@garvanwalshe I think this strategy is not effective at all. For one it assumes that EU is okay with EEA as a parking slot for UK and letting the relationships slide into a permanent negotiation mode. That won't fly. There was a reason why EU put of the shelf solutions on the table. /1
@garvanwalshe But even if we entertain this option: The main problems of this "negotiation" is a) power imbalance and b) EU's red lines which are -for reasons of self preservation - absolute. He can do whatever he wants, that won't change in the next decade. /2
@garvanwalshe Sure, slight adjustment are possible but EU unlikely to be willing to be permanently in a negotiation mode. There are more important things than UK, that's one of the reasons Brexit isn't a big deal in public discourse & politics on the continent. /3
@garvanwalshe The "face down" part is also a rather typical phrase in the political commentary, which is - I believe - inappropriate. I describes a situation as an everyday interaction or like a game b/w few people. This picture is also fed by saying that there is a leadership problem. /4
@garvanwalshe But there is neither a leadership problem nor a facing down situation. Groups and institutions are clashing, united by different - for them existential and substantial interests. They clash b/c they believe their opponents endanger them. /5
@garvanwalshe He won't be able to face them down since they believe, that this option is not just bad for re-election matters but also because they sincerely believe that it puts UK in a vassal state mode. A situation where they believe even extreme economic hardship is preferable. /6
@garvanwalshe Hence facing them down or leading is not the problem here. Two adversaries clash b/c they believe the other side undermines their political existence / identity. The reference to Collins seems to me - accounting for the big picture - superficially appropriate. /7
@garvanwalshe But problem I have is that it shifts its focus towards "men made history" instead of looking to underlying causes (social changes, power imbalance, political segmentation / fragmentation / polarisation) which shapes the situation more than Gove by changing sides ever could. 8/8
