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Government negotiating mistakes, part 94, the failure to be collaborative. There's a lot of no deal tariff talk, and various folk including myself speculating. But insofar as I can tell no proper off the record briefing for anyone, and not much real consultation.
Such consultation and briefing gives you a group of people who even if they're not happy with everything will at least understand the rationale, and point out some of the reasoning. They will also help point out potential flaws, and help amplify messages.
This secrecy has hurt the UK in Brussels, since businesses, think tanks etc are regularly asked about UK positions and can't clearly say what they are. Confusion spreads. It also hurts the Government in the UK by giving the appearance of chaos whether true or not.
The PMs obsession with secrecy, like the idea of using no deal threats, is based on fundamental misunderstanding of international negotiations. You have to create a broad consensus, including various groups outside Government. It simply hasn't happened. /end
