People are not ranting about Brexit, the question is about what happens now Brexit has happened.
And the answer is that businesses affected simply need to deal with it, as part of the wider environment they operate in. Like a labour shortage, or higher interest rates.
The UK Goverment controls the border and allocates border resources. A very obvious consequence of choosing a form of Brexit that included leaving the single market was the need to beef up the borders to maintain capacity and efficiency. In addition, it was also going to be the case when leaving the single market that extra physical border facilities would be required that the Government should pay for as is not the Port of Dover or Holyhead or Eurostar(relatively small companies) that have changed the game. It doesn’t matter whether you believe Brexit was a good idea or not. It is just a consequence that needs to be dealt with - ideally without drama.
(And you’re seriously suggesting you aren’t moaning about Brexit?
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A border, by definition, is controlled by both parties. It appears to be the passport stamping by French authorities that is causing the delays. You keep saying “the government should pay”, but it’s not clear why they should when it isn’t the UK government that has created the requirement for passports to be manually stamped.
A way of dealing with it “without drama” is to let things continue as they are and for Eurostar/the French authorities to increase staff. Alternatively, why can’t France simply allow UK citizens to use e gates?
It’s not the point though, it is our border with our nearest physical neighbours and so we should be leading on implementing the extra border capacity required for a longer per passenger processing time.
The delays are apparently being caused by the French authorities insisting on stamping UK citizens’ passports, and refusal to allow UK passport holders to use e gates, so it’s hard to see why that’s the UK government’s responsibility to put right, or why the UK taxpayer should foot the bill.
Perhaps I have misunderstood but are you suggesting that the reported statement by Eurostar that they are deliberately reducing capacity is untrue?
As I say they are a successful and profitable company. They can improve their own facilities. Clearly demand has reduced post pandemic, but that’s likely to be down to reduced business travel and the wider cost of living crisis. Surely people aren’t suggesting that having to have passports stamped is putting people off using Eurostar?
None at all - as you say they have every right to do so - but I don't understand how no matter what technology is in place we can go back to getting UK citizens through as quickly as before Brexit if they are going to be asked questions rather than (as before) just having to show that they have a UK passport.
The article specifically mentions that it is stamping UK citizens’ passports by French authorities that is causing the delays. Therefore it’s a matter for Eurostar/the French authorities to address. Either more staff are needed or they could fast track UK passport holders.