dared to think big when others were panicking.
Next up is @OwenJones84 (who i don’t personally know) who has got a lot of shit off remainers post referendum. But he is perhaps the 1 person who I saw most on the campaign trail making a left wing case to stay in the EU. He did everything he could while the left was apathetic.
Stood next to @OwenJones84 on the campaign trail so often was @CarolineLucas - I can’t put into words how much work she has done on Brexit and how grateful I am. If you haven’t already watch her speech in Parliament yesterday. A leader so often when we need one.
Then there is the force of nature which is @TerryReintke - I’m so grateful how often she made her way to Brexit Island to support us however she could. Always coming here, always supportive and always caring. A friend the UK doesn’t always deserve
I could go on all night - but if you’ve got this far. Tell me you’re memories and who you are proud of. Honestly I want to hear. Tag them here and let’s give them the love and thanks they deserve
And then I just started thinking about the Brexit Bad Boys and how many ours of my life I spent reading about them to help produce https://t.co/d1B33dxikR - which means I need to give tearful shout outs to @carolecadwalla @chrisinsilico @shahmiruk @profcarroll as well. Thank you

More from Brexit

1/ A challenge in parsing Brexit news is that businesses are facing overlapping types of challenges that can be difficult to separate.

The key questions are:
1⃣ Given the model of Brexit chosen, could this have been prevented, and by whom?
2⃣ Can it get better?


2/ To put those another way:

"If you knew everything you needed to know and did everything right, is your existing business and delivery model still viable and competitive?"

The answer to that question determines if for you the problem is Brexit, or how Brexit was delivered.

3/ Some of the challenges at borders could have been prevented while still having the exact same model of Brexit (No Single Market, No Customs Union, but an FTA).

That they're appearing is an implementation failure and you can fully support Brexit but still be pissed about them.

4/ Examples include:

1) Government guidance and IT systems being ready earlier and/or easier to navigate;

2) More support for businesses, and more affordable bespoke help;

3) More time to prepare and better government communication about what preparation actually requires.

5/ This thread you've all seen from Daniel Lambert the wine merchant (primarily) deals with problems in this category.

There's no policy reason he can't export his product, but the procedures are a nightmare to navigate and he's badly under-supported.

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