What UK should be saying at EU’s 60th birthday party
Our empty chair at today’s summit is a tragic symbol of waning influence. Assuming we quit, our absence from EU top table will be permanent.
Poland will back EU not Brexit
Despite acrimonious domestic politics, both Poland’s government and opposition agree priority is maintaining the union and single market.
Brexit will be low on Dutch priorities post election
Netherlands has been staunch UK ally. Next 6 months could be consumed forming coalition. After that, priority will be keeping EU together.
Turkey row rams home fantasy of favourite Leave myth
Erdogan’s fury gives a lie to Brexiter propaganda that Turkey was about to join EU. It could also distract EU from the Brexit talks.
Schulz’ surge in German elections complicates Brexit
SPD leader is less pro-UK than Merkel - and, even for her, Brexit is a second-tier issue compared to keeping EU 27 together.
Juncker’s plan is eurosceptic-lite, not a power grab
The Express lambasted the Commission’s White Paper. In fact, it lays out just the sort of pragmatic vision Britain would once have welcomed.
EU and UK talk peace but prepare for war
Rationality dictates that Brexit should end in a deal. But passion may trump logic. No wonder both sides are preparing for the worst.
Spain won’t succumb to divide and rule over Brexit
Hopes that Spain can be persuaded to take a softer line than Germany will be dashed - for a number of reasons, not least Gibraltar.
Good, bad and ugly – the three possible Brexit outcomes...
Sadly the good outcome (no Brexit) is the least likely. More probable are hard Brexit (a bad deal) and very hard Brexit (no deal at all).
Dutch torn between UK sympathy and EU solidarity
Populist Geert Wilders won’t win the elections. But his agenda may influence how next government approaches the Brexit negotiations.