I get the strong feeling by reading the analysis of those closer to politicians than I have ever been or will be, that what is stopping a deal is the fear that the UK government will be accused of selling out.
Given that a clear majority of the population now think that Brexit was a mistake (according to the polls), that every industrial lobby group I can think of is begging for a deal, and the police are warning of dire consequences of no deal, this is amazing. Also a no deal will play straight into the SNP’s hands and the cunning plan to break international law has come up against the reality of a new US president. Even parts of the fishing industry are warning of the consequences for exports if there is not a deal, ironic indeed.
All in all it is a sign of how much the internal schisms of the Tory party are still dominating this vital national policy.
https://jonty.substack.com/