1st read through EU's negotiating mandate for Commission as adopted today. No particular surprises: essentially follows political declaration + subsequent public statements. Confirmation eg NI border arrangements are permanent (not backstop) & of hardline position on Gibraltar...
& otherwise: from fisheries to level playing field, clear EU will protect its own interests, especially faced with unreliable right wing regime in UK. Though speaking for myself: much rather EU acted as de facto defender of our social rights than be left alone in Tory clutches!
In any case, those with even passing interest in trade/security relations can get clear sense from this mandate of just how radically EU-UK relations are going to change in 2021 - and this EU blueprint is positive and optimistic, compared to what the Tories want / simple no deal.
