As good a reminder as any of the most overlooked Brexit issue - the thousands (millions?) of individuals and businesses across the UK and EU fearing for their future in a no-deal Brexit. It is time to put aside the blame game, ignore the purists, and reach a sensible deal. 1/
Enough also of the idea we can or even should reach a Brexit deal at the last moment - this isn't a standard trade agreement where if you don't get a deal this year then maybe next year. They're nice to have, this is an essential 2/
If you follow the briefings, the stories etc it is blindingly obvious there's a deal that can be reached, given a little bit of movement, creativity and political will from both sides. It won't be ideal but will reassure a lot of people. Especially if it happened soon 3/
(in short, though this isn't the purpose of this thread, a Northern Ireland backstop that need never be used as long as future negotiations progress. Negotiators can fix the detail. Self-obsessed egoists like Boris Johnson would hate it, but this isn't about them) 4/
Realistically a deal won't be reached today. Saying today we WILL get a deal in November will reassure. Not a deal for purists, but the EU and UK didn't get where we are without flexibility. Let's just get some certainty, at least for a few years while we debate further 5/ end
So the response from remainers / people's vote etc is expected - there is no good deal. But sorry, you're in serious danger of playing with people's livelihoods by focusing on this and nothing else. Because it leaves very few voices saying we need a deal.
