politics

UK's Hunt says Britain can flourish even without Brexit deal

41 Comments
By Ken Moritsugu

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41 Comments
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What else is he going to say really? The people made their decision, and now they have to live with the reality of their choice.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Hunt, who lived in Japan in the early 1990s, delivered a short speech without notes in Japanese to about 50 people from UK-Japan exchange programs.

What's the point of this? So he can speak Japanese, there are plenty of foreigners in Japan who can do the same. It this supposed to be some "sugoi" moment here? Really now, pandering to the audience is not necessary.

Just another case of trying to make something "special" out of nothing!

8 ( +14 / -6 )

Jeremy Hunt praised for becoming first UK minister to give speech in Japanese

https://news.sky.com/story/jeremy-hunt-praised-for-becoming-first-uk-minister-to-give-speech-in-japanese-11501479

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Jeremy Hunt praised for becoming first UK minister to give speech in Japanese

Wow, I suppose that makes him a "hero" because he was the first? I think not. This is just as condescending as folks that get all giddy because some Japanese politician makes a speech in English. So what?!?!

Just another "sugoi" moment? Come on, the guy lived here before, one would expect he would know at least SOME Japanese.

Really now, Japan is a NON-English speaking country, learning to speak Japanese, like any other language is nothing really special anymore, it's not like the country is still isolated. It's been a major economic force for literally decades, and it behooves folks who come here to at least make an attempt to communicate in the language of the land.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

...says the man who tried to destroy the NHS.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Good for him to speak and use Japanese, if he has the ability, I think it would be greatly appreciated by his audience. I found it funny, though, I thought this was included as a promotion for the Jet program, and how it works and the people who lived and worked in Japan all those years ago went on to become world leaders,etc. But it seems Mr. Hunt didn't come over on that program but worked for one of the Eikawa schools, but it is never mentioned by name.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Not necessary but no doubt appreciated that he spoke Japanese.

Whether he said anything of worth is another matter altogether.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I found it funny, though, I thought this was included as a promotion for the Jet program, and how it works and the people who lived and worked in Japan all those years ago went on to become world leaders,etc.

Just curious here, out of the nearly 150,000 participants in the JET program since it's start back in 1987, how many are world leaders today?

(Serious question, and not meant to be taken sarcastically either)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

And he's right.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Under a no-deal scenario, the UK would leave the EU without establishing rules for future trade between Britain and the 27 remaining EU member countries.

That is the most likely scenario. They won't come to an agreement. And neither will the Canadians and Americans. It looks like NAFTA is dead in the water as well. There will be an agreement between the US and Mexico, and both seem happy to throw Canada under the bus.

This leaves a UK with no Europe and a Canada without Nafta. There is no other choice but for them to team up along with OZ and NZ and form the trade bloc CANZUK. In this day of globalizantion, not being in a large trading bloc can hurt your global standing. Nearly every corner of the planet has its bloc- Africa has the African Union South America has Unionof South American Nations (even though its going through a hiccup stage now).

There has been talk of some kind of FTA between the UK and the US and also about the UK joining NAFTA, but it would probably be political suicide to do so. Not to mention the US is showing itself to be an extremely unreliable parter. Other options have been to join the TPP. Personally, I still think the only real option that UK has is to form a CANZUK union with the other 3 countries (CAN, OZ NZ) that has an FTA and open borders agreement within the 4 countries.

I can't think of a better option going forward for the UK.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The uk will be ok with it's 'keep calm and carry on' motto -

You can bet the eu are going to play the bitter ex-partner though - they have to keep the other 27 in check

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

You can bet the eu are going to play the bitter ex-partner though - they have to keep the other 27 in check

Just wait and see who will be bitter..recent polls show that the Brits are getting insecure :)

0 ( +5 / -5 )

"The UK will flourish and prosper as one of the strongest economies in the world whatever the outcome of these talks," Hunt said, noting its business-friendly environment

Business is moving out to the continent..

and strong universities.

Oh definitely, with many foreign talents on the campus..

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

What people fail to realise is how explicitly linked the UK is with Europe, goods pass through borders without delay. Laws and regulations are written Europe wide. The UK works on a system called 'just in time' bringing 40% of it's food from the EU. If all of this is cut or disturbed, it will be a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare.

When he says:

A "no-deal" Brexit is possible... but I don't think it's in anyone's interest for that to happen. So that's why we are cautiously optimistic that we will get a deal. But there's a lot of work to do to get there."

Yes, if a no-deal happens, it will plunge the UK into a crazy recession.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

There are a lot of economic deals going on with Japan and the UK. The UK is also trying to entice a lot of Japanese companies and employeers to stay on with them despite Brexit.

So whats the surprise that they send a man who can speak to and charm the crowd. If Japan sent a diplomat or even a representative, Id hope he or she would speak their language well and relate well too.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Apparently the recent Japan-EU agreement stipulates that Japan will have to get EU permission to offer the same terms to the other trading partners, e.g. the post-Brexit UK.

The mess of Brexit means that most senior cabinet posts in the UK are held by stooges while others wait in the shadows. I have more faith in the EU letting the UK down lightly than anyone in the UK government powerfully negotiating a well-reasoned settlement.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

...says the man who tried to destroy the NHS.

Indeed. The man is a monster. Do not trust a word he says.

He is also speaking nonsense about Brexit - it's a disaster.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Brexit was a golden opportunity for the UK to rethink its social & economic model (and reduce the massive gap between the haves and the have nots) yet it seems they want pretty much the same except they'll soon have a giant superpower on their doorstep. Just doesn't make much sense.

Your chavs will remain unemployed or (if they're lucky) managed/exploited by highly educated/skilled euros (who are already there) and Brits. Business as usual.

Honestly I would have supported a 'true' Brexit I.e. F globalisation, F the EU, let's do this our own way etc but this is not what this Brexit is about.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

cautiously optimistic 

is that something like 'a definite maybe' ?

....and if the UK is going to "flourish" either way, what does it matter......?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This should be 3 stories.

Japanese companies in Europe and UK will be stuffed when UK leaves.

British warships are harassing shipping in international waters on the other side of the world.

Only one foreign secretary in the world can make a short speech in Japanese to 50 people.
-2 ( +1 / -3 )

............but Theresa May has to speak not just for the 52 percent who voted for Brexit, she has to speak for 100 percent of the country," he added.

Worth mentioning that 52% *of those who bothered to vote** *voted for Brexit and they represented only about one third of eligible voters.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Let me get this straight. That ivory palace in prime central Tokyo land, paid for out of taxpayers money, was used as a stage to announce that it was ok to be leaving a lucrative trade union of European nations without an exit deal?

Its no coincidence that such an extravagant expense to British taxpayers money staged a government excuse for such a monumental economic mess.

Oh hold on, he held a 'short' speech in Japanese without any notes - we'll all be fine then.

Japanese businesses in the UK will read about Hunt's no Brexit deal safety plan made to some JET students and will start to make serious UK exit plans this week.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

gold, a huge opportunity was missed by Cameron. Why? Because he was self-typically interested in turning the Brexit vote into a personal popularity vote.

What he had to do was so very simple. The referendum should clearly have stated that a yes to Brexit vote was not binding (legally it wasn't until they went to the High Court), but would be used as a clear message to Brussels that the UK wanted a renegotiation of its deal with the EU. And with that yes vote he would have had a huge stick to take to Brussels and Brussels would have taken the threat very seriously. And the UK could have threatened an actual Brexit if there was no renegotiation.

But oh no, Cameron wanted to make the vote binding and also ended up taking the wrong advice (the polls predicted a no remain vote).

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

After losing its colonial might, UK lost its industrial might as well (thanks to the Thatcher disaster). Now they're even retiring from the only economical alliance they've had and are in a posture of begging for a deal...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This man talks the same amount of BS as Mr Trump, "The UK will flourish and prosper as one of the strongest economies in the world whatever the outcome of these talks, really? your totally deranged mate! when I was in Southern Ireland the other week, in the news paper it showed a map of the whole of the EU showing growth amount the countries, SI was one of the winners with about 5.8% France 1.7, Sweden 2.4 Germany/Denmark 1.9, Slovenia 4.4 % etc but the UK growth is 1.3% the lowest of all the EU countries, how the heck will or can we flourish? is this guy deluded? does he know whats he's talking about? I run my own small company and our work is drying up, when Ive talked to a lot of other company owners they are saying the same thing, works drying up, I am totally convinced that leaving the EU is the biggest mistake the UK has ever made, the system was not perfect, as of next year we will be standing all alone, when we was given the referendum vote about leaving we was sold a pack of lies full stop, so we, the public, made up our mind and voted accordingly, but now the truth has come out, I wonder if we the public would vote the same way again. I really don't think that we would vote "out"

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Worth mentioning that 52% *of those who bothered to vote** *voted for Brexit and they represented only about one third of eligible voters.

The weakest link of elections and especially referendums, a low turn out of voters..

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Britain hasn't flourished in decades and I doubt a miracle is going to occur after Brexit.

As for his Japanese speech, it wasn't amazing, but better than many eikaiwa lifers here who can't even read katakana after 20 years in the country.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The weakest link of elections and especially referendums, a low turn out of voters..

A 72% turnout for the Brexit vote wasn’t bad.

Hunt is a tit.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

UK votes to leave the EU, were the most significant turn out in electoral history well that least 1992

UK votes to leave the EU

https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results

Counting Officers have verified that a total of 33,568,184 ballot papers will be included in the count for the referendum. Based on a confirmed electorate of 46,500,001, turnout at the referendum was 72.2 percent," the the Electoral Commission has stated …...

However the mapping reveals a huge and worrying generational divide.

Mapping the Brexit vote

http://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/oxford-and-brexit/brexit-analysis/mapping-brexit-vote

Generation wars over Brexit – and beyond: how young and old are divided over social values

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/generation-wars-over-brexit/

I am afraid British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt doesn't inspire confidence from British electorate no matte what written spoken forms, Japanese or his native tongue

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The only industry in which the U.K excels is financial services.

Anything that hammers that really takes away the only industry in which Britain genuinely leads the world.

Its not a popular opinion perhaps in the U.K given the deeds of the financial sector past and present but it is reality. What else does the U.K make or produce that is world leading or even comparable with the very best?

Its a country between a rock and hard place. Doesn't have a natural commodity base, like Australia other than the North Sea and so needs to compete in the mid-high end.

Will be interesting to see if they can still have a leading role in some defense European defense projects. That would be a positive sign. In the face of rising competition from China in particular, its pretty obvious that Europe will be absolutely intent on looking after their own. They have no choice. Britain should have been a part of that.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What else does the U.K make or produce that is world leading or even comparable with the very best?

Jet engines and other aerospace equipment? Defense? Aren't Rolls Royces and Bentleys manufactured in the UK? 60% of the world's mobile devices had chips by ARM, a British company, a few years ago. I don't know about now, the current (pro-Remainer) UK govt allowed the Japanese to takeover the manufacturer, , the kind of moronic move that hopefully will end if Brexit results in a national industrial program that protects, rather than gives away, the nation's finest industrial assets.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

60% of the world's mobile devices had chips by ARM, a British company, a few years ago.

ARM is no chip maker but a designer leading with a design based on limited energy use..

It's not like as some ignorants believe that without the design a phone doesn't work...there are, as always, alternatives

Softbank has the money and on the Rainy Island they know: 'Money talks and bs walks...'

I don't know about now, the current (pro-Remainer) UK govt allowed the Japanese to takeover the manufacturer, , the kind of moronic move that hopefully will end if Brexit results in a national industrial program that protects, rather than gives away, the nation's finest industrial assets.

Which assets? Aston Martin?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

UK votes to leave the EU, were the most significant turn out in electoral history well that least 1992

UK votes to leave the EU

https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results

*Counting Officers have verified that a total of 33,568,184 ballot papers will be included in the count for the referendum. Based on a confirmed electorate of 46,500,001, turnout at the referendum was 72.2 percent,***" the the Electoral Commission has stated …...**

72.2 % is a lot for the UK as between 2000 and 2012 parliament elections have an average of around 60%.

In most continental countries the turn out during that period is significantly higher except for France.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

He's absolutely right. The people spoke, and the UK needs European law like a hole in the head!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

ARM is no chip maker but a designer

Yeah, I know that. And the designs are produced in the UK, as the poster questioned whether the UK "produces" anything important other than financial services.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In theory, he is correct, but the reality is more complicated. One major issue is Ireland and their borders. In addition, it will take time for the UK to develop valuable trade deals without the EU.

How will this affect Japanese expats living in the UK?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm relatively ok with these mad gurriers at the helm in the UK.

Ireland will be a nation once again and maybe Scotland will achieve independence.

Those who voted Brexit will have to adjust and er, flourish without those they oppressed.

Your chavs will remain unemployed or (if they're lucky) managed/exploited by highly educated/skilled euros (who are already there) and Brits.

Note to readers: Chavs is a derogatory term for your average wc person in the UK who hasn't had access to upper/middle class privileges.

Surprised to see that term used here.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ireland will be a nation once again and maybe Scotland will achieve independence.

Agree that Ireland will most likely leave- especially if there isn't A. an agreement on the Irish border and B. if there is a complete hard brexit with no agreement between the EU and the UK. Scotland could conceivably stay if and only if there is another bloc that the UK can join and that's why CANZUK is so important.

http://www.canzukinternational.com/

If it doesn't happen, as many here have rightly predicted, the UK will be in a serious mess. Each and every day it is becoming clearer that the UK itself is divided on how to get on with this much less be able to provide the EU with a coherent strategy on how to move forward. So a managed brexit isn't going to happen. This means the UK will have to look somewhere else to cushion the fall. For that reason, they need to pursue Canzuk or, as you said, risk losing BOTH N Ireland AND Scotland with the status quo.

Those who voted Brexit will have to adjust and er, flourish without those they oppressed.

Agree-but remember, alot of English, especially those in the cities voted to stay. Those people are just as oppressed as the Scots and the N Irish.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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