Once again our Anglo-Italian-German family (with Austrian and Swedish connections) was reunited. The location was a 1950's villa with stunning views over Lake Garda and the special occasion was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.
As might be expected, Brexit was one of our main topics of conversation after "Where is the best pizzeria?", "Where is Leo hiding now?" and "Have they emptied the bin/taken away the rubbish?" (more on recycling later). My Gran's favourite topic of conversation as always was Andy Murray, followed by Brexit.
I've heard about people falling out with other family members, friends and colleagues over Brexit, but in our family we all agree on two things:
1) The referendum was a bad idea from the start.
2) Brexit doesn't mean Brexit.
As time goes on and no clarity emerges, there is a possibility that Brexit can still be avoided, at least we hope so. After all, there is a legal argument that the government is not constitutionally entitled to trigger article 50 without approval from parliament.
So far, nothing has really changed in our family, except for the fact that the pound has lost value against the euro, so holidays in Italy and Germany are now more expensive for our UK based members.
Even the waiter serving us "coppe gelato" in the village of Montinelle couldn't resist a political observation: "Britain has never been the same since Margaret Thatcher left". Eyebrows were raised, coughing sounds were made and giggles were stifled, but I'm not sure the waiter noticed.
The truth is nobody really knows what will happen. It's all a giant mess (or an Eaton Mess) and it will take years to sort out.
It's even worse than sorting out the rubbish in Manerba del Garda. After one week most of us (except for me, as I did a crash course on recycling on the first day) still didn't know where to throw the serviettes or the tea bags away!
Rubbish collection is a serious and complicated business. Each day of the week, between 8pm and 4am, your rubbish needs to be left outside your house or taken to the nearest street corner. Monday is organic waste (biodegradable bags in brown bin) and other rubbish (black bags no bin), Tuesday is paper (in paper bags or cardboard boxes only, no bin), Wednesday is organic waste again, Thursday is glass and metal (blue bin only, no bags), Fridays is plastic (transparent bags no bin).
Confused?
Or you could do as my uncle suggested: dump everything into the bins on the beach, which is kind of how I feel about the Brexit ballot papers.
Meanwhile we are all back in our respective countries of Italy, Germany and the UK, except for my brother who's currently on a business trip in India.
Looking forward to the next European reunion...
When Theresa May met Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, Bio-Currywurst was probably not on the menu (or at least one would hope so).
In a pre-dinner press conference, the German Chancellor agreed with the British Prime Minister that more time is needed before Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty can be triggered. She also did not dismiss the possibility of a deal that combines free trade with controls on immigration. However, Angela Merkel also added that there will be no negotiations until Article 50 has been invoked.
Before setting off on her EU travels, Theresa May announced through a spokesperson that the UK is giving
up its planned presidency of the European Council (due to start in July
2017) to focus on Brexit negotiations. The
decision was reached in a phone call between Theresa May and Donald Tusk, the President of the EU Council.
When Theresa May met François Hollande the following evening in Paris, the French President was not quite so accommodating. Although he did recognise that the UK needs more time before it can trigger Article 50, he was very clear about France's position on free trade. If the UK wants access to the single market it cannot put immigration controls on EU citizens, i.e. free trade cannot be granted without free movement of people.
In case you are wondering what was on the menu in Paris: lobster salad as a starter, veal with spinach as a main course, vanilla mousse with strawberries and cheese for dessert. Bon appétit!
One week ago...
David Cameron was still the UK Prime Minister.
Theresa May was still the Home Secretary and one of two contestants in the Conservative leadership race.
Boris Johnson had disappeared into oblivion.
Five days ago...
David Cameron shared a few jokes with his colleagues at his last Prime Minister's Questions before moving out of Downing Street with his family.
Theresa May paid a visit to the Queen and became the new Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson popped into number 10 and was made Foreign Secretary.
The reaction to the news of Boris Johnson's appointment was shock, disbelief, bemusement, amusement and apprehension. The sign on the railings outside Boris' home in London "SORRY WORLD" summarises all of these feelings.
On his first day as Foreign Secretary, Boris was challenged with the difficult task of locating his car, while trying to avoid questions from journalists.
While the world focussed on the alarming news of the promotion of the former Mayor of London to the third-most powerful position in UK politics after Prime Minister and Chancellor, Theresa May made other controversial decisions.
David Davis was made Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
Liam Fox (who resigned in 2011 from David Cameron's government after he "mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred") was made Secretary of State for International Trade.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change was abolished.
What about Brexit?
Although Theresa May was officially on the Remain side, she insists that "Brexit means Brexit"
and that there will be no second referendum on the EU. She has also said she will
not trigger Article 50 until the UK's negotiating position has been defined.
Meanwhile, David Davis, the minister in charge of Brexit, has recently said that the UK can formally trigger its departure from the EU by 2017.
What about Scotland?
Scotland wants to remain in the EU.
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, says a second referendum on Scottish independence from the UK is being considered.
Theresa May is against this idea.
The mess continues...
There is a petition to have the pudding Eton Mess renamed as Brexit!
Eton Mess is a traditional British dessert made with strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream.
Eton is an exclusive school for boys in England. It's called a public school, but it's actually private and very expensive. Both David Cameron and Boris Johnson were educated at Eton.
