Re: Brexit and the EU
Hi
My views.
The majority of eligible voters voted to Leave, that is how democracy works.
Barnier works for his political masters, his remit has been set by the Leaders of the EU States.
The EU States, a fractious bunch on many things, have been remarkably solid in their resolve so far, they have not moved an inch.
We have set out our red lines, really very simple, no Customs Union, no Single Market, no Norway or Swiss Models, right at the start of the process.
That leaves two options, a simple Free Trade Agreement or WTO Rules.
One of the reasons we are leaving is to strike our own free Trade Deals, which will be along the lines of all other Free Trade Deals, including the one offered by the EU, the Canada Deal.
We want more, but the EU will not give us a bespoke agreement along the lines we want.
There are reasons for this, it would trigger clauses in their existing Trade Agreements forcing them to offer the same agreement to all the others.
The EU have taken the view that this would not be in their best interests.
As regards Ireland, they have a Veto on any deal, as do all EU Countries.
It is Varadkar who is leading the charge on ths, not the EU.
It is a pure piece of political opportunism on his behalf.
What ever the outcome of all this, I agree with Moscow on this issue, we have to respond.