Observations

Even a cursory read of Michel Barnier's statement confirms our opinion that there is currently not the slightest chance that a trade deal will be agreed with the EU. As things stand, it would not matter if the Transition Period were extended for five years - the sides are too far apart. Our longest-standing readers know that we have argued since before the EU Referendum that the EU would not do a sensible trade deal with the UK. For the EU zealots in Brussels this is about their extremist ideology, not business, jobs and livelihoods.

Readers may find some of our time analysis of the Brexit “trade” talks surprising. We suspect that most people in the United Kingdom – insofar as they know much about these talks at all given the BBC’s obsession with the Coronavirus – will assume that these talks are about trade.

These talks are mostly not about trade as most people would understand it

All international trade talks these days seem to have spiralled out of control, with bureaucrats instead of business people conducting them. Business folk would get straight to the heart of the matter: the terms of trade between the two parties. Bureaucrats – especially Eurocrats - want to talk about global controls, societal issues, and combining ideological aspirations, amongst other things.

David Frost and Boris Johnson continue to show the bulldog spirit

Readers will remember the supine incompetence of the Theresa May administration and its negotiating team, from 2016-2019. Years of dealing with these embarrassing people has clearly left the EU thinking that it can adopt similar tactics with the Johnson administration. How wrong they have been.

We thoroughly welcome the robust, intelligent approach of David Frost and his team and it is clear that this has the full backing of the Prime Minister.

Will the Eurocrats get it?

The EU has a massive goods trade surplus with the UK which came to €124.4 BILLION last year alone. (Approx £111 billion GBP.) It might be assumed that the EU would wish to keep this lucrative trade going. The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood MP amongst others has frequently pointed out what a generous offer the UK has made in this regard.

Instead it seems that the EU apparatchiks would rather spend their time talking about all manner of touchy-feely nonsense, as well as making absurd demands which no right-minded country anywhere in the world would accept – unless perhaps if it had been defeated in battle.

Only six weeks to go - Will talks collapse next month?

In just over six weeks’ time the EU and UK will either have to agree to extend the Transition Period beyond 31 December this year, or not.

Built into the Withdrawal Agreement signed by the Prime Minister in January is the date of 30 June. This is the deadline for agreeing an extension to the Transition Period – something which the EU is now desperate to see. It is also the deadline for a new fisheries agreement.

The Government is so far showing no signs of wishing to extend, but then we’ve all been here before. It is absolutely imperative that the Transition Period and the UK’s current colony status ends as early as possible, and certainly no later than 31 December this year. We are still paying the EU vast annual sums, and we are still under the jurisdiction of the EU’s Court of Justice, but with no votes and no say on anything. This travesty must end.

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