Brexit: and jam tomorrow

What is an 'innovative jam'?

The Daily Express isn't too sure either:

Jam tomorrow: Department of Trade GAFFE as it says France needs UK's 'jams and marmalade'

THE GOVERNMENT is looking for someone who can bring back Britain’s reputation as a fine global exporter - with “innovative jam and marmalade”.

By ZOIE O'BRIEN

PUBLISHED: 04:20, Tue, Oct 4, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:08, Tue, Oct 4, 2016

Trade bosses in Westminster released a bizarre advert over the weekend, hoping to recruit manufacturers and producers in the UK to sell jam to France.

An advertisement was tweeted out by the Government’s trade department on Sunday.

It states a “fine food agent” is hoping to find a British company to buy “innovative & high quality jams / marmalades” from.

The advert warns only a small quantity will initially be needed but said it was an opportunity to break a brand into the French market.

The notification sent Twitter users into a spin.

Many took the opportunity to mock the suggestion Britain will leave the single market when Brexit become official. 

Jamie Richardson wrote: “If only we had some form of multinational organisation which allowed us to trade our jam with France easily…”

Another Twitter user write: “Yes. If that's the absolute best that @tradegovuk can come up with it's clear that UK doesn't have much hope w/o single market.”

MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy wrote: “Finally figured out one of our Brexit negotiating lines I can get behind- we get to keep our marmite ... #stillhelping #patriot @tradegovuk” 

Another critic said: “When you use the phrase #InnovativeJams you have to know you're in a #BrexitJam or #BrexitPickle”.

Ben Thomas tweeted: “@tradegovuk So we're going to avoid financial ruin by becoming the marmalade powerhouse of Western Europe, are we? Phew, crisis averted.”

While others pointed out France famously sells jams in the UK.

Sima Diab wrote: “Isn't that like selling ice to Eskimos?”

Martin Baker said: “Don't know how to break this to you, but the French do a bit of jam themselves & you'll find it in Tesco!”

The Department for International Trade (DIT) gives little information over who the contract is with and what it is worth, but encourages people to apply.

Andrea Leadsom, who once ran to become Prime Minister against Theresa May, to succeed David Cameron, came under fire. Mrs May made Mrs Leadsom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in her Cabinet.

Julian Woodward wrote: “Three whole months @tradegovuk and this is the best you can come up with?! Pathetic @andrealeadsom.”

Jam tomorrow: Department of Trade GAFFE as it says France needs UK's 'jams and marmalade' | UK | News | Daily Express

Here is the original proposal on the government website:

Exporting is GREAT

With some Twitter responses:

1. Dmpt. for Inl. Trd. ‏@HardBiscuitsUK  Oct 4

   Denmark wants high quality, brilliant Welsh peas and liver. #ExportOpps #GREATBritain

   2 retweets1 like

    

    

    
2. Dmpt. for Inl. Trd. ‏@HardBiscuitsUK  Oct 4

   Belgium must have first-rate, exceptional British beans and sponges. #BrexitMeansBiscuits #ExportOpps

   3 retweets2 likes

    

    

    
3. Alisha Lewis ‏@Alishaclewis  Oct 3

   The #ExportOpps opportunities for Brexit sound like a list of pointless answers on a round of Pointless where the topic is 'British exports'

   0 retweets1 like

    

    

    
4. Rich ‏@RichK_  Oct 3

   Hey, we're out of the single market but look at all these retweets! #ExportingisGREAT #ExportOpps

   

    

   

   

   

   0 retweets0 likes

    

    

    
5. Chris AddisonVerified account ‏@mrchrisaddison  Oct 3

   Belgium is a huge Marmite-exporting opportunity for #British #Artisan Marmitists. #Trade #Is #Great @tradegovuk #ExportOPPS #BeerMat

   17 retweets33 likes

    

    

    
6. OOR Cath Maguire ‏@scarycath  Oct 3

   OOR Cath Maguire Retweeted David Halliday

   Loving the hashtag #ExportOpps

   OOR Cath Maguire added,

   

   David Halliday @DavidJFHalliday

   BREAKING Whitehall leak reveals May's Brexit negotiating points though officials stress it's early days and there may be even more.

   0 retweets0 likes

    

    

    
7. Paul Dobson ‏@porld  Oct 3

   Paul Dobson Retweeted Dept. for Int. Trade

   I hear Darkest Peru also needs high quality, innovative British marmalades @tradegovuk #ExportingisGREAT #ExportOpps

   Paul Dobson added,

   Dept. for Int. Trade @tradegovuk

   France needs high quality, innovative British jams & marmalades #EXportingisGREAT #ExportOpps http://ow.ly/aZpc304GPjn 

   0 retweets0 likes

    

    

    
8.  In reply to Dept. for Int. Trade

   Bruno Rohée ‏@brohee  Oct 3

   @tradegovuk Actually no we don't #EXportingisGREAT #ExportOpps

   0 retweets3 likes

    

    

    
9. Brendon Hope ‏@BrendonHope  Oct 3

   France needs high quality, innovative British bands like the Jam and Marmalade #EXportingisGREAT #ExportOpps http://ow.ly/aZpc304GPjn 

   

    

   

   0 retweets1 like

    

    

    
10.  In reply to Dept. for Int. Trade

    Andy Murray ‏@MrAndyMurray  Oct 3

    @tradegovuk I hear tell that Saudi Arabia needs high quality, innovative sand too! #EXportOpps #brEXit #Idespair

    2 retweets17 likes

     

     

     
11.  In reply to Dept. for Int. Trade

    Andy Murray ‏@MrAndyMurray  Oct 3

    @tradegovuk And, let's not forget about the high quality, innovative ice that we can now freely flog to the Eskimos! #EXportOpps #brEXit

    2 retweets7 likes

     

     

     

(6) #ExportOpps hashtag on Twitter
#EXportingisGREAT hashtag on Twitter

Meanwhile, there's been plenty of other comment:
Wee Ginger Dug: We're in a jam and the Tories know it | Comment | The National
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