Thread by @tony_nog

1) It's still Hard #Brexit - thread
Couple of things to point out as we head to "Canada ++++"

A) it suits the EU as a fallback but
B) as far as the UK is concerned, its still damaging, draining, hardest of hard Brexits & nothing to be celebrated
Here's what we've forgotten

2) firstly, yes the EU27 would prefer we remain & if not they'd prefer a close arrangement - but at this point they'd settle for the island of Ireland being protected & an orderly exit

They're not going to save us from ourselves

They can minimise the damage of UK leaving SM

3) so let's not kid ourselves that the EU27 will make sure we get a good deal or one that has minimal damage to the UK, they will look after each other, they have to.

All the ++ means is cooperation in certain areas, not untold riches or a "special deal"

4) secondly, if you cast your mind back to all of 18 months ago when no deal wasn't seriously being discussed Hard Brexit was defined as not being in both the SM & the CU.

If we don't end up in both, the damage is still great, just without the chaos of no deal

5) there's a danger that Canada++ becomes acceptable. It's a "proper" brexit & better than no deal. But it's still rubbish for the UK. And the fact that the EU27 are prepared to offer it simply means they're engaged in damage limitation, not because it's good for the UK
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