Thread by @nialloconghaile

Not such a good idea to talk about winners and losers.

For one thing, the UK and its citizens had "lost" once they had voted for Brexit and engaged A50.

1.

economist.com/europe/2023/03…

For another, Europe needed to protects its member states, citizens and way of life. It this it succeeded absolutely.

2.

But it is telling that the Brexiters and many Britons feel they have "lost". Quite simply, life is worse outside Europe and there is strength in unity.

But it is also clear that Brexit, apart from being foolish, was plain directionless from the off.

3.

As the article says, "Having bulldozed its way to negotiating victory, the eu saw little point in hammering home the point"

This is why I'm not a negotiator. Europe now sees the geopolitical interest of keeping Britain in the tent (for standards and defence among other things)
4

I would have found it so tempting to push this home, enforce the original protocol deal...

There will be other spats to come, but you feel that UK is starting to accept the reality of being outside Europe. This is healthy.

5.

Europe should now offer an SPS agreement, a mobility agreement, a veterinary agreement, and Erasums, under ECJ oversight.

Also perhaps a partial customs union might now be appropriate, at least formal recognition that the UK is incapable of imposing tariffs.

6.

Most of all, it would be nice if, like EEA and CH, UK becomes just another oddity in the Brussels system, settled and pleasant, with issues dealt with through quiet diplomacy rather that populist nationalism.

#thankEU
#BrexitDisaster #Article49

PS the people who have genuinely lost are the Europhobes, who thought they could break us up and hurt our way of life.

🇪🇺

PPS the Brexiters have been skinned in negotiations with Oz and NZ, and failed to get any change from Europe, which simply set the terms.

They are deluded if they think it will get any easier negotiating with Uncle Sam.

#StáitAontaitheMheiriceá