EU talks soft while preparing for hardest Brexit
EU has long suspected May’s tactic to take Brexit talks to the brink. Despite emollient words, neither side is blinking.
EU wants bespoke deal – just not type UK has in mind
May keeps on talking about how she wants a special deal. She’s likely to get one - to stop a regulatory bonfire.
Hammond puzzles EU with his Berlin speech
Is UK still dithering? Is it naive? Or is Chancellor trying to undermine Brextremists with impossible demands? Brussels hasn’t a clue.
EU helped May out because it fears successor would be worse
In agreeing “sufficient” progress had been made in talks, Brussels decided that PM must be rescued from both DUP and cabinet Brexiters.
EU says no good trade deal without ‘level playing field’
Insistence on UK staying close to EU rules post-Brexit won’t please Brextremists. But if we don’t agree, our economy will be badly hurt.
EU despair at UK meltdown prevents Brexit breakthrough
Impossibility of knowing who will be negotiating the UK’s Brexit policies is enough to keep EU anchored in current position.
EU sees advantages in UK’s shambolic approach to Brexit
Leavers thought they’d play divide and rule among EU’s 27 countries. It’s actually UK that’s divided - and Brussels isn’t unhappy.
May’s Florence speech likely to fail in both its goals
PM wanted to break stalemate in negotiations and paper over differences in Tory party. Early reaction suggests she’s achieved neither.
4m lives mustn’t be blighted any longer by uncertainty
UK says it will guarantee EU citizens’ rights providing EU does same for Brits. Now EU has proposed extensive rights for all, will UK agree?
Brevity and unity are EU’s message to Britain
EU27 leaders hold a short summit to signal to the UK that they are united behind strict terms for the Brexit negotiations.
What exactly is a “deep and special partnership”?
That’s what the PM says she wants with the EU. But as with her previous mantra of getting the “best possible deal”, she’s being vague.
Tory divisions loom as EU sets out draft terms for talks
Although there is virtually nothing surprising in EU’s draft negotiating guidelines, they may still shock public and divide Tories.