Two Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels are being sent as a ‘precautionary measure’ in the face of blockade threats from French fishermen.

It is being reported that French authorities have threatened to cut electricity supply to the island and that around 60 French fishing vessels plan to blockade the main port of St Helier due to issues relating to fishing.

A Government spokesperson was quoted as saying:

“The prime minister and chief minister stressed the urgent need for a de-escalation in tensions and for dialogue between Jersey and France on fishing access. The prime minister underlined his unwavering support for Jersey. He said that any blockade would be completely unjustified. As a precautionary measure the UK will be sending two Offshore Patrol Vessels to monitor the situation. They agreed the UK and Jersey governments would continue to work closely on this issue.”

Sky News also report here that France have accused the UK of using red tape to limit fishing around Jersey in breach of the Brexit agreement, threatening retaliation.

“With regards to Jersey, I would remind you, for example, of electricity transmission by underwater cable. So, we have the means,” French maritime minister Annick Girardin reportedly said.

Avatar photo
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
125 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
James
James
2 years ago

Why take it out on Jersey? Its as much French as it is British.

Challenger
Challenger
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Jersey is British through and through. Sour grapes seems to sadly be the order of the day in many parts of Europe at the moment.

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Challenger

Certainly sour grapes and quite an idiotic move from the French really.

Jersey however is not British through and through, it has a huge French influence on the island throughout history.

OkamsRazor
OkamsRazor
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Have you ever been to Jersey?

Connor
Connor
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Idiots? The French?

Well I never.

Rob N
Rob N
2 years ago
Reply to  James

It is a UK protectorate. It is self governing but relies on the UK for defence and foreign policy.

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  James

It’s not really about Jersey herself but about what the UK do in Jersey about the fishing rights. From the french papers view, the french politician involved is trying to avoid a threat against the EU because the UK seem to have add some new line in the fishing right and is pretty slow to deliver the rights to french fisherman, all of this just to use it as a blackmail in a new deal with the EU. So here, the french action of cut electricity is seen as a reprisal because of an UK action. NB: I’m not trying… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Hermes
Farouk
Farouk
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Hermes,
The U.K. has no say on the matter as Jersey is not part of theUk, it has its own Parliament and issues it’s own laws. And just for the matter , the fishing laws it has implemented apply to fishing boats from the U.K. as well.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Do you mean that the French wouldn’t use some perverse interpretation of EU law to stop import of anything or stop something happening if it was not “in the national interest”!!!??

Part of the reason the UK got (and I was pro EU) done over all the time is that it played things pretty straight. Whereas France and Italy were constantly plating games.

geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  James

It most certainly does but the Union Jack flies alongside the Jersey Saltire with no sign of the Tricolor

Trevor
Trevor
2 years ago
Reply to  Challenger

With every move they make, the EU ruling elite show more clearly their true nature, and why Brexit was the correct decision.

TrevorH
TrevorH
2 years ago
Reply to  Challenger

If France us not careful less and less sour grapes will end up in bottles on British dinner tables. I dont drink much these days, but I prefer Chillian.

Azincourt
Azincourt
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Jersey is not part of the UK at the governmental level however as a Crown Dependency the UK is responsible for defence and foreign policy. The sovereign authority for Jersey & Guernesey & the Isle of Man is the UK under the Crown .

Azincourt
Azincourt
2 years ago
Reply to  Azincourt

I think it was just the bit about the Sovereign authority. I think your Wiki reference might actually say that somewhere ? If not it should .

Azincourt
Azincourt
2 years ago
Reply to  Azincourt

If you put to one side the historical particularities of Crown Dependencies ( Duchy of Normandy etc ) for the CI’s then the relationship is like the Overseas Territories . All self – governing , not part of the UK but with the UK having defence & foreign policy responsibility & being the sovereign state . I tried to explain it to the french but self governing to them is unheard of . Their territories and dependencies are mostly part of France and they cant see beyond that.

David Power
David Power
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Jersey isn’t french and never has been. Jersey has been loyal to the crown since Charles 2nd.

Nate m
Nate m
2 years ago
Reply to  James

remember their brains are filled with brie cheese!

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago

Hey, the CSG is just about worked up… Send that!

Even French fisherman might think twice with 70k tons of metal steaming towards them and a few F35s hovering above.

Obviously its a bit ironic we’ve invested in a globe trotting capability as war breaks out in the Channel but there you go 🙂

Azincourt
Azincourt
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

It’s probably half way to Scotland by now . The two Rivers should be more than enough . A T45 due to join the CSG was still in the Channel region today though. Practicing gunnery I heard .!

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  Azincourt

Nah – send the lot! Get the LPDs out there too!

We haven’t had a war with France for ages and after Iraq and Afghan we need a morale raiser 🙂

Azincourt
Azincourt
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

Well that would inevitably involve the RM . That would definitely sort them out .

SwindonSteve
SwindonSteve
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

Well Normandy is technically English!

BobA
BobA
2 years ago
Reply to  SwindonSteve

I think you’ll find that England is technically Norman 😁

Airborne
Airborne
2 years ago

I always differentiate between the French Government and the French military. The military are great friends and allies, professionals and up for a ruck, and know we are there for them, as they are for us, while the French Government is full of second rate hangers on who would do and say anything to suck up to their well subsidised supporters. Macron has got to be the worst of a bad bunch for a very long time. Anyway, back to the story…..French gits….🤣

TrevorH
TrevorH
2 years ago
Reply to  Airborne

Up to 10,000 of the military high ups have signed a letter or petition to Macron, angry about French values being diluted… by immigrants.

farouk
farouk
2 years ago

Personally , I want to see France cut off all the electricity to Jersey and then see the 100+ French fishing boats blocking Jersey. At a stroke the world will see the French for what they really are, the EU will be exposed for the infantile bully it has become and the Uk can take both the EUSSR (in the making) and the French to the courts.

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  farouk

Nothing is white or black.

When you read the french papers about this story its not as simple as a threat.

In fact the french see a threat from the UK in the fish management of Jersey since they have add some lines in the “contract”, not specified with the EU.

So… another political “war” between the EU and UK about the fishs.

As a french I see that just ridicoulous from all point…

Farouk
Farouk
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Hermes, The local jersey paper explained the situation that the new rules were promulgated as of the 1st January 2021. I quote “”The Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement, TECA, is quite clear that vessels should provide evidence of their fishing in our waters. They had to provide evidence of ten days’ worth of fishing in order to qualify for a licence. TECA envisages that we would give them a licence to fish to the same extent as for the past three years.’ There were, he explained, two other issues causing tension. One was the number of dredging lines that could… Read more »

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  Farouk

Thanks to show me this

Andy P
Andy P
2 years ago

So will this be Cod War IV ???

We should maybe sub contract it to ze Jarmans, the French have a pretty poor record against those lads. 😂

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Hands down one of the funniest comments I’ve read in a long time 😂

The Big Man
The Big Man
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

I think Activision might have something to say on that.

Turenne
Turenne
2 years ago

Remember: “Brexit means Brexit”? The PM signed a hasty agreement the full implications of which he did not understand (as for N.I.). Now the chickens have come to roost and he’s playing the military card. Will play well in the British popular press and, dare I say on the UKDJ forum. However, it is fair to say that most EU leaders (see Barnier’s book published today) have lost faith in HM’s Government to keep its word. It is very sad and the sooner we come to an amicable agreement on this matter, as on the Irish border, the better. Bellicose… Read more »

Andy
Andy
2 years ago

Fighting each other over fish. Go get China while there is still a chance at a global managable fish stock.

dan
dan
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Not allowed. China Joe holds the Chicoms near and dear to his heart.

Jonny
Jonny
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

💤

Heidfirst
Heidfirst
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy
dan
dan
2 years ago

French fishermen – “We surrender.”

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  dan

In all fairness, French workers aren’t shy at taking direct action!

The French Elite and the Government are however more the surrendering types.

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

pretty true…

Levi Goldsteinberg
Levi Goldsteinberg
2 years ago

Insanely careless language coming out of the French government, what on Earth has gotten into them?

SwindonSteve
SwindonSteve
2 years ago

Macron appears to have had a go on Von Der Leyen and is like a teenager in love..

Last edited 2 years ago by SwindonSteve
farouk
farouk
2 years ago
Reply to  SwindonSteve

Steve,
She’s far too young for him.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  farouk

😂

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago

Nothing is white or black. When you read the french papers about this story its not as simple as a threat. In fact the french see a threat from the UK in the fish management of Jersey since they have add some lines in the “contract”, not specified with the EU. So, for the french politician involved, it’s an UK threat against the EU… So… another political “war” between the EU and UK about the fishs. As a french I see that just ridicoulous from all point… NB: Did you have see any “easy” relation between England and France in… Read more »

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Unfortunately french fisherman have a long history of threatening their UK counterparts even ehen the UK was following french rules. The French are 100% wrong – if they want licences follow Jersey rules. Simple.

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  OldSchool

“Unfortunately french fisherman have a long history of threatening their UK counterparts”

I dont think it’s only in one way.
We have the same tensions with spanish, sometimes we have heard about some little wars with gunfights between fishing boat…

“if they want licences follow Jersey rules.”
Not as simple with the brexit deal… From the french view, it’s the UK who have break the rules and is a threat.

I dont understand how our politicians (UK/FR and even EU) are not able to be intelligent and must use the civilians life as hostage for themselves.

Last edited 2 years ago by Hermes
Badger.
Badger.
2 years ago

One point which is not being mentioned is that the Jersey Electricity Co has two power stations on standby which can meet our needs if the French were to cut our link to their grid. I think that everyone here is very glad that the navy is on its way.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

This is a defence site so I won’t mention politics but seriously what are the skippers of the OPVs expected to do? How can an OPV stop the French turning the power off? If the RN boards and arrests French fishing boats what will the implications of that be? What happens if the French send a Frigate too? Tub thumpers aside this is all very VERY stupid.

Steve
Steve
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

It’s just polictical deflection. French government is no doubt trying to deflect from issues at home, and the UK gov is trying to deflect from the fact they have completely stitched up the fishing industry with the deal. All in all it will come to nothing other than media stories and sound bites.

Last edited 2 years ago by Steve
Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve

I think too…

I’m not interesting in fishing industry so I cant really understand everything about the problems but from my point of view it’s really hard to understand how the question can be so hard since we are neighbor since centuries…

Politics create problems from nothing.
If they can turn as physics law, how wonderful can be the universe !

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

It’s the French playing silly buggers so you will need to convince them they’re being idiots. The rest of us know already.

As for cutting power UK should bsn ALl french fishing boats from UK waters until further notice. Boarding in Jersey/UK waters is likely entirel legal.

Ron
Ron
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Rob, If the RN sent the whole fleet to the Channel Islands they can and nothing wrong, if the French sent a single OPV that is not in distress or has permission that can be seen as an act of war. As someone pointed out the Channel Islands are a Crown Dependency left over from the old Norman conquest. If I am to be really correct there is still the theoretical links of the English/ Normandy. I’m not 100% sure but even the three lions of England is an extension of the two lions of Normandy. In all reallity this… Read more »

Steve
Steve
2 years ago
Reply to  Ron

It’s polictics. Boris and the brexitiers made an huge issue around fishing, and industry that represents 0.01% of our economy, as it was seen as an easy industry for people to understand how EU membership impacted it. What everyone seemed to forget was most of the fish was sold into Europe (which I mentioned here many times) and so our government and newspapers are playing silly git over our waters (for example taking forever to grant licences to fish in our waters to foreign boats), without realising they are also damaging our fishing industry (not being able to sell their… Read more »

Ron
Ron
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Agreed, to be honest I would take the politicians from both sides and bash their heads together. I would expect better from a child, then again most children have better brains than politicians.

James
James
2 years ago

Just as Martlet and Sea Venom are coming online, Lets deploy some Wildcats to Jersey to supplement the OPVs

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Funny to read some “go to war” even with an island at some km off the french coast.
Just for some politics who try to play a political game where none of us is really involved…

Did you really want to go in a war against France just for the fish law and the brexit ?
I hope it’s a joke or the brits are more infected by stupidity than what I ever thinked…

Just for your information, before going at war dont forget that our coasts are in range of artillery (Jersey/Dover)… Noneeds for missile.

Last edited 2 years ago by Hermes
Andy P
Andy P
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Hermes, the internet is a strange place. Its easy to shout for war when you’re sat at home picking your nose. It can generate a bit of drama on an otherwise boring day.

I really can’t see the UK and the French going to war any time soon but sadly there will be some who fantasise about it.

ChariotRider
ChariotRider
2 years ago
Reply to  Hermes

Hi Hermes,

I would suggest that some of the comments are ‘tongue in cheek’ and is more a reflection of odd British humour.

The whole situation has been elevated to silly levels by the threat to cut off the electrical supply to Jersey. If those comments had not been made I doubt it would be such an issue here and perhaps the situation would be easier to sort out, but politicians sometimes have to be seen to be tough which is not always helpful.

We live in stange times.

Nice posts by the way.

Cheers CR

Peter P.
Peter P.
2 years ago

The French play well, they defend their fishing industry. And also their defence industry, by the way: they have just sell 30 more Rafale to Egypt this week…

Peter P.
Peter P.
2 years ago
Reply to  Peter P.

sold*. With a quite nice 4 €bn contract.

Geoffrey Roach
Geoffrey Roach
2 years ago

Love the country, love the people, hate the government…and in my experience that goes for a lot of Bretons too.

Hermes
Hermes
2 years ago
Reply to  Geoffrey Roach

Politicals are another specie I think…

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
2 years ago

Someone might think there was an imminent election….

David
David
2 years ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

My thoughts. Have ‘6’ been stirring up the locals, strange timing.

Geoffrey Roach
Geoffrey Roach
2 years ago
Reply to  David

I could answer that but I would have to…..I think you get the message.

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Geoffrey Roach

😉 😉

I’ll get mi coat and find a French trawler to whisk me out of UK for my own safety. I’ll use a big sports bag to pack my things 🙂

Geoffrey Roach
Geoffrey Roach
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Probably wise.

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

In France?

James
James
2 years ago

Where are those that suck up to the French constantly on this and say they are allies? Who needs enemies when you have friends like France?

David
David
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Airborne explained the difference earlier in the thread.

David
David
2 years ago

Oh look, someone has stirred up the French on Polling day and the Royal Navy are sending TWO OPVs. Strange timing.

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  David

Why? What are the French trying to distract from?

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

Oh dear Chap, this is perfectly timed for Major Bluffer Blojo Sleaze to display some posture and inspire the brexiteers to vote for a con again.

Lisa West (Comment Moderator)
Lisa West (Comment Moderator)
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Hi, please keep in mind our comment moderation policy with regards to party politics.

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Is it? So the Jersey Govt is in cahoots with Boris to upset the French for a very minor advantage? And its not just a predictable outcome of the tension and conflicts at national and local levels and the local govt possibly being less than competent (OMG the shock and surprise!) combined with grossly OTT French emotional responses. You know full well any PM, Blair/Brown etc would have sent OPVs, whose job it is to monitor fisheries – to monitor a significant fishery dispute that has boats sailing round harassing people and threatening them. Your dislike of Boris blinds you,… Read more »

Mike
Mike
2 years ago

I think this may just be posturing by the french president, he has elections shortly and wants to look tough regarding fishing to appease the electorate.

Paul Corcoran
Paul Corcoran
2 years ago

This is a non-story. Just a bit of pathetic electioneering probably by the tories. Try looking into the fact before getting all jingoistic.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul Corcoran

I’m afraid that jingoism is the default setting for some!🤢

DJ
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul Corcoran

Electioneering by the Tories? I think they have plenty of other things to think about, as do Labour.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul Corcoran

I suppose it was the Tories fault a French minister talks of cutting power supplies….🙄

Jonathan S
Jonathan S
2 years ago

Hi all, I’ve been an avid reader of this site for a while now but as I’m not ex-military there was little value for me to add. However in this instance I do live on the little rock that is Jersey. Just read the posts on this matter. As of now we can see the French boats grouped around the bay where our main harbour lies. One of the OPVs is further off watching. They were in the harbour earlier this morning and did briefly disrupt our primary commercial goods vessel from leaving for a couple hours, but eventually let… Read more »

Herodotus
2 years ago

This is a quote from the remarkably well informed BBC 😁😁

HMS Severn and HMS Tamar are based in Portsmouth. They are both 90.5m in length, have two large guns, including a short-range anti-aircraft weapon, and are crewed by 45 sailors and up to 50 Royal Marines.

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Laughable reporting by the BBC – two… warships… have arrived. Don’t tell HMT, they’ll cut funding for T31, 😉

geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Terrifying Herodotus. From the service supposed to set the standard for the rest of the world!!! the whole affair much ado about nothing but stirred up by the ill informed and Colonel Blimps. Having said taht though(says he really TRYING to be objective) i think the French overstepped the mark with the threat to the electricity supply. Regards

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  geoff

Here is the link:

UK sends Royal Navy ships to patrol Jersey amid fishing row with France – BBC News

French politicians feeding their tabloids in an election year!

Last edited 2 years ago by Herodotus
geoff
geoff
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

PS-I got 4 howlers-Severn shorter than Tamar, two BIG guns,anti-aircraft weapon, and crewed by..Royal marines. 😁

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Read that earlier. I guess by the AA weapon they mean the GPMG?

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
2 years ago

Maybe they mean between the two vessels there are two large guns (1 x 20mm on Severn & 1 x 30mm on Tamar) with Tamar’s 30mm being considered short range anti-air?

It also says they are crewed by sailors with up to 50 Royal marines on board for interdictions & spot checks etc… Unless the report has been updated it doesn’t say crewed by RM.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

Check the link I provided above…it says: ‘and are crewed by 45 sailors and up to 50 Royal Marines.’

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Yeah I’ve misread that… However, I wouldn’t call it a howler as Geoff has to refer to ’embarked’ royal marines as ‘crew’ when it states ‘crewed by’ 45 sailors & up to 50 royal marines…I’d imagine most of the public wouldn’t care to differentiate. I understood the difference when I read it which is where my confusion came from. Sloppy reporting of a non event really, but if the BBC are going to bang the ‘my ships bigger than your ship’ drum they should do their research. They’ve clearly focussed on the length, crew numbers and ‘gun size’ as a… Read more »

Herodotus
2 years ago

Who would know DM…they almost certainly don’t!

The Big Man
The Big Man
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

The day before the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral the BBC were live from Portsmouth. The reporter said, and I paraphrase, ‘Behind me you see the two new carriers, named after the Duke’s Wife and Son’. Just a teeny bit of research would have been useful.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  The Big Man

Perhaps we should recommend the BBC to employ DM as a defence editor to run his beady eye over their stories before they make idiots of themselves!

Andrew D
Andrew D
2 years ago

IT says it all about the French

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew D

IT? Are Thales involved?

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago

Political posturing from all sides, frankly. The French government aren’t being clear on the situation, but the UK government are being unnecessarily combative too. My understanding is that it’s taken longer to get paperwork through for some of the French boats, and they aren’t allowed to fish until it’s done. Also, some of Jersey’s rules may have changed regarding allowed catch, but for all vessels? These changes were anounced in January, France has done nothing to smooth the transition, Jersey should have been able to process well over the 100 French fishing applications in 5 months, and the UK government… Read more »

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago

The EU have just restricted the UK’s access to Norwegian waters they have fished for a very long time, so the Frenchies can’t complain.

Threatening to cut the supply the electricity to an island just shows the nick of the French and EU.

It also shows the stupidity of trusting foreign powers. Jersey needs to look at now having their own independent power generation facilities.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

Storm in a teacup….electricity from France is much cheaper than Jersey generating it independently. Britain imports French electricity when needed!

Grizzler
Grizzler
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

I haven’t looked but surely Wind power would be an ideal option for an independant power source – although maybe they don’t want those monstrosities spoiling the view – and I cant say I blame em.
Failing that get one of those Rolls Royce mini Nuclear plants over there – great opportunity for some real world testing.
We could also ensure the wind farms have a ‘blow’ setting & point to France only , just in case theres any issues with the Nuclear plant😀

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Grizzler

Any option would require massive investment…for what purpose? None that’s worth the candle 😊 in reality!

Grizzler
Grizzler
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

So out of interest whats your view on HMG ‘allowing’ China & EDF (part French owned) to be involved with building and running the new UK Nuclear Power Stations – including btw allowing the Chinese to trial a new design here in the UK?
You couldn’t make it up – its asking for trouble and quite simply shouldnt be allowed, but hey – when money talks you can forget sovereign integrity.

Heidfirst
Heidfirst
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

Jersey already has power generation fscilities but they are dearer to run/less green than that provided by the interconnector. I imagine that some quick checks are being run on it just in case.

Joe16
Joe16
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

That’s not true, Norway is like Jersey in that it administers its own fisheries policy underneath the EU-wide common fisheries agreement. It’s not a fully paid up member of the EU.
The EU, Norway and the UK came to overall quota agreements and suchlike earlier this year, but the UK and Norway then had to hold bilateral talks on exact quotas in each others’ waters. Those are what have broken down.
I’m not saying that the EU is always blameless, but direct blame where it’s due- in thi case on our government and Norway’s.

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe16

Correct. But having said that I’m not sure a no deal was good for Norway. The old deal was 8:1 in money value of fish taken from UK waters by Norway compated to UK catches from Norweign waters. No way was the UK going to keep accepting that. See….

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/uk-norway-fish-talks-collapse-brexit-london/amp/

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago

The Guardian is unhappy about sending “gunboats” and tries to link it to the Tories wanting to bolster their votes.

It’s found an ex ambassador who could “not believe how stupid, on every level, it is to send gunboats”. He’d negotiated the original treaty in the early 90s.

Makes you wonder at what point the diplomatic type would do something.

The Yes Minister sketch where the FO’s mantra was do nothing – do nothing – do nothing – now too late to do anything so do nothing; really was spot on.

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

Oh The Guardian will sell the UK out at the drop of a hat. Their bias is breathtaking.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  OldSchool

Biased in favour of what precisely?

AlexS
AlexS
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Marxism and Neo Marxism.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  AlexS

Oh, I see! So what do Marxists think about French fishermen then?

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

He’d probably be over the moon with their little revolt! He was, as I understand it, quite fascinated with the French Revolution.

I’d imagine the working class fishermen sticking it to the ‘system’ would please him somewhat.

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
2 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

He being Marx himself of course…

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  Rfn_Weston

Sort of latter-day Tolpuddle Martyrs!

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

I’d be surprised if French fisherman have that much of an impact!

Rogbob
Rogbob
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

See, I said we should send the CSG, escalate that!

Andy P
Andy P
2 years ago
Reply to  Rogbob

😂 They don’t like it up ’em…..

Y Ddraig Goch
Y Ddraig Goch
2 years ago

The French don’t understand that the UK government have no say in Jersey’s trade policy. Jersey is a self governing Crown Dependancy. The Jersey Government have delegated defence & foreign affairs to the UK Government but trade & so on is their own affair. I’m not saying that the new regulations are a good idea, just that it’s not down to the UK government.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago

Just saw on the BBC footage of sailor loading up a case Guinness and a case of fosters for this trip lol.

Last edited 2 years ago by dave12
Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

They’ve got their priorities right!

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

I dont know ,fosters should be made illegal, its a terrible beer our boys deserve better.

TrevorH
TrevorH
2 years ago

This is a not very clever ploy to deploy just before the elections, just in time for Boris to send in the navy to go in and assist Bergerac.

Herodotus
2 years ago
Reply to  TrevorH

That reminds me….it’s time to make my way to the polling station!

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

.

Last edited 2 years ago by dave12
James H
James H
2 years ago

I dont understand the whole picture with what is going on here but i do like the French passion for protest to get the government’s attention. In Britain we have become a bit passive, we sign a petition but that’s about it, maybe because the last two big protests the stop the war and student fees had so little impact.q