Thread by @GrahameLucas

Diplomatic sources: the #Corbyn visit to Brussels was a waste of time because he wants a) a general election b) a new deal featuring a customs union for which there is no time and he does not have a majority in the Commons. The visit left EU officials shaking their heads

The May visit also left EU officials shaking their heads in disbelief. May spoke of progress, Juncker was pessimistic that a no deal #Brexit could be averted. EU officials do not believe the WA will get a majority in the Commons

Work continues in Brussels on an additional document on #Brexit to be appended to the Withdrawal Agreement. It would have to be approved by EU leaders at their next summit on 21 March. It will then be given to UK. However it will not contradict the WA ie will not satisfy ERG

The EU strategy is now to run down the clock and confront UK govt with a final additional document shortly before 29 March. If the country threatening suicide to get what it wants then pulls the trigger, so be it. The EU is prepared for no deal #Brexit and knows the consequences

#Juncker: #EU27 will not stand in the way should UK request an extension of Article 50. However, if the extension lasts until June, UK would have to participate in elections to EU parliament.

Ironically the EU #Brexit strategy now seems to be the same as the UK govt‘s strategy: run down the clock. The EU is going to say "take it or leave it - no concessions" at the last minute. From the outset UK has assumed EU will cave. It won’t. Bad calculation by May, Davis et al