Trump and Theresa's Bright Brexit Future. The Joy of Disney's Singing Princesses

Looking out from Tintern Abbey

With President Trump pronouncing at Davos that he and Theresa May are joined at the hip, and Theresa May emphasising that they are standing shoulder to shoulder, it is a relief that they "like each other a lot". What a relief too, in the light of an impending Brexit, that the President  sees the opportunity for a "tremendous increase" in UK-US trade. Downing Street has even asked officials here in the UK to prepare for a Trump visit later this year.

So how long could it take to get a trade deal? There is a report from the World Economic Forum back in 2016 on the question. It states that the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) crunched the numbers. Some countries like Panama, Columbia and Canada took seven to eleven years ot agree and implement a deal. However, out of the 19 deals considered, ten were signed within 18  months. On average, it then took anywhere between 18 months to 102 months for all the deals to be implemented, with an average of 45 months (nearly four years). That would be an average of five and a half years, assuming the chlorinated chicken issue can be dealt with and we can retain an NHS.

Jacob Rees-Mogg was exasperated by the cautious government approach and aim to stick to the EU as closely as possible. He used phrases like the UK becoming a vassal state of the EU and exerted pressure to leave the EU faster. There are mutterings again about Theresa May's future.

The Presidents Club charity event fallout has led to the closure of the club, the Prime Minister expressing concern about what it says about societal attitudes, and a Labour front bench attendee at the event stepping back from his role.

Spent the late afternoon giving a photoshow, by invitation, to a local community at a casual drop-in event. There were interesting and informative conversations. The unexpected highlight was the young girl (3 or 4 years old?) who was an authority on Disney Princesses and the films they were in. As it became quieter during the later part of the session, we switched the laptop to a YouTube half an hour of songs by Disney Princesses, to the absolute delight of the little princess who animatedly and joyously watched and commented on each one!