It’s not hard for analysts or journalists to dial-an-EU diplomat following David Frost’s resignation as Brexit Secretary, and hear them say something “not very complimentary” (if we’re being polite..). Lord Frost’s ‘hardball’ manner was NOT appreciated in Brussels, but /1
It was recognised as a negotiating tactic. It would now be a mistake, to assume his departure or his replacement by Liz Truss will have a massive impact on post-Brexit relations with EU. Mistrust in the UK government will likely remain, long after Lord Frost leaves. And why? /2
Because key EU leaders, like Angela Merkel (+ her successor Olaf Scholz), France’s Emmanuel Macron and Netherlands’ Mark Rutte, say they believe successive UK prime ministers from David Cameron, to Theresa May, to Boris Johnson, were dishonest with them. Something the UK denies/3
But the oft-heard Brussels view is: UK govs tried to ‘play EU like fools’ as of setting the Brexit referendum date- with PMs speaking to EU about Brexit in a more collegiate manner, then becoming far more hard-line, when addressing UK public, partic their own Conservative party/4
From now, it depends on decisions by Boris Johnson, and the PM that eventually follows him (whenever that may be), rather than Lord Frost’s departure, whether cross-Channel relations improve or deteriorate. Of course EU attitudes are key here too /5
This is not about reversing Brexit, or changing a hard Brexit to a soft one. It’s more a question of whether -or not - the 2 sides can work better together on the Northern Ireland Protocol, wider post Brexit trade issues, security and defence, financial services and more /6
What’s needed first off is more trust and pragmatism on both sides. The mood in Brussels is pessimistic - at least in the short-term. Future EU-UK relations are about a lot, lot more than Lord Frost /6 #Frost #brexit
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
