Barnier has essentially rejected the backstop solution as expected (HERE) and (HERE). The time limit and partial regulatory alignment applying to the whole of the UK are the main stumbling blocks, as he made clear at the press conference yesterday. I think the patience of the EU is wearing thin and Barnier, it seems to me, is daring us to finally confront the truth, that Brexit has consequences and it's going to hurt. The EU press release is HERE
He is also getting wise to the gathering narrative in this country that all the problems, delays and difficulties are the fault of the EU, saying “When we tell our British counterparts that these benefits [of EU membership] are not accessible outside the system created by the European Union… some parties in the United Kingdom are responsible for the consequences of that decision.
“Let me say the following: we’re not going to be intimidated by this form of blame game. The United Kingdom has decided to leave the European Union; we respect that democratic decision and we are implementing it.”
He was asked about BoJo's comments on the negotiations going into "meltdown" and gave this response:
"I'm not going to comment on what the British Foreign Secretary has said. I always listen very attentively, but I'm not going to comment on that. What I can say is that, being very earnest and calm about this issue and, along with other Ministers who make proposals, sometimes we're surprised by these, sometimes they may seem rather paradoxical, sometimes you detect an element of nostalgia perhaps in belonging to the EU, because they want to remain in just about everything without having to respect the regulatory framework.
And what about this absolutely stinging gem - after 44 years of membership:
"We continue to work hard, and we continue to explain, very calmly, very clearly, what our positions are, and where necessary, we remind our partners of what the European Union is, what the Single Market is and what the Customs Union is"
And about the technical paper rushed over on Thursday, like an errant schoolboy breathlessly handing in his homework at the very last minute, he said something the newspapers haven't picked up on, "It is good to see the UK engaging with us by proposing text". What a put down!
Brexit Central are now suggesting (HERE) that whatever the Good Friday Agreement says, the referendum trumped that:
"Nothing in the Belfast Agreement committed the UK and Ireland to remaining indefinitely in a customs union and single regulatory area. And if anything in the Belfast Agreement had so committed the UK, it was overturned by the EU referendum, the conclusion of which was that we would be leaving the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union".
BoJo said the Irish border will be "absolutely unchanged" (HERE) if the vote was to leave the EU. Now we are told you voted to leave so things MUST change. These are dangerous times for Ireland.
At least Gisela Stuart (HERE) isn't blaming the EU, she claims it's remainers who are "complicating" Brexit.
Err, no. It was her comrade-in-arms, Boris Johnson, who told us the Irish border would remain "absolutely unchanged" after Brexit . We were told the deal could be agreed "in ten minutes" (Peter Lilley) and that we would have the "exact same benefits" (David Davis) after Brexit. These were all leavers. The complexities are all caused by the political and diplomatic contortions we are going through to try and fulfil the fantasy promises made by leavers. It is an exercise in mass circle squaring that is bound to fail in many cases. Remainers always said none of these things (and plenty of others) were remotely achievable - and we will be proved right.
So, it is not remainers who are to blame for the mess we're in now. Mrs Stuart should start looking in the mirror.
