Thread by @timoconnorbl

Idly reflecting: there's been a psychological sea-change in regard to Brexit. I don't think the EU27 care any more. The feeling now is that a country willing to give power to someone like Johnson is not a serious country, and is just an external problem to be managed.

The UK is no longer an issue of "us" any more, in the way that Fidesz or PiS or various others are.

It's now an "out there" issue. Even for Ireland; it's now about the issues caused for us, not about the teamwork it was.

In terms of the mental filing cabinets, the UK has been moved into the third country cabinet. Johnson, the Brexit MEPs disgracing themselves - it's added up.

The UK is now a third country, psychologically, even if not yet legally.

That has real, important consequences.

Third countries rank behind any EU member state. Any state.

If you have put yourself in that slot, you will not get a favour from an EU27 that regards you as such.

The open exasperation with idiocy like the Kipper Lie shows that is how the UK is now regarded.

In short: I think the UK has not just wasted the time, it has used the time granted thus far to make things even worse in terms of the goodwill it needs for any changes or any further extensions.

Not, on balance, terribly wise.

Addendum: nor can I muster the ability to care any more, because there's going to be a French rider in yellow racing up the Col de Tourmalet tomorrow after gaining time in the time trial, so we're looking at a potential classic Tour. And that's FAR more important than Johnson.

Update: wasn’t I right about the Tourmalet, though?