Comforting reading for the government and Brexit ultras, to tell them they're right, the UK's approach to EU talks is entirely reasonable, and the EU is wrong.
Put the claims under the microscope as so often they don't stand up. This for a start. The EU doesn't think this.
Put the claims under the microscope as so often they don't stand up. This for a start. The EU doesn't think this.
Very important to say it is the EU's fault we don't want to extend the transition period. No hint that perhaps extending would be to put the UK first.
This would be fine if the UK had in fact committed to a new state aid regime as described. Probably the EU would be happy with it as well. Only we haven't actually proposed this, at least publicly. And no trading partner takes a verbal promise as worth much.
Yes the EU would insist on the right architecture. And they have good reasons to do so not least their own precedent, which was supposed to be important to us...
A welcome acknowledgment that the UK government has so far not come up with proposals on Northern Ireland. Not enough just to focus on customs though, the regulatory side also is going to require serious proposals.
The idea that changing plans in the face of an unprecedented global crisis is weakness makes every country in the world weak. But the EU aren't shocked by UK actions sadly. Baffled and bemused would be better words.
No deal would be less certain than extension of transition. And why not ask business if they prefer extension or not? Best to assume in case they give the wrong answer...
Four years in, no sign of the EU changing course according to what a departing country would want.
Really it is better in negotiations to understand the other party.
Thread dedicated to officials who know the realities but have to pretend not to do so to protect their careers.
Really it is better in negotiations to understand the other party.
Thread dedicated to officials who know the realities but have to pretend not to do so to protect their careers.
