Corbyn's Custom Union and the Tory Dilemma of an Irish Border. Singular Lack of Snow in Milton

Monday, the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, gave a very lucid explanation of why the UK should be in a customs union with the EU. He gave a very practical example of the way a BMW mini was built, with components traversing the channel to and from the EU as the car was gradually assembled. Sadly, this was followed by the more unrealistic expectation that his negotiations for a new customs union after Brexit would result in still having a say in trade negotiations conducted by the EU.

The current reality is still that at the moment, whilst in the EU, the UK actually has the best customs union and a say in EU trade negotiations.

Best description of the hazards of brexit was by Sir Martin Donnelly, former Permanent Secretary, who said that a future outside the EU’s single market was like swapping a three-course meal for a packet of crisps!

There was a flurry of activity from the government as first the Trade Secretary Liam Fox was excluding the possibility of a customs union; Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson hinted that a hard border between Northern Ireland and Eire could be managed technologically as between two London boroughs (much to the incredulity of the interviewer); Followed by 10 Downing Street stating that there would be no hard border in Ireland.

A concerned Michel Barnier,  The EU’s chief negotiator, summoned the UK’s Brexit secretary, David Davis, to Brussels for crisis talks over his concern over the major differences that remain over the transition period. The EU will be finalising its document on the agreement reached on the transition period with the UK in the coming days.

Britain continues to be enthralled with the morbid fascination for the late winter that is 'The Beast from the East'. Chatting to someone via Skype based in Kent, they had at least five inches of snow today. Further East from us, in Norfolk, there too heavy snow had fallen in places. Here in Milton - a tentative snow flurry which disappeared into a returning blue sky. We did have some more spectacular snow flurries yesterday but the road and paths were soon clear again with just a hint of white remaining on the lawn.

The temperature today did stay around zero and threatens to plummet tonight. However, the bright sun meant that we had a good attendance at the Community Cafe today.