Thread by @DavidHenigUK

The significance of next week seemingly being that it is not this week, but not as late as the week after.

Basically EU leaders hoping as they have been for some months that the UK will show realism about the final deal. ft.com/content/542521…

The fundamental problem being this.

(it is worth noting that it is normal in trade talks to declare a deal before all elements are finalised, but when both sides are confident there will be a deal. Clearly they aren't, yet.)

https://twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status/1328820499867181058

The UK government's language about the deal has not helped. By claiming the EU need for level playing field measures is some kind of desperate attempt to keep the UK under EU law, regardless of the content, it makes it harder to claim victory if such content remains.

But above all when thinking about an EU deal stop thinking of whether the two sides can come up with an arrangement on fish that seems fair between them (yes), and start thinking about whether the PM can make a deal palatable to the ERG or break with them (who knows?).

So, bluntly with regard to the UK-EU deal (and this is the interpretation EU Member States and the Commission share)

https://twitter.com/FabianZuleeg/status/1328972037461848064