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Great analysis - negotiations fell apart not just because Johnson showed he could not command Parliament, but also due to UK request to remove level playing field provisions without which no agreement of any sort.
Major markets like the EU and US do not give preferential access to this for free (even if that would be economically beneficial) - you have to sign up to their conditions whether on labour, competition, or regulations.
Category error to think trade deals are straightforward because they are economically beneficial. Those benefits typically come at the expense of vested interests, a political cost that must see an equal or greater political or economic benefit
More - there is not the slightest chance the EU would sign up to any FTA without level playing field provisions, particularly with a neighbour. Time wasting.
