Voices all over warn us how with Brexit, the future will become sombre. So, you do feel surpise when meeting people who are banking on the opportunities that Brexit will offer. That’s what happened to me last week: a delegation met me in Brussels to discuss the subject!
It was representing retail shops at airports. I soon understood their point: if duties are again enforced on trade between the UK and the rest of Europe, duty free sales at airports could explode. Such sales within the EU as constituted at present are quite constrained: member states apply the same tariffs and taxes with equivalent effect to tariffs. This will change as soon as the UK exits the EU.
In recent years, tourist travel between European countries has developed hugely. Less so, it seems, sales at airports. With Brexit, new opportunities for duty free sales in the ever growing tourist market should emerge.
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Simone Veil
There was an upsurge of grief in France when the death of Simone Veil was announced. In her adolescence, the Nazis deported her to Auschwitz. She managed to survive. She became very active in politics as well as in the movement for pan-European unity and the struggle for women’s rights.
She became best known and a very controversial figure in 1974. As the minister for health in one of the governments under the Giscard d’Estaing presidency she piloted the law that allows for abortion in France. She endured ferocious attacks, some of which were highly personal and disgusting. In those days, there were only eight female MPs in the French Parliament; all others (obviously) were men. She carried the abortion law through on the back of votes from the Opposition socialists; many liberal and conservative MPs voted against.
Later she was elected to the European Parliament. In that forum, she maintained her defence of women’s rights. I am one of those who consider her political commitment as remarkable, even though I felt less enthusiastic about her European commitment, since it seemed to be too federalist in scope.
Simone Veil deserves full honours. Which is why the expression of grief at her death was widespread and above all, deserved.
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The EU Budget
Discussions are shaping up within the EU regarding how the Union’s budget will be structured in coming years. The UK’s departure will leave a gaping hole in the Union’s financial receipts since this country pays more into the Union’s treasury than it takes out. Recently, the UK’s contribution came close to 12 per cent of the total budget.
Due to this decline in income, there has to follow a reduction in the Union’s expenditure; alternatively, income should rise on the back of an increase in the payments members make to the Union’s budget.
Whatever the solution, it will not be liked. Those who rely on European financing for projects they wish to launch, will hardly be pleased to see these funds diminish. And for sure, nobody will relish the prospect of a rise in contributions that must be made.