No, it does seem clear that England won the race to be the first Western country to agree to take delivery and apply the vaccine. However, since they took no other part in discovering it or producing it, and are in the process of closing their border to the continent, there may be some unique logistical challenges to follow.

This sounds like a variation of True Scotsman..
UK vaccines, China, CCCP, US vaccines ... spoiled for choice.

Note that I didn’t at all claim that the UK hasn’t participated in the race to develop a vaccine. In fact, they have at least one highly credible candidate. It’s just that the particular vaccine BJ celebrated as a great national triumph was created by Turkish immigrants to Germany, developed in conjunction by a US multinational company and actually manufactured in Belgium. It should be properly celebrated as a triumph of globalism and for that matter capitalism, albeit backstopped by massive pre-orders from several governments.

Yes, the Turkish prof was interviewed by the BBC 2 who asked how he would celebrate .. he responded "tea" to which the BBC interviewer congratulated the prof on a fine British tradition... interviewer not knowing Turkey is big into tea. Ouch. In fact, it is #1, UK #3, Ireland #2.

So, as a foreigner and not a native speaker of this very rich language, I’m sure that I’m missing something. But, to use as a negotiation ploy in trying to achieve a new agreement the idea that maybe, just maybe, we won’t break the law and unilaterally discard parts of a closely related agreement with you that we signed a few months ago, seems a bit rich. But I’m sure the Eurish peeps will roll over and accept their allotment of mackerel and haddock. You shall have a fishy...

We did vote overwhelmingly for this government. Call me old fashioned, but this seems like a Good Thing.

Now “this” means the international law breaking part? It doesn’t trouble me deeply, it just seems to reduce the UK to the level of, well, the US under Trump.

I meant voting for the people who are now doing the negotiating.

But I’ve anyway never really understood the concept of international law, Geneva Convention, etc.

What's the fun of agreements you can't break. They will never accept ECJ as final arbiter. Still. Singapore on the Wash is tempting. You can always have a go. Bon voyage.

Logic is gone. It's all emotion at this stage.

What's the fun of agreements you can't break. They will never accept ECJ as final arbiter. Still. Singapore on the Wash is tempting. You can always have a go. Bon voyage.

Logic is gone. It's all emotion at this stage.

In all fairness, the vote was mostly about emotion to begin with. To the extent logic came into play, it was mostly founded on the sort of premises that would fit on the side of a bus.

You guys! 

If you spend more than £390 in shops elsewhere in Europe this summer, get ready to pay customs duties and VAT on your return – which can easily add 20% or more to the price paid.

Navigating the rules is not easy. You have to declare where the item was made as well as where it was bought. That €500 item of adult clothing bought in Spain comes with a £99 charge if it was made outside the EU but £86.08 if made inside.

If you live in Northern Ireland, then it’s a completely different story, with the province treated as if it is inside the EU for customs purposes. That means the tax on an item of adult clothing bought in Barcelona and taken home to Belfast is zero.

Are you saying

A) There’s more than one university in Ireland now? (Universities)

Or that

B) Ireland is a back-up option, like Bristol is to Oxbridge?

They gotta go somehere and paying 30K for overrated courses at overrated universities is losing its appeal. Especially when you are not wanted.

Oh you Brexeiteers, keeping people in the dark.

Almost 35,000 Britons in limbo as Portugal fails to issue post-Brexit ID cards

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... t-id-cards

In July, Junior had an appendix operation; all costs paid by EU insurance.  Only pay symbolic EU 1.50 for the apothecary prescription.