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It had everything to do with not being in the EU. As you correctly say, there was a lot of flexibility in terms of negotiation regarding the vaccine. But also, as you correctly say most EU members opted for the ‘United’ approach. In this respect they were hampered by massive bureaucracy and inter-state competition for resources which impaired their decision making process. Even when presented with access to an effective and inexpensive vaccine, developed with British money and expertise, in which they had declined to invest heavily or place early contracts for, they actively maligned the vaccine in many quarters, misrepresenting the risk/benefit ratio and discouraging usage as exemplified by Macron’s stupid pronouncements. Had we still been in the EU would things have been different? Well, there would have been considerable pressure to conform to a united approach, and we probably would have done. But if we had acted as we in fact did , but as EU members , we could have been restrained by EU compliance and regulatory delays and possibly contracted differently and there is no guarantee the outcomes would have been the same. So outside the EU we had a very successful vaccine rollout. Within the EU we might still have done reasonably, but we certainly wouldn’t have done better and would most likely have done worse. Quite frankly, logically it’s a no-brainer. Jerry.

One point I would like to add regarding Astro Zeneca, They made no profit and supplied several other countries, The EU also tried blocking vital ingredients and supplies to the UK for not giving it to them the vaccine before others, even to the extent of blocking Italy sending out stockpiles to other countries.

Absolutely, about a month ahead of the rest of Europe in approving and implementing vaccine rollout utilising the effective and vastly cheaper Astro-Zeneca vaccine, and more expensive alternatives where clinically indicated. Despite adverse National factors such as ethnic make-up, population density, multi centre seeding etc our NHS was not overwhelmed unlike Italy, and Spain amongst others and over the pandemic as a whole we are in the middle ground compared to other European countries in per capita mortality and were able to open up economically much earlier. Professor David Spiegelhalter, who I saw at the Hay Festival, acknowledged this as being a UK success story. Jerry

I agree that cabinet friction is just a diplomatic term for slight wear however caused. I think it is often used when you have a coin without many contact marks to make it more believable that it was caused by storage. The term "athlete's foot" sugars the pill for someone with a foot fungal infection. Most people with the condition are definitely not athletes!

Maybe it is only an auction house representation for slight worn coin? If they said it's worn, then potential buyer likely go away. If it is said cabinet friction, then people may think hm...it's ok, friction only, then likely placing bid. Then, auction house has their job done to sell it n grab the meaty commission.