There is a very interesting report in the Financial Times based on an interview with Michel Barnier. He makes several points worth paying attention to.
The UK, he says, could have had a better deal but didn’t ask for one; on a whole host of issues. Mainly, I think, this was a political decision to do with leaving both the Customs Union and the Single Market and having nothing to do with the ECJ. But it is also the case that the UK could still have tried to negotiate membership of quite a few handy organisations and quite a few useful options; such as making it easier for musicians to travel and work in the EU; but didn’t even try.
M. Barnier then points out that the problems at the border are the new normal. That must be true, there are some glitches and problems that can be ironed out but the fact is the UK has reversed 40 years of ironing out problems.
Most worrying for the UK M. Barnier points out one of the UK’s first actions on leaving the EU, was to allow the use of a banned pesticide that is linked with harm to bees. He is very clear, warning that if the UK lowers standards then the EU is allowed to introduce tariffs and will do so.
The UK can do the same but then when was the last time the EU lowered standards? His final point is also worth remembering, there will be no renegotiation.
Who said “Brexit means Brexit”?
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