Language! No change there then.

The one thing Labour promised us in last July's election campaign was "change."  But most  people, whose major obsession is not politics,  can be forgiven for thinking that what we've been getting is the mixture very much as before.

 This is particularity true of  of the political debate itself, which continues to be conducted in intemperate, inappropriate and exaggerated language.

 Last week was immigration week.    Sir Keri Starmer, not in the heat of the moment but at his podium flanked by two Union Jacks, solemnly intoned that a "squalid" chapter of our politics (allegedly open immigration) had damaged our country "incalculably" and that Britain risks becoming "an island of strangers."  That last comment at least will make a fitting addition to the distasteful  Tory list of Enoch Powell’s "rivers of blood,"  Boris Johnson's "piccaninnies" and Theresa May's "hostile environment." 

This week started as Brexit-reset week.  Sir Keir hailed his achievement as "putting Britain back on the world stage," Rachel Reeves declared us now "the world's best placed country on trade."

 What excessive nonsense: it is nothing of the sort.  Nor is it the "betrayal" or "surrender" that the right-wing press dutifully insists.

 It is a measured but modest step in the direction  of improving the botched settlement by which the Johnson government "got Brexit done."

 For a restrained and rational discussion on the benefits of immigration please see the previous five posts.

 Here is a brief assessment of the of the changes the "reset" has made to our relations with the EU.

1. On everything, much of the detail still remains to be settled.

2.  On defence: we shall co-operate, may get a share of the EU procurement budget, but will have to pay a contribution.   A useful move in the right direction.

3. On mobility: only for youth, and nothing settled as yet.  

4.  On Erasmus +  (students and apprentices):  nothing at all

5.  On export of animals and plants: substantial reduction of SPS checks.  A major advantage for farmers and food exporters.

6.   On greater freedom for artists( musicians  etc.) to tour:  nothing at all 

7.  On mutual recognition of qualifications: nothing at all.

8.  On fishing : a curate's egg - great for Scottish salmon farmers, not so good for the fishing fleets

9.  On energy: should result in lower electricity bills.

 The discussions are to be repeated annually.  We have made a positive start, re-established ourselves as credible and supportive partners, though still very firmly a "third country," and cleared  the decks for future progress.

Let's hope the discussions and reporting of the completion of this round, and preparations for the next, can be conducted in a restrained and patient manner.  Personally I should like us to rejoin tomorrow, but that is not (yet) politically possible  Nor do I think the EU would at present be wiling to accept us back.  But slow and steady may eventually restore sanity. 

Part of our problem is the speed with which the debate moves.  One day it's  migration, then  BREXIT, then Garry Lineker, then starvation  in Gaza, and  today Trump's attempt to bully Cyril Ramaphosa, and two young Jews assassinated in the US. Perhaps hyperbole is the only way of catching our attention.  We never give ourselves time for thoughtful discussion