This week, just has been the case for the past 2 months or so:
EU to UK - this is broadly what we would need to do a Deal. EU stands together on this. A little room for changes at the margin, but take it or leave it.
UK to EU - ummm, ahh, sovereignty, no ratchet clauses, fish.
EU to UK - this is broadly what we would need to do a Deal. EU stands together on this. A little room for changes at the margin, but take it or leave it.
UK to EU - ummm, ahh, sovereignty, no ratchet clauses, fish.
And sorry, yes, this is flippant. In reality at the working level, there has been a bit of progress, but the central issues are as they've been for ages.
Is the EU intransigent here? A little. But it knows what it cannot compromise on. And it's much bigger than UK is.
Is the EU intransigent here? A little. But it knows what it cannot compromise on. And it's much bigger than UK is.
The EU essentially knows it can survive No Deal better than the UK can. That its economy will take a lesser hit, and populations in the Member States will not blame the EU but will point the finger at Johnson.
The UK meanwhile, if it believed its own public rhetoric, ought to have walked away already - but it hasn't, because it doesn't (or not completely anyway). This isn't Frost's fault, but Johnson's.
The pros and cons of a deal are known.
How much the EU can move it pretty well known.
So UK Government - basically Johnson - make up your mind and stop prevaricating.
/ends
How much the EU can move it pretty well known.
So UK Government - basically Johnson - make up your mind and stop prevaricating.
/ends
(Oh and No Deal is not a permanent state anyway - it's a question of how many months of chaos the UK wants to have after 1 Jan.)
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