YP Comment: Focus on Brexit not hyperbole - Barnier comes under fire

It says the consequences of the UK failing to reach a deal with the EU would be “widespread, damaging and pervasive”. The cost of no deal would trigger what’s been called a ‘chaotic Brexit’ which the report claims could have catastrophic repercussions.

It warns that Britain’s nuclear plants may not be able to operate; British airlines might be unable to fly; and both UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens here would find themselves in legal limbo.

Quite frankly such hyperbole and wild speculation is both unhelpful and does nothing to aid the Brexit process. The report follows accusations from one German MEP that the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier is trying to “punish” Britain as talks between Brexit Secretary David Davis and his EU counterpart continued in Brussels.

This will no doubt stoke fears that some in the European Parliament are determined to make sure Britain’s withdrawal is as difficult as possible in order to deter other countries from pulling out of the EU.

Tensions are understandably high as the two teams discuss the future rights of citizens, the thorny issues of border controls and the contentious Brexit “divorce bill”.

Nevertheless, while there is clearly frustration emanating from those involved at the negotiating table, the UK’s extrication from the EU should not simply be viewed as an exercise in damage limitation.

There are opportunities to be grasped and new alliances to be formed, and for all the political posturing we’ve seen in recent weeks and months both sides are well aware of what is at stake during these negotiations. And the bottom line is the more amicable they are, the better it will be for all concerned.

Heed this call - Police officers over-stretched

These are testing times for the country’s Police Service which has had to contend with budget restrictions as well as fundamental changes to its role. Police forces up and down the country are faced with ever growing demands by those they serve and are in the unenviable position of trying to meet these with diminished resources.

It’s an invidious task and one that is made all the more difficult by members of the public who are misusing the 999 system by calling it instead of the non-emergency 101 police number to report minor incidents - simply because they have run out of credit on their mobile phone.

It is a worrying trend identified by the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation and is adding to the pressure on the county force’s already over-stretched call centre staff.

As The Yorkshire Post reported last weekend, there are plans to move between 300 and 500 officers into neighbourhood policing roles in South Yorkshire - as Chief Constable Stephen Watson attempts to build bridges with local communities and repair the force’s tarnished reputation in the wake of a series of past and present controversies.

However, this forward-thinking approach risks being undermined because officers are being forced to deal with trivial matters that aren’t the best use of their time.

Members of the public need to show a modicum of commonsense and only use the free 999 number in an emergency. Equally, for the sake of 15 pence per call, surely the charges for 101 calls can be waived if it allows frontline officers to go about their work uninterrupted.

Driffield Show serves up a treat

It’s not only the biggest date in the town’s agricultural calendar, it’s also Yorkshire’s largest one-day country show.

And yesterday the Driffield Show, returning for its 142nd incarnation, pulled in the crowds serving as a gentle reminder that our agriculture industry is one of the region’s great success stories.

Following on from last week’s Great Yorkshire Show, more than 20,000 visitors flocked to the Driffield showground where they enjoyed a plethora of equestrian events, dog displays and rural crafts events.

The fact that traditional agricultural shows like this have been around for so long means it’s perhaps all too easy to take them for granted.

Equally, it’s easy to forget that our hard-working countryside communities are the backbone of this county and at a time of uncertainty for farming and rural businesses, it is shows like this that make us appreciate our heritage and give us our sense of identity.